Calheta in 3D
Turn the island and tap a light to fly there. The model is lit by the real sun over Calheta, so it follows the time in the sky above. Mark the places you have been and their lights turn gold.
Drag to turn · tap a light
Stylised model drawn from the Natural Earth coastline. Heights are exaggerated and not to scale.
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.
- of sunshine a year in Funchal, the nearest long-term station on the 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
Seasons from the Madeira Wind Birds sightings record. Tap a month to see it below. Sightings are never guaranteed.
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. Climate figures are long-term averages for Funchal, on the same south coast. Sunset times are worked out for Calheta.
November
- hours of sun a day
- 5
- sea temperature
- 21
- average daytime high
- 23
- sunset in Calheta on the 15th
- --:--
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. Check the timetable before you travel.
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.
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.
What’s on
Festivals, concerts and village feasts across the island are in the weekly calendar at Madeira Blog.
Calheta’s municipal holiday is 24 June.