Our Family's Whale Watching Madeira Adventure & Tips

Whale watching in Madeira with my family was the highlight of our vacation! We couldn't believe that we got to see a humpback whale breach multiple times in front of us. The staff said, "this is a special day for us Madeiran sailors too!" Read on for my tour recommendation and tips.

Table of Contents for Whale Watching Madeira

Best Season for Whale Watching
Our Tour Recommendation
Whales in Madeiran Culture & Sustainable Practices Regulations
What to Bring (aka seasickness prevention)
Tips for Kids
More Madeira Posts
1. All-Inclusive Family Hotel in Madeira that we loved!
2. Madeira Family Guide

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Best Time for Whale Watching in Madeira

Whale watching in Madeira is a fantastic experience that I highly recommend to nature enthusiasts. The subtropical climate of the archipelago facilitates year-round opportunities to see these majestic creatures. (For example, we saw a rare humpback whale in February 2024!) However, certain months enhance the likelihood of sightings due to migratory patterns.

From April to October, the chances to spot whales increase significantly, with the peak season being June to September. During these months, the warm waters around Madeira are bustling with marine life, and the following species are often observed:

Fin whales: April to June
Sperm whales: May to September
Pilot whales: Throughout the year

If you’re planning your trip, consider these key periods:

April to June: A great time for Fin and Sperm whales.
June to September: This is the peak season with the highest diversity and number of sightings.
October to March: While off-peak, you might still encounter Pilot whales and various dolphin species.

Please remember that these magnificent animals are wild and sightings can never be guaranteed.

My Madeira Whale Watching Tour Recommendation

We loved our experience on the Magic Dolphin Madeira Dolphin & Whale Watching Tour! We booked it through GetYourGuide because they have a great cancellation policy and I wanted to make sure we had good weather.

The experience on their Eco catamaran offers an unparalleled adventure. This modern vessel, equipped with electric/hybrid engines, enables silent cruising to not disturb marine life, ensuring a harmonious observation of dolphins and whales in their natural habitat. The catamaran boasts two decks for enhanced sightseeing, complete with bar service for refreshments, on-deck toilets for convenience, and a sunroof for protection against the elements.

I love that the Magic Dolphin was built in 2022 and felt very safe and new on the open seas. In February 2024 we paid €90 for myself, my husband and my two kids.

Other options for Whale Watching in Madeira

Whale and Dolphin Watching Speed Boat Tour - 4.6 stars with 283 reviews. 2.5 hours and 24 hours prior cancellation policy.
Traditional Vessel Dolphin and Whale Watching - 4.7 with 122 reviews. 3 hours and 24 cancellation policy.
Smaller Group Sailing Yacht Dolphin and Whale Watching Boat - 4.6 5 with 605 reviews. 2.5 hours, including a drink and 24 cancellation policy.

Madeiran Culture with Regulations and Sustainable Practices

Whales have long held a place of wonder in Madeiran culture. In past decades, whaling was a part of life on Madeira, leaving a complex legacy. I understand that it was once a means of survival, providing oil, meat, and materials for the islanders. Today, they've shifted from hunting to conserving these giants, symbolizing our respect and recognition of their pivotal role in the marine ecosystem.

At the Madeira Whale Museum, one can find exhibits showcasing the whale's journey from being hunted to becoming cherished, a transformation that mirrors our evolving understanding of conservation and coexistence with nature.

Madeira Whale Watching Regulations and Sustainable Practices

Madeira takes the protection of its marine life seriously. Our tour guide on Magic Dolphin shared that in Madeira, whale-watching operators must adhere to strict guidelines to prevent the disturbance of marine wildlife.

Approach Distance: Vessels must maintain a minimum distance of 100 meters from the whales and dolphins.
Time Limit: Observations are limited to 10 minutes to minimize stress on the animals.
Educational Briefing: Prior to excursions, tourists receive information on the appropriate behavior when encountering marine life.

What to Bring (aka what I wish I brought!)

I need to be honest and say I didn't prepare as well as I could have for our whale-watching adventure! I didn't realize we would be on the boat for 3.5 hours (our captain heard there were whales further away so we stayed out 1 hour extra!) Below are some considerations:

Clothing: The weather was unpredictable, so we did do well by bringing layers. Even though it was 70 F on the island, a rain jacket was a must as we got sea spray!
Sunglasses and Sunscreen: Even on cloudy days, the sun can be strong at sea. I always pack polarized sunglasses to reduce glare and apply sunscreen to exposed skin.
Binoculars: They did not have any on the boat. These are our favorites.
Camera: A camera with a good zoom can help capture the magnificent creatures from a distance. Remember to secure it with a strap because it is so rocky!

Seasickness Prevention During Whale Watching

This is where I didn't prepare as I should have! Both of my kids got seasick. Thankfully the boat had black bags but I should have brought my own. I would also highly recommend bringing Ginger snacks and carbonated drinks. I also should have brought my SeaBand Orginal Wristbands which helped a lot during my pregnancy! Child size Sea-Band here.

Whale Watching Tips with Kids in Madeira

#1 Bring Something to Do While You Boat Out

Our tour took about 1 hour to boat out into the Ocean and along the island and so we passed the time with iSpy and a deck of cards. I would bring toys that wouldn't fly away like this Ocean Animals Sticker Book.

#2 Line up early to choose a good location on the boat

The best location for seasickness on the ship was in the front staring at the horizon. I was so grateful we were on a more stable catamaran but the Atlantic Ocean was still rocking!

#3 Photography Tips

Settings: I use a fast shutter speed to freeze the movement of the whales. A speed of at least 1/1000 second is ideal.
Stability: To counter the boat's movement, I engage image stabilization or use a monopod.

#4 Whale Spotting Techniques

Informative Crew: I listen attentively to the crew's instructions as they are experienced in spotting whales.
Watching Behaviour: I look for signs like water spouts, tail slaps, and breaches, which indicate whale presence.

#4 Learn a little bit about the other Marine Life you may encounter

On our trip, our tour guide said he saw dolphins but we couldn't see them quickly enough on our side of the boat. We also saw giant Sea Turtles and Flying Fish! Below are some beautiful books to consider before your trip!