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Whale and Dolphin Watching in Calheta, Madeira: Wild Animal Encounters with an Adrenaline Rush
4.9
1,243 Ratings
Vila da Calheta
Encounter awe-inspiring moments with wildlife in their natural environment, enhanced with a hint of excitement!
Encounter awe-inspiring moments with wildlife in their natural environment, enhanced with a hint of excitement!
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…
- 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 viewing experience. Our RIB Boat’s speed allows for prompt responses, increasing the likelihood of spotting cetaceans and providing additional time to search for other marine life. We are dedicated to maximizing your exposure to the wonders of the natural world!

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
- 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
- Food and drinks
Additional Information
- No pets are allowed on board
- 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.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(1243 Ratings)
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Katharinasalome_h
Jan 20, 2026
Incredible Dolphin Watching Experience with H2O Madeira - I had an absolutely amazing experience dolphin watching with H2O Madeira! From start to finish, everything was incredible. Seeing Madeira’s coastline from the Atlantic Ocean is simply breathtaking — the views are remarkably beautiful and unforgettable.
I was beyond happy to see dolphins swimming so close to us, especially in January, which made the experience even more special. The weather was sunny and pleasant, making the trip perfect. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and shared many interesting facts about the dolphin species around Madeira, which added so much value to the tour.
A special mention to our skipper, who made sure we had plenty of fun during the boat ride. The final drive back to the port was especially enjoyable and such a great way to end the experience 🫶🏼
I highly recommend H2O Madeira to anyone visiting the island — truly an unforgettable experience!
Review provided by Viator
Aneta182
Jan 11, 2026
enthusiastically - Very nice experience! Good and experienced team with all safety and care for animals!!! The guides have professional camera so you can enjoy the moment with the naked eye and you get the photos the same day after the trip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
492michielc
Dec 9, 2025
Great tour! - Great tour! We saw a lot, 2 types of dolphins and 2 types of whales. Safety standard is high. Recommend! RIB boat, always fun :)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ianbg7053oi
Dec 6, 2025
messing around in boats - A fun morning out on the ocean, we only (only) saw Dolphins, but others in hotel on different tours saw nothing - I get it's luck - but even with nothing was a great time out in boats.
The guide was interesting and amazing balance and a good spotter - driver knew what he was doing excellent boat handling skills, perfect balance making the ride enjoyably with a biy of fun
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ellesse_ic
Dec 5, 2025
Up close and personal! - Of course the dolphins and whales is what you’re looking for and as with everything in nature you’ll need some luck. Not just the weather (you’re going out on the Atlantic!), but also the animals don’t show up by blowing a whistle. However, it’s a no-risk thing as there is a money back guarantee.
The people from H2O Madeira are very knowledgeable and very friendly. They pay attention to safety and wellbeing of both people and animals in a normal manner (no poo-ha) and inform/educate without admonishing - very pleasant! And there’s room for humour and entertainment (riding the waves at speed is an attraction in itself!). We saw two different species of dolphins. For a small added fee and if circumstances permit you can go in and take a swim, also with a money back guarantee.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
X2301uplisaz
Nov 28, 2025
Great experience - Great crew, well organized! We've seen dolphins and pilot whales. It is not driven too close to the animals. The engine is displayed nearby. Were super satisfied, we would book again anytime!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dampfnudle
Nov 27, 2025
Super tour right next to the Hotel Saccharum - We have booked the tour online, as payment cannot be made by credit card on site. We were traveling for a good 2 hours and saw pilot whales and dolphins. The engine is turned off near the animals and the animals then come closer or not by themselves. The encounters were very impressive and the explanations of the crew very competent. You can see that they are committed to the conservation of marine animals.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
V9036mrjulias
Nov 18, 2025
Great tour!! - Our first tour of its kind and we were very enthusiastic. From the boat you had a good view of the animals (predator whales and dolphins). Before the start of the tour we were told that due to the weather (strong wind, strong swell) sightings on the booked day cannot be guaranteed. Nevertheless, we have seen many animals! We especially loved the fact that they didn't drive too close to the animals, the animals then came quite close to the boat by themselves. Respect for the animals and their habitat was definitely called for here, in our opinion.
For us the tour was magical and we will definitely book H2O again and hope for sperm whale sightings:-).
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Linc1963dylan
Nov 11, 2025
Great 2 hour experience - Two hours very well spent. We saw bottlenose dolphins and beaked whales. With the help of spotters on shore the Rib was directed to where the mamals were last seen. It meant that there was a much better chance of seeing them. Captain and guide were super friendly and informative. Even sent us their own pictures at the end which were much better than ours. Defintely would do it again
Review provided by Tripadvisor
L8718aomarief
Dec 29, 2025
Run. - I advise against 55 euros × 5 = 275 euros, seen from a distance 3 dolphin tails, instead of 2h30, 2 hours and speed back along the coasts, so impossible to see other fish. With the bonus vomiting on arrival the crew is in such a hurry to get home. Too expensive for what it is, not even a great boat ride!!! Run!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor