Welcome to Madeira Islands...

Madeira Wind Birds and Madeira Tours FAQ:

Do you have tours insurance?

Yes, we do. We have personal accidents insurance and civil liability insurance, all mandatory by Portuguese law.

Which language will be spoken by your guides?

Our Nature Guides are bi-lingual with standard languages being English and Portuguese. With special request we can get Nature guides speaking German, French or Spanish. Our birdwatching specialists speak English and know most of the bird names in this language

What should I take?

We recommend you bring the following equipment to:
Land Tours: raincoat, hat or cap and walking boots or shoes with a good grip.
Sea Trips: raincoat, hat or cap, sun protection lotion and swimming suit. If you are going on a Desertas Islands sea trip you should also take sandals and shorts to go ashore on an inflatable boat.

What do I get to see in Madeira Wind Birds tours?

On Madeira Wind Birds tours we aim to show you not only the details of Madeira Nature, like trees, flowers, birds, butterflies, dragonflies and some other insects, but also the most amazing sceneries that are not usually on common tourist routes. Our guides will be with you all the time and do not take you to "tourist traps".
On our sea trips we always look for sea mammals and sometimes if there are many species being seen we may not get enough time to go to the destination of the trip though we always try to approximate it as much as possible. If the trip is to Desertas, we always get there, of course.

Does your tours demand much physical effort?

Our land tours are designed so that everyone can enjoy them. Our full-days and the 4,5 hours tours are mainly by car with short and easy walks around the visiting place. The tours that demand a bit more effort are the 5,5 hours tour where we the walks are a bit longer and there are some locations where one can feel some vertigo though not dangerous as there is usually a secure fence next to the path. The Night Expedition for the Zino's Petrel demand some physical effort as it is up and down the mountain for about 25 minutes.

Are these land tours appropriate for a senior person?

Madeira Wind Birds tours are mainly by car and even the ones which have walking are easy and flat walks for about 1 hour. The only land tour we do not advise to senior persons is the Night Expedition tour as the walk is up and down the mountain on a high altitude. Note that the oldest customer we had doing the Zino's Night expedition was 86 years old.
Regarding sea trips we would like to note that the trip to Desertas Islands takes 3 hours sailing on the Atlantic sea to get from Funchal to Desertas and then 3 more hours to get back. So if someone is not used to sail and easily get sea sick it is better to run a half-day tour instead of this one.

Is there a chance for snorkelling on the dolphin swimming trip?

Yes there is! We do provide snorkelling equipment.

Do you have to wear a wet suit?

No. Sea water temperature in Madeira is usually between 18ºC in Winter and 24ºC in Summer so there is no need to wear a wet suit and we do not have any to provide to our customers.

Can we wear a wet suit to swim with dolphins?

Yes you can. You may bring your own wet suit to swim with dolphins as we do not provide it.

Is Swimming with dolphins in the open sea?

Yes, Swimming with dolphins is in the open sea, wherever the dolphins are at the day and hour of the trip. For that we have two scouts on land with a scope searching for the dolphins, so the boat will go to where these sea mammals are.

Is it possible to swim with turtles?

Swimming with turtles is almost impossible as Madeira it is only a passage on their migration route and if you get to see one whenever you approach them by boat they will dive deep.

How do I get in touch with Madeira Wind Birds?

Our staff is available to answer all of your inquiries on any of the following contacts:
Telephone: (+351) 917 777 441
Email:
Website with info about Madeira Nature: www.madeirabirds.com

What forms of payment do you accept?

Wind Birds accepts: VISA, Master-Card, Wired funds and cash. All transactions are in Euros, Portugal legal currency.

Are all taxes included in price?

All tours are subject of VAT at 14%, that is inclusive in the price. All taxes and fees are inclusive in the price. You shouldn't expect any other charges.

Do you offer discounts for groups?

We offer discounts for groups, travel agents and tour operators, though certain numbers have to be guaranteed. These tours are independently booked outside our weekly schedule.

What is your cancellation policy?

For normal scheduled tours full refund if done before 48 hours from the tour starting time. Full refund if cancelled due to bad weather, though we will try to postpone the tour to a date with mutual agreement. Between 47 and 15 hours only 80% refund. No refund for no shows.

I am a travel agent/tour operator, will you assist us travelling to Madeira Islands?

We will assist you by providing advice, supplying Madeira land tours and sea trips, text contents for brochures and catalogs, photography for website and other media, local contacts for other services you desire, e.g. hotels, rent-a-cars, ferry and others.

I am on a Cruise ship calling at Funchal harbour, can I join a tour?

Yes, we also adapt our tours for cruise passenger and making a special Madeira shore excursion, different from the current cruise liners offers, which will take you to some "tourist traps". Please contact us by email with your arrival and departure times and cruise liner name.

I am a tourism journalist doing an article about Madeira Island, can you help me?

We can supply text and photography to assist with your article, as well doing familiarisation trips in Madeira Islands. Also we are members of Madeira Promotion Agency since its foundation, therefore we can pass some of your requests to them.

Do you offer pickup in HPB Madeira for land tours?

Yes, we offer free pickup for land tours at Madeira Holiday Property Bond in Cabo Girão, Câmara de Lobos. As well we offer pickup in other locations in Funchal and Caniço. If you are staying at a different location let us know and we will answer you if we can offer pick up to you.

What are your measures in regards to children safety?

For children safety on board our yacht, we have child life jackets which we use to dress on children since they enter the boat. There is also a 2 cable fence all around the boat which prevents falls to the sea. In regard to land tours, we have special seats for children so they can use the safety belt on the proper way, safely. We had already run tours with children and happily we never had any kind of hazard.

On your online offer I haven't found any levada tours?

We offer levada walks on special request, you just have to email us and request such service.

I have a Wind Birds gift certificate, when can I use it?

All gift certificates have an expire date of 2 years. If you have a gift certificate with you please let us know when you are coming to Madeira so we can tell you our availabilities.

I required a special meal, do you supply it?

Yes, we can supply vegetarian meals, though vegan and kosher are not possible. If you have an allergy to a special ingredient we can provide the meals without it. Please request your meals in advance, at least 48 hours.

What low cost airlines operate to Madeira?

EasyJet from Stanstead and Gatwick, London and from Bristol.
AerLingus from Dublin.

Does Madeira Wind Birds offer any Madeira VIP or Executive services?

Those services are carried out in the two private tours (land and sea). You just have to book and request your needs. If you require security services, personal bodyguards and other detail services while in Madeira, please contact our customer support team.