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Bottlenose dolphin

The classic grey dolphin is seen around Madeira in every month and is one of the species most likely to come and look at the boat.

Around Madeira

When and where to see it

Two bottlenose dolphins leaping out of the water

Bottlenose dolphins are around all year, most often from March to October. Some groups stay close to the island and return season after season, while others pass through from the open ocean.

They are often found over the slope not far from the coast, sometimes close inshore off the south-west. Groups are usually small, from a handful to a few dozen animals.

SpeciesJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Bottlenose dolphinJanuary: also seenFebruary: also seenMarch: main seasonApril: main seasonMay: main seasonJune: main seasonJuly: main seasonAugust: main seasonSeptember: main seasonOctober: main seasonNovember: also seenDecember: also seen
On the water

How to recognise it

This is a large, sturdy dolphin, plain grey with a paler belly, a short, thick beak and a tall, curved dorsal fin in the middle of the back. Older animals often have nicks along the edge of the fin, which researchers use to tell them apart.

  • Plain grey

    No bold stripes or spots: a darker back and lighter flanks.

  • Short beak

    Short and stubby, with a clear crease where it meets the forehead.

  • Tall fin

    Curved, in the middle of the back, often nicked.

Key facts
Length2.5–3.8 m
Weight150–650 kg
FoodFish and squid
DivesUsually a few minutes
GroupsUsually 2–30
IUCN Red ListLeast concern
Sightings log

Seen off Calheta in spring 2017

Trips from Calheta with this species in the spring 2017 sightings log (7 of 15):

27 February, 18 March, 12 April, 13 April, 15 April, 16 April, 17 April

The whole log, trip by trip

Watching it well

Tips for a good sighting

Bottlenose dolphins often ride the bow wave or swim alongside. Let them choose: a boat that holds a slow, steady course gets longer and calmer encounters than one that turns towards them.

How boats should behave around whales and dolphins is in responsible whale watching, and the trips from the marina are in whale and dolphin watching.

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