Whale and dolphin watching is possible in Madeira year-round, thanks to resident cetacean populations and good sea conditions.
People Also Ask
There are always bottlenose dolphins and at least a couple of whale species swimming in the waters around Madeira, and boats go out year-round. The best time to go, however, is between May and September, when whales and dolphins are most plentiful.
Famous for it's year-round warmth and sunshine – choosing the best time to visit Madeira all depends on the type of holiday you're looking for… Let's start at the beginning of the year – January through to March is the coolest time of the year, but it's also the quietest and the cheapest.
In Madeira in January, the average air temperature ranges from 18 °C (64 °F) during the day to 12 °C (54 °F) at night. There are 7 days of rain on average, where the rainfall is 72 mm (2.85 in).
In January, the average temperature in Funchal is 16ºC, reaching highs of 18ºC in the hottest part of the day. While you'll need t-shirts for the daytime, make sure you bring some warmer things for the evenings as temperatures cool down to 14ºC at night.
May, June and July are the best months to watch dolphins off the coastlines of the Azores, Ireland, Egypt, Madeira, Fiji, Newfoundland and Jersey with several of these locations still providing ideal conditions into August and September.
Dolphins are most active in the morning and evening. They tend to be less active at night, especially if it's cloudy or rainy out. Dolphins prefer to hunt and play when the tide is low (when there's less water). They'll be less active if there's more water around them.
Whale and dolphin watching is possible in Madeira year-round, thanks to resident cetacean populations and good sea conditions. However, the best season for whale-watching tends to be from spring to autumn.
Usually the south side of the island always presents itself with warmer temperature. When going to the north side, the temperature decreases, and in the center of the island, where the regions are higher, temperatures tend to be lower and there is some precipitation... some people call it the 4 seasons island.
The rainy season is between November and February, during which time rolling clouds and frequent rainstorms are typical. Most days during this time will have at least one rainstorm passing through. The months between May and August are the driest of the year.
Ponta do SolThis municipality on Madeira's west coast is considered the warmest and sunniest on the island. It is very popular with visitors seeking to enjoy the climate and the warm sea. In addition, Ponta do Sol presents very diverse landscapes, namely the mountain range, the coast and traditional villages.
Madeira's west coast is considered the sunniest part of the island. It's an area widely sought after by those who love the sea and nature, but also Madeira's century-old traditions.
The north side of the island takes all the punishment. The trade winds travel down the Atlantic and hit the north coast brining with them rain and cool air. The high mountains act as a barrier to the more densely populated, “sunnier” side of the island, the south side.
Average monthly temperaturesFor the highest temperatures the best time to visit Madeira is between August and September although the sub tropical climate offers sunshine throughout the year and winter months are equally popular with visitors.