Citizen science · Madeira

Meet the Giants

Madeira Whales shows live sightings of whales and dolphins around the island, helps you identify what you see and lets you report it in seconds – for researchers and everyone who loves the ocean.

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Live · 12 min ago

Bottlenose dolphins off Garajau

8 animals · mother with calf · verified

27whale and dolphin species in the app
+1Mediterranean monk seal
6viewpoints around the island
3languages: EN · DE · PT
The app

Everything in one place

  1. 01

    Report sightings

    Species, number, behaviour, location and photos – logged in under a minute, from land or from a boat.

  2. 02

    Live map

    See what others spotted in the last hour, today or this week, with the best viewpoints on a calm blue or satellite map.

  3. 03

    Species catalogue

    Profiles of 27 whales and dolphins recorded around Madeira plus the monk seal: identification, ecology, presence and protection status.

  4. 04

    Viewpoints

    Six of the best land-based spots, with height, accessibility, safety notes and the species seen there.

  5. 05

    Stranding emergency

    Step-by-step guidance and direct numbers of the regional stranding network RACAM – plus a report form.

  6. 06

    Multilingual

    English, German and Portuguese – switch at any time, your choice is saved.

Screens

Made for the cliff edge

Large type, high contrast and swipe gestures – built to be used outdoors, with one hand, while scanning the horizon.

Species catalogue
Species catalogue
Live map
Viewpoints
Stranding emergency
Species

Who you might meet

Madeira’s deep water starts just a few kilometres offshore – which brings oceanic species unusually close to the coast.

  • Sperm whale
    Year-round

    Sperm whale

    Physeter macrocephalus

    The largest toothed whale dives deeper than 1,000 m – and comes close to Madeira’s steep coast.

  • Bottlenose dolphin
    Resident

    Bottlenose dolphin

    Tursiops truncatus

    Curious and robust; photo-ID studies suggest a resident group around the archipelago.

  • Short-finned pilot whale
    Year-round

    Short-finned pilot whale

    Globicephala macrorhynchus

    Dark, round-headed and living in close family groups – often seen resting at the surface.

  • Atlantic spotted dolphin
    Summer

    Atlantic spotted dolphin

    Stenella frontalis

    Acrobatic and fast; calves are born without spots that increase with age.

  • Fin whale
    Spring & summer

    Fin whale

    Balaenoptera physalus

    The second-largest animal on Earth, regularly passing through Madeiran waters.

  • Mediterranean monk seal
    Desertas

    Mediterranean monk seal

    Monachus monachus

    Not a cetacean, but Madeira’s marine icon – one of the rarest seals in the world.

All 28 species in the app
Viewpoints

The best spots

  • Cristo Rei, Garajau
    01 · 180 m above sea

    Cristo Rei, Garajau

    Wide view over the Garajau marine reserve.

  • Cabo Girão
    02 · 580 m above sea

    Cabo Girão

    One of Europe’s highest sea cliffs, with a glass skywalk.

  • Ponta de São Lourenço
    03 · 120 m above sea

    Ponta de São Lourenço

    Exposed eastern peninsula – ideal for dolphins and pilot whales.

  • Ponta do Pargo
    04 · 290 m above sea

    Ponta do Pargo

    Westernmost lighthouse; sperm whales at sunset.

  • Pico do Facho, Machico
    05 · 320 m above sea

    Pico do Facho, Machico

    Historic whalers’ lookout – today a lookout for whale watchers.

  • Porto Moniz
    06 · 15 m above sea

    Porto Moniz

    North coast with lava pools; rough sea, long views.

Code of conduct

Watch with respect

  1. 01

    Keep your distance: at least 100 m from large whales and 50 m from dolphins.

  2. 02

    Never feed, touch or swim with the animals.

  3. 03

    Approach slowly and parallel to the group – never cut across its path.

  4. 04

    Take special care with mothers and calves.

  5. 05

    Drones only with a permit and at a safe height.

  6. 06

    Report what you see – your data helps research.

Summary for orientation. Always follow the current regional regulations and the instructions of licensed operators.

Stranding

Found a stranded animal?

  1. Keep your distance and do not touch the animal.
  2. Call the stranding network RACAM (24 h) or 112.
  3. Note the location, size and condition – take photos from a distance.
  4. Keep people and dogs away until help arrives.
RACAM · Madeira stranding network (24 h)+351 291 961 859+351 924 432 091General emergency: 112racam@museudabaleia.org
Sources

Knowledge we build on

Species information and stranding guidance are based on publicly available material from these organisations. Madeira Whales is an independent project and is not affiliated with or endorsed by them.

Download

Coming soon to your phone

The native apps for iPhone and Android are in development. Until then, the web app works in any browser.

Open web app
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