26.08.2026 – Sharks are around the corner

Lately, the weather changed a little bit and unfortunately the last trips of this day were canceled. Our super spotter managed to find two species of dolphins in the early trips : Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) ! In the morning, in between sightings, we saw a beautiful rainbow over the ocean.

 A question that I get often from guests is : are there sharks around ? Can we see sharks ? Yes, sharks are around. They live in every ocean on earth and there is over 500 species known to this day. They are essentials apex predators and help maintain the health of the global marine environment by regulating food webs, protecting critical habitats. Unfortunately, they got an unfair bad reputation and are often seen as ferocious predators when it is critical to protect them in order to keep the oceans healthy. 

In the waters of Madeira, around 50 species of sharks have been recorded. For example, we can find two species of mako, the scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini), the basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) and other amazing species! They are sky animals and seeing them is a rare encounter.

It is important to understand their vital role in our oceans and to better protect the populations that are severely declining.

By Juliette Colançon

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

09:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins

13:00 No sightings

Steno

09:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins

13:30 Bottlenose dolphins