--- title: Private Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour in Madeira lang: en alternate_de: https://guidekin.com/de/portugal/madeira/tours/private-dolphin-and-whale-watching-tour-in-madeira/ type: tour city: Madeira country: Portugal price: 524 currency: EUR price_unit: per_group availability: bookable rating: 4.94 reviews: 562 duration_minutes: 150 languages: [pt, en, es] free_cancellation: "true" guidekin_pick: Private or shared? rank_in_category: 3 of 18 (Whale & Dolphin Watching) schedule_checked: 2026-10-03 data_updated: 2026-10-08 canonical: https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/tours/private-dolphin-and-whale-watching-tour-in-madeira/ --- # Private Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour in Madeira **Guidekin's take:** Sail from Calheta on a yacht with a land-based wildlife spotter, a private tour for your party. Drinks, snorkelling equipment and towels are included; pricing is per group and wildlife sightings are not guaranteed. 4.94 from 562 reviews at €524 per group/vehicle for 2h 30m. **Private or shared?:** Book Private Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour in Madeira by day: yacht, drinks and snorkel gear, 2h 30m at €524 per group/vehicle; no hotel transfer. Trade-off: No hotel transfer. (last checked September 15, 2026) In our comparison: #3 of 18 in Whale & Dolphin Watching, by rating weighted by review volume (table below). ## Overview Whale Watching Tour: Treat yourself to a comfortable yacht and a professional crew! How about a glass of sparkling wine while watching whales and dolphins? This formula allows you to live this experience in a more intimate way and in a refined luxury environment. Simply the best for you and your loved ones! Our yachts, Gringo and Miranda, are moored in the port of Calheta. We sail out to meet the local species of cetaceans, assisted by a spotter on-land while guided by a professional crew of 2. From there on, the world is at your feet! Depending on the weather conditions, you can decide to sail along the coast, to swim in the ocean with goggles and fins, to sunbathe and relax with a fresh drink. Or, witness the magic of the Sunset from a privileged place, Choose an evening private cruise and experience the ocean in a different way! We can accommodate 5 guests for private charters on Miranda, 12 guests for private charters on Gringo. Choose the options that suits your expectations! ## Before you book - Meeting point: You will find the On Tales Store at the… - 6 start times: between 10:00 and 19:30 - Food included: Sparkling wine - Strollers OK: infants accepted **Pickup:** No hotel pickup: everyone meets at the start point ## Key facts - Price: from €524 per group/vehicle for the Private Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour in Madeira option; other options up to €890 - Duration: 2h 30m - Rating: 4.94/5 from 562 reviews (collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor) - Free cancellation (see policy below) - Operator: On Tales Lda - Group: Private tour, your party only - Guide languages: Portuguese, English, Spanish - Start times: 10:00, 13:30, 14:00, 16:30, 17:00, 19:30 - Booking: Instant confirmation, mobile ticket - Price checked on Viator: 2026-10-03 ## Reviews 4.94 from 562 ratings on Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor. 99% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4 or 5 stars: 555 of 562. - 5 stars: 545 (97%) - 4 stars: 10 (2%) - 3 stars: 1 (0%) - 2 stars: 2 (0%) - 1 star: 4 (1%) ### What reviewers say Reviewers praise the attentive crew and comfortable boats, but some trips end without dolphin or whale sightings. **Praised:** - Friendly, attentive crew who explain marine life and the island - Close dolphin encounters and whale sightings on many trips - Comfortable private boats for relaxing with family - Trip photos sent afterwards so guests can watch without using their phones - Swimming and snorkelling stops, with drinks and towels provided **Complaints:** - Some trips ended without any dolphin or whale sightings - Poor weather led to cancelled or rescheduled departures Written by Guidekin from the 100 most recent English reviews on Viator & Tripadvisor (2023-11-05 to 2026-10-02); last checked 2026-10-04. ## Tour options Prices are the operator's current list price for two travellers (whole euros); options sold only to bigger parties say so; pick the option on the booking page. | Option | Price | Guide languages | Details | |---|---|---|---| | Private Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour in Madeira | €524 per group | English, Portuguese, Spanish | - | | Upgrade to our 14 seater yacht | €890 per group | English, Portuguese, Spanish | Gringo Yacht Private charter: Small groups and designer tours only! Choose an even more spacious yacht; Gringo yacht is perfect for groups up to 12 guests! | ## What's included - Shower for after swimming time - Light refreshments (mineral water, ice tea, fruit juice, Coca-Cola, Cola zero, sprite, local beer) - Cabin - Blankets - Use of Snorkelling equipment - Toilet - Hair and body towels - Sparkling wine ## Not included - Transfer from your hotel - Snacks or food ## Schedule - Runs: daily - Departures: 10:00, 13:30, 14:00, 16:30, 17:00, 19:30 - Schedule last checked: 2026-10-03 - These are published departures, not a live seat count; availability is confirmed at checkout. ## Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. ## Meeting point 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. Map: https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJ0yhv4BJRYAwRWOkORuboqTg Ends: back at the meeting point ## Good to know - Public transportation options are available nearby - Suitable for all physical fitness levels - Subject to availability - Subject to favourable weather conditions (if cancelled due weather conditions, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund) - Family friendly - Children must be accompanied by an adult - Wildlife spotting cannot be guaranteed - Pregnant women should seek medical advice before booking (limited to no medical assistance can be performed on-board) - The yacht is not accessible to wheelchairs, strollers or cribs. - This activity is not suited to guests over 110 kg / 242 pounds, unless prior arrangement is made with our team and a suitable alternative has been proposed and acknowledged by our Captain / Crew. - 6/6.30 pm or 7/7.30 pm departure time: Sunset, Snorkeling and Sparkling wine, NO whale watching - Guests should understand their duty to exercise reasonable care for their own safety while boarding, exiting and being on-board the yacht. Booking asks for: dates of birth ## Cost for your party | People | Total | Per person | |---|---|---| | 2 | €524 | €262 | | 4 | €524 | €131 | | 6 | €524 | €87 | Cheapest option for that party size from the operator's current price tiers; the calendar shows the exact figure for your date. Shared tours in Whale & Dolphin Watching start at €35 per person. ## Compared with other Whale & Dolphin Watching | Tour | Price | Duration | Rating | Group | |---|---|---|---|---| | **This tour · #3 of 18** | €524 per group | 2h 30m | 4.94 (562) | private | | [Whale and Dolphin Watching in Calheta, Madeira Island](/portugal/madeira/tours/whale-and-dolphin-watching-in-calheta-madeira-island/?format=md) | €60 | 2h | 4.93 (1401) | shared | | [Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour in Madeira](/portugal/madeira/tours/whale-and-dolphin-watching-tour-in-madeira/?format=md) | €74 | 2h 30m | 4.93 (1299) | shared | | [VipDolphins Luxury Whale Watching](/portugal/madeira/tours/vipdolphins-luxury-whale-watching/?format=md) | €79 | 3h | 4.9 (1943) | shared | Ranked #3 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. Full list: https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/madeira-whale-watching/?format=md ## More in Madeira - All Madeira tours: https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/?format=md - This page as HTML: https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/tours/private-dolphin-and-whale-watching-tour-in-madeira/ Filters, the full catalogue and the URL contract for this city: https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/?format=md