Madeira will celebrate its marine heritage from the 7th to the 11th of October with the third edition of the Madeira Whale Fest. Part of the Madeira Nature Festival, the event aims to bring the community closer to the ocean and highlight the importance of protecting whales and dolphins.
The five-day programme brings together scientists, artists, local organisations, and the community through activities that combine science, education, culture, and art. Alongside celebrating cetaceans, the festival will explore the threats they face and encourage a more sustainable relationship with the marine environment.
The initiative is coordinated by the management committee of Madeira’s Whale Heritage Area (WHA). Participating organisations include the Madeira Whale Museum, MARE Madeira/ARDITI, Ocean Devotion Madeira, Lobosonda, Blue Safari Madeira, SPEA Madeira and ARTEM.
The programme opens on Wednesday, the 7th of October, with Blue Safari’s “Mapping Whales” activity at Pier 8 in Funchal Marina, from 11:00 to 18:00. The activity will be repeated on Thursday. On Wednesday at 15:00, SPEA Madeira will also give a presentation at Escola dos Louros for pupils in the first and second cycles of basic education, focusing on marine litter and its threat to seabirds.
“Before the Noise,” by artist BSP in collaboration with MARE Madeira/ARDITI, takes place at the Cultural and Research Centre in Funchal on Wednesday from 18:00 to 20:00, and on Thursday from 14:30 to 15:00.
On Friday, the 9th, and Saturday, the 10th of October, the Art Caravel Centre will host ARTEM’s exhibition “Islands 2026: SOIL & TERRA,” from 11:00 to 17:00. WHA Madeira’s photographic exhibition, “An Ocean of Diversity,” will be displayed at Funchal Marina from Friday to Sunday.
A further highlight is the “Arraial da Baleia,” organised by the Madeira Whale Museum in Caniçal on Saturday, the 10th of October, from 14:00 to 19:00.
Of the 38 cetacean species recorded in the North Atlantic, 27 have been recorded in Madeira’s waters. This diversity makes the archipelago an important location for studying these marine mammals and promoting responsible whale watching.
The festival will highlight the ecological and cultural significance of cetaceans, alongside the opportunities offered by sustainable marine tourism.
The third edition is supported by Clube Naval do Seixal, the Regional Directorate of Tourism, the Machico and Funchal councils, and the Regional Government of Madeira.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
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