Highlights
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Practical Information - click for more
Discover the fascinating wildlife of the Atlantic Ocean and the Island of Madeira. Taking in the views and watching for dolphins and whales. Lean about Madeira’s thriving ocean ecology. Enjoy several three-hour tours in rib boats which depart from Funchal’s Marina. Scout the ocean to find dolphins, whales, and turtles. See these creatures in their natural habitat. A fantastic day head just south of the Laurel Forest to the Paúl da Serra Plateau and Chao Da Ribeira. This area is a popular destination for hikers and nature lovers searching for the extraordinary levadas of Maderia (irrigation channels) several of which are located at the western tip of the plateau. It is a stupendous valley. Madeira is rich in culture history discover it as you wander through the towns and villages.
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Itinerary - click for more
Day 1 – Funchal
Arrive Madeira airport. Meet and greet and assistance upon arrival and transfer to hotel in Funchal. Meeting with our naturalists guides who will give a short presentation on the whale and dolphin species you are likely to see over the next few days and an outline of your itinerary.
Welcome dinner at the hotel and overnight.Day 2: Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour
Today, after breakfast, we will walk to the Marina (an easy 10-minute walk) where we’ll join our team of local marine biologists for the first of the day’s two 3-hour whale and dolphin-watching trips at sea, on board our privately chartered RIB boats. Our local team will be assisted in their efforts by keeping in radio contact with keen-eyed look-outs or ‘vigias’ on land. This will give us the best chances of finding and spending time with the variety of cetacean species to be found around the island. Madeira is an excellent summer destination for anyone with an interest in the seabirds of the Western Palearctic and we’ll keep an eye out as we go in search of whales and dolphins for Cory’s and Manx Shearwaters among other species. We will return to Funchal Marina for lunch (not included) after our first 3-hour boat trip and then in the mid to late afternoon after our second trip of the day. There will then be time to explore around the harbour or relax at our hotel.
Accommodation at the hotel.Day 3: Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour
Breakfast at the hotel. Today we will head out to sea early-morning aboard a charted yacht/catamaran again for a slightly longer 5-hour session incorporating picnic lunch. As well as looking for the larger whale species, principally Bryde’s Whale, we’ll be hoping to locate some of the region’s special dolphins. On both tours, along with Bottlenose and Common Dolphin we could also encounter Atlantic Spotted Dolphin, who are found in the warm, subtropical waters of the Atlantic and are seen regularly around Madeira from the end of April and in early May, tending to head further south to even warmer waters for the winter. This species is born spotless and then the spots gradually develop as the dolphin matures. After another day of whale and dolphin-watching out at sea we will return to shore and head to the east part of the island to a guided visit to Madeira Whale Museum, where we can learn more about the whaling era in Madeira.
Accommodation at the hotel.Day 4: Funchal, Paul Da Serra, Chao Da Ribeira, Funchal
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning we will have an opportunity to see a little of Madeira’s interior, visiting sites such as Paúl de Serra, an area of high marshy plateau situated at 1,500 metres in the centre-west of the island, and Chão da Ribeira near the north-west coast. As we drive away from Funchal and head inland, the scenery and vegetation changes dramatically from the banana and sugar cane plantations and exotic (predominantly non-native) flowers of the south coast, to the flat misty moorland plateau of Paúl de Serra. This is a chance to see some of the island’s contrasting habitats and look for some of the plant and bird species found within them, as well as enjoy some of Madeira’s spectacular scenery. We visit Laurisilva areas, a forest type found only in Macaronesia, and on Madeira it once covered some 60% of the land area. The climate of the north slope of Madeira is much wetter than the southern slope and it is here that the majority of the remaining evergreen Laurisilva forest is to be found. The Laurisilva forest of Madeira is characterised by the presence of the Lily-of-the-valley Tree and is also the only place in the world where the rare Madeiran Trocaz Pigeon can be found. Madeiran Firecrest and a subspecies of Chaffinch are among the few other species of land birds of note on Madeira. We will return to Funchal where you will be able to take some free time to explore the city.
Accommodation at the hotel.Day 5: Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour
Breakfast at the hotel. At about 10am we will assemble at the Marina in Funchal ready to board for another whale and dolphin-watching trip. Again, we will watch for interesting wildlife as we leave the harbour, and the views back towards Madeira as we head out to sea. We will be looking for a range of marine mammals this morning: Common Dolphins frequently make use of the sub-surface pressure wave, bow-riding, leaping and diving in front of the boat and it is exciting to watch as their sleek bodies shoot through the water in groups. As well as Bryde’s Whales, Fin Whales are also a possibility, and in May/June there’s an outside chance of seeing a Sperm Whale. This afternoon will be free to explore.
Optional (additional price in supplement) can be included a Tour of the old city center, a Madeira wine tasting, a visit to the Botanical Garden.
Farewell dinner at the hotel or local restaurant. Accommodation at the hotel.Day 6: Funchal
Breakfast at the hotel Transfer to the airport, assistance . *** end of our services***
Included
Not Included
Hotels or Similar
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| 3* Hotel |
| 4* Hotel |
| Not valid during Christmas, New Year Carnival, Flower Festival Periods |
The CAD ($) rate is indicative of Euro price and subject to change.
Price per person in CAD $ Dollars.