Whale watching is not just unforgettable...it´s watching the future of mankind!
Observing whales and dolphins in the wild is an exciting activity with unforgettable moments and once in a lifetime experiences! So, it´s no wonder that whale watching has become popular worldwide.
By observing these fascinating animals, people learn about their biology and behaviour. Indeed, the experiences encourage whale watchers to become ‘ambassadors’ and to get involved more in the protection of marine mammals and the ocean in general.
For some years now, Madeira has become a popular location for whale watching in Western Europe. This is not surprising, since the waters around the island offer an ideal habitat for Sperm Whales and other marine mammals. The volcanic archipelago of Madeira rises from depths of more than 5000 metres in the Atlantic Ocean.
And close to shore the Madeira Islands slope down to 3000 metres. And it is here that Sperm whales find their favourite prey, Giant Squid and other tasty food! The waters around Madeira are rich in species... ‘an oasis in the high seas of the Atlantic Ocean’.
Upwelling currents carry nutrients from the depths to the surface and help to start the marine food chain benefitting not only many species of whales and dolphins but, other big fish too such as tunas and sharks.
Commercial whale watching companies licensed by the Portuguese authorities also operate in Calheta, Madeira’s sunniest, warmest southwest coast. The mountain chain on the southwest acts as a barrier against the dominant trade winds providing good conditions on many days of the year to observe marine mammals off Calheta coast.
Some commercial professional Whale Watching providers have offered these services for many years with marine biologists guiding clients leading presentations and answering questions. Naturally, with the popularity of Nature Tourism the number of providers has grown and quality of services varies. So, feedback and reviews easy to find and plentiful on the internet nowadays measure the quality of these services including education and sustainability.
The best professional Whale Watching providers follow International Whale Watching Viewing Guidelines including acting respectfully towards the animals being observed. To gently and smoothly approach the animals professional, experienced boat crews are critical.
