Best of · WHALE AND DOLPHIN WATCHING TOURS IN PORTUGAL

The 15 Best Whale and Dolphin Watching Tours in Portugal

32 tours  ·  from $41 a head

Good whale and dolphin watching tours in Portugal sell out weeks ahead in season and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.

From Funchal: Ecological Catamaran Dolphin Whale Watching - Watching dolphins and whales without crowding them
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From Funchal: Ecological Catamaran Dolphin Whale Watching

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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Funchal: Dolphin and Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise - A catamaran made for open-water viewing
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Funchal: Dolphin and Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise

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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From Ponta Delgada: Whale and Dolphin Watching Trip - Catamaran comfort or Zodiac excitement
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From Ponta Delgada: Whale and Dolphin Watching Trip

3.Whale and Dolphin Watching Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 4,109 reviews · 3 hours · from $82

Set out from Ponta Delgada with a marine biologist or nature guide to search for whales, dolphins, turtles, and seabirds. You can choose a catamaran or Zodiac boat. Expect a 15-minute safety briefing, about 2 hours and 45 minutes at sea, and clear rules for respectful wildlife watching. English and Portuguese tours are available.

“The quide had so much great information So lucky saw a group of three Sei whales and a pod of about 200 dolphins So much fun watching them play and swim in our waves and they had babies beside them They were spotted Dolphins Great experience!!”

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Funchal Bay: Dolphin & Whale Watch Luxury Catamaran Cruise - Looking for dolphins and whales offshore
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Funchal Bay: Dolphin & Whale Watch Luxury Catamaran Cruise

4.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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All Inclusive Whale and Dolphin Watching Luxury Tour - Searching the Atlantic for whales, dolphins, and turtles
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All Inclusive Whale and Dolphin Watching Luxury Tour

5.All Inclusive Whale and Dolphin Watching Luxury Tour

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

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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Madeira Dolphin and Whale Watching on a Ecological Catamaran - What the 2.5 to 3 hours feel like
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Madeira Dolphin and Whale Watching on a Ecological Catamaran

6.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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Funchal: Dolphin and Whale Watching by Luxury Catamaran - Searching Funchal Bay for dolphins and whales
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Funchal: Dolphin and Whale Watching by Luxury Catamaran

7.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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Funchal: Dolphin and Whale Watching Sunset Sailing Tour - Searching for dolphins and whales off Madeira
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Funchal: Dolphin and Whale Watching Sunset Sailing Tour

8.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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From Funchal: Madeira Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour - How the wildlife search works
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From Funchal: Madeira Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour

9.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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Funchal: Dolphin and Whale Watching Sailing Trip - Searching up to three miles offshore for marine life
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Funchal: Dolphin and Whale Watching Sailing Trip

10.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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From Funchal: Whale and Dolphin Watching - What You Might See Near Madeira
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From Funchal: Whale and Dolphin Watching

11.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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From Funchal: Whales and Dolphin Adventure Tour - Leaving Funchal Marina for the open sea
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From Funchal: Whales and Dolphin Adventure Tour

12.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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Whale and Dolphin Watching in Calheta, Madeira Island - What you might see from the RIB
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Whale and Dolphin Watching in Calheta, Madeira Island

13.Whale and Dolphin Watching in Calheta, Madeira Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,228 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $72Top rated

Join H2O Madeira in Calheta for about two hours on a fast RIB boat, searching for dolphins, whales, turtles, rays, and other marine life. A land-based spotter helps the crew find wildlife, while your guide explains the species and keeps the approach respectful. The ride can be bumpy, but the small group and open-water views make this a memorable Madeira outing.

“Experienced Staff, knowledgable with the marine species and the conservation of the ocean, friendly and professional.”

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Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour in Madeira - The first hour: searching for dolphins and whales
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Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour in Madeira

14.Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour in Madeira

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,192 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $83

Meet the On Tales team at Calheta Marina for a 2.5-hour yacht trip along Madeira’s southwest coast. Captains such as Emanuel, Beatriz, and Bruno combine wildlife searches with swimming and snorkeling near sunny bays. The boat carries up to 12 people, with towels, equipment, drinks, a shower, toilet, and cabin included.

“It was great. We didn’t see any dolphins/whales though, but honestly it didn’t matter. The crew were both lovely, attentive etc, and was very comfortable. Very relaxing too, drove around for 2.5 hours, had a couple of drinks, saw Madeira from a different perspective and got to swim —Surprisingly warm!! Would definitely book again, thank you so much!!”

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Madeira: Responsible Whales and/or Dolphins Watching Tour - Land spotters give the crew a useful head start
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Madeira: Responsible Whales and/or Dolphins Watching Tour

15.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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New in Whale and Dolphin Watching Tours in Portugal

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