Drag to turn · tap a light
Calheta in 3D
Turn the island and tap a light to fly there. The relief is lit by the real sun over Calheta right now, and the places you mark as visited glow gold.
The mountains catch the clouds. Calheta keeps the sun.
Madeira’s trade winds blow from the north-east for most of the year. They push moist Atlantic air up the north slopes, where it cools into cloud and rain.
Calheta sits on the far side, facing south and west, below the Paul da Serra plateau. That is why the north coast is greener, wetter and windier, and the south-west is drier and brighter. The coast faces the sunset too, so on a clear evening the sun stays on it until it drops into the sea.
Weather in Calheta, month by month · Where to watch the sunset
- of sunshine a year on Madeira’s south coast
- 2,165h
- of sun a day on average in August
- 8h
- sea temperature in September, the warmest month for a swim
- 24°C
- the coolest the sea gets, February to April
- 18°C
Whales off the marina
Nearly 30 species of whales and dolphins have been recorded around Madeira. Boat trips leave from Calheta marina, the second largest on the island, to go and find them.
- April – October
Bryde’s whale
A 12 to 15 metre baleen whale that comes in the warm months and likes water above 20 °C. Look for a tall, narrow blow.
- All year · most March – September
Sperm whale
The deep diver. It spends long spells far below and surfaces to breathe.
- All year · most March – October
Bottlenose dolphin
Some of Madeira’s bottlenose dolphins come back to the same waters year after year.
- All year · most March – November
Atlantic spotted dolphin
Fast and sociable, and one of the species seen most often on summer trips.
- All year · most November – April
Short-finned pilot whale
The winter regular. Groups often travel and rest together at the surface.
- December – May
Common dolphin
Arrives for winter and spring, often in large, busy groups.
Who’s about, month by month
Tap a month to see it below. Sightings are never guaranteed.
Whale watching from Calheta: operators, prices, choosing a boat How to watch responsibly Boat trips from the marina Big game fishing: marlin and tuna seasons
A day in Calheta, timed to today’s sun
Sunrise today is at --:-- and sunset at --:--. The plan moves with them, and each sky shows the light at that hour.
Pick your month
Sun, sea and whales change through the year. More in the weather guide.
November
- hours of sun a day
- 5
- sea temperature
- 21
- average daytime high
- 23
- sunset in Calheta on the 15th
- --:--
Everything else about Calheta
Eight parishes, beaches, levada walks, surf, festivals and five centuries of history, each with its own page. Start with the complete guide.
- The eight parishesFrom the marina town to the lighthouse at the western tip.
- BeachesSand at the marina, boulders and surf further west.
- Walks and levadas25 Fontes, Risco, Paul da Serra and trail slots.
- Sunset spotsThe lighthouse, viewpoints and sunset times by month.
- SurfingJardim do Mar, Paul do Mar and the winter swell.
- HistorySettled around 1430, a town since 1502.
- FestivalsVillage feasts month by month.
- Engenho da CalhetaThe 1894 sugar cane mill, its rum and museum.
- WeatherSun, sea temperature and when to come.
- Day tripsPorto Moniz, Fanal, Funchal and the peaks.
- ActivitiesParagliding, diving, canyoning and more.
- Boat tripsSunset cruises and coastal trips from the marina.
Before you go
Getting here
By car, Calheta is about 30 minutes from Funchal on the ER101 fast road, much of it through tunnels.
Rodoeste buses leave from their terminal on Avenida do Mar in Funchal for Calheta beach, Estreito da Calheta, Paul do Mar and Ponta do Pargo. Getting here and around.
Trails need a slot
Since January 2026 every walk on Madeira’s official trails, the 25 Fontes (PR6) and Risco (PR6.1) included, needs a timed entry slot from the regional SIMplifica portal.
Non-residents over 12 pay €4.50 per person. Residents of Madeira don’t pay. Walking without a booking can mean a fine. All the walks.
Museum and mill
MUDAS, the museum of contemporary art by architect Paulo David, opens Tuesday to Saturday, 9:30–13:00 and 14:00–17:30.
The Engenho da Calheta grinds cane once a year, usually after Easter. Its tasting room is open all year. Visit the Engenho.
Where to eat
Seafood at the marina, traditional cooking in the hill villages and simple places by the sea in the west. See where to eat in Calheta.
Try espada with banana, grilled lapas and bolo de caco.
What’s on
Calheta’s village feasts run from Santo Amaro in January to the apple festival in September. The festival calendar.
Calheta’s municipal holiday is 24 June. Events across the island are in the weekly calendar at Madeira Blog.