Highlights
The Experience
The Experience On Tales is available with 2 options to choose from:
Just select the one that feels irresistibly tailor-made for you … we make it happen!
Miranda Yacht – Private charter
What if you could have a comfortable yacht and a professional crew just for yourself ? How about a glass of sparkling wine while watching whales and dolphins? This formula allows you to live this experience in a more intimate… Read more »
Miranda Yacht – Shared cruise
Watch sea life in its natural habitat ! Experience the amazing marine life of the south west sea of Madeira island, on-board Miranda, a comfortable engine powered yacht. Feel the happiness of meeting cetaceans in their natural habitat, discover local… Read more »
What our guests are saying...
Activities
Whale and Dolphin Watching
Experience the amazing marine-life of Madeira Island, comfortably, on-board our yacht, Miranda. Enjoy the company of wild cetaceans, on the Atlantic ocean. They cruise alongside us on their journey towards better waters. A life shaping Experience: Feel the presence of… Read more »
Be an explorer
Enjoy this experience to the fullest! Explore Madeira‘s coastline and small villages set between natural cliffs and valleys, on-board Miranda. A refined and comfortable motor yacht. A truly unique way to visit our amazing island from the sea, be it either… Read more »
Sunset cruise
Experience the Sunset in the South West Ocean of Madeira Island on-board our yacht, Miranda. A refined and comfortable motor yacht. Feel the Ocean breeze enjoying a glass of sparkling wine. Be there while the sun and the stars switch… Read more »
Swim and snorkel
Dive into warm and crystal-clear waters from our comfortable yacht, Miranda. Feel the freedom of swimming and snorkelling close to the coast. Be there to admire the rocky bottom and marine life of the South West Sea of Madeira Island. … Read more »
Species
Atlantic Spotted dolphin
Stenella frontalis
This is a very playful dolphin! He is mostly seen in Madeira in the springtime and summertime. More often than not in large groups, usually very active and acrobatic, he likes to swim alongside our yacht! These dolphins present a… Read more »
Fin whale
Balaenoptera physalus
This is the second largest mammal alive just after the Blue whale. Fin whales can reach up to 20 meters long ! Although it is possible to observe them all year round, we tend to see them more often during… Read more »
Cuvier’s beaked whale
Ziphius cavirostris, Cuvier
These are shy and peaceful whales. Cuvier’s beaked whales spend most of their time under water. They are relatively small although they can reach 6 metres. Long and slim, the colour of their body can be from dark grey to… Read more »
Sperm Whale
Physeter macrocephalus
We can see these amazing marine mammals around Madeira almost all year round. Sperm whales use our warm and calm sea to dive and eat, socialise and procreate. Adult subjects can be up to 17 to 20 meters long! Usually,… Read more »
Blainville’s beaked whale
Mesoplodon densirostris
We mainly meet them in the summertime, although observation is rare when compared to other species. Usually, they feel safer deeper, especially when boats are around. They are relatively small; approximately 4,5 meters long. Their body is long, its colour… Read more »
Bottlenose Dolphin
Tursiops truncatus
Bottlenose Dolphins are fantastic creatures and their jumps are spectacular ! This species visits us all year round! Their skin colour can vary from light grey to dark grey all over their body and they are considered to be large… Read more »
Portuguese Man’ O war
So colourful and enigmatic, the Portuguese Man’ O war is odd, yet charismatic. Although they look a lot like Jelly fishes, they are actually highly venomous ocean predators, made of a colony of several small individual organisms that each have… Read more »
Cory’s Shearwater
Calonetris borealis
The Cory’s Shearwater is a constantly migrating seabird that use Madeira Islands for breeding and nesting. Colonies arrive in March, the offspring are born in May and they usually leave in October. Their body is elegant, spindle-shaped and long winged.… Read more »
Flying Fishes
Flying fishes are always surprising! They look just like swimming birds, can hold their breath for minutes at a time and can gain speeds of about 37 mph (underwater). They project themselves out of the water at high speed and once… Read more »
Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Caretta caretta
These lovely animals are marine reptiles. When they reach Madeira Island, we know that they have crossed the Atlantic Ocean from the coast of the American continent. They were born either in Florida or on the coast of Mexico. They… Read more »
Short-beaked Common Dolphin
Delphinus delphis
These sweet dolphins can be up to 2 meters long! We usually see them from winter to spring. Some distinctive features of the Atlantic Common Dolphins include a black V-shaped back, yellow sides and a contrasting white belly. Atlantic Common… Read more »
Short-finned pilot whale
Globicephala macrorhynchus
Pilot Whales are quite fond of temperate seas like the ones of Madeira Island ! Typically their body is dark grey to black but with a lighter area near the dorsal fin. Their head is distinctive and round, with a… Read more »
Who we are
We are for Whales, Dolphins, Turtles, fish and marine Birds! We are for tales of the big Blue! On Tales!
We support Whale Watching as a way to protect wildlife while exploring the ocean.
We aim to create memories. Good, long lasting memories of overwhelming nature and of a time well spent.
We are for a green world and a Blue Ocean! We are for Sustainability and Environmental Awareness. On Tales has been awarded the Blue Flag for environmental awareness every year, since 2019! We keep holding it for 2023.
We aim to do no harm! We aim to be helpful!
We aim to explore the ocean in a sustainable, responsible and respectful way.
In 2022, On Tales subscribed to the BioSphere Certification, aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda.
On Tales’ approach towards wildlife and its natural habitat is a respectful one. Our aim is to foster an awareness of the ocean and its ever-present marine life.
We aim to introduce our guests to some of the wonders of Madeira Island, attending to their needs whenever possible, while maintaining a healthy relationship with sea-life, in order to allow future generations to enjoy it as much as we do.
Sustainability, knowledge of our surroundings, Comfort and Safety are the fundamental principles that guide and motivate the On Tales team, in order to provide our guests with the best possible experience.
We offer a service of excellence, such as “on tales”. On board our Yacht, “Miranda”, our qualified professional crew members, passionate of sea-life, will be taking care of you. Guests can just relax and indulge into the ocean’s charms.
On Tales has been awarded the Tripadvisor’s certificate of excellence and Tripadvisor’s travellers choice every year since 2017. Travellers choice for 2023!
On Tales is a reference on the well-known TripAdvisor portal and is within the top 5 of all the attractions of Madeira Island. Often occupying the 1 position on the ranking for boats!
On Tales is dedicated to maritime touristic tours. We are based on the Marina da Calheta and sail along the South Coast of Madeira island.
RNAAT 392/2015
Our fleet
Our business partners
We have adopted the popular saying: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”.
With this in mind, we have established strategic partnerships that we trust will contribute to our growth and success.
On Tales has also partnered with a number of agents and tour operators, both nationally and internationally, so that to become an essential part of any visit to Paradise Island!
Madeira islands
The Madeira archipelago includes Madeira Island, Porto Santo Island, the Desertas Islands and the Savage Islands. Madeira and Porto Santo are inhabited islands that we can explore freely. Desertas and Savages are classified as Nature Reserves and require a special permit.
Our archipelago is set in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and benefits from a very pleasant climate, both on-land and on the water. Temperatures, over the year, range from 17°C to 25°C while the sea temperature varies between 18°C and 22°C.
This is why Madeira is known as the Pearl of the Atlantic and the Floating garden of the Atlantic ! A real paradise where you can walk in the mountains or bathe in warm water, at any time of the year.
Madeira Island is also one of the best places in the world to observe whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. It is only up to you to join us …
Madeira from the ocean
The cetaceans that visit us. Madeira islands, a privileged place for whale and dolphin watching ! Madeira is a volcanic archipelago, situated in the Atlantic ocean. This together with the absence of continental plate causes a rapid increase in depth… Read more »
Madeira on-land
Madeira and Porto Santo islands are internationally recognised through the awards they have received over the years. Here are some of these achievements: – Award “world’s leading island destination” by the world travel awards at 2015, 2016 and 2017; –… Read more »
