The 15 Best Whale Watching Tours in Madeira

1.Funchal: Ecological Catamaran Dolphin Whale Watching

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

From Funchal Marina, you’ll spend three hours aboard the 2022 Magic Dolphin catamaran, using quiet hybrid-electric engines to search for dolphins, whales, turtles, and seabirds. Certified guides speak English and Portuguese, while land-based spotters help locate wildlife. Expect open-air viewing, Cabo Girão, Camara de Lobos, and possible swimming time.

“We had a great time and saw plenty of whales and dolphins”

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2.Funchal: Dolphin and Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise

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

Set out from Funchal Marina on a stable Seaborn catamaran with an English or Portuguese guide. Search for dolphins, whales, turtles, and flying fish, then stop beneath Cabo Girão for a seasonal swim. The boat has shaded seating, sun decks, netting, and a bar.

“The captain was amazing. Ensured we saw the dolphins. Rescued a paddle boarder and retrieved garbage from the sea! 5 stars”

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3.Funchal Bay: Dolphin & Whale Watch Luxury Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 2,684 reviews · 3 hours · from $47

Sail from Funchal with an English or Portuguese guide, watching for dolphins, pilot whales, and other marine life before stopping to swim beneath Cabo Girão. The Atlantic Pearl carries about 20 people, with covered seating, hammocks, bathrooms, and a bar. Guides such as João help keep the trip relaxed and informative.

“This was such an incredible experience - we were grateful to see a few pods of pilot whales and go on a sunset swim in a warm secluded location! Our guide João was lovely and accommodating, sharing stories and recommendations along the way.”

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4.All Inclusive Whale and Dolphin Watching Luxury Tour

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

Sail from Funchal with guides such as Liv, David, Nico, and Maggie, keeping watch for whales, dolphins, and turtles. You get a welcome glass of sparkling wine, unlimited drinks, Madeira snacks, a 30-minute swim near Cabo Girão, and room to move on a small luxury catamaran.

“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.Funchal: 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. A Portuguese or English-speaking crew explains Madeira’s marine life as you search for dolphins and whales, sail beneath Cabo Girão, and, on eligible tours, stop for a swim. The boat has indoor seating, sun beds, shade, and over-water nets.

“It was grate and felt like we were on private catamaran, because we were only 5 people on the catamaran (except the crew). Guids were very profesional and gave us a lot of interesting facts. We were happy that we were able to have a swim in the ocean and we saw a lot of whales. Experinace was fantastic and serviss was excellent. Highly recommend it! From all the dolphin and whale watching options I believe this is the best one!”

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6.Funchal: Dolphin and Whale Watching Sunset Sailing Tour

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

Sail from Funchal with up to 20 people, searching for dolphins, whales, and sea turtles within 3 miles of Madeira’s coast. Stop to swim or snorkel below 580-meter Cabo Girão, then watch sunset with drinks on board. Guides include Bruno, Roberto, Marco, and José.

“We went out into the ocean (you will need to take off your shoes at the beginning, I advise you to take a change of clothes and socks with you, there is a chance to get wet from the waves) at 4 pm and began to slowly swim towards Ponta de São Lourenço, they began to offer us drinks (wine, beer, soft drinks), then the captain said that there was a chance to see marine life, and after a while we watched a group of local whales that acrobatically swam parallel to us. Then we headed closer to the shore, the water (24/01) was +19 degrees and some people, including…”

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7.Funchal: Madeira Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour

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

Spend three hours aboard a spacious catamaran from Funchal Marina, watching for dolphins, whales, and turtles with live commentary in English or Portuguese. The cruise includes a summer swim stop below Cabo Girão, onboard toilets, shaded seating, sunbathing nets, and a bar for drinks and snacks.

“I accidentally ordered the trip for a wrong date. But when I arrived to get our boarding passes a kind woman just switched the date and everything went smoothly. Very kind people an the trip was amazing.”

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8.Funchal: Dolphin and Whale Watching Sailing Trip

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

Join Gaviao Madeira in Funchal for a three-hour sailing trip toward Cabo Girão. Bruno, Joseph, or another friendly crew member may guide the outing, with chances to see dolphins, whales, and turtles, plus a swimming and snorkeling stop. Drinks are included, but wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

“I really enjoyed this amazing trip! Unforgettable experience, we also saw lots of dolphins and the views were breathtaking Thank you so much for excellent organization!”

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9.Funchal: 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 whales and dolphins aboard a fast 18-seat RIB. Marine biologists such as Carolina, Rachel, and Catarina explain the animals and guide you with help from land-based spotters. Expect sea spray, open-water views, and possible swimming.

“We were lucky enough to find a large group of pilot whales fairly quickly. We literally didn’t know which side of the boat to look out, we were surrounded. Watched a baby playfully frolic for a good while. We didn’t see other marine life but had a great run out in the boat waiting for the spotters to alert us of anything. As they didn’t, we stopped the boat under Reids and jumped in and had a swim.”

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10.Funchal: Whales and Dolphin Adventure Tour

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

From Funchal Marina, you’ll spend two hours scanning Madeira’s clear coastal waters from a RIB speedboat carrying up to 18 people. Guides such as Camila and Fernanda explain the marine life, and swimming with common or spotted dolphins may be offered when sea conditions and animal behavior allow.

“We had an absolutely incredible time on this whale adventure tour. Seeing whales up close was unforgettable, and the tour guide made the experience even better with her deep knowledge and passion for marine life. She not only shared fascinating information but also took great photos and truly cared about the whales’ well-being. It was a fantastic experience, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone visiting Madeira!”

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11.Madeira: Responsible Whales and/or Dolphins Watching Tour

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

Join Blue Safari Madeira for a two-hour ride from Funchal in a fast, small-group boat. Marine biologists such as Camila, Rosa, Nadia, and Fernanda explain the animals while land-based spotters guide the crew. Expect dolphins, pilot whales, seabirds, and a lively ride that can be bumpy.

“Amazing activity! Speed boat ride was great and our guide Nadia was super knowledgeable! She told us a lot of interesting facts about dolphins and whales. We saw some pilot whales and dolphins during our ride! Great activity, highly recommend :)”

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12.Funchal: Dolphin and Whale Watching Cruise

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

Cruise offshore from Funchal in a rebuilt 18-seat speedboat, guided by a marine biologist and captain. You may see bottlenose and spotted dolphins, pilot or sperm whales, turtles, and seabirds. The boat is quick and close to the water, so bring waterproof clothing and expect some spray.

“It was so much fun!!! Easy to find, easy to check in. They even provide you with the poncho against “splashes”. This is an absolute must have. Ideally bring your own water proof jacket with a hood and ideally easy to dry trousers or shorts. On your way back you will be completely wet, trust me. We saw 3 groups of whales and dolphins during our tour. It was fascinating. If you have back or neck problems this tour is not for you. On the way back the boat is jumping on the ways like crazy.”

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13.Dolphin and Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise from Funchal

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 645 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $48

Sail from Funchal Marina along Madeira’s south coast on a 3-hour catamaran cruise with VMT Madeira Catamaran. The crew searches for dolphins, whales, and other marine life, explains what you see, and may stop for a swim beneath Cabo Girão when sea conditions allow.

“The crew and the ship were nice and everything. However, this advertised 3 hour dolphin and whale watching cruise only included a roughly 10 min watching time and the rest was a simple cruise on the sea.”

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14.Calheta: Madeira Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Tour

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

Join a two-hour speedboat trip from Calheta with guides such as Paula, Hannah, and Pedro. Search Madeira’s waters for dolphins, sperm whales, pilot whales, turtles, and seabirds while learning how to approach wild animals with care. German and English commentary is available.

“Amazing! The guide and driver were perfect. We loved seeing whales and dolphins in their natural habitat and learning about the species and ecology.”

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15.Funchal: Whale and Dolphin Watching Speed Boat Tour

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

From Funchal Marina, you’ll ride with a small crew and marine biologist guide, using coastal spotters to find dolphins and whales. Expect fast boat travel, close-to-water views, possible splashes, and sightings of up to four species. Guides speak Portuguese and English.

“Amazing experience. The speedboat trip alone was worth the money, great fun and no sea sickness. However we also spent time with a pod of whales, which was an experience we’ll never forget. The marine biologist was very informative. Cannot rate this highly enough, not to be missed.”

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