9 Standout Whale Watching Cruises in Portugal

1.Dolphin and Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise

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

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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2.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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3.São Miguel: Whale-Watching Cruise with Marine Biologist

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,311 reviews · 3 hours · from $76

Join Picos de Aventura in Ponta Delgada for a three-hour whale-watching trip led by a marine biologist. Lookouts guide the boat toward whales and dolphins, while guides such as Mark, Sarah, Raquel, and Mateo explain the animals and local waters. Choose a catamaran for comfort or a zodiac for a faster, bumpier ride.

“Good day on the water. We sawanu dolphins and a few whales.”

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4.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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5.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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6.RIB Whale Watching Cruise and Optional Dolphin Swim

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 273 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $61

You leave Funchal in a fast RIB with English or Portuguese guides such as Anna, Paulo, and Mark. Expect close views of dolphins, pilot whales, sperm whales, turtles, and Madeira’s coast. A dolphin swim costs €20 only if local rules allow it, and each participant is in the water for about one to two minutes.

“Supernice trip, guides Anna and Paolo were very kind and knew a lot about the animals/sealife. We really enjoyed the boat trip with our 3 children. Spotted 2 types of dolphins that came close to the boat, and 4 whales. The boat trip itself is allready valuable! Beautiful views.”

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7.2.5-Hour Whale and Dolphin-Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 198 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $81

Spend 2.5 hours aboard On Tales’ yacht from Calheta, with a captain, two crew members, and an on-land spotter searching for dolphins and whales. Guides speak English, Portuguese, French, and Spanish. You’ll also have time to snorkel, swim, enjoy drinks, and receive a harbor shower afterward.

“Boat was nice (not too old). Group was not too big (12 guests). Captain and crew very attentive and nice. Free drinks. Didn’t see whales though, at least some dolphins and flying fish.”

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8.Whale Watching and Swimming with Dolphins Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 111 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $94

Set out from Funchal with Rota dos Cetáceos on a 2.5-hour search for wild whales and dolphins. A marine biologist explains local sea life while land lookouts help locate animals. You may swim with dolphins or turtles when conditions and permitted species allow. Boats carry 18 or 36 people, and guides speak Portuguese, English, and French.

“I couldn’t go as I had food poisoning the night before and was feeling to ill to go on the trip Contacted the tour 2 hours before the trip to say the situation and to see if I could change for a few days later but it was to short notice I thought they could of changed the date as I couldn’t help getting food poisoning”

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9.Whale and Dolphin Watching Private Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 27 reviews · 2.5 hours Top rated

From Calheta Marina, you cruise Madeira’s coast on a private yacht with two crew members and a land-based spotter. Look for whales and dolphins, swim and snorkel, and enjoy fresh drinks, sparkling wine, towels, a cabin, and restroom. Miranda carries up to 6 guests, while Gringo carries up to 12.

“We bought this trip to watch dolphins and whales. In fact, the chances of seeing them here are very low, especially in the evening. Therefore, we did not get the pleasure we were hoping for.”

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