Whale and Dolphin Watching by Semi-Rigid Boat from Funchal Madeira

Funchal Marina and the waterfront of Madeira's capital

Funchal grew from a small settlement founded by Portuguese navigators in the fifteenth century into the capital of Madeira, and its name comes from the wild fennel, funcho, that once covered the bay. The town climbs the hills in a great amphitheatre of white houses and terraced gardens, and the marina sits right in the centre, beside the seafront avenue and the lawns of Praça do Povo.

Our Funchal marina boat trip starts at store 2 on the marina quay, a short walk from the old town, the cathedral and the cable car station. Arrive about fifteen minutes early to check in and meet the team. After the trip the whole waterfront is on your doorstep, so it is easy to combine the outing with a walk through the Zona Velha or lunch in the centre, which makes it one of the easiest things to do in Funchal.

The deep Atlantic waters off the south coast

Madeira is the top of a volcanic mountain rising from the ocean floor, so the sea drops to great depths just a few kilometres from the shore. Warm Atlantic currents, deep water and plenty of squid and fish bring cetaceans close to the coast throughout the year, which is why whale watching in Madeira is so rewarding compared with many other destinations in Europe.

Once the boat leaves the breakwater the skipper opens the throttle and the semi-rigid hull skims across the swell, with the cliffs of the south coast and the hills above Funchal behind you. Lookouts posted on high points along the coast scan the sea with binoculars and radio the position of any blows or fins, so the boat spends its time with the animals rather than searching blindly. The ride can be bumpy, part of the fun for most guests.

The dolphins of Madeira

Bottlenose dolphins and short-beaked common dolphins live around the island all year, often in lively groups that ride the bow wave and leap beside the boat. From spring to autumn Atlantic spotted dolphins arrive in large numbers, and on calm days you may see mothers swimming with their calves, groups hunting together or long lines of dolphins travelling just under the surface.

This is where the marine biologist really makes the difference. As the animals approach, your guide explains how to tell the species apart, how they communicate and why they behave as they do, all while keeping a respectful distance under the island's code of conduct for watching marine mammals. The low deck of the semi-rigid boat puts your eyes close to the water, perfect for photos, and many guests say these moments are the best wildlife tour in Madeira.

Whales off Madeira: what you can see

Short-finned pilot whales are resident and are seen on many trips, moving in close family groups that often rest at the surface. Sperm whales pass the island especially in spring, and in summer Bryde's whales feed in the warm waters, while fin and sei whales appear in spring and autumn. Loggerhead sea turtles and seabirds such as Cory's shearwaters are frequent extra sightings.

Madeira once had a whaling station in Caniçal, closed in 1981, and today the surrounding sea is a protected area where the animals are watched instead of hunted. Sightings are never staged, so every outing is different. The best time to visit Madeira for whale watching is spring and summer, when the variety of species is greatest, though dolphins can be met in every season. If no cetaceans are seen, you receive a second trip at no extra cost.