Best of · WHALE AND DOLPHIN WATCHING TOURS

The 15 Best Whale and Dolphin Watching Tours Worldwide

109 tours  ·  from $13 a head

Most crossings turn up both, and in the Canaries and Madeira the dolphins usually arrive first. These 15 are the trips with the best odds on a mixed day, priced and honest about how far offshore they go.

Tenerife: Eco-Yacht Whale and Dolphin Watching and Swimming - Travelin Lady and the eco-yacht design
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Tenerife: Eco-Yacht Whale and Dolphin Watching and Swimming

1.Eco-Yacht Whale and Dolphin Watching and Swimming

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 15,619 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $13Our pick

Join Ines and the Travelin Lady crew for a 90-minute whale and dolphin trip from Los Cristianos. The purpose-built eco-yacht keeps animals away from its propellers, cruises without chasing, visits the Cave of Love, and ends with swimming or snorkeling if sea conditions and time allow.

“Great experience! The tour guides were really nice and courteous! I would definitely recommend this tour!”

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Los Cristianos Respectful No-Chase Whale and Dolphin Safari - Leaving Puerto Los Cristianos on the Bahriyeli
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Los Cristianos Respectful No-Chase Whale and Dolphin Safari

2.Los Cristianos Respectful No-Chase Whale and Dolphin Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 12,782 reviews · 2 hours · from $29

From Puerto Los Cristianos, you’ll spend two hours aboard the Bahriyeli, a large sailing ketch with open viewing decks and an indoor salon. Government-certified guides speak Spanish, English, French, German, and Italian, explaining pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, and the local sea. The boat does not chase animals, and part of your ticket supports Neptunes Pirates UK.

“We saw a lot of dolphins and whales, the guides explained a lot. It was overall a very calm and slow trip, which we enjoyed. Thanks.”

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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

3.Ecological Catamaran Dolphin Whale Watching

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

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

4.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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Costa Adeje: Whale & Dolphin Eco-Cruise with Snacks & Drinks - Watching whales and dolphins in the Teno-Rasca sanctuary
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Costa Adeje: Whale & Dolphin Eco-Cruise with Snacks & Drinks

5.Whale & Dolphin Eco-Cruise with Snacks & Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 5,096 reviews · 3 - 5 hours · from $52

From Puerto Colón, you cruise Tenerife’s Teno-Rasca Whale Sanctuary on a fuel-efficient catamaran. The crew, including captains such as Carlos and Miguel on some departures, explains the marine life, uses underwater audio, serves drinks and sandwiches, and stops for swimming. Choose three hours or five hours with Los Gigantes and Masca Bay.

“Very professional and knowledgeable crew. We had a perfect trip and saw both pilot whales and grey spotted dolphins. I throughly recommend this small group activity .”

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Los Gigantes: Dolphin & Whale Watching Cruise with Swim Stop - The first search for dolphins and pilot whales
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Los Gigantes: Dolphin & Whale Watching Cruise with Swim Stop

6.Dolphin & Whale Watching Cruise with Swim Stop

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 4,539 reviews · 2 hours · from $33

Join Flipper Uno’s Masca Express from Los Gigantes Port for a two-hour search for pilot whales and dolphins in the Teno-Rasca Whale Sanctuary. Cruise beneath the Los Gigantes cliffs, stop for a swim in Masca, Juan López, or Barranco Seco, and enjoy one cold drink. Captain Alejandro and his crew may also point out turtles and flying fish.

“Everything was very well organised. The departure was on time, the guide was friendly and professional, and the whole trip felt very safe despite the big waves. We saw two large groups of whales, one of them with calves, and it was wonderful to watch the mother playing with her baby. We also enjoyed the impressive Los Gigantes cliffs and the boat trip to the Masca gorge. Overall, a very positive experience and a trip we would definitely recommend.”

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Morro Jable: Dolphin & Whale Watching Cruise, Drinks & Swim - Searching the water for dolphins and whales
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Morro Jable: Dolphin & Whale Watching Cruise, Drinks & Swim

7.Morro Jable: Dolphin & Whale Watching Cruise, Drinks & Swim

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 4,158 reviews · 2 hours · from $58

Set out from Morro Jable aboard the modern *Magic Dolphin* for a 2-hour search for wild dolphins, whales, turtles, and flying fish. Guides such as Carmen, Karol, Nino, and Luis explain the animals and keep a respectful distance. Drinks, a swim stop in Jandía, and optional resort pickup are included.

“The fact that we were picked up/dropped back at our hotel at no extra charge was fantastic. The boat trip was really exciting and although they can't guarantee you'll see anything, we saw loads of flying fish (a first for us) and we saw pods of dolphins and the boat followed them so we had plenty of opportunities to see them. It really was a memorable afternoon.”

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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

8.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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From Morro Jable: Dolphin and Whale Watching and Snorkelling - The speedboat ride is part of the attraction
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From Morro Jable: Dolphin and Whale Watching and Snorkelling

9.From Morro Jable: Dolphin and Whale Watching and Snorkelling

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 3,687 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $61

Set out from Morro Jable on a fast, small-group boat with guides such as Maurizio and Cesar. Search for dolphins and pilot whales, enjoy Fuerteventura’s coast, then stop for 30 minutes of snorkeling and a cold drink. Hotel-area transfers are included, but sightings are never guaranteed.

“Mauritio is the best! What a nice guy and super friendly staff. They we’re enjoying themselves and as a result also made our day. We were lucky to see plenty of dolphins but even without this the trip would have been an absolute pleasure. They are especially good with small kids, giving them some extra attention. And because of the (two) smaller boats (compared to other parties) it really felt like we had a private guide. All in all our best Fuerteventura experience!”

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Tenerife: Whale & Dolphin Watching Cruise with Swim Stop - The two-hour search for whales and dolphins
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Tenerife: Whale & Dolphin Watching Cruise with Swim Stop

10.Whale & Dolphin Watching Cruise with Swim Stop

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 3,227 reviews · 2 hours · from $29

Join Neptuno Whale Experience Tenerife aboard the pirate ship Peter Pan from Los Cristianos. A multilingual crew explains pilot whales, dolphins, seabirds, and conservation while you watch wild animals without chasing or feeding them. The two-hour cruise ends with an optional 15 to 20 minute swim stop, weather permitting.

“A very friendly crew. The boat was lovely to travel in.”

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Los Cristianos: Viking Cruise Whales & Dolphins Watching - The 15-minute photo stop and Viking welcome
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Los Cristianos: Viking Cruise Whales & Dolphins Watching

11.Viking Cruise Whales & Dolphins Watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 3,132 reviews · 2 hours · from $47

From Los Cristianos Harbour, you’ll board Ragnarok, a spacious Viking-themed ship for a two-hour cruise along Tenerife’s south coast. The English and Spanish-speaking crew help spot pilot whales and dolphins, explain the marine life, and keep the trip lively without crowding the wildlife. Drinks, snacks, restrooms, shade, and wheelchair access are available onboard.

“we really enjoyed the experience saw lots of orcas and dolphins wouldn't deffo recommend the experience 10/10”

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Tenerife: Whale & Dolphin Watching with Drinks and Snacks - Three hours among dolphins and pilot whales
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Tenerife: Whale & Dolphin Watching with Drinks and Snacks

12.Whale & Dolphin Watching with Drinks and Snacks

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 2,929 reviews · 3 hours · from $77

Sail from Puerto Colón for three hours with up to 11 people, guided in English, French, German, or Spanish. Look for dolphins and pilot whales, then stop in a quiet bay for swimming or snorkeling. Guides such as Guy and Maxi are praised for calm handling, local sea-life knowledge, and care with seasickness. Drinks, sandwiches, fruit, and gear are included.

“Whole experience was amazing! Pick up on time and all staff welcoming, our captain (Guy) in particular was very friendly and had a good laugh. Definitely recommend.”

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Whale and Dolphin Watching Catamaran with Transfer and Buffet - Searching for whales and dolphins off Tenerife
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Whale and Dolphin Watching Catamaran with Transfer and Buffet

13.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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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

14.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

15.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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New in Whale and Dolphin Watching Tours

★ 5.0Basque Country : Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat ToursFrom $1997 reviews
★ 5.0Algeciras: Dolphin and whale watching in reduced groupsFrom $814 reviews
★ 4.4All In One- Dolphins, Whales, Snorkeling & Lunch onboard2 reviews
★ 3.9All Inclusive Mirissa Whale & Dolphin Watching + SnorkelingFrom $1453 reviews
★ 3.4Whale & Dolphin Watching Cruise with BreakfastFrom $653 reviews
Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour at Terceira IslandFrom $7139 reviews
★ 5.0Watching whales and dolphins on Terceira IslandFrom $78150 reviews
★ 5.0Port Stephens 3 Hour Whale and Dolphin Watch CruiseFrom $6253 reviews
★ 4.7Whale & Dolphin Watching | Best Wildlife TourFrom $8255 reviews
★ 4.7Moreton Island: Tangalooma Whale Watching & Dolphin FeedingFrom $16257 reviews
★ 4.4Philip Island: Dolphin and Whale CruiseFrom $9548 reviews
★ 4.6Nelson Bay: Whale and Dolphin Watching Catamaran CruiseFrom $6347 reviews
★ 5.0Private Yacht Tour With Whale and Dolphin Watching 33 Foot Boat17 reviews
★ 4.5Private Family Whale & Dolphin Adventure in San DiegoFrom $17998 reviews
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