Madeira Whale and Dolphin Watching Motor Yacht Tour with Swim

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.

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.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:00, 13:30 and 16:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effort

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.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What marine animals might I see on the whale and dolphin watching tour in Madeira?

The tour searches for migratory dolphins and whales along the southwest coast, and you may also encounter turtles and other marine life. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed, and the crew's observations depend on what is present that day.

Can I swim during the whale and dolphin watching tour?

Yes. The crew selects a calm-water swim stop based on sea conditions that day and provides snorkel equipment (masks, fins and tubes), towels, and a shower afterward so you can rinse off before the return to harbor.

How long is the whale and dolphin watching tour in Madeira?

The tour runs 2.5 hours from departure at the marina de Calheta, including the swim stop and the return to harbor.

What time does the whale and dolphin watching tour depart?

Daytime departures vary. Sunset tours depart at 6 or 7 p.m. (these do not include whale watching). Confirmation of your exact departure time will be sent before the tour or within 48 hours of booking.

What is included in the whale and dolphin watching tour?

The tour includes use of the yacht cabin, snorkel equipment, towels, a shower after swimming, complimentary drinks (water, juice, soft drinks and beer), and photos captured by the crew and sent to you digitally afterward.