Marine life on Madeira

Marine life on Madeira is incredible, with many species of animals off the coast of Madeira Islands that may be seen by boat, snorkeling or fishing. This diverse array of marine life contributes to the unique and captivating ecosystem in Madeira’s waters, making it an ideal destination for boaters, divers, and nature enthusiasts.

Here’s a list of some of the exciting marine life on Madeira you may be lucky enough to see including fish, whales, dolphins, and turtles found in or around its Atlantic waters.

Fish

Parrotfish (Sparisoma cretense)

  • Vibrant colours, essential for coral reef health.

Dusky Grouper (Epinephelus marginatus)

  • Large predatory fish found in rocky areas and wrecks.

Moray Eel (Muraenidae family)

  • Eel-like fish, often found hiding in crevices.

Wreckfish (Polyprion americanus)

  • Deep-sea fish, commonly found around underwater structures.

Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus)

  • Highly migratory species, popular among sport fishermen.

Flying Gurnard (Dactylopterus volitans)

  • Characterized by wing-like pectoral fins, found near the seafloor.

Salema Porgy (Sarpa salpa)

  • Silver-colored fish, often seen in large schools near the surface.

Amberjack (Seriola dumerili)

  • Pelagic species commonly found near offshore reefs.

Bogue (Boops boops)

  • Silver-colored fish with a distinctive forked tail.

Red Scorpionfish (Scorpaena scrofa)

  • Bottom-dwelling fish with venomous spines.

Cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis)

  • Cephalopod with a unique ability to change color and texture.

John Dory (Zeus faber)

  • Flat-bodied fish with a dark spot on its side, known for its distinctive appearance.

Seahorse (Hippocampus)

  • Small, slow-swimming fish with a unique appearance.

Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber scombrus)

  • Fast-swimming pelagic fish, often forming schools.

Atlantic Bonito (Sarda sarda)

  • Agile predator with striking blue and silver markings.

Whales and Dolphins

Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus):

  • Deep-diving whale with a square-shaped head.

Short-finned Pilot Whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus):

  • Social whale species often found in family groups.

Bryde’s Whale (Balaenoptera edeni)

  • Baleen whale occasionally spotted in offshore waters.

Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis)

  • Small, acrobatic dolphins with hourglass patterns on their sides.

Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)

  • Larger dolphins known for intelligence and playful behavior.

Risso’s Dolphin (Grampus griseus)

  • Dolphins with a distinctive scarred appearance.

Orca (Orcinus orca)

  • Intelligent and powerful apex predator often seen in pods.

Striped Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba)

  • Dolphin species with distinctive blue and white stripes.

False Killer Whale (Pseudorca crassidens)

  • Resembles killer whales but is a distinct species.

Cuvier’s Beaked Whale (Ziphius cavirostris)

  • Deep-diving whale with a distinct beak.

Turtles and Other Marine Life

Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta)

  • Large sea turtle with a reddish-brown shell.

Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas)

  • Herbivorous sea turtle with a heart-shaped shell.

Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)

  • Recognizable by its sharp, curving beak.

Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)

  • Largest sea turtle species with a unique leathery shell.

Sunfish (Mola mola):

  • Massive, flattened fish with a distinctive appearance.

Portuguese Man o’ War (Physalia physalis)

  • Floating colony of organisms with stinging tentacles.

Jellyfish (Various species)

  • Diverse gelatinous marine organisms, some with stinging cells.

Octopus (Various species)

  • Intelligent cephalopods with remarkable problem-solving abilities.

Spider Crab (Maja squinado)

  • Large crab species often found in rocky areas.

Sharks (Various species)

  • Includes species like the Blue Shark and Hammerhead Shark.