15.07.2025 – The coast, the deep and the high seas

The general consensus for whale-watching in Madeira is to expect everything! We are lucky to experience such a diversity of sightings during our tours, which truly highlights what an important habitat for marine life oceanic islands like ours are.

Our day began in the coastal waters of the island, where our spotter team found a small group of Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), a species that is often associated with the waters closer to shore. Our traditional boat then moved on to a surprise sighting of Pygmy killer whales (Feresa attenuata), a rare encounter here in Madeira and one to cherish despite the typically evasive behaviour of this species. Our Stenella darted out 11 miles offshore to meet a large group of Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis), a species that tends to prefer the deeper waters of our region.

The day continued with more sightings of Bottlenose dolphins as well as of a true dolphin of the high seas, the Rough-toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis). These incredibly social dolphins are known to be associated with the waters of oceanic islands and their highly pelagic lives restrict the knowledge we have on their social lives. We also enjoyed sightings with some deep diving visitors; the elusive Blainville’s beaked whale (Mesoplodon densirostris) and the mighty Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) to wrap up an incredible day out on the beautiful blue office.

By Paula Thake

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

09:00 Bottlenose dolphins, Pygmy killer whales

13:00 Bottlenose dolphins, Rough-toothed dolphins

Stenella

09:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins

13:30 Blainville’s beaked whales, Bottlenose dolphins, Rough-toothed dolphins

16:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Rough-toothed dolphins, Sperm whales