Top Madeira Whale Watching

Funchal’s waters are home to whales and dolphins—and this luxurious catamaran tour offers the best way to spot them. Head to Funchal’s marina and hop aboard your vessel, where you’ll enjoy Champagne, cocktails, soft drinks, and snacks like local bread and cheese. Indulge as you look out for whales and dolphins. Then, if you wish, enjoy a swimming and snorkeling break at Cabo Girao before returning to shore.

4.6

(2,095)

from $41

VipDolphins Luxury Whale Watching

Whale and Dolphin Watching in Calheta, Madeira Island

(1,809)

from $93

Spend time on the Atlantic Ocean spotting whales and dolphins during this small-group wildlife tour. Board a fast, agile speedboat in Funchal and sail along the coastline to observe marine life in their natural habitats, learning about their behavior from your skipper. The tour operates responsibly, with no chasing or feeding, ensuring respectful encounters. This operator is the first WCA (World Cetaceans Alliance) certified in Funchal, supporting marine conservation efforts.

(1,303)

from $71

Likely to Sell Out

Responsible Whales and/or Dolphins Watching Tour

Responsible Whales and/or Dolphins Watching Tour

The deep waters off Madeira Island are home to a dazzling array of marine life, with dolphins and whales sharing the waves with birds, turtles, and more. On this wildlife-spotting adventure, take to the seas for up-close sightings of the native Bottlenose Dolphins, Sperm Whales, Spotted Dolphins, and Pilot Whales who call Madeira home. Enjoy free time to snorkel at your leisure—depending on the season—with a second trip guaranteed if you make no sightings.

4.8

(286)

from $62

Special Offer

Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour from Funchal

Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour from Funchal

2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Madeira Dolphin & Whale Watching Tour

Nature enthusiasts will love this dolphin- and whale-watching cruise from Funchal. Board your catamaran and kick back as you sail along Madeira’s south coast. Your crew guides you to the areas where whales and dolphins are most often seen. If the sea conditions are good in summer, take a dip in the waters beneath the Cabo Girão sea cliffs. Choose a morning or afternoon departure to suit your schedule.

4.7

(506)

from $57

Dolphin and Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise from Funchal

Dolphin and Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise from Funchal

Discover the vibrant marine life surrounding Madeira on this exciting boat tour, where you’ll have the chance to spot playful dolphins, majestic whales, and even turtles in their natural habitat. Sail across the crystal-clear waters while enjoying a typical Madeiran snack of honey biscuits and a glass of Madeira wine, included in the tour. With a duration of 3 hours, this tour operates daily and is suitable for all ages, making it perfect for families and nature lovers alike. If you don’t spot any marine life, a second trip is available at a reduced rate. - Daily tours available from 10 : 30 AM to 1 : 30 PM and 3 : 00 PM to 6 : 00 PM - Includes honey biscuits and a glass of Madeira wine - Family-friendly with special pricing for children - Meet at Marina Nova do Funchal, 30 minutes before departure

4.3

(665)

from $47

Wooden and Classic Boat Whale and Dolphin Watching

Wooden and Classic Boat Whale and Dolphin Watching

1.5

(2)

from $47

Seaborn Catamaran trips

Discover the stunning coastline of Madeira with a private boat trip aboard a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey36. Perfect for families and friends, this adventure offers a spacious and shady deck to relax while an experienced skipper shares local stories and insights on wildlife preservation. Enjoy courtesy drinks and light snacks as you sail, all while keeping an eye out for turtles, whales, and dolphins. This is a fantastic way to explore the sea at your leisure while enjoying a unique perspective of Madeira. - Private boat for a comfortable group experience - Learn about local wildlife and sustainability - Enjoy complimentary drinks and light snacks - Spacious deck for families and friends to relax

4.5

(460)

from $41

Madeira Private Boat Trip from Funchal

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

from $189

Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour in Madeira

Likely to Sell Out

2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Private Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour in Madeira

(1,243)

from $88

Likely to Sell Out

2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

(548)

from $620

During your visit to Madeira, it is almost mandatory to take a sea tour to observe cetaceans. Its excellent location allows you to see these species throughout the year. Take a close look at some of the 28 species of cetaceans that inhabit or visit the waters of the Madeira Archipelago. On our boat trips, it is very common to find: The Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis) The Painted Dolphin (Stenella frontalis) The Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truincatu) The Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) The Pilot Whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus) Bryde's Whale (Balaenoptera edeni). In the turtle family, the Boba Turtle (Caretta caretta) is the most sighted. Come and observe these friendly cetaceans and make your trip a truly unforgettable experience!

Whale & Dolphin Watching in Madeira

The waters off the island of Madeira are full of dolphins, whales, and other sea life to see—if you’re able to reach them. Increase your chances of spotting the animals on this zippy speedboat tour that travels up to 10 faster than catamarans. Depart from the Funchal Marina with a crew of two on boats with 500HP engines—if you don’t spot sea life on your first try a second trip is offered free of charge.

4.8

(203)

from $74

Magic Dolphin Sea Safaris

Enjoy an all-inclusive boat tour at sunset, with pickup and delivery at the hotel. Relax in a comfortable place in the sun or in the shade while sailing, with unlimited drinks and stunning views of the coast lit by the golden end-of-day light. While sailing near the coast, listen to onboard reviews about sights, local curiosities and interesting information about the region. Stop at the beautiful Calhau da Lapa, an ideal scenic spot for swimming and snorkeling, surrounded by stunning cliffs and natural landscapes. Explore the underwater world with the mask and snorkel provided before diving. Then rinse the salty water in the small shower on board before relaxing on deck as the sun sets on the horizon. Enjoy included drinks and a relaxing atmosphere while enjoying the sunset at sea. Spend your afternoon swimming, snorkeling, drinking and relaxing in the water before comfortably returning to the hotel.

4.8

(280)

from $59

Sunset Cruise with Dinner on Board

4 hoursFree Cancellation

4.7

(34)

from $77

Luxury Wood Catamaran: Sunsets, Dive and Cetaceans

Come and enjoy a beautiful sunset through the atlantic pearl catamaran. We leave Marina Nova do Funchal towards Camara de Lobos. Along the way, enjoy the beautiful view and see the cetaceans and, arriving at our stop, dive into the crystal clear waters of the Madeiran coast. End the day with a perfect sunset seen from across the sea. The Catamaran also helps in a more welcoming and reserved environment.

Luxury Wood Catamaran: Sunsets, Dive and Cetaceans

Indulge in a private yacht charter aboard the Azimut 46 Evolution, designed for those seeking a luxurious experience on Madeira Island. Whether you wish to explore stunning coastal views or unwind in comfort, your custom charters cater to your interests. Enjoy a personalized cruise with included amenities to enhance your journey. - Included amenities: snacks, towels, snorkeling equipment, and showers - Visit beautiful locations like Cabo Girão and Câmara de Lobos - Perfect for families, couples, or special events like anniversaries and parties

4.1

(24)

from $47

8 hours Private Charter in Madeira

8 hoursFree Cancellation

5.0

from $4,730

Discover Madeira Island with a private yacht charter aboard the luxurious Azimut 46 Evolution. Tailored for both adventure seekers and those desiring relaxation, this experience offers a unique opportunity to explore stunning coastal views and swim in crystal-clear waters. Each cruise is customizable to fit your interests, ensuring a personal touch to your journey. - Choose from 2, 4, or 8-hour private charters, accommodating up to 10 guests - Enjoy included amenities such as snacks, drinks, and snorkeling gear - Explore beautiful destinations like Cabo Girão and Câmara de Lobos - Experience a safe and fun environment for celebrations or leisure trips

Private Yacht Charter in Madeira - 2 hours

Private Yacht Charter in Madeira - 2 hours

5.0

(1)

from $1,419

Madeira Dolphin and Whale Watching on a Ecological Catamaran

Top Attractions in Madeira

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Attractions

What are people saying about Madeira

Michele_E, Jun 2026

Whales & Dolphins trip

Lovely 3 hour trip, all the crew were friendly, ensuring safety, giving a hand to people getting on and off the boat, life jackets for children. On our trip we viewed Sperm Wales and seen Dolphins up close to the boat, we then went on to take a swim if you wanted, then update on Madeira caves and a talk and pictures shown of the Whale and Dolphins we had seen. I would recommend this trip very nice afternoon.

VipDolphins Luxury Whale Watching

Caroline_H, May 2026

Genuinely one of the best tour experiences I’ve ever had

Not only was this tour run professionally, but each of the staff on board were incredibly kind, helpful, and accommodating to everyone on our ride. We were lucky to see tons and tons of dolphins, as well as some brief sightings of a whale and her calf near our boat. For me, the greatest part of this experience was learning that the tour guides who go out and run these tours every day work directly with marine scientists on the island to provide data on the wildlife we see — pod locations, sick animals, etc. the symbiotic relationship between the tourism industry and scientific research is such a wonderful way to keep everything sustainable, and made us even more happy to be there. Not to mention that our luxury catamaran was incredibly roomy and comfortable, and we didn’t feel packed in like sardines the way some of the other watching boats appeared to be. If you’re between this wildlife watching boat vs another, I could not recommend VIP Dolphins highly enough!

Whale and Dolphin Watching in Calheta, Madeira Island

Selena_J, May 2026

This is the trip to do…

Amazing! We went out on our booked date but the sea was rough and they explained they were not sure we would see anything but they would try… we gave up after 30 mins and was offered a refund or to rebook. We came back the next day, saw 4 whales, loads of dolphin and a turtle! The team were so passionate and it felt like they really wanted viewing's. We got a tip off for some ‘ghost whales’ and they sped off to try and spot them! They seemed genuinely happier than us to see them! Great boat, great crew and great experience x

Responsible Whales and/or Dolphins Watching Tour

jannacvaughan, May 2026

Small group.

Informational and educational. Our guide was a marine biologist. Small group is the way to go. Not guaranteed, but we saw 2-3 dolphin species and a whale. We preferred this to the big boats.we had less than 20 people. Bring water as it was not provided.

Magic Dolphin Sea Safaris

Sabrina_S, Apr 2026

This was a great...

This was a great excursion - the small size of the boat was ideal as you really had a great view no matter where you sat. I appreciated how punctual this tour was - we were instructed to meet at 0930 for the 10am tour, and we were off in the boat by 10 sharp! We saw two types of dolphins and whales. The guide and the boat driver were both great!

Seaborn Catamaran trips

Saks_H, Feb 2026

Excellent trip for dolphin and whale spotting

We booked the morning trip, the catamaran is big with comfortable shaded benches. And nets above the waves to sit/lay on. Crew is very helpful. We saw a lot of dolphins around the boat after 30 minutes. The crew gives clear information about the species and circle around so everyone gets a good view. Another 30 minutes later we saw some whales. Again good information and plenty of time to watch them swim near the boat. Drinks onboard are reasonably priced. Smooth and sunny trip back to the harbour.

Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour in Madeira

Byron_K, Oct 2025

Gorgeous day on the water

Great communication from On Tales up through the morning of the cruise. Had about ten people on the boat during our 10:30 expedition - everybody fit more than comfortably. Beatriz and Bruno were friendly, knowledgeable and skilled and were very up front with the days conditions and expected sightings. Cruised off Calheta for a while chasing a few dolphins which we managed to see, although they were feeding at the time and not in a bigger school. Lovely ride across long, gentle waves along the scenic south coast. Stop near Porta Do Sol for some swimming and the place lived up to its name with the sun in full effect. Refreshments during the cruise and full access to all areas of the boat. Even with minimal dolphin and whale activity it was an exceptional day on the water. Highly recommended especially if you prefer a smaller group setting than the larger tourist boats!