Top Madeira On the Water

Go whale and dolphin watching, a unique experience from Madeira. Board a boat with your experienced captain and crew, then set out for the open seas to search for these friendly marine mammals. Learn about these fascinating creatures through your crew's informative commentary.

Bask in the sun and sea of Madeira, one of the world’s tallest oceanside cliffs, on this catamaran excursion from the Funchal Marina. After boarding, find a nice spot on the deck or one of the four trampoline nets for spotting whales and dolphins. Your crew highlights landmarks and wildlife plus you have a choice of a morning or afternoon departure time.

Ride a hybrid-electric catamarn off the coast of Madeira on this half-day wildlife-spotting trip from Funchal. Hold tight and watch for dolphins and whales as your super-fast craft bounces through the waves in search of dolphins and whales. Take a set on one of the two levels with trampoline nets located at the bow of the boat. Your tour includes a guide, live onboard commentary, and a bar.

See the sun set over the Atlantic on this catamaran cruise from Funchal. Enhance the experience with live commentary on board. You may even get the chance to see local marine life such as dolphins or whales during the cruise. Booking your ticket ahead of time ensures you won't miss out because of a sold-out cruise.

Madeira’s strategic placement in the North Atlantic Ocean makes it a great location for dolphin and whale watching. On this exciting tour, observe the cetaceans in their natural habitat without disturbing them. You can also observe other wildlife such as fish, sharks, and birds during your adventure.

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.

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.

Admire the views of Madeira's coastline and look out for local wildlife at the same time with this catamaran adventure. Eliminate the guesswork of wildlife spotting and benefit from having a crew to take you to areas where dolphins, turtles, and whales have been spotted before. In the summer months, it’s also possible to hop off the boat and go snorkeling.

A half or a full day to explore the south coast of Madeira Island, both east and west, we can go to private beaches accessible only by sea. In addition to frequent whale and dolphin sightings, you can swim in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, which have mild temperatures year-round. It's possible to have lunch at Fajã dos Padres beach, in their restaurant, accessible only by boat or cable car, or we can provide the lunch on board.

Take in the fresh sea air on this full-day catamaran cruise to the Desertas Islands, from Funchal. Meet your crew at the Funchal Marina and board your catamaran. Then set sail toward the Madeira’s natural reserves, where sea life is frequently spotted. You’ll stop at the Desertas Islands, known for its stunning natural beauty and crystal clear waters. Enjoy three hours of hiking, swimming or sun bathing and indulge in a fresh fish buffet lunch with select beverages before sailing back to the marina.

Enjoy a more immersive and active way to explore Madeira—and discover a side of the island many other visitors miss—on this private, half-day kayaking tour. Enjoy a scenic paddle from Garajau Partial Nature Reserve, home to a variety of protected marine species; discover picturesque beaches; and even snorkel through crystal-clear waters to spot Madeira’s native marine life.

The south coast of Madeira is a popular spot to watch whales and dolphins in their natural environment. This small-group yacht cruise offers a more personalized experience, with a chance to customize the tour to your group’s preferences, stopping to swim or snorkel along the coast, and looking out for bottlenose dolphins, sperm whales, and Bryde's whales.

It can be tough knowing where to find good snorkeling spots while traveling. This tour takes away the risk of wasting time, by traveling with a guide to a spot known for its rich marine life. All equipment is provided which means you can pack light. The day starts with a Kayak tour along the Underwater Nature Reserve of Garajau and then plenty of time to snorkel and swim.

Sail along Madeira’s south coast aboard a luxury catamaran, an experience where comfort meets nature in its purest form. Along the way, the deep blue Atlantic reveals majestic cliffs, hidden bays, and a unique light that only the island can offer. Between moments of pure serenity and unforgettable scenery, every detail invites you to slow down and experience the sea with elegance, tranquility, and exclusivity.

Hop aboard the “Santa Maria de Colombo,” a copy of Christopher Columbus’ signature boat, for a sail around Madeira’s southern coast. A trip that’s sure to appeal to adults and kids alike, the experience puts a historic spin on a classic boat tour, and includes the chance to see dolphins and whales, too.

You will be able to enjoy the sea views of Baía d’Abra, passing through its beautiful caves and finishing at Cais do Sardinha dock.

What makes this experience unique is the combination of Madeira’s incredible volcanic underwater landscapes and our personalized approach. We are a mobile diving center, which means we choose dive sites according to sea conditions and the best experience for the day — from volcanic walls and underwater caves to lava canyons and rich marine life. To ensure safety, comfort and a relaxed atmosphere, each guide leads a maximum of 5 divers. For larger groups, we simply add more professional guides, allowing everyone to dive together while maintaining a personalized experience. Divers regularly encounter groupers, stingrays, octopus, moray eels and large schools of fish in crystal-clear Atlantic waters. More than just a dive, this is an authentic and unforgettable way to explore Madeira’s hidden underwater world.

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!

Come and relax aboard the most luxurious cataraman on Madeira Island. Having the possibility to observe dolphins, whales or turtles in their natural environment. The trip is suitable for all ages due to the comfort that our boat offers with a maximum of 35 people on board, and can be inside or outside the boat. We make a stop to swim in Cabo Girão. And we also provide a variety of drinks on our boat so you can buy and enjoy the best of the tour.

1. Rare Artificial Reef The Afonso Cerqueira F488 is a purpose-sunk Navy vessel, which means it was carefully prepared and placed to become a safe, eco-friendly artificial reef. This gives divers the chance to explore a clean, structurally intact wreck that was designed to be diveable — a rare opportunity. 2. Depth Suitable for Many Divers Unlike many deep wrecks, this one lies between 12 to 30 meters, making it accessible for both Open Water (with supervision or deep experience) and Advanced divers. It’s a rare chance to dive a real wreck without needing tech-level certification. 3. Marine Life Magnet In just a few years, the wreck has become home to a growing ecosystem. Expect to see: Large dusky groupers Moray eels, octopus, and nudibranchs Barracuda schools and other pelagics circling the area The combination of wreck structure and marine life creates fantastic photo and video opportunities.

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.

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

The Valley of the Nuns (Curral da Freiras) might be one of the coolest places you can visit in all of Portugal—and this tour makes it easy to explore the area. Not only is it a village built on the crater of an extinct volcano, but it was once a place where nuns would hide when pirates attacked the city of Funchal. Plus, during this tour, you’ll stop by the fishing village, Câmara de Lobos, and try a traditional Madeira drink.