Madeira Press Kit - Associação de Promoção da Madeira

WHALE WHALE AND AND DOLPHIN DOLPHIN WATCHING WATCHING IN IN MADEIRA
MADEIRA
The Atlantic waters around Madeira Islands are frequently visited by varied species of
Whales and Dolphins. The oceanographic and ecological characteristics of the Madeira
Archipelago, namely the food availability in the archipelagos sea, in comparison to the
high seas, and its sub-marine topography (characterized great depths next to the coast),
make this archipelago a very privileged place in the occurrences of cetaceans, of which 22
species were already sighted at different frequencies.
The Whales pass by Madeira Islands in the spring, during their migration to the North, and
in the autumn, during their migration to the South. These animals have huge dimensions;
depending on the species, adults may vary between 8 and 30m in length and 8 to 160
tons.
Dolphins also use the Madeira waters as a passage point (for feeding and reproduction) or,
in the case of same species - like the Bottlenose Dolphins -, as a permanent residence. In
1986, a decree-law for the cetacean protection was implemented in the Madeira
Archipelago, with the purpose of terminating its capture and death.
There are around 70 species of Whales + Dolphins in the world. Of those, more than 10
species may be watched regularly around Madeira Islands, some of which are quite rare.
The most spotted Dolphins around Madeira Islands are the following:
In the summer:
• Big groups of Atlantic Atlantic Spotted Spotted Dolphins Dolphins (March to October)
• Big groups of Bottlenose Bottlenose Dolphins (these are common all year round, as they
In the winter:
“live” in Madeira Islands)