Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
*
Diving
Top 10 Madeiran
Wildlife
!
Wall Lizards
Clean Atlantic waters, clear
visibility and an array of beautiful
fish and reefs make Madeira a
popular spot for divers of all ages
and abilities.
d
Manta Diving Center,
Hotel Galomar, Caniço de Baixo. Map J6.
291 935 588 • Madeira Divepoint, Carlton
Madeira Hotel, Largo Antonio Nobre, Fun-
chal. Map H6. 291 239 579
You will see them on
every sunny rock or pavement.
They feed on fruit and flies.
@
Wagtails
This yellow-breasted bird
is never very far from water,
hence its Madeiran nickname:
“the washerwoman .
#
Swifts
(
Adventure Sports
Madeira's challenging
countryside lends itself to all
sorts of adventure sports, from
rock-climbing to hang-gliding, but
few companies yet exist to
provide organized excursions.
One that does is Terras de
Aventura, offering mountain
biking, jeep safaris, off-road
biking, climbing, kayaking,
canyoning and paragliding.
d
291
776 818 • www.terrasdeaventura.com
Watch them wheeling and
feeding at dusk along Fun-
chal's seafront promenade.
$
Kestrels
These chestnut-backed
birds nest on the cliffs of the
hotel district, and hover on
the wind in search of prey.
%
Buzzards
Often seen riding the
warm air above the valleys of
Funchal and Curral das Freiras.
^
Robins
)
Horse Riding
The Associação Hípica da
Madeira can provide lessons for
beginners; for more experienced
riders there are guided tours
along Madeira's beautiful, narrow
mountain tracks and hidden for-
est byways.
d
Quinta Vila Alpires,
Camhino dos Pretos, São João de Latrão
• Map H5 • 291 792 582 • Open 3-6pm
Tue, 10am-1pm, 3-6pm Wed-Sun (Sun
till 7pm)
The robins you will see
on Madeira have the same
cheery red breasts as their
mainland cousins, and just as
sweet a song.
&
Sally Lightfoot Crabs
These dark brown crabs
are often seen grazing tidal
rocks for algae. They will dis-
appear fast if threatened -
hence “lightfoot .
*
Perez's Frogs
Introduced to Madeira by
the Count of Carvalhal, this
noisy frog with a bright yellow
backbone stripe has spread to
every pond in the island.
(
Monarch butterflies
These large orange-black-
and-white gliding butterflies are
seen in all Madeiran gardens.
)
Limpets
Limpets are a traditional
food on Madeira, but
harvesting is now controlled
to prevent over-exploitation.
Horse riding
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