Zino's Petrel Night Expedition

Listen the calls and watch Zino's Petrel Pterodroma madeira, rare seabird in Europe, close to its breeding grounds at night on the highest peaks of Madeira.

  • Madeira Island, Portugal

    A night birdwatching experience on the peaks of Madeira to listen to Zino's Petrel Pterodroma madeira close to its breeding grounds while stargazing.

    • Price

      50 EUR per person (11+ years old)
      30 EUR per child (1-10 years old)

    • Target species

      Zino’s Petrels (calls and silhouettes) though in early season we may also hear Manx shearwater

    • Itinerary

      45 minutes ride up to Pico do Arieiro and then a 25 minutes walk at 1800 meters (5900 feet) of altitude to get close to the Petrels’ breeding grounds. Add same times for the return.

    • Schedule

      Pick ups start around 20:30-21:00 and drop off is around 00:30-01:00. Check availability during your stay.

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  • Highlights

    Observe one of the most threatened seabirds in Europe.
    Relax while stargazing and listening to the calls of Zino's Petrels
    A night adventure on the highest peaks of Madeira

  • Inclusions

    Pick up and drop off at the same place
    The most knowledgeable and experienced tour leaders with this species
    A second (free) tour if Zino's Petrels are not heard on your first-night tour.

  • Friendly advice

    Take very warm clothes as at 1800 meters of altitude temperature drops a lot. Waterproof jacket, hat, gloves and a bottle of water are useful.

  • Group size

    Minimum people to run the trip: 2
    Maximum group size: 8
    Staff to Guest ratio: 2/8

  • Meeting point

    City centres of Funchal, Camara de Lobos, Caniço, Santa Cruz and Machico. As long as your hotel is not too difficult to access due to traffic, very narrow roads or controlled entrance, pick up is at the hotel. Otherwise, it will be at a meeting point close by. For other locations, please contact us.

  • One of the most exclusive birdwatching tours in Madeira, where you hear the calls and sometimes see the silhouettes of Zino's Petrel Pterodroma madeira one of the rarest seabirds in Europe.

  • Listen to these birds and learn more about them and its conservation works from Catarina and Hugo, two passionate birdwatchers and volunteers for the Freira Conservation Project (a charity/research institution for the preservation of Zino’s Petrels and other Madeira seabirds).

Back

After a 45 minutes ride to reach Pico do Areeiro, the third highest peak of Madeira, we start the 25 to 30 minutes walk at a slow pace, stepping down and up the mountain, until we reach a location near the breeding area of Zino's Petrels. We start walking under the spectacular sunset colours while the observation and return way is under the shining stars.

Following arrival at the listening location above the nesting ledges of this endangered seabird species, lights must be turned off, and a quiet wait follows until the first calls are heard. Then it is time for a warming hot tea while Zino's petrels continue to fly above and call. Bird silhouettes are often seen.

The way back seems harder as most of it is climbing up the many steps to get to the car park.

A second free tour: if on the first tour with us we do not hear the calls of Zino's Petrels we offer you a second tour entirely free. We strive for the perfect birdwatching experience and to make this the best night birding tour!

Upcoming Tours

Birdwatching tour pick ups available at the city centres of Funchal, Machico, Santa Cruz, Caniço, Cabo Girão.

Apr3

Zino's Petrel Night Tour 8 places available

Apr10

Zino's Petrel Night Tour 8 places available

Apr17

Zino's Petrel Night Tour 8 places available

Apr24

Zino's Petrel Night Tour 8 places available

Apr30

Zino's Petrel Night Tour 3 places available