6 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. 🙏😊”

Check availability →Read our full review

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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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.”

Check availability →Read our full review