Things to do in Caniçal

Caniçal sits at Madeira's eastern tip, a former whaling port that stopped hunting sperm whales only in 1981 - within living memory, not some Victorian relic. The Museu da Baleia (Whale Museum) occupies the old harbourside site and charges around 8 euros for adults, with exhibits running roughly two hours if you read the panels properly.

It tells the whaling story in full, harpoons and open boats included, then pivots to the marine sanctuary Madeira became afterwards. Whale-watching boats leave from Caniçal and nearby Funchal year-round, typically 30-45 euros for a two to three hour trip.

The village itself is a 35-40 minute drive from Funchal along the VR1, and makes a sensible stop before or after the Ponta de São Lourenço walk further east.