Madeira Whale and Dolphin Watching Motor Yacht Tour with Swim

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/26

Duration2h 30m

GroupUp to 12

LanguagesEN · PT

Mobile ticketAccepted

The crew photographs the wildlife while you watch it happen.

A whale and dolphin watching tour on Madeira Island's southwest coast runs 2.5 hours aboard a motor yacht with a professional captain, two crew members and a land-based spotter guiding the search for marine life. You swim in calm waters the crew selects based on sea conditions that day, with snorkel equipment, towels and a shower provided; the team captures photos throughout and sends them to you afterward. Departures run at 6 or 7 p.m. (sunset tours without whale watching) or earlier times for daytime sailings; wildlife sightings are not guaranteed and the tour is subject to favorable maritime conditions.

2h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Whale and dolphin watching tour

Meet at marina de Calheta
Receive safety briefing on yacht
Cruise coast to spot marine life
Swim in crystal-clear waters
Enjoy scenery and photos
Drink complimentary refreshments

The Experience

The meeting point sits at the marina de Calheta, at the end of the harbor next to the blue building—arrive 15 minutes before departure and look for On Tales, the first store on the marina. Your captain and crew will brief you on safety and the day ahead before you board the yacht. Once underway, a land-based spotter leads the search along the coast while you cruise the southwest waters of Madeira Island, watching for migratory dolphins, whales, turtles and other marine life in their natural environment. The crew prioritizes sustainable, expert-led observation that respects marine welfare.

Midway through, the crew selects a swim stop based on that day's sea conditions—calm water in a spot they know well. You jump from the boat with snorkel gear (masks, fins and tubes all provided), explore the underwater world, and rinse off with a shower afterward. Soft towels, hair and body wash are on hand. While you focus on the view and the moment, the sea team photographs the best scenes; the land team processes and sends you the digital photos after the tour ends.

Complimentary drinks—bottled water, fruit juice, soft drinks and beer—flow throughout the trip. The yacht is spacious and refined, with a cabin and toilet on board. Tours depart at 6 or 7 p.m. for sunset sailings (which do not include whale watching) or at earlier times for daytime departures. The tour runs in English or Portuguese with a live guide. If weather cancels the tour, you can choose an alternative date or receive a full refund.

What’s included

Snorkel equipment (masks, fins and tubes).
soft bathing towels and hair and body wash.
shower access after the swim.
complimentary drinks throughout (bottled water, fruit juice, soft drinks, beer).
digital photos captured by the crew.
cabin and toilet access on the yacht.

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by On Tales Lda

Is this one for you?Book this tour for an afternoon or early evening when you want to search for marine life without arranging transport or managing a large group—the captain, crew and land-based spotter handle the navigation and spotting while you watch, swim and let the team photograph the moments.