Best Time of Year to See Dolphins & Whales in Madeira (Month-by-Month Guide)

Madeira has one of the strongest cetacean (dolphin and whale) sighting records in Europe. But ask any local skipper "when's the best time to see them?" and the honest answer is: almost any time — it just depends which species you're hoping to spot.

Around 26–30 species have been recorded around the Madeira archipelago. Some are resident year-round. Others pass through on migration. A few are deep-diving specialists you can only realistically encounter in summer. This guide walks you through the year, month by month, so you can match your trip to the wildlife you most want to see.

Why Madeira is a year-round hotspot

Most whale-watching destinations rely on a short migration window. Madeira doesn't, and the reason is geography.

The seabed drops to over 1,000 metres within just a few kilometres of the coast. That means deep ocean — and the food chain that comes with it — sits unusually close to shore. Resident species like bottlenose dolphins and short-finned pilot whales can be seen virtually any month of the year. Migratory species cycle through on top.

Headline number: Madeira's catamaran operators report cetacean sighting rates of 70–90% across the year, with peaks in late spring and early autumn.

Sightings are never guaranteed (it's wildlife, not a zoo) but the odds are genuinely strong.

The two big factors: water temperature and prey

Two variables drive what you'll see:

1. Sea surface temperature — warmer water (June–October) attracts tropical and sub-tropical species. Cooler water (January–April) brings in cold-water specialists.
2. Prey availability — squid, sardines, mackerel, and tuna movements directly determine what's hunting near the surface.

Combined, they give Madeira two distinct cetacean "seasons" layered on top of the year-round residents.

Month-by-month: what to expect

January

• Sea temp: ~18 °C
• Sea conditions: Variable. Some days flat, some with swell.
• Likely sightings: Bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, short-finned pilot whales
• Possible: Sperm whales, fin whales (the cool-water giants are around)
• Tour conditions: Half-day south-coast routes are the most reliable. Full-day Desertas crossings are typically suspended.

January is quieter, both with tourists and with sightings. It's a real winter month — but a calm winter day off Funchal can still deliver excellent dolphin encounters and is wonderfully crowd-free.

February

• Sea temp: ~17–18 °C (the year's coolest)
• Likely sightings: Bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, pilot whales
• Possible: Fin whales, sperm whales

Mid-winter. Same pattern as January. If you're visiting for the Festa da Flor preparations or simply because flights are cheap, a half-day catamaran can still be an excellent way to spend a calm afternoon.

March

• Sea temp: ~18 °C
• Sea conditions: Improving
• Likely sightings: Bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, pilot whales
• Possible: Migratory species starting to appear, fin whales

The transition month. Conditions are generally better than February, days are getting longer, and the marina is starting to wake up.

April

• Sea temp: ~18–19 °C
• Sea conditions: Good, generally calm
• Likely sightings: Bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, pilot whales, Atlantic spotted dolphins starting to return
• Possible: Beaked whales, sperm whales, Bryde's whales

April is when things really start. Migratory species begin showing up, and the Desertas tours typically resume operation. One of the best months for variety without summer crowds.

May

• Sea temp: ~19–20 °C
• Sea conditions: Excellent
• Likely sightings: Bottlenose, common, Atlantic spotted dolphins; pilot whales
• Possible: Sperm whales, beaked whales, Bryde's whales, fin whales (late stragglers)

May is many local skippers' favourite month. Long days, calm seas, water warming up enough to swim, and a really diverse mix of species. Excellent for first-time visitors who want a strong chance of multiple sightings in one trip.

June

• Sea temp: ~21 °C
• Sea conditions: Excellent, often glassy
• Likely sightings: Bottlenose, common, Atlantic spotted, striped dolphins; pilot whales
• Possible: Sperm whales, beaked whales, Bryde's whales

Peak conditions begin. Water comfortable for swimming, sea generally calm, and the deep-diving specialists like sperm whales become realistic targets on full-day trips towards the Desertas.

July

• Sea temp: ~22 °C
• Sea conditions: Excellent
• Likely sightings: All resident species + Atlantic spotted, striped, common dolphins
• Possible: Sperm whales, beaked whales, false killer whales, occasional rare visitors

Peak summer. Beautiful conditions, warm water, but the busiest month at the marina. Book ahead.

August

• Sea temp: ~23 °C (the year's warmest)
• Likely sightings: All resident species + warm-water visitors
• Possible: Sperm whales, beaked whales, false killer whales, occasional whale sharks (rare)

The warmest water of the year. Snorkel stops are at their best. Wildlife is rich but boats are everywhere — another strong argument for a private rather than shared tour.

September

• Sea temp: ~23 °C
• Sea conditions: Excellent
• Likely sightings: All summer species still present
• Possible: Continued strong chances for sperm and beaked whales

September is arguably the best single month of the year. The wildlife of August, the water temperature of August, but with smaller crowds, easier marina access, and softer light for photography.

October

• Sea temp: ~22 °C
• Sea conditions: Generally good
• Likely sightings: Bottlenose, common, Atlantic spotted dolphins; pilot whales
• Possible: Sperm whales, beaked whales (sightings drop slightly through the month)

Beautiful end-of-season month. Water still warm enough to swim. Sightings still strong. Excellent value in shoulder season.

November

• Sea temp: ~21 °C
• Sea conditions: More variable
• Likely sightings: Bottlenose, common dolphins, pilot whales
• Possible: Cool-water species starting to return — sperm whales, fin whales

Transition month back into winter. Half-day routes most reliable. Good chances on calm days.

December

• Sea temp: ~19 °C
• Sea conditions: Variable
• Likely sightings: Bottlenose, common dolphins, pilot whales
• Possible: Sperm whales, fin whales, occasional cool-water rarities

The Christmas / New Year period brings a bump in visitors but rarely the calmest weather. Choose a half-day window with a good forecast and you can still have an excellent trip.

Quick-pick: the best month for each species

If a specific species is on your bucket list, here's where to start:

• Bottlenose dolphins: Any month
• Short-finned pilot whales: Any month
• Atlantic spotted dolphins: May to October
• Common dolphins: Any month, peak winter
• Striped dolphins: June to September
• Sperm whales: May to October (deep-water trips)
• Beaked whales: May to October
• Bryde's whales: April to June (less reliable)
• Fin whales: December to March (cool-water months)

For the full species breakdown, see our companion guide: Dolphins & Whales of Madeira: 10 Species You Can See on a Sailing Sensation Catamaran Tour.

Time of day matters too

Within any given month, the morning generally beats the afternoon for cetacean encounters. Reasons:

• Calmer sea state — wind tends to build through the day
• Better light — easier to spot dorsal fins and blows
• Animals more active — many species feed at first light
• Fewer boats — less acoustic disturbance

If you have flexibility, book a morning departure. If your schedule only allows afternoon, you'll still have very good odds — just slightly different conditions.

Responsible cetacean watching

Madeira takes wildlife protection seriously, and so do reputable operators. On a Sailing Sensation tour:

• We follow mandatory minimum-distance rules
• We never chase or surround animals
• We slow and disengage if behaviour suggests stress
• We don't feed, touch, or swim with cetaceans
• We share what we know about the species and the conservation context

A well-run tour is good for the animals and gives you a longer, calmer, better encounter than chasing them ever would.

Picking your trip

Once you know what you want to see, the trip type follows naturally:

• Coastal residents (bottlenose, common dolphins) → Half-Day Ponta São Lourenço or a south-coast route
• Deep-water specialists (sperm whales, beaked whales) → Full-Day Desertas Islands
• Variety + comfort → A custom private day, designed around the forecast and your priorities

Ready to plan around the wildlife?

If a specific species or month is on your mind, get in touch. We'll tell you honestly what's realistic for your dates, recommend a route, and build a tour that gives you the best possible chance of the encounter you came for.