Our 15 Best Catamaran Whale Watching Trips

1.Ecological Catamaran Dolphin Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 8,204 reviews · 3 hours · from $41Our pick

From Funchal Marina, you’ll spend three hours aboard Magic Dolphin, Madeira’s purpose-built hybrid-electric catamaran. Land-based spotters help locate dolphins and whales, while English and Portuguese guides explain the wildlife. Expect open-air viewing nets, two decks, toilets, a bar, and a chilly ride offshore, so bring warm waterproof layers.

“Iv’e been on many katamaran trips before but never with this company and i must say it was amazing and the best experience so far . Very informative and a good sense of humour so next trip to Madeira we will for sure go with you. Thank you for an amazing time on your boat.”

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2.Dolphin and Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5,697 reviews · 3 hours · from $41

From Funchal Marina, you’ll cruise Madeira’s coast on the Seaborn catamaran with an English or Portuguese guide. Watch for dolphins, whales, turtles, and flying fish, then stop beneath Cabo Girão for a swim in clear Atlantic water during the summer season. Drinks and snacks are sold onboard, but sightings are never guaranteed.

“The boat is amazing and the crew were top! We saw dolphins and swam and the ocean. Thank you for the great experience. 🙏😊”

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3.Whale Watching Catamaran Tour with Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 3,653 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $41

Sail from Puerto Colón with a friendly English- and Spanish-speaking crew, often including guides such as Lucy, Danny, or Tony. The catamaran carries up to 50 people, searches for resident pilot whales and dolphins near Tenerife’s southwest coast, and serves water, soft drinks, and beer. Choose three hours for a swim and snorkel stop.

“I really enjoyed this trip. The boat wasn't overcrowded and we saw pilot whales and dolphins. The information given was just enough to be interesting without an overload. Plenty of soft drinks and water available.”

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4.Whale and Dolphin Watching Catamaran with Transfer and Buffet

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,712 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $71Top rated

Join Monte Cristo Catamaran from Puerto Colón for about three hours of whale and dolphin watching off Tenerife’s south coast. The crew searches for pilot whales and dolphins, serves tapas and drinks, then stops for swimming and snorkeling. Hotel pickup is available in selected southern resorts, with space for no more than 24 people.

“Lovely day! We saw a lot of pilot whales, some of them swimming close to our boat! The staff was very nice and friendly! It was a lovely experience!”

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5.Funchal Bay: Dolphin & Whale Watch Luxury Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 2,684 reviews · 3 hours · from $47

Join Atlantic Pearl Catamaran in Funchal for three hours of whale and dolphin watching, coastal views, and a swim stop beneath 580-meter Cabo Girão. You can sit in the shaded cabin, stretch out on deck, or relax in outdoor hammocks. Portuguese and English guides lead the trip, with drinks available to buy onboard.

“Very nice catamaran, with firendly crew. The limited number of persons is a big plus. We enjoyed a great morning, saw dolphins and had a swim at Gabo Girao.”

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6.Luxury Catamaran Whale Watching Cabo San Lucas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,107 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $129

Cruise from the Cabo marina aboard a double-decker catamaran, passing the Arch and sea lion colony before searching for humpback whales along the Sea of Cortez. Guides such as Jacob, Marco, and Jorge explain whale behavior, while a hydrophone lets you hear songs below the boat. Drinks, snacks, and hotel pickup are available.

“What a lovely morning on the water! We saw numerous whales and soaked up some sunshine. The crew was fabulous, the snacks delicious, and the drinks plentiful. Transportation from and to the resort made it all so easy.”

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7.Madeira Dolphin and Whale Watching on a Ecological Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,957 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $42

Set out from Funchal on Magic Dolphin’s 2022 hybrid-electric catamaran for a 2.5 to 3-hour search for dolphins and whales. Shore-based spotters guide the captain toward wildlife, while certified guides explain the species you see. The return route passes Cabo Girão, Câmara de Lobos, Reid’s Hotel, and Madeira’s coast.

“We have always wanted to go on a trip to see whales and dolphins and we were not disappointed. We firstly saw two Rough-Toothed dolphins, which apparently are very rare around Madeira, they were swimming side by side. Later on, we came across a family of Pilot Whales which were just chilling and every now and again they would come to the surface, you could even hear the noise of them blowing when they surfaced for air. The Magic Dolphin boat was very spacious and had a friendly and knowledgeable team that respected the wildlife. We would definitely recommend this trip.”

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8.Dolphin and Whale Watching by Luxury Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,709 reviews · 3 hours · from $47

Join Magic Dolphin Atividades Maritimas for a three-hour catamaran cruise from Funchal. You will search for dolphins, whales, turtles, and seabirds with a Portuguese or English-speaking crew, then sail toward Cabo Girão. The boat has indoor seating, sun beds, trampoline nets, restrooms, and a welcome drink. Summer tours include a swim stop, except early morning departures in July and August.

“Lovely boat, small group, friendly crew and we saw pilot whales and dolphins. Excellent trip.”

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9.Whale watching and listening Eco-Catamaran Tour with Food Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,447 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $48

Sail from Puerto Colón with White Tenerife along Tenerife’s south coast, searching for whales and dolphins with live commentary from the crew. You may hear pilot whales through an underwater microphone, then stop for swimming and snorkeling. Sandwiches and drinks are included, but bring your own mask and fins.

“Didn’t make the trip because we were never contacted by the Tour operator. Left messages and heard nothing. Never got call when we missed it. Disappointed in Viator!”

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10.Ma’alaea Harbor: Whale Watching Tour Aboard Power Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 979 reviews · 2 hours · from $49

Cruise Maalaea Bay aboard Quicksilver’s double-deck power catamaran during Maui’s whale season, December through April. Captain Kiwi, Captain Carlos, and other English-speaking crew share clear, lively commentary while hydrophones let you hear humpback songs. Expect shaded seating, open-air views, drinks, restrooms, and a good chance of seeing calves, breaches, tail slaps, and spy-hops.

“It was an incredible experience to see whales so close and see them jump out of the water. The tour guide was so knowledgeable and the boat was well equipped. Highly recommend.”

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11.Dolphin and Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise from Funchal

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 645 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $48

Join VMT Madeira Catamaran for a three-hour cruise from Funchal Marina. The crew searches for dolphins, whales, and other marine life, then may stop beneath 580-meter Cabo Girão for a swim when conditions allow. There is a bar and toilet aboard, but sightings are never guaranteed. If no cetaceans appear, you can repeat the trip within one year.

“It is more of a catamaran cruise than a dolphin and whale watching. It’s fun to be on the water, but don’t expect any education or real focus on finding the animals.”

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12.Waikiki Deluxe Catamaran Whale Watch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 638 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $89

Cruise from Kewalo Basin toward Waikiki for about two hours of humpback watching, guided by an experienced captain and crew. Look for breaches, tail slaps, and blowholes while enjoying snacks, nonalcoholic drinks, or the full premium bar. A return ride is offered if no whales appear.

“The boat is just lovely. There is lots of room for passengers. And drinks are provided. Whales were non existent unless passengers found the spouts. The crew never found a whale it was always the passengers and they were so far away that it was pretty much not a whale watching trip.”

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13.Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise with Transfer, Buffet by MC

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 550 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $71

Cruise from Puerto Colón with a friendly crew led by Captain Andrea and guides such as Laura, Daniela, and Miguel. Look for free-swimming pilot whales, dolphins, and perhaps turtles, then stop for a swim and snorkel. The three-hour trip includes tapas, fruit, snacks, beer, soft drinks, water, and champagne, with hotel transfers available in southern Tenerife.

“Was very nice tour. Saw lots of whales, plenty of drinks also. We were very lucky to get the seats upstairs with the captain. So felt like we were VIP”

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14.Whale Watching and Listening Eco Catamaran Tour with Food Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 543 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $71

Set out from Puerto Colón with White Tenerife for a five-hour catamaran cruise along Tenerife’s southwest coast. The crew looks for pilot whales and dolphins, pauses near Masca Bay or Los Gigantes for swimming, and serves lunch, fruit, wine, beer, water, and soft drinks. Miguel and other crew members may add music, jokes, and marine-life commentary.

“The boat was comfortable and the crew were great but I have been on far more interesting and engaging whale watching experiences. We did see a school of pilot wales but it seemed like that one sighting was “enough” for the trip and we did not attempt to fond more. I was disappointed that we did not sail during the cruise, only motored when there was plenty of wind. Apparently, part of the rigging needed to be repaired.”

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15.Tenerife Whales and Dolphins Watching Experience in Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 474 reviews · from $68

Join White Tenerife from Puerto Colón for a three-hour catamaran trip limited to 12 people. Alex, Stephan, and the crew take you about three miles offshore to look for whales and dolphins, then anchor in a cove for swimming or snorkeling. Sandwiches, beer, water, and soft drinks are included, and pickup is available.

“Great experience. Small groups of 8, which is what we wanted, other catamarans looked packed. We saw whales and sea turtles, which were amazing. A selection of drinks and nibbles were on board. Highly recommend.”

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