September is usually a good month for some big cetaceans to pass by Madeira though with ocean temperature higher than normal we never know what we will get...

Week 36: From the 31st of August to the 6th of September 2026
Bryde's whale Balaenoptera edeni
Short-finned pilot whale Globicephala macrorhynchus
Common Bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus
Atlantic spotted dolphin Stenella frontalis

As both air and ocean temperatures rise, there is growing unease among the ones that truly care for and respect Nature...

Week 35: From the 24th to the 30th of August 2026
Striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba
Atlantic spotted dolphin Stenella frontalis
Common Bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus
Short-finned pilot whale Globicephala macrorhynchus
Blainville's beaked whale Mesoplodon densirostris
Sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus

It is getting scary the high temperatures all around the planet and the consequences it might bring to all creatures... Cetaceans will also suffer from it as the ocean temperature is also increasing significantly. So we keep track of which species of dolphins and whales still visit Madeira weekly, despite the constant destruction of nature in this island...

Week 31: From the 27th of July to the 2nd of August 2026
Atlantic spotted dolphin Stenella frontalis
Short-beaked common dolphin Delphinus delphis
Rough-toothed dolphin Steno bredanensis
Common Bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus
Short-finned pilot whale Globicephala macrorhynchus
Sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus
Bryde's whale Balaenoptera edeni
Fin whale Balaenoptera physalus

June started quite windy in the East and Eest tips of Madeira which makes it difficult to spot the sea mammals in rough ocean... But the second half of June has been much calmer allowing some great whalewatching experiences!

Week 26: From the 22nd to the 28th of June 2026
Bryde's whale Balaenoptera edeni
Striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba
Atlantic spotted dolphin Stenella frontalis
Short-beaked Common dolphin Delphinus delphis
Common Bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus
Short-finned pilot whale Globicephala macrorhynchus
Cuvier's beaked whale Ziphius cavirostris
Sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus

May... the force of nature be with you! May is a powerful month in terms of nature as one can feel that Spring has settled in - birds displaying, flowers blooming and more ocean creatures coming to life!

Week 22: From the 25th to the 31st of May 2026
Striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba
Atlantic spotted dolphin Stenella frontalis
Short-beaked common dolphin Delphinus delphis
Risso's dolphin Grampus griseus
Common Bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus
Cuvier's beaked whale Ziphius cavirostris
Bryde's whale Balaenoptera edeni

Week 21: From the 18th to the 24th of May 2026
Bryde's whale Balaenoptera edeni
Blainville's beaked whale Mesoplodon densirostris
Short-finned pilot whale Globicephala macrorhynchus
Pygmy killer whale Feresa attenuata
Common Bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus
Short-beaked common dolphin Delphinus delphis
Atlantic spotted dolphin Stenella frontalis

This website is developed by Wind Birds' company as a contribute to the knowledge and conservation of whales and dolphins species around the Madeira archipelago and to promote whale watching in a sustainable way.

26 species of cetaceans are confirmed records for Madeira archipelago waters and three species remain as dubious records as there are not enough evidence to allow a definite identification of the species.

One can not write about whale watching without mentioning whaling, as that was how it all started... So we begin by framing historically the whaling industry in Madeira archipelago and the use of its products.

In Madeira, whale watching has evolved from chance encounters into one of the island’s most captivating marine experiences. Following the end of whaling, sightings of whales and dolphins became increasingly common, often delighting passengers on coastal and big game fishing trips when pods happened to cross their path. What began as a matter of luck gradually transformed into a dedicated tourism activity, and by 2004, specialized companies were launching sea excursions dedicated to the observation of cetaceans.

Today, Madeira boasts a wide range of operators offering whale and dolphin watching tours around the island. With so many options available, the real choice lies in selecting a company that prioritizes sustainability, respects marine life, and delivers an authentic, responsible encounter with nature.