Madeira · CALHETA & PONTA DO SOL
Good calheta & ponta do sol tours fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Search for dolphins and whales off Madeira on a fast, small-group RIB tour from Calheta, with expert guides, coastal views, and free cancellation.
“Great experience, saw bottlenose and spotted dolphins. The whole family had a great time including the young children”
Search for Madeira’s whales and dolphins by speedboat, with expert guides, respectful wildlife watching, and superb coastal views from Calheta.
“On our trip we saw a sea turtle, 2 groups of dolphins and even a flying fish. The Stenella speed boat was lots of fun too! Our captain Drumond and guide Fatima were both very friendly and driven. They gave us explanation about the animals we encountered. It was obvious how much they respected the nature and the animals. The dolphins only came close because they chose to themselves. Afterwards we didn't follow this group of dolphins to give them some space and to not bother them. We loved the message that was spread by Fatima and Drumond: dolphins should be in the wild and not in a dolphinarium, we…”
Ride a fast RIB from Calheta to spot Madeira’s whales and dolphins, with expert guides, island views, and a flexible two-hour outing.
“Amazing experience on a rib boat tour. Would highly recommend”
Review of Madeira’s 30-minute Calheta jet ski rental, with safety guidance, coastal views, pricing, riding limits, and practical booking advice.
“No improvements required from us! Me and my husband had a really good time on the Jet Ski’s, so much fun. Really recommend having your own jet ski to proper experience the fun”
Walk Madeira’s Prazeres levada route with ocean views, mountain scenery, village views, a guide, and hotel pickup for $48.
“It was a beautiful walk with beautiful views and beautiful flowers/plants along the way. The guide also paid a lot of attention to this to tell all about it. Interesting information also about Madeira itself, the history. And the route was easy to walk. Two nice coffee shops along the way. Occasionally some narrow parts to walk over with the depth next to you. But even if you have a fear of heights it is still doable. So all in all a really fantastic day. The guide had a nice sense of humor by the way.”
Kayak from Calheta Beach to Zimbralinho Beach or Cal Islet, exploring caves and quiet coves with an expert multilingual guide.
“I was sad it was not possible to do kayaking, but the guided trip around the Island with Antonio was great substitution. Thanks.”
Review of Sea4FunMadeira’s one-hour efoil lesson at Calheta Beach, with gear, patient instruction, Atlantic views, price, and booking tips.
“I am an efoil enthusiast and there is no experience like gliding the waves with such a beautiful background like the island of Madeira! Rodrigo and Marta were perfect hosts for this experience!”
Explore Madeira’s banana culture at BAM with holograms, plantations, tastings, greenhouses, and a multilingual guided tour near Funchal.
“Information on different types of banana. Maybe even banana tasting! Very nice museum though.”
Explore southwest Madeira by 4x4, from Paul do Mar and Calheta to waterfalls, villages, cliffs, and Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse.
“Lino was promp picking us up for a fun journey up into the hills and cliffs of Madeira. We made several stops in various villages throughout the trip and were given ample time to explore. Lunch was not included in the pricing but an option was provided which all guests accepted (Taskinha Da Calheta Prazeres ) and it was by far the best touring meal we have had. The jeep massages on the back roads were great and we were well entertained by Lino’s wealth of information, humor and great attitude.”
Ride Madeira’s wild west on a powerful e-mountain bike, with cliff views, forest trails, varied terrain, and guide Ricardo in a small group.
“Très belle excursion en vélo à la pointe ouest de Madère. Notre guide Ricardo est un enfant du pays et nous a fait découvrir toute une variété de paysages et belvédères vertigineux. Nous avons parcouru 25 kms alternant entre petites routes goudronnées, sentiers, pistes sur terrains caillouteux, poussiéreux ou boueux. Les vélos sont des mountain eBikes, très puissants car il fallait monter des côtes avec de très forts dénivelés. Passages tantôt découverts ou dans la forêt. À recommander.”
Explore Madeira’s west coast by jeep, from Ribeira Brava and banana villages to Ponta do Pargo, Calheta, and Ponta do Sol.
“The views of waterfall, seixel beach and natural pools were unforgettable. The company of our tour guide Carlos was also unmatched. We definitely recommend this any trip if you want to spend your day as one of the best!!!”
Review of Madeira’s private Calheta or Caniçal cruise, with coastal views, local crew, welcome drink, music, and practical booking tips.
“We took a SeaBus today from Calheta to Caniçal via Funchal. Departure was on time, and we arrived in Funchal in about an hour and a half. It was such a nice experience! We saw a beautiful sunrise and passed by so many picturesque little towns and bays. Thank you, FatiRead more”
Learn SUP at Calheta Beach with a private Sea4FunMadeira lesson, English guidance, safety gear, and flexible weather cancellation.
“It was so great ! Thanks to Rodrigo who gave me the best advices and helped me to trust myself. He can speak French, English as well and I appreciated that. It was so special for me because I’ll keep on practicing for sure ! Merci encore Rodrigo .”
Try Madeira’s electric hydrofoil lesson at Calheta Beach, with full equipment, expert instruction, small groups, and flexible booking.
“Awesome experience. Clear meeting instructions. Very friendly. Full safety equipment. Originally we had booked for 12 and 2. However, we was contacted the day before and said we could both go out at the same time. One on the paddleboard and one on the e.foil then kept swapping for the 2hr slot. This made the experience better. Rodrigo gave great instructions to use the E.Foil. We would definitely recommend Sea4fun madeira. We will do it again when we return to this beautiful island.”
Ride Madeira’s old coastal roads by sidecar from Funchal to Calheta, with village stops, Cabo Girão views, local tastes, and a private guide.
“Unbelievably awesome! A fabulous day travelling around the island of Madeira. Up into the mountains, through the villages, stopping at stalls & cafes. Highly recommend to anyone wanting to get out of the city to see the islands beauty.”
Pick a trail, a deck or a table.
