The Short‑finned Pilot Whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus) is one of the most social and fascinating cetaceans you can spot on OnTales whale watching tours around Madeira. Known for their strong family groups (“pods”), deep diving behavior, and long-lived social structure, these whales offer unforgettable wildlife encounters for visitors.
Fun Fact
The name “pilot whale” comes from the old belief that a leader whale “piloted” the rest of the pod. Their strong family bonds likely reinforced this idea.
Short‑finned Pilot Whales have a stocky, robust body, usually black to dark gray or brown. Their head is bulbous, with no distinct beak. The dorsal fin is broad, slightly curved (falcate), and set forward on the body. They often have a light-grey “saddle” patch behind the dorsal fin and an anchor-shaped light patch under the chin or on the belly. The flippers are relatively short, about one-sixth of the body length, and they typically have 7–9 teeth per row, fewer than some other whale species.
Visitors often ask: “How big are pilot whales?” Adult males can reach up to 6 meters in length, with large males weighing several tonnes, making them one of the most impressive marine mammals in Madeira’s waters.
Size: Males can grow up to ~6 m; females slightly smaller.
Lifespan: Males live ~35–45 years; females up to 60 years.
Reproduction: Gestation lasts about 15 months; females usually have one calf every 5–8 years. Calves are nursed for 2–15 years, which strengthens social bonds within the pod.
Short‑finned Pilot Whales are highly social animals, living in pods of 10–30 individuals, though groups can sometimes be larger. Their social structure is matrilineal, with older females often leading the group. These whales use echolocation to hunt deep-sea prey, mainly squid, and can dive several hundred meters at a time.
A common question is: “Are pilot whales aggressive?” Generally, they are not aggressive toward humans, but like all large marine mammals, care should be taken during whale-watching tours to avoid collisions.
Their diet consists mainly of squid, but they also consume fish and occasionally octopus. They are deep divers, sometimes reaching depths of 700–1,000 meters to hunt their prey.
Fishing gear entanglement (gillnets, longlines)
Vessel strikes in busy maritime areas
Historical hunting in some regions
Conservation status: Vulnerable or Data Deficient depending on population
While they are not currently classified as highly endangered around Madeira, monitoring and responsible whale-watching are essential for their continued protection. Many people ask: “Are pilot whales endangered?” — globally, their populations face threats from human activity but are not critically endangered.
Short‑finned Pilot Whales inhabit tropical and warm temperate waters. Around Madeira, several resident or semi-resident pods are frequently sighted, especially in the southern waters from mid-summer to mid-autumn. These areas are used for resting, socializing, foraging, and possibly breeding. Visitors searching for “pilot whale Madeira” are likely to have good chances of sightings on OnTales tours, where pods are stable and often visible near the surface. Pilot Whales are quite fond of temperate seas like the ones of Madeira Island ! Typically their body is dark grey to black but with a lighter area near the dorsal fin. Their head is distinctive and round, with a back bulb and a small frontal prominence. They can reach up to 6 meters long.
They are very sweet and sociable animals that tend to travel in groups and, sometimes, do so alongside bottlenose dolphins!
Visitors to Madeira have a unique opportunity to see Short‑finned Pilot Whales in their natural habitat thanks to OnTales Whale Watching tours. These tours are guided by experienced marine biologists who know the local waters and pods, ensuring safe and responsible wildlife encounters. Whether you are searching for pods in the deep southern waters or spotting playful calves near the surface, OnTales tours give you the best chance to observe these fascinating cetaceans up close while supporting conservation efforts around Madeira.
How deep can short‑finned pilot whales dive?
They can dive to depths of ~700 meters on average, sometimes exceeding 1,000 meters to catch deep-sea squid.
How big are pilot whales?
Adults can reach 5–6 meters in length, with males generally larger than females.
Is a pilot whale a dolphin?
Yes, despite their name, pilot whales belong to the dolphin family (Delphinidae).
Are pilot whales aggressive?
Generally, no. They are social and not aggressive toward humans, but care should be taken during close encounters.
Are pilot whales endangered?
They are vulnerable in some regions but are not currently critically endangered globally. Human activity such as fishing gear entanglement and vessel strikes remain major threats.
How long do pilot whales live?
Males typically live ~35–45 years, females up to 60 years.
