Madeira Whale Fest 2026

Five days to celebrate the whales and dolphins of Madeira. Madeira Whale Fest fills Funchal and Caniçal from 7 to 11 October 2026 with hands-on ocean activities, art, photography and a festive finale.

Programme

7 October

11:00-18:00 Mapping Whales (Blue Safari Madeira), an interactive game about whale and dolphin diversity. Pier 8 (Cais 8), Funchal Marina

15:00 Marine Litter: A Threat to Seabirds (Lixo Marinho: Uma Ameaça para as Aves Marinhas) (SPEA Madeira), a school activity. Louros School (Escola dos Louros), Funchal

18:00-20:00 Before the Noise (BSP / MARE Madeira-ARDITI), five tanks of seawater, five pollutants, closing with a live performance alongside real dolphin recordings. Cultural and Research Centre (Centro Cultural e de Investigação), Funchal

8 October

11:00-18:00 Mapping Whales (Blue Safari Madeira). Pier 8 (Cais 8), Funchal Marina

14:30-15:00 Before the Noise (BSP / MARE Madeira-ARDITI). Cultural and Research Centre (Centro Cultural e de Investigação), Funchal

9 October

11:00-17:00 Islands 2026: Soil & Terra (ARTEM), whale portraits by artist Lize-Mari de Abreu. Art Caravel Centre, Funchal

Photo expo An Ocean of Diversity opens. Funchal Marina

10 October

11:00-17:00 Islands 2026: Soil & Terra (ARTEM). Art Caravel Centre, Funchal

Photo expo An Ocean of Diversity continues. Funchal Marina

14:00-19:00 Whale Arraial, Whale Museum, Caniçal:

14:00 Reception

14:30 Talk "Stories with Memories"

15:30 Dramatisation "The Little Bryde's Whale"

16:00 Júlio Nunes

17:00 Dance show (ADARS)

17:30 Rodopio Pitoresco Association

Stands: MBM Science, Machico Echoes, SPEA, Sprouts Discovering, Salty Art Madeira, Calhau Association

11 October

Photo expo An Ocean of Diversity, final day, with a special Clino Art pop-up. Funchal Marina