Whale Watching · SAILING
Whales do not run to a timetable, but the boats do. These 15 whale watching on a sailing boat are priced and timed so you can pick one in a couple of minutes and go and pack a coat.
Join Travelin Lady from Los Cristianos for a 90-minute, no-chase whale and dolphin trip on Tenerife’s purpose-built eco-yacht. Guides such as Ines explain the wildlife in several languages, with time for the Cave of Love and a swim stop if conditions allow.
“It was great! We saw a group of dolphins and pilot whales, amazing!”
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”
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”
Sail from Puerto Colon with guides such as Lucy, Dani, and Tony to find resident pilot whales and dolphins near Tenerife’s southwest coast. Choose two hours for wildlife viewing or three hours for a Playa Espagueti swim and snorkel stop. Drinks are included, and sightings are guaranteed.
“Fantastic trip. Lucy and the team were amazing and we saw bottle nosed dolphins and pilot whales. Thoroughly recommend this trip to anyone”
Sail from Reykjavík’s Old Harbor aboard the spacious Amelia Rose for about three hours. Guides such as Lucky and Roman help you spot humpback and minke whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Three viewing decks, a warm lounge, bar, WiFi, blankets, and optional hotel pickup make this a comfortable cruise.
“So beautiful and fun! I got to see humpback whales and it was such a special encounter! highly recommend this tour!”
Set out from Puerto Colón aboard the Monte Cristo Catamaran for three hours of whale and dolphin watching. Your English-speaking crew searches Tenerife’s southern waters, serves tapas and drinks, then stops for swimming and snorkeling before sailing back along the coast. Hotel pickup is available in the south.
“Fabulous from start to finish. Really well organised with pick up and drop off back to hotel all done with ease. The small number on the boat made the experience even better. Captain and deck hand were really good and knowledgeable. Saw so many pilot whales up close was truly magical. Flowing drinks and top tapas. I cannot recommend this trip enough!”
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.”
Join Travelin Lady for a 90-minute sunset cruise from Los Cristianos. Guides such as Ines, Sergio, Cintia, and Fede explain the marine life in several languages while you look for pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, and more from a low, stable eco-yacht.
“It was an amazing trip, we got to see multiple dolphins, a sea turtle and even a hammer shark. Ines was an amazig guide, with her great sense of humor and her multy lenguage skills I am sure people got value for money, I know I did.”
Cruise from Cabo San Lucas toward the Arch and Sea of Cortez aboard a double-decker catamaran. Your marine guide, such as Jacob or Marco, explains humpback behavior while a hydrophone lets you hear whale song. Drinks, snacks, and hotel pickup are available, with a 30-person maximum.
“The employees are amazing and we saw multiple whales just as promised. The boat is beautiful. But it is very challenging to walk on the boat and the rail on the luxury boat low. Older adults or anyone with disabilities should be careful. I am recovering from cancer and I almost fell over board. It’s very easy when the rail goes to your knee or lower. Be careful. Hotel said it dangerous. But we loved it!! Perfect for young adults. I’d never take kids on this one. Ever.”
Join Magic Dolphin in Funchal for a 2.5 to 3-hour cruise aboard a 2022 eco-friendly catamaran. Land-based spotters help locate dolphins and whales, while certified guides explain the animals and Madeira’s coast. Look for pilot whales, bottlenose dolphins, sperm whales, and rough-toothed dolphins.
“Well organised trip. We were on a cruise ship and walked to where the Magic Dolphin kiosk and boat are. All staff were very professional, particularly the staff on board. We saw pilot whales and common seals. Take a waterproof, as you may get very wet from sea spray on the return journey. You can purchase snacks and drinks on board although we didn’t take this up.”
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!”
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…”
Sail from Puerto Colón with White Tenerife for about three hours along Tenerife’s south coast. The multilingual crew, including captains Angel and Victor, searches for whales and dolphins, uses an underwater microphone to hear pilot whales, then stops for swimming, snorkeling, sandwiches, and drinks.
“Beautiful excursion, friendly crew and well adapted boat. We were able to observe 2 species of dolphins and turtles. Swimming at anchor.Auto-translated”
Join a Blue Boat-certified yacht from Los Cristianos for a 1-hour-40-minute search for pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, and seabirds. You’ll pass the Cave of Love, hear wildlife information from the crew, and usually have time for a swim. Bring your own snorkel gear and arrive 20 minutes early.
“It was worth it. We were happy with the experience, going for a swim was nice too. We went on the 9am tour so it was not crowded at all which was really nice.”
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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