Museu da Baleia da Madeira
Museum in Caniçal on the history of whaling in Madeira and on cetaceans and the marine environment, with scientific research projects.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museu da Baleia da Madeira was proposed in 1989 by Eleutério Reis, manager of the Empresa Baleeira da Madeira (EBAM), who would become its first director. The Municipality of Machico formally established it on 26 February 1990, and the Municipal Whale Museum opened to the public on 28 May 1990 in the former fish market of Caniçal. The aim was to preserve the memory of the whaling activity in Madeira, which took place between 1941 and 1981, to study sperm whales and stranded cetaceans, and to contribute to their conservation.
Since 2000 the museum has also carried out scientific research projects and, since 1996, has coordinated the network for recording cetacean strandings in Madeira. On 2 September 2011 it moved into a new building designed to bring together museology, education, research and communication. It is today a department of the Municipality of Machico.
The permanent exhibition occupies more than 1,000 m² in two rooms: one presents the history of whaling, from the arrival of Azorean whalers in 1940 until the end of the activity in 1981, and the other presents the cetaceans and the marine environment of Madeira.
Highlights
- Exhibition “História da Caça à Baleia” (History of Whaling), 1940–1981
- Exhibition “Os Cetáceos e o Meio Marinho” (Cetaceans and the Marine Environment)
- Harpoon, motorised whaleboats and photographs of the lookout posts
- Spermaceti, ambergris and carved pieces of sperm whale bone and teeth
- Scientific research projects on cetaceans
Permanent exhibitions
- História da Caça à Baleia – Traces whaling activity in Madeira from 1941 to its voluntary end in 1981, with the network of lookout posts, the motorised whaleboats, the Caniçal factory and the transition to conservation.
- Os Cetáceos e o Meio Marinho – Presents the whales, dolphins and marine biodiversity of Madeira's waters, with objects, images, films and multimedia kiosks.
- Founded
- 1990
- Operated by
- Município de Machico
- Director
- Ana Nóbrega
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €15 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €10Young people aged 12 to 17, students and seniors over 65 |
| Children & teens | €7.50Children aged 6 to 11. |
| Seniors | €10Over 65. |
| Students & apprentices | €10Young people aged 12 to 17 and students. |
Free admission: 18 May (International Museum Day) and 27 September (World Tourism Day).
The prices include audio equipment for the visit.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum has a section on accessibility on its website, but its content is only available as images.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
SIGA bus, line 113.
By car from Funchal, take the Via Rápida towards Caniçal, exit “Caniçal Oeste”, turn right into the centre of Caniçal and follow the “Museu da Baleia” signs.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The shop exists only online (loja.museudabaleia.org).
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Audio guide | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | School and tour operator visits are booked through forms on the museum's website; the education service offers study visits and activities such as “Oceano Lab” and “Na Onda dos Cetáceos” (On the Wave of Cetaceans). |
