K
Great
Really friendly and knowledgeable guides! We got to see pilot whales and common bottlenose dolphins
Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour in Madeira
+22 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 2h 30min
- Price from
- $85 / person
- Location
- Funchal, Portugal
- Rating
- 4.9 / 5 · 1,309 reviews
- Languages
- PT, EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 12
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- On Tales Lda
- 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.NoteCalheta is located on the South coast, approximately 40 minutes drive, West of Funchal.
Description
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.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 10:00 AM, 1:30 PM, 4:30 PM, and 7:30 PM
- Next available
- Fri, Oct 9
- Adult (ages 18–64)
- $85
- Senior (ages 65+)
- $85
- Youth (ages 13–17)
- $85
- Child (ages 3–12)
- $85
- Infant (ages 0–2)
- $85
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 8.
Tour Options
Itinerary
On Tales
Find our meeting point, on the marina de Calheta, 15 minutes before departure time. Reach out to us in case you need assistance.. You will find us at the end of the harbor, next to the blue building. Drive into the underground car park located right after the tennis courts. Exit the elevator on the ground floor; On Tales is the 1st store on the marina ! Meet our team for a detailed presentation of the activity. We will be happy to clear out any doubts you might have.
Porto de Recreio da Calheta
Our captain will meet you and guide you to the yacht where he will proceed to a short safety briefing.
Madeira Islands
Depart the harbor, with two professional crew members on a comfortable, spacious yacht. With a land-based spotter leading the way, cruise the coast to find and observe marine life in their natural environment, sightseeing and exploring Madeira island from a privileged point of view. A true exploration of nature's wonders. - Wildlife Spotting: Search for migratory dolphins and whales - Ethical Observation: Sustainable, expert-led encounters that prioritize marine welfare
Madeira Islands
Cool off with a swim into the crystal-clear waters, at one of our favorite hidden gems. We select the perfect place based on the day’s sea conditions to ensure the most comfortable and calm swimming experience. Jump from the boat and explore the underwater world. We provide everything you need: soft bathing towels, masks, fins and snorkels.
Madeira Islands
Focus on the View, our crew will take the photos! Relax and enjoy the scenery first hand. Our sea team captures the best moments of your journey, while our land team sends the digital photos to you afterwards.
Madeira Islands
Stay refreshed with complimentary drinks served by our attentive crew throughout the trip.
What's included
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)
Not included
Transportation to/from attractions.
Snacks / food
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.9
1,309 reviews
How it compares in Funchal
- No. 4 by number of reviews among 576 tours in Funchal
- Starting price $85 is 35% above the typical $63 for tours of similar length in Funchal
Excurgo comparison of 576 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Confirmation will be sent before the tour or 48 hours after booking:
- Subject to favorable maritime conditions (if canceled 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
- Subject to availability
- Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed
- 6/6.30 pm or 7/7.30 pm 19/19.30 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.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour in Madeira take?
Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour in Madeira lasts about 2h 30min. The itinerary has 6 stops.
How much does Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour in Madeira cost?
Prices start at $85 per person for this Funchal experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour in Madeira run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 10:00 AM, 1:30 PM, 4:30 PM, and 7:30 PM.
How much does Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour in Madeira cost for children?
Children aged 3–12 pay from $85, adults from $85.
Can I cancel Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour in Madeira for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is 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. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour in Madeira offered in?
The experience is available in PT, EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 12 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Family friendly Children must be accompanied by an adult
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour in Madeira worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 1,309 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by On Tales Lda.
Reviews(1,309)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
B
Really great boat trip!
We had a great time on the boat trip despite not seeing any dolphins or whales. The team was very attentive and polite and they had great knowledge on Madeira. The boat itself was a great size for the 10 of us, it didnt feel squashed and there was plenty of room at the front to watch the sea. We did see some flying fish which was pretty cool! And we swam in the sea with snorkels. Would definitely use On Tales again to hopefully see some dolphins and wales next time!
1 people found this helpful
2
Relaxed watching
Friendly staff, nice walk, beautiful view of the island. Saw a few dolphins. Nice swimming opportunity
I
One of the best experiences
We’ve been to Madeira 4 times, and this was truly one of our favorite experiences. What a beautiful way to view the island from another angle, and at the same time see some wildlife. From start to finish we are so happy with this experience, everyone on the team were so kind and helpful. Everything was thoroughly explained and the boat was beautiful. We thought this will be a one time experience, but we already can’t wait to book again when we are back! Thank you!
1 people found this helpful
R
Amazing Experience! 🐋🐬”
Amazing experience! 🐋🐬 We really enjoyed the whale and dolphin watching tour. Everything was very well organized, and the staff were friendly, professional, and helpful. Seeing the dolphins and whales in their natural habitat was absolutely beautiful and unforgettable. We had a wonderful time and would definitely recommend this experience to anyone visiting Madeira! ❤️🌊
1 people found this helpful
L
Perfect excursion
It was perfect all around. A small group, nice and helpful staff from OnTales. Informative conversations, we saw dolphins, a lot was explained, and we had the opportunity to swim. All in all simply perfect and highly recommended!
1 people found this helpful
O
Wonderful dolphin watching experience in Madeira & more
wonderful whale watching experience! We were lucky enough to see two dolphins but, beyond that, we had a great time with the On Tales crew. They provided us with water and drinks, information about the place we were seeing and about the animals, in addition to answering some tourist questions about the island. The approximately 2h30 tour includes a stop for a swim in the open sea for about twenty minutes (during which the crew provided us with masks and towels) and a photo service that allows you to observe the horizon without worries. Absolutely highly recommended and a great value for the price!
1 people found this helpful
I
Great trip
Great trip but unfortunately so sighting of any dolphins or whales but the trip was lovely all the same and the captain and his crew were lovely.
R
Amazing watching tour, would 100% recommend
Amazing experience. The organization is really on point. The boat is very clean and secure. They really think of everything: clean towels for after swimming, cool drinks and photos the day after. We got some really cute couple photos thanks to them! We are so glad we booked with On Tales and would 100% recommend. The sightings are not guaranteed, but we did see pilot whales and rough-toothed dolphins!
C
Whale watching off Madeira: A perfect 10 out of 10
We had a wonderful morning off the coast of Madeira today and can recommend the tour without reservation. We particularly liked the very small group with only twelve passengers. This made the atmosphere pleasantly personal and relaxed. The entire tour was very professionally organized from start to finish, and the service on board also left nothing to be desired. The beautiful motor yacht offers a high level of comfort, and the service was consistently excellent. Particularly positive: Drinks, towels, and snorkeling equipment are already included in the price. A special highlight was Martin, our host on board. With his high-quality DSLR camera, he took impressive and very high-quality photos during the tour, which were already available for download in the evening – a great memory of this special morning. We were also very lucky with the animals: We were able to observe short-finned pilot whales. One of the animals even came very close to our bow – an extraordinary and unforgettable encounter for us! Overall, it was an all-around successful package from start to finish: small group, professional team, comfortable boat, excellent service, and of course, a unique nature experience. Thank you very much for this wonderful morning! In total, it was a perfect 10 out of 10 for us.
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from$85
4.9(1,309) Free cancellation