Dawn's blog posts

When is the best time to see whales in Madeira?

Though marine life is present year-round, it’s said that the best time to see whales in Madeira is between April and September/October. This is because there are usually more species around at this time due to both resident and migratory species being present.

That’s why our holidays in Madeira complete with whale watching all run between April and October, to give you the best chance of seeing these mighty mammals.

There is no ‘best time of day’ to go whale watching. Our tours will operate in either the morning or afternoon, depending on weather and sea conditions.

Which whale species can be found in Madeira?

In 1987 once whaling was banned, Madeira was officially declared as a marine mammal sanctuary and now, many different species swim through its waters. Sperm whales and short-finned pilot whales are most commonly sighted and though beaked whales are quite rare to see in other locations, you could see them in Madeira.

The waters also attract giants such as fin, sei and Bryde’s whales and you can even see humpbacks, minke and false killer whales.

What to expect during whale watching on holiday in Madeira

Our boat trips all depart from Funchal, the welcoming capital which will be the base for your holiday.

You will usually sail aboard a Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) for an adventurous way to speed across the water. There may be an option for a catamaran instead, but please enquire about this with one of our Artisan Travel Experts at the time of booking.

The marine biologist on board will help you look for and identify the different species found around the island. Make sure you bring your camera as these are moments you won’t want to miss!

Along with the many different whale species you could also spot sea birds, turtles and dolphins. To take your marine experience even further, we also offer the chance to snorkel alongside the wild dolphins that call the Atlantic Ocean home.

Your whale watching experience in Madeira with Artisan Travel

We have spent over 15 years carefully crafting experience-led holidays to provide you with bucket list moments in extraordinary destinations.

By working alongside our local partners, listening to our clients and visiting all of our destinations ourselves, we’re able to create authentic holidays filled with experiences of a lifetime.

Call our Artisan Travel Experts today on 01670 785 085 to discuss how we can help you start ticking off your bucket list.

VIEW OUR HOLIDAYS IN MADEIRA COMPLETE WITH WHALE WATCHING HERE.

Image credit: Miguel Moniz And Visit Madeira, Rota Dos Cetaceos and Madeira Promotional Bureau 

When is the best time to see whales in the Azores?

You can enjoy whale watching in the Azores throughout the year due to the number of species that live here permanently and those that are on their migratory path during different months of the year.

It is extremely common to spot a cetacean during your boat trip. In fact, whales and dolphins are spotted on 98% of the tours.

Though whales can be spotted at any time, it can be said that the main whale watching season runs from April to October as there are usually more species passing through the Azorean waters on their migratory paths. That’s why we run all of our holidays to the Azores between these months, to give you the best chance of spotting a flick of a tail, a spurt of water from a blowhole or even a full breach!

Rest assured there is no ‘best time in the day’ to see whales in the Azores and your boat trip will run in the morning or afternoon, depending on the weather and sea conditions.

Which whale species can be found in the Azores?

Sperm whales are resident species, feeding on the giant squid found in the Atlantic. This means that they are the most commonly sighted whale species but there are many others you could see too.

April and May are usually the best months for larger whales such as blue, fin and sei, and October in the past has been a great time to see humpback whales. However, this is only looking at past patterns, we’ve also seen sei whales in summer and the mighty blue whale in winter!

There are also many other types of marine life to be on the lookout for including dolphins and turtles.

What to expect from your whale watching trip in the Azores

Most of the whale watching trips take place on a Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) which really adds to your experience as you speed across the water in search of the magnificent marine life. There may be an option for a catamaran instead, but please enquire about this with one of our Artisan Travel Experts at the time of booking.

The only thing we recommend for you to bring is your camera – these are certainly memories you’ll want physical evidence of!

As well as the skipper, a marine biologist will accompany you on your trip to discuss the different whale species and help you spot the wonderful animals in the water.

Though you can’t swim with the whales, it is truly an amazing experience to see these huge creatures in their natural habitat. We do, however, offer swimming with the wild dolphins that call these waters home on our Wildlife and Volcanic Exploration holiday, our Volcanic Wonderland trip and our Volcanic Island Short Break.

Which island can I go whale watching in the Azores?

You can whale watch from different locations in the Azores. Many of our trips depart from Ponta Delgada, the capital situated on São Miguel Island. However, you could start your boat trip from the island of Pico where you can also spend time at the old whalers’ museum, learning about how the Azores transitioned from a pro-whaling nation to one that now promotes conservation.

This whaling history can be seen all around the islands with ‘vigias’ found dotted along the coast. These whale observation posts were traditionally used to alert whale hunting fleets. Today, they do the same job of spotting the whales but now, this information is fed back to the whale watching tours. It takes very skilled spotters to be able to tell a species from miles away but there’s nothing stopping you giving it a try. You can also use these strategic lookouts to see more of the Azores’ fantastic landscape and surrounding waters, and if you’ve got a keen eye, you just might spot some of the whales!

Protecting the whales of the Azores

Whale watching is taken very seriously in the Azores as they are a protected species and there are many safety measures in place. It’s important that humans keep interference to a minimum, this is about observing the whales in their natural environment, not disturbing them.

A code of conduct was developed to further protect the whales. It prohibits: chasing, disturbing or feeding the cetaceans, swimming with the whales, polluting the sea, making noise (whales are very sensitive to noise), and having more than three boats in the same spot at once. The boats must also only ever approach the cetaceans from behind and must keep at a constant speed, and leave the whale alone if they seem agitated. The boat must keep more than 50 metres away, or 100 metres if there are babies present.

Whales are naturally very inquisitive, so they may come closer to the boat, however, when this is their choice it’s absolutely fine!

View our holidays in the Azores complete with whale watching trips here.

 Image credit: Futurismo Azores Adventure

Iceland small-ship exploration

What better way to see the best of Iceland than to do a full circumnavigation tour? During this small-ship exploration cruise, you’ll start and end in Reykjavik so you’ll have the opportunity to spend plenty of time in this small, yet bustling capital city.

There are also all the incredible natural highlights along the way. You’ll see the Snæfellsnes Peninsula which is known as ‘Iceland in miniature’ due to its diverse landscapes. There will be a visit to the spot where the Arctic Circle crosses Iceland, and you’ll enjoy locations that are known for their immense wildlife watching opportunities.

Of course, the beauty of a small-ship cruise is the personal touches, so we’ve left plenty of time for you to add your own bucket list moments. Talk to our Artisan Travel Experts at the time of booking to hear from the long list of experiences waiting to be had during your holiday.

View our small-ship exploration cruise in Iceland here.

Iceland and Greenland cruise

If natural wonders pique your interest then we also offer a combined cruise of Iceland and Greenland to show off the best of both countries. There will be free time to explore Reykjavik before and after embarking on this epic cruise that takes you to see ice fjords, remote towns and dramatic landscapes.

As the world’s largest island, it’s no surprise that Greenland has so much to offer. Combine this with the stunning natural features and the welcoming capital city of Iceland and you have holiday-of-a-lifetime potential.

View our natural wonders cruise in Iceland and Greenland here.

On board the MS Ocean Diamond

Just the travel onboard this modern vessel makes for a standout holiday – it is almost certainly unlike any other cruise you may have been on before.

The MS Ocean Diamond has been specifically designed for the Arctic, with ice-strengthened hull and stabilisers making her an ideal vessel for your exploration.

Though built-for-purpose, there is no compromise on comfort, with an experienced crew and excellent onboard facilities. There are various observation areas, ideal for those wanting to see the incredible natural wonders as you come into port as well as the opportunity to spot some of the fantastic marine life in the waters.

Back inside the ship, enjoy the facilities as you travel. Pick up some souvenirs at the shop, head to the Polar library to choose a DVD or book or enjoy the wellness programmes on offer including yoga, massage therapy and aromatherapy treatments. You can also find out more about the surrounding area during scheduled talks by local experts.

Tailor your small-ship cruise itinerary in Iceland

With so much to see and do, we want to ensure you explore at your own pace. That’s why we’ve left plenty of time for you to fill up with the activities that suit you.

From walking over glaciers, whale watching, hiking, jeep tours and kayaking – however you like to explore, we have an array of activities to help you tailor your holiday.

If you have any questions about any of the activities, talk to one of our Artisan Travel Experts who would be happy to share their first-hand knowledge in order to help you to find the experiences that suit you best. Call today on 01670 785 085 or contact us here.

• Staying up all night under the Midnight Sun in Norway
• Powder snowmobiling from Harriniva
• Enjoying a smoke sauna at Hotel Jeris
• Snorkelling in the world’s clearest water in Iceland
• Exploring the insanely special ICEHOTEL
• Witnessing the volcanic landscape of the incredible Azores

Spend a weekend sailing the Dalmatian Coast, Croatia

There are few better places to spend a weekend than sailing along the peaceful and piercing blue waters of the Adriatic Sea.

Admire the sights of the Dalmatian Coast and explore some of the greenest islands in the area. From Mljet, with its stories of Greek Mythology, rich history and unbelievable natural wonders to the Elaphiti Islands with its secluded bays and calm waters perfect for snorkelling and paddle boarding.

View our Adventure Sailing Weekend holiday here.

See Croatia’s highlights by land and sea

It can be difficult to decide whether you want to spend your time relaxing on a small-ship cruise or walking around historic cities and staying in brilliant hotels. With this trip, you get both as you’ll spend three nights on mainland Croatia and the remaining seven cruising the Adriatic and exploring its many islands.

You’ll travel to unmissable locations such as the Plitvice Lakes National Park, Split, Dubrovnik and many more during this highlight tour.

View our Croatia Highlights by Land and Sea here.

Explore the Elaphiti Islands, Croatia

The Elaphiti Islands are situated close to Dubrovnik but feel worlds away from the bustling city. To fully soak up island life, this trip includes a small-ship cruise along with a stay in a stunning traditional guesthouse on Šipan Island.

Along the way, you’ll cycle, hike, kayak and have plenty of free time to explore wonderful areas such as the Pelješac Peninsula and Lopud.

View our Elaphiti Islands Active Adventure here.

Cruise to the enchanting islands and ancient cities of Croatia

Croatia is such a superb mix of paradisiacal islands and inviting cities shrouded in history that it would be a shame to visit and not see the best of both.

During this small-ship cruise, you’ll start by visiting the cultural hotspot of Dubrovnik before sailing to a hidden port on the secluded island of Mljet. The rest of the trip will see you sail between bustling locations such as Split to natural beauties including the Elaphiti Archipelago.

View our cruise the Islands and Cities of the Dalmatian Coast holiday here.

Small-ship cruises in Croatia with Artisan Travel

Croatia’s coastline with its historic towns, dozens of islands and small bays surrounded by bright blue waters is designed for cruising. Having visited many times, we’ve discovered that some of the best locations can’t be accessed by large vessels - that’s why we’ve carefully created our collection of small-ship cruises in Croatia. They give you a personal approach to visiting this unbelievable part of the world, allowing you travel to see as much of it as you can, without having to unpack every night.

View our small-ship cruise holidays in Croatia here or call our Artisan Travel Experts on 01670 785 085

Image credits: Huck Finn Adventure Travel and Gulliver's Travel