Whale and Dolphin Watching in Calheta, Madeira Island
By H2oMadeira · listed in whale and dolphin watching tours in Madeira
Try this trip if you want to search for whales and dolphins by RIB from Calheta. You'll need moderate fitness. It's the RIB alternative to the shared yacht in our Madeira whale and dolphin watching comparison.
The starting adult price is lower than the yacht's. The trip is shorter too. I'd look at the yacht if you need an included toilet.
A spotter on land uses binoculars to find animals. The spotter then tells the crew where to go. A guide and live commentary are included. Food and drinks aren't.
- Trip type
- Shared activity
- Departure
- CalhetaMeeting point and check-in below
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Listed group limit
- up to 12 people
- Price
- from €60 per adultLowest price the operator lists. Your date may cost more.
- Rating
- 4.93/5 from 1,381 reviews, combined Viator and Tripadvisor; on Viator alone 4.9 from 48 reviews
- Languages
- Portuguese, English
- Details as of
- 13 September 2026
Before you book
- You'll need at least moderate fitness.
- Check in at the H2oMadeira store on level 0 of Calheta marina 20 minutes before departure. You'll need to get there yourself.
- Child prices start at age 2.
- Pets aren't allowed on board.
- Give this one a miss if you're pregnant, or if you have a back or spine injury or a heart condition.
- No hotel pickup. You meet at the start point.
- At least one adult (13+) per booking, up to 12 people per booking.
Options
Pick the option on the booking page. Prices are the lowest for each option.
| Option | What it is | From | Languages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whale & Dolphin Watching | Whale and Dolphin Watching: Tour on a RIB boat for whale and dolphin watching. We work with a spotter, a person that search for dolphins and whales with binoculars from land, and then he tell us where the dolphins and whales are | €60 per adult | English, Portuguese |
Book through Viator, a Tripadvisor company. Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund.
Programme
- Check in at the H2oMadeira store on level 0 of Calheta marina 20 minutes before departure.
- Head out from Calheta by RIB to look for whales and dolphins.
- A spotter on land locates animals with binoculars and guides the crew.
Photos
Photos from the tour listing on Viator.
Included
- Local guide
- Driver/guide
- Live commentary on board
Paid separately
- Food and drinks
Meeting point, pickup and return
Meet at the start point.
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) Show in Google Maps
You come back to the same place.
Schedule and confirmation
Usual timetable: daily, at 09:30, 12:00, 15:30. Check your date when you book.
Instant confirmation. Book at least 3 hours ahead. Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
Cancellation, weather and limits
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- 100% refund when cancelled 1 day or more before
- 0% refund when cancelled less than 1 day before
Bad weather can cancel the trip. The trip can also be cancelled if too few people book.
The operator's conditions, as written
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- No pets are allowed on board
- Child rate: ages 2 to 12
- Adult rate: ages 13 to 99
Ratings by source
4.93/5 from 1,381 reviews, combined Viator and Tripadvisor; on Viator alone 4.9 from 48 reviews.
| Source | Average | Reviews | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viator | 4.9 | 48 | 45 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tripadvisor | 4.9 | 1,333 | 1273 | 45 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
Counts and averages as shown on Viator on 13 September 2026. We don't have the review texts.
From the operator
In H2oMadeira's own words, from the Viator listing.
Experience breathtaking moments with wild animals in their natural habitat with a touch of adrenaline included!
Alternatives in the same collection
- Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour in Madeira€14 dearer · 30 minutes longer · from €74 per adult
- VipDolphins Luxury Whale Watching€19 dearer · 1 hour longer · 17 people at most · from €79 per adult
- Responsible Whales and/or Dolphins Watching Tour€8 cheaper · 18 people at most · from €52 per adult
Who checked this
Edited by Roman Antonov. I love Madeira and keep going back. Every detail on this page comes from the operator's own listing on Viator, as of 13 September 2026.
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