Whale and Dolphin Watching in Calheta, Madeira: Wild Animal Encounters with an Adrenaline Rush

Encounter exhilarating instances with untamed creatures in their native environment, complete with an added dash of thrill!

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • H2O Madeira - Whale & dolphin watching - Madeira’s strategic position enables encounters with a diverse array of sea mammals. Since these creatures often migrate, their positions are constantly changing. Our land-based Spotter uses binoculars to pinpoint their location and relay this information to our crew, ensuring a respectful and intimate…
What's Included
  • Expert local guide accompanies the tour
  • Knowledgeable driver/guide ensures a smooth trip
  • Enjoy live commentary on board for an immersive experience
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks
Additional Information
  • No pets are allowed on board
Location
H2O Madeira - Whale & dolphin watching
We ask you to do the check-in 20 minutes before departure at our Store "H2oMadeira", at the Marina of Calheta (Level 0). (https://g.page/h2omadeira?share) Parking: The marina's car parking lot is the closest and least expensive one in the area (https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ly1e8j92jBX8EQMt6)
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.9
(1212 Ratings)
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Richardbc5547zc
Oct 26, 2025
Dolphin spotting - Fantastic experience! We saw whales, dolphins and a shark. The crew were brilliant, they enthusiastically gave lots of information about the species we saw. Highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Compass53634993057
Oct 26, 2025
Very nice experience - Superb experience, the companions made us live a very beautiful moment and with a smile! We could see sperm whales and dolphins which was unintentional!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Quest61032123156
Oct 22, 2025
Very nice. - Very friendly and pro staff, boat confo and super nice experience! A goal of us not to have seen a dolphin s ms ca c is mother nature 😊by cons In saw the globicephales ( pilot whale), kind of dolphin..I recommend the experience
Review provided by Tripadvisor
V996qcmichels
Oct 16, 2025
Superb experience for cetacean lovers - Great experience, the people in charge were very friendly, and gave us several relevant explanations. A few square brackets were also made when litter was seen to be collected, demonstrating exemplary environmental awareness.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Vogel
Oct 14, 2025
Fantastic excursion - We were on the observation tour with the crew on October 13, 25. The boat is built in such a way that you have a good view from every place and the crew all looked after us well. There was a lot of information about the animals and the trip was rewarded with sperm and pilot whales, as well as a group of dolphins. A really great day with a great crew and all at a fair price. We can just recommend H2O
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Frank
Oct 14, 2025
Very nice, whale and dolphin watching without crowding the animals. - We had a great experience. We had several sightings of sperm whales, some with juveniles. We have also seen groups of pilot whales and other dolphins. The guide provided us with good information. The crew was always concerned with the welfare of the animals. It was not our first tour of its kind but certainly the most beautiful and the one most compatible with animal welfare.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Excursion06529183176
Oct 9, 2025
An unforgettable experience with a wow effect! - The tour started a little later than indicated, but it was worth the wait. We visited several places at sea and got to see 4 different species and a human diver. 😉 There were always explanations about it. If I thought we were going back, there was the next highlight. Finally, there were a few high-speed rounds with the inflatable boat as an extra on top. Thanks to Joana and Renato! As a little tip: Cream well with sunscreen beforehand. We underestimated the solar power on the water. And afterwards, professional photos of the tour would be sent to us by email, because it is not so easy to capture it with your mobile phone.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Czett
Oct 8, 2025
Top! - It was an entertaining, wonderful trip to see creatures you don't see every day. The crew was great and experienced, the boat fast and maneuverable. Everything you need to find the right spots at sea. In addition to dolphins and pilot whales, we also saw sperm whales… A definite recommendation.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anna
Sep 30, 2025
Unforgettable experience! - We booked this activity half a year ago, and a few days ago we finally joined the H2O dolphin-watching tour. It was absolutely unforgettable! The small boat (12 participants with 2 staff members) made the experience feel very personal and comfortable. The crew was fantastic- professional, knowledgeable, and deeply respectful of the ocean and its animals. They gave fascinating explanations about the sea and its wildlife, and everything was organized with care and responsibility toward nature. We were lucky to spot dolphins, and it was magical, we were so close that we could even hear them breathe! The fact that the crew always kept a respectful distance and let the animals set the pace made the encounter feel authentic and ethical, not touristy. The whole experience was incredible and it felt safe, smooth, and well thought out-from the clear instructions beforehand to the comfortable ride and small group size, which made it feel far more special than the crowded tours leaving the marina. The views of Madeira’s coastline from the boat were stunning, and honestly, just being out at sea was worth it. But of course, spotting the dolphins was very exciting. Highly recommended! A very professional, thoughtful, and well-organized team that truly cares about what they do. We loved it, thank you H2O Madeira!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Scenic01805751139
Oct 1, 2025
Bad - Unfortunately, I cannot understand any of the pictures or reviews shown. We “saw” some at such a great distance that sometimes you weren’t sure if it was the back of a dolphin or just a wave. Attached is a picture of our view (was still zoomed in) of the dolphin I have circled.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $63
up to 12 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).