Our 15 Best Madeira Whale Watching Tours

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.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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4.All Inclusive Whale and Dolphin Watching Luxury Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 2,573 reviews · 3 hours · from $93Top rated

Set out from Funchal with a sparkling wine welcome, then search for whales, dolphins, and turtles aboard a spacious catamaran limited to a small group. Guides such as Liv, David, Maggie, and Nico share facts about Madeira and marine life. The tour includes local snacks, unlimited drinks, snorkeling gear, and a swim beneath Cabo Girão.

“Gre at boat, maximum of 17 people. loads of space. Great drinks and snacks. It is double the price of other trips but well worth it. Saw other boats crammed with people. This was perfect.”

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5.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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6.Dolphin and Whale Watching Sunset Sailing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,642 reviews · from $63

Sail from Funchal with a small group of up to 20 people, looking for dolphins, whales, and sea turtles within 3 miles of Madeira. The crew, including guides such as Bruno, Roberto, José, and Marco, offers drinks, snorkeling gear, and a stop near 580-meter Cabo Girão for swimming before sunset.

“Lovely tour guides and beautiful sunset views. Drinks included which was very nice. Opportunity to go for a swim”

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7.Madeira Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 1,444 reviews · 3 hours · from $47

Cruise Madeira’s south coast from Funchal on a spacious catamaran with English or Portuguese commentary. Watch for dolphins, pilot whales, sperm whales, and turtles, then swim near Cabo Girão in summer. The boat has toilets, shaded seating, sunbathing nets, and a bar for snacks and drinks.

“We really enjoyed this tour, we were lucky to see many playful dolphins swimming by. After that boat goes to the coast near Cabo Girao and there is a possibilty to swim and snorkel in the sea, which was really refreshing in hot August day.”

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8.Dolphin and Whale Watching Sailing Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,325 reviews · 3 hours · from $47

Set out from Funchal Marina on a three-hour yacht trip with a captain, crew, and live guide in English or Portuguese. Watch for dolphins, whales, and sea turtles offshore, then swim or snorkel near Cabo Girão. Bruno and Joseph have been praised for their warm, lively hosting, while the small group keeps the boat comfortable.

“This tour was absolutely amazing! We had so much fun on board and also saw some Dolphins. It was just magical! It is a smaller group of people which we really appreciated, also in comparison to other tours with catamarans. The tour guide Bruno was so nice, he took time to talk to every group of people individually and overall made the vibe on the boat fun and lighthearted by making jokes. I would really recommend this tour to everyone!”

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9.Whale and Dolphin Watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,313 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $56

Join Rota dos Cetáceos in Funchal for a 2.5-hour search for wild dolphins and whales aboard a fast, 18-seat RIB boat. Marine biologists such as Carolina, Catarina, and Rachel explain the animals and guide you to good viewing spots, while land-based lookouts help locate pods. Bring a windbreaker and expect spray.

“One of the best things I did in Madeira.. we got to see sperm whales and 3 species of dolphins, the guide was very knowledgeable.. highly recommend and hope you get lucky too”

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10.Whales and Dolphin Adventure Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,235 reviews · 2 hours · from $58

Set out from Funchal Marina on a two-hour RIB speedboat trip for up to 18 people. Marine guides such as Camila, Fernanda, and Natasha explain Madeira’s whales and dolphins while the crew searches for wild pods. Swimming may be offered with common or spotted dolphins if sea conditions and animal behavior allow.

“The trip was AMAZING!! It was SO interesting and fun – truly the best experience we had during our stay in Madeira! Our guide Fernanda and the captain Marco were absolutely wonderful. Fernanda was incredibly knowledgeable and shared so many fascinating stories and facts throughout the trip. She was warm, engaging, and made the whole experience even more special. We were lucky enough to see both whales and dolphins swimming right next to our boat – it was SO MUCH FUN! Highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Madeira – unforgettable!”

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11.Responsible Whales and/or Dolphins Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,184 reviews · 2 hours · from $56

Set out from Funchal’s new marina aboard Blue Safari, a fast small-group boat built for wildlife watching. Marine biologists such as Camila, Rosa, Nadia, and Fernanda explain the animals, while land-based spotters help locate them. Expect dolphins, pilot whales, sperm whales, seabirds, turtles, and a lively ride across the Atlantic.

“We only saw a small group of dolphins. A bit of a disappointment. But the motorboat ride and the pleasant guides made up for it. Excellent experience.”

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12.Dolphin and Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 844 reviews · 2 hours · from $58

Set out from Funchal aboard a rebuilt 18-seat Sea Safari, guided by a marine biologist and captain. You’ll search for dolphins, whales, turtles, and seabirds with help from land-based spotters. The twin 250-hp boat covers ground quickly, but expect spray and a bumpy ride if the sea turns rough.

“Brilliant boat trip! So good we wanted to go again on the next trip, but was fully booked. We found a huge group of dolphins and finished the trip with a hammerhead shark! Will definitely do it again if I go back to Madeira. The guides were friendly and knowledgeable.”

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13.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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14.From Calheta: Madeira Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 573 reviews · 2 hours · from $67

Set out from Calheta Marina with a small crew on a modern speedboat guided by English or German speakers such as Paula, Hannah, and Sarah. Spend two hours searching for dolphins, sperm whales, pilot whales, turtles, and seabirds, while learning how to approach wildlife without disturbing it. The boat ride also gives you fine views of Madeira from offshore.

“Amazing trip our guide was so informative and kind. Saw whales and flying fish and had fun riding the bumps from the waves …”

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15.Whale and Dolphin Watching Speed Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 526 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $56

Set out from Funchal Marina in a fast RIB boat with a marine biologist and skipper. Land-based spotters help locate dolphins and whales, while the small group keeps you close to the water. Expect coastal views, useful species facts, and possible splashes during this 2.5-hour tour.

“Great fun activity. Very well organised. The speed boat was excellent and being amongst the whales was incredible”

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