Cultural heritage (new/modern) - Madeira
Apart from the exhibits at the Madeira Whale Museum, the presence of cetaceans in the region is demonstrated...
Madeira Whale Heritage Area
Madeira Island, Portugal
Cetaceans are an intricate part of local natural heritage in Madeira, with 27 different species sighted on 'the flower Island'.
Explore Madeira, “the flower island,” with its lush laurel forests and rich marine life. Discover diverse cetaceans and enjoy exceptional whale watching in protected waters. Madeira lies between the Azores and the Canary Islands in the North Atlantic and is the main island of an archipelago. Madeira’s waters, which include Marine Protected Areas, are characterised by steep slopes, deep underwater canyons and plateaus attracting cetaceans that normally occur in the open ocean close to the coast. Year-round whale watching has become an important part of Madeira’s tourism industry, with tourists attracted to the region’s mild climate and continuous abundance of cetaceans.
Stories
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Collaboration for the sake of cetaceans - Madeira
Collaborations for the sake of wildlife include interregional and multidisciplinary research networks.
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Culture heritage (traditional) - Madeira
Whaling in the seas of Madeira, associated crafts and activities, and the transition from hunting cetaceans to protecting...
Experiences
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Responsible whale watching in Madeira
Whale watching began about two decades ago on the archipelago and is a regulated activity where guests can...
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ARTE.M Artistic and Cultural Association
ARTE.M is an art association that brings together art managers, social workers, artists, creative individuals, and professionals from...
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Madeira Whale Museum
The Madeira Whale Museum is a testimony to the history of whaling in Madeira and the activities associated...
Species & habitat
So far, researchers have confirmed 26 species of cetacean in the waters of Madeira, which is equivalent to almost a third of the planet’s known species! Bottlenose dolphins and short-finned pilot whales can be encountered all year round, along with deep divers like sperm whales and beaked whales. Seasonal visitors include Atlantic spotted dolphins and the occasional blue whale, with orcas and humpback whales rarely seen.
This diversity makes Madeira an incredible whale watching destination and, above all, underlines the region’s importance as a habitat for cetacean populations in the Atlantic.
Threats
The threats faced by cetaceans in Madeira include global issues such as rising ocean temperature, in addition to localised threats such as harassment, ocean plastics, noise pollution, and entanglement in fishing nets. A rise in tourists visiting the island's waters and a growing local population has resulted in increased harassment from boat traffic and noise pollution. Resident short-finned pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins are particularly vulnerable to coastal boat traffic, whale watching vessels, and fisheries.
Did you know?
- Deepest recorded dive by a pilot whale in Madeira was 990m!
- Atlantic spotted dolphins are seasonal visitors in Madeira and the most abundant species during the summer.
- The bottlenose dolphin is, together with short-finned pilot whales, the best documented cetacean species in the region.
- Studies suggest Blainville’s beaked whales females remain with their birth pod and have a strong relationship to Madeira as a habitat.
- Bryde's whale is the most frequently encountered baleen whale species, with animals showing different degrees of site fidelity to Madeira.
Supporters & assessors
Each Wildlife Heritage Area is assessed by a species or habitat expert from a reputable non-profit organisation or academic institution. The assessor represents a supporting organisation able to provide the advice, information, and contacts needed to complete the designation process.
Designated by by World Cetacean Alliance
