On Tales
Boat ToursEco ToursPrivate ToursDolphin & Whale WatchingNature & Wildlife Tours
9:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
About
Madeira Island Boat Tours: Whale Watching | Private Charter | Coastal Cruises | Sunset tours | An affordable luxury experience you won't forget! | It isn't just about numbers! | Small groups only
Calheta, Portugal
Meets animal welfare guidelines

Awards
Travellers' Choice
2023

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Travellers talk about
(26 reviews)
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
1,524 reviews
Excellent
1,466
Very good
44
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6
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5
Terrible
4

Thomas H
1 contribution
Dec 2023 • Family
Very friendly and competent peoples. We saw dolphins and pilot whales. At the end of the trip they sent us amacing pictures of this wonderful trip. Price and performances fits together. It was a pleasant atmosphere.
Written 8 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Thomas for so much kindness. Your opinion really matters to us and fairness is important. Swimming in the ocean is also a very special experience and you might want to try. Maybe you could try jumping from the yacht next time. We know a few lovely snorkeling spots and can reach Paul do mar or Ponta do Sol, either side of Calheta.
Written 9 December 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

aira v
1 contribution
Dec 2023 • Couples
We saw the dolphins, a big group! Because it is a wild nature, so nothing is promised, And we loved it about that. Madeira has really good rules about not interrupting wild animals. The crue is very safety oriented, very good service from begining to the last goodbye. We felt happy, safe and had all the fun. All staff is exceptional.
Written 6 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Aira, thank you for choosing and trusting the On Tales team. Madeira island is spectacular, Nature is beautiful and we sincerely enjoyed spending those 2.5 hours on the Atlantic ocean with you. Our guests comfort is a priority, wildlife is sometimes a little shy and cannot be ordered but we make a point of gathering all the required elements in order to provide our guests with a safe and relaxing cruise, from the first minute to the last minute! Swimming in the ocean is a very special experience, you made the most of it!
Written 8 December 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

drew r
3 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
What I can say other than perfect! Every step of the way the trip was the best from the booking process to the trip its self. Managed to see both dolphin and whales on the boat and all the staff are very helpful and safety of the animals and guest cones first. Drinks on board was included and over 300 photos sent via wetransfer after the trip meaning we didn't have to worry about taking photos and enjoy the trip. Just want to say a big thank you to all the team this trip really made our holiday and we will be back for another next time we come to Maderia which will be soon!
Written 2 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Andrew, it was a beautiful morning to explore Madeira island from a comfortable yacht. Thank you for choosing and trusting On Tales, it was a pleasure to have you both on board. Wildlife was definitely there to greet you and you really made the most of this cruise when you jumped into the crystal clear water at the waterfall beach. It is one of our favorite snorkeling spots! Great guests make amazing memories, thank you once more for spending part of your holiday with the On Tales team.
Written 4 December 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Stefan
4 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
First - of course we were successful and could spot either dolphins and pilot whales. But this wasn’t only by chance as the team has a “spotter” on land who constantly checks the sea with high tech for cetaceans. Wow!
Now, also the very nice, helpful and friendly team made this extraordinary. You even won’t have to take photos yourself if you chose to go with them, in our case it was Emanuel taking care of banning all onto an SD card for sending us later >300 high res images.

To make a long story short: I definitely can only recommend to take the opportunity if you have it and book a tour with On Tales. It’s worth every cent.
Written 28 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Sabine and Stefan for being Unforgettable guests! We will remember this cruise and both of you for a long time. Swimming in the ocean is a very special experience and you might want to try jumping from the yacht next time. We could take you to one of our favourite snorkelling spots.
Written 29 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Charles C
1 contribution
Nov 2023 • Family
We did a great tour with some dolphin viewings. The crew was very friendly and accomodating. Also our baby boy had a good time, he was more then welcomed on the trip.
Written 27 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Charles, Thank you for so much kindness, it was a real pleasure to have your family on board our yacht. Miranda is perfectly suited to a relaxing experience and for guests of all ages. Your son is amazing! Hopefully you we will be able to accommodate you when he is older and able to jump from the boat at one of our favourite snorkeling spots. Madeira island is breathtaking... especially from a comfortable yacht!
Written 28 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Wolf
Jersey, UK37 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Superb trip out to sea with On Tales. A comfortable boat with two friendly knowledgeable crew looking after us. They kept us well looked after with drinks and a clear passion for the marine animals they found for us. We were very fortunate to find a pod of dolphins thanks to Open Tales Onshore spotter and the crew were very keen to keep us informed on all facts surrounding Madeiras beautiful coastline. The trip was finished off with a bit of snorkelling and swimming in Madeiras clear blue waters before a safe trip home. An excellent trip and one that we may well repeat on any further trip to Madeira. Recommended.
Written 25 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Laura and Nigel, What a beautiful morning on the Atlantic ocean ! You took the right decision, we went a long way along the South coast to meet a group of cetaceans and on the way back, you made the most of the experience and jumped from the yacht at one of our favorite snorkeling spots. Thank you for choosing to trust the On Tales team.
Written 27 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

wundertwin
Seattle, WA5 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
Our group’s tour was on a well maintained Bay Liner. Manuel, the captain and Pedro his ship mate were both friendly, professional and made every effort to make sure we were enjoying ourselves and saw some wildlife. We did indeed see a pod of pilot whales and stunning views of Madeira from the water. Pedro took some great images that were shared with our group. Really lovely day and would highly recommend On Tales if you’re visiting Madeira.
Written 25 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear J. and J. it was a real pleasure to have you on board our yacht, Miranda is perfectly suited to a comfortable and relaxing experience. We aim to enjoy every minute of the 2.5 hour we spend on the Atlantic ocean with our guests. We aim to build memories to last a lifetime! It is a unique, intense and human sized experience! We hope that you enjoyed seeing the photos of your cruise and that it brought back pleasant memories of your stay in Madeira. Thank you once more for choosing and trusting the On Tales team.
Written 25 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Erec B
Munich, Germany3 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Great trip. Many dolphins, unfortunately no whales. Great service, lovely people. Nice boat and small group. Would recommend.
Written 24 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ComercialOnTales
Thank you Erec, it was a beautiful day and wildlife was definitely there to meet you! Your opinion really matters, it was a pleasure to have you on board our yacht. Swimming in the ocean is a very special experience and you might want to try jumping from the yacht next time.
Written 24 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Jaśmina A
1 contribution
Nov 2023 • Family
The trip was amazing, Very comfortable boat, friendly crue. We have seen w aleś, dolphins and beautiful view on cliffs in the sunset. Highly reccomended!
Written 21 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Jasmina, it was a beautiful end of day indeed. Thank you for choosing a Sunset cruise with the On Tales team. You were amazing and looked so comfortable on Miranda's front deck! The sunset was wonderful, nature painted beautiful colors in the sky, it was definitely a great last minute decision for a last evening on Madeira island. Swimming in the ocean is a very special experience and you might want to try jumping from the yacht next time.
Written 22 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Séverine A
4 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Warm welcome and accompaniement all the time
lots of pictures
information at all time : before, on trip and after
Written 15 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Merci Severine et Philipe, ce fut un réel plaisir de vous rencontrer. Quelle belle journée pur explorer l'île de Madére depuis un yacht confortable! Merci de nous avoir choisi et fait confiance pour ces 2h30 de croisiére avec l'équipe On Tales!
Written 16 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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ON TALES (Calheta) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go