Cuvier's Beaked whale is one of the rarest species of deep diving whale and rarely seen around Madeira.

Cuvier’s Beaked Whale

Ziphius cavirostris

Cuvier’s Beaked whales are a rare cetacean species that can be seen occasionally seen around the islands of Madeira. This species of beaked whale is known for very deep and very long dive times. Typical dive profiles are between 1 – 2 km deep for one hour. During surface intervals between dives the Cuvier’s Beaked whales can be seen resting on the surface where they rest and oxygen load their tissues, like many deep diving cetacean species. They are typically observed around Madeira during the spring and summer months.

Cuvier's Beaked whales are a rare deep diving cetacean species we sometimes see on our Madeira dolphin and whale watching trips.

Species Information

On Madeira dolphin and whale watching tours the Cuvier's Beaked whale can be rarely seen.

  • Length: males 6 meters and females 6.4 meters

  • Weight: males up to 4.000 kg and females up to 5,000 kg

  • Lifespan: as much as 60 years

  • Diet: mostly deep water squid and fish