Portugal · WHALE WATCHING

Whale Watching in Portugal: The Best 15

39 tours  ·  from $40

Sperm whales sit off the Azores all year and the big migrating baleen whales pass in spring. These 15 trips are compared on boat type, time at sea and what the operator does when nothing shows.

From Funchal: Ecological Catamaran Dolphin Whale Watching - Funchal Marina check-in and the first half-hour at sea
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From Funchal: Ecological Catamaran Dolphin Whale Watching

1.Ecological Catamaran Dolphin Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5,771 reviews · from $40Our pick

Set out from Funchal Marina aboard the 2022 Magic Dolphin Eco, Madeira’s only hybrid-electric whale-watching catamaran. Land-based spotters help locate dolphins, pilot whales, sperm whales, turtles, and seabirds. You’ll have two decks, large viewing nets, onboard toilets, a bar, a coastal cruise, and a swimming stop near Cabo Girão.

“It was an unforgettable experience. The guides were very informative and welcoming. They explained right from the start that dolphins and whales are wild animals and hence can sometimes not be seen. We got incredibly lucky and got to see 4 different species that day: pilot whales, bottomnose dolphins, common dolphins and striped dolphins. I loved how they respected the animal’s space, and kept the limited time in each observation area. It’s a beautiful way to see these animals in their natural habitat. I loved that the guide explained after why it’s so good that we chose this way to observe the animals instead of going to a aquarium or…”

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Funchal: Dolphin and Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise - Watching dolphins and whales in Madeira’s waters
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Funchal: Dolphin and Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise

2.Dolphin and Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise

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

Spend three hours aboard Catamaran Seaborn, searching Madeira’s waters for dolphins, whales, turtles, and flying fish. Your English or Portuguese speaking crew explains the marine life and stops beneath Cabo Girão for a summer swim. The boat has shaded seats, sun decks, netting, and a bar selling drinks and snacks.

“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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From Ponta Delgada: Whale and Dolphin Watching Trip - Choosing between the catamaran and Zodiac
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From Ponta Delgada: Whale and Dolphin Watching Trip

3.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. Choose a catamaran or Zodiac boat, learn responsible viewing rules, and spend about 2 hours 45 minutes offshore. Spring favors migrating baleen whales, while dolphins and sperm whales can appear year-round.

“Absolutely loved it! The guides were extremley respectful towards the animals and tried their best to show us as many animals as possible. We saw three species in total and it was such a surreal and also informative experience!”

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Funchal Bay: Dolphin & Whale Watch Luxury Catamaran Cruise - Searching for dolphins and whales in open water
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Funchal Bay: Dolphin & Whale Watch Luxury Catamaran Cruise

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

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

Sail from Funchal’s New Marina aboard the Atlantic Pearl, a comfortable catamaran limited to about 20 people. Your Portuguese or English-speaking crew searches for dolphins and whales, then stops beneath Cabo Girão for swimming and snorkeling. Expect open-sea views, covered seating, hammocks, onboard bathrooms, and drinks for purchase.

“Great go do it we saw whales jumping and went for a swim”

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All Inclusive Whale and Dolphin Watching Luxury Tour - The Secret Stop and the Service Afloat
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All Inclusive Whale and Dolphin Watching Luxury Tour

5.All Inclusive Whale and Dolphin Watching Luxury Tour

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

Sail from Funchal with a small group aboard a spacious luxury catamaran. Crew members such as Liv, David, Bruno, Maggie, and Nico may guide the trip, serving Madeira snacks and unlimited drinks while you search for dolphins, whales, and turtles. The tour includes a swim beneath 586-meter Cabo Girão, snorkeling gear, towels, toilets, and a welcome glass of sparkling wine.

“Lovely crew, beautiful boat, delicious snacks and drinks. Saw pods of pilot whales and bottle nose dolphins.”

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Azores Whale Watching & Islet Boat Tour - Meeting the crew at Vila Franca do Campo Marina
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Azores Whale Watching & Islet Boat Tour

6.Azores Whale Watching & Islet Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 2,146 reviews · from $70

Set out from Vila Franca do Campo with a marine biologist or naturalist, watching for sperm whales, dolphins, seabirds, turtles, and other sea life. A Zodiac RIB carries 12 to 28 people, with warm waterproof gear supplied. After nearly three hours offshore, circle the volcanic islet and return to the marina.

“Fantastic. Knowledgeable guides who follow an ethical approach. Lots of fun, exhilarating and educational. Was perfect for the whole family.”

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Madeira Dolphin and Whale Watching on a Ecological Catamaran - How the shore spotters improve your chances
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Madeira Dolphin and Whale Watching on a Ecological Catamaran

7.Madeira Dolphin and Whale Watching on a Ecological Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,957 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $42

From Funchal, you’ll spend 2.5 to 3 hours aboard Magic Dolphin’s 2022 hybrid-electric catamaran, guided by shore-based spotters and a certified crew. Look for pilot whales, bottlenose dolphins, sperm whales, and other species, then cruise past Cabo Girão, Câmara de Lobos, and Reid’s Hotel. Salvador is one of the praised crew members.

“Comfortable catamaran, knowledgeable crew, saw pilot whales and dolphins, Cabot Girao and Camara da Lobos from the sea. 3 hours well-spent.”

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Funchal: Dolphin and Whale Watching by Luxury Catamaran - Choosing your place on the catamaran
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Funchal: Dolphin and Whale Watching by Luxury Catamaran

8.Dolphin and Whale Watching by Luxury Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,709 reviews · 3 hours · from $47

Join Magic Dolphin Atividades Maritimas at Funchal’s Pier 8 for a three-hour catamaran trip with Portuguese- and English-speaking guides. Watch for dolphins, whales, turtles, birds, and other marine life, then cruise to Cabo Girão. Most tours include a swim stop, indoor seating, shaded areas, sun beds, a welcome drink, and room to relax.

“Very pleasant trip. Didn't see dolphins due to sea conditions, but we were offered another trip for €10. Guides explained everything clearly. Both them and the crew were excellent. This did include a swim stop”

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VipDolphins Luxury Whale Watching - Leaving Praça do Povo in Funchal
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VipDolphins Luxury Whale Watching

9.VipDolphins Luxury Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,709 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $95Top rated

Set out from Funchal Marina aboard a polished catamaran limited to 17 people. The crew, including Sheila, Liv, Maggie, Francisco, and Nico on various sailings, serves drinks, local snacks, towels, and snorkeling gear while you search for dolphins and whales. Finish with a swim near Cabo Girao.

“Wonderful afternoon on a beautiful catamaran. We were really lucky to see a large pod of Pilot Whales. The crew on the boat were very attentive and knowledgeable about the sea life. A great day - would definitely do it again and recommend to everyone.”

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Funchal: Dolphin and Whale Watching Sunset Sailing Tour - Swimming Beneath Madeira’s Highest Sea Cliff
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Funchal: Dolphin and Whale Watching Sunset Sailing Tour

10.Dolphin and Whale Watching Sunset Sailing Tour

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

Sail from Funchal with up to 20 people, looking for dolphins, whales, and sea turtles before stopping near Cabo Girão for swimming and snorkeling. Guides including Bruno, Roberto, José, and Marco are praised for warm service and wildlife care. Drinks are included, and the three-hour cruise ends with sunset views.

“Amazing crew, really friendly and welcoming. Happy to engage in conversation. Really look after their clients providing an experience to remember. We were lucky enough to see a pod of whales. The crew were very knowledgeable about the wild life. Watched the sun set by sailing boat which was lovely. Some people even had a swim and the crew allow you to have a shower after. This is a peaceful yet fun and informative tour. Definitely recommended.”

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From Funchal: Madeira Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour - What you may see around Madeira’s south coast
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From Funchal: Madeira Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour

11.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, searching for dolphins, whales, and turtles with English or Portuguese commentary. The route includes Madeira’s south coast and a summer swim stop below Cabo Girão. Bring sunscreen, a windbreaker, and swimwear, and arrive 30 minutes early.

“We really enjoyed this tour, we were lucky to see many playful dolphins swimming by. After that boat goes to the coast near Cabo Girao and there is a possibilty to swim and snorkel in the sea, which was really refreshing in hot August day.”

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Funchal: Dolphin and Whale Watching Sailing Trip - Watching for wildlife up to three miles offshore
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Funchal: Dolphin and Whale Watching Sailing Trip

12.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. Guides such as Bruno and Joseph share facts about Madeira’s sea life while you watch for dolphins, whales, and turtles up to three miles offshore. The tour includes drinks, snorkeling gear, and time to swim, with a small group rather than a packed catamaran.

“We really enjoyed our trip! Very friendly staff. Beautiful swimming spots!”

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From Funchal: Whale and Dolphin Watching - Finding the office at Galerias de São Lourenço
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From Funchal: Whale and Dolphin Watching

13.Whale and Dolphin Watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,313 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $56

From Funchal, ride a fast semi-rigid boat with up to 18 people while marine biologists explain Madeira’s whales and dolphins. Land-based spotters help the crew find wildlife, and sightings can include pilot, sperm, bottlenose, striped, and spotted dolphins. Bring a windbreaker and expect to get wet.

“Absolutely awesome! In the original sense of the word. Awestruck by the mother and baby sperm whales slowly surfacing and diving beside our boat, and the others breaching and spouting in the distance. We also saw a pod of pilot whales who accompanied us for some time. I can’t recommend this highly enough, the staff were very informative and accessible, overall a really memorable trip”

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From Funchal: Whales and Dolphin Adventure Tour - Searching Madeira’s open water for whales and dolphins
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From Funchal: Whales and Dolphin Adventure Tour

14.Whales and Dolphin Adventure Tour

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

Set out from Funchal’s new marina on a two-hour RIB speedboat tour limited to 18 people. Guides such as Camila and Fernanda share marine-life facts while the captain searches for dolphins, pilot whales, sperm whales, turtles, and flying fish. Swimming with common or spotted dolphins may be possible when sea and animal conditions are right.

“Very focused on respectful way of seeing the dolphins.”

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Whale and Dolphin Watching in Calheta, Madeira Island - What the two-hour route feels like
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Whale and Dolphin Watching in Calheta, Madeira Island

15.Whale and Dolphin Watching in Calheta, Madeira Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,228 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $72

Join H2O Madeira at Calheta Marina for a two-hour RIB boat search for dolphins and whales. A land-based spotter helps the crew find wildlife, while your guide explains the species and local marine life. Expect fine coastal views, a small group of up to 12, and a fast, bumpy ride that depends on sea and weather conditions.

“Really fun watching the dolphins playj and the boat ride was a nice way to see the beautiful coast from another perspective (even tho the seas were really rough). Exxcellent guide and crew. Sounds like the odds of seeing Whales are really low all year round so would probably make that clearer.”

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