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Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour in Madeira

4.9 · 1,299 ratings on Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor 99% of star-rated reviews are 4★ or 5★ Funchal Operated by On Tales Lda Free cancellation · up to 24 hours before Likely to sell out
Duration
2h 30m
Group
Shared tour
Guide languages
Portuguese, English, Spanish
Start & pickup
10:00, 13:30, 16:30, 19:30 · No hotel pickup: everyone meets at the start point
Booking
Instant confirmation · mobile ticket
Guidekin's take

A motor yacht rather than a rib for the whale and dolphin search off the south west coast, with a cabin, blankets, a toilet and a shower, plus snorkel gear for a swim stop when the sea allows.

Weather cancellations are refunded or moved, and sightings are never guaranteed. 4.93 from 1,299 reviews at €74 per person.

Best for: Book the daytime motor yacht from Calheta: cabin and snorkel gear, 2h 30m at €74 per person, 4.93 from 1,299 reviews; sightings not guaranteed. Whale & Dolphin Watching comparison

Trade-off: Swimming depends on sea conditions.

In our comparison: #2 of 18 in Whale & Dolphin Watching, by rating weighted by review volume (see the comparison).

Editorial check: September 15, 2026How we choose tours →Commissions never affect our verdicts.

Price and inclusions

One price for every traveller: €74 per adult.

Included and not included

  • Bottled water
  • Cabin
  • Blankets
  • Snorkel equipment (masks, fins and tubes)
  • Toilet
  • Hair and body towels
  • Shower after swimming time
  • Light refreshments (water, fruit juice, soft drinks, beer)
  • Transportation to/from attractions.
  • Snacks / food

Children from €74 (ages 3 to 12). Option texts and prices come from the operator's listing; prices checked on Viator on 3 October 2026.

Reviews

4.9
1,299 ratings
Tripadvisor 1,256 · Viator 43

99% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4★ or 5★: 1,283 of 1,299

Star breakdown of all 1,299 ratings

5 stars
1,234 · 95%
4 stars
49 · 4%
3 stars
11 · 1%
2 stars
3 · 0%
1 star
2 · 0%

What reviewers say

Reviewers value the attentive crew and comfortable boats; some trips return without any whale or dolphin sightings.

Praised

  • Friendly, knowledgeable crews explain marine life and look after passengers
  • Comfortable boats with room to move and an uncrowded atmosphere
  • Dolphin and whale encounters, with swimming stops also enjoyed
  • Drinks and towels on board, plus photos sent after the trip
  • Careful approaches to wildlife and respect for the animals

Complaints

  • Some trips return without any whale or dolphin sightings
  • Snorkelling can feel rushed or be missed altogether

Written by Guidekin from the 100 most recent English reviews on Viator & Tripadvisor (6 August 2025 to 3 October 2026). Refreshed as new reviews arrive; last checked 4 October 2026.

Latest reviews

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Ratings collected from Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor.

Meeting point and route

Meeting point

Where
You will find the On Tales Store at the end of the Marina da Calheta, next to the blue building. Our team will greet you and guide you to our yacht. Note: Calheta is located on the South coast, approximately 40 minutes drive, West of Funchal. · Open in Google Maps
Departure
10:00, 13:30, 16:30, 19:30 daily; scheduled through September 2027 (operator schedule, seats confirmed at checkout)
Return
This activity ends back at the meeting point
Pickup
No hotel pickup: everyone meets at the start point
Operator
On Tales Lda; booking and payment are completed on Viator

Itinerary

About this tour, from the operator

Whales and Dolphins Watching Tour:

Come experience the marvellous nature of the south west sea of Madeira Island on board a refined and comfortable motor yacht.

Feel the happiness of being near the wild marine nature: dolphins, whales, turtles, and other amazing animals that we can find! Be there and join them while they cruise along on their journey in the open seas.

Enjoy the Atlantic Ocean from a luxurious view and cruise on its waters discovering the Island by sea.

Walking, children and accessibility

The operator's own notes, grouped by topic. Nothing here is added by Guidekin.

Walking and health

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Children

  • Children must be accompanied by an adult

Good to know

  • Food included see what is included
  • Children from €74 ages 3 to 12

The booking form will also ask for: dates of birth

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

  • 1+ days: Full refund
  • 0-1 days: No refund

Compared with other Whale & Dolphin Watching

TourPriceDurationRatingGroup
This tour · #2 of 18€742h 30m4.93 (1299)shared
Whale and Dolphin Watching in Calheta, Madeira Island€602h4.93 (1401)shared
Private Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour in Madeira€524 per group2h 30m4.94 (562)private
VipDolphins Luxury Whale Watching€793h4.9 (1943)shared

Ranked #2 of 18 in Whale & Dolphin Watching by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €35 to €109, median €52; typical length 2h 30m. 2 of 18 are private. Figures are live from the tour cards; the rubric is our handpicked set, not the whole market. Compare all 18 Whale & Dolphin Watching

From €74 per adult