Small Group Dolphin and Wildlife Watching Tour in Faro
Recommended by 97% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Faro, Portugal
- 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Overview
Discover the local marine life around Faro, Portugal during this exciting cruise. Join a small group and set sail on the Atlantic Ocean in search of several aquatic species. Observe bottlenose and common dolphins, marine birds, bluefin tuna, and perhaps even orcas and sharks. An onboard marine biologist provides information on what you see and collects research data.
- Take in the views of the Algarve coastline from your boat
- Set sail in the morning when the wildlife is most active
- A central meeting point makes for a seamless start
- A small group means more attention from your captain
What's Included
- Marine Biologists as guides
- Lifejackets
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Ginásio Clube NavalEstr. do Passeio Ribeirinho 58, 8000-541 Faro, Portugal
At Faro harbour look out for Santa Maria Petisca Ria until you reach the flags. Over there look for the (middle) store with Ocean Vibes logo (you should notice some dolphins on the outside).
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 9 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Sarah_P
Fantastic 2.5 hours spent watching several pods of dolphins, we even got to see a Minky Whale. Miguel was extremely knowledgable and passionate about the wildlife. The crew was just as excited as us to see the Minky Whale! They team care about the welfare of the pods and are very careful not to get too close or harass them. Would highly recommend this trip.
Reviews
4.9
based on 594 reviews
Ana_N, Feb 2026
Miguel and Diego were incredible!! We had the best experience ever. They went above and beyond our expectations to make sure we had an unforgettable experience. Due to the weather conditions in the morning, we were offered to come back in the afternoon to do the Sunset Dolphin Watching for no extra cost! My family and I could not have asked for a better opportunity to see the dolphins putting on an amazing show whilst experiencing the beautiful sunset in the background!! Miguel and Diego were so accommodating especially with my children, they even saved them seats at the front of the boat! Muito obrigada Miguel and Diego, we will be back :-)
moreno_h, Dec 2025
I am very picky about what company’s I pick when it comes to animal activities. But this company seemed like the right one, and that was absolutely true. The biologists were very kind, professional and fun. They could tell us alot about the different species that live in the water, and it was amazing to have someone on board that knew alot about orcas. When we found an pod of dolphins they kept an respectable distance and gave the animals the choice to themselves to approach us. They didnt but I did not mind at all. We stayed with the pod for the 30 minutes that was allowed. Awesome to see these amazing animals in the wild!
For the boat. It was comfortable and even when there were big waves I felt really safe. The employee steering reacted so quikly to unexpected waves.
Loved it :) thank you
If you want to do a sightseeing tour while respecting the wildlife, go for this one!
Rachel_Z, Oct 2025
Worse boat I've ever been on. Your like riding a horse, very weird. Super uncomfortable and very stiff after.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Karen found out what a RIB boat is. Funny, 99% of nice reviews about the boat, but there is always a weirdo that never been in the ocean and gets an introduction to jockey seats. If you look at Whale Watching boats around the world, this is how they look like. I'm sorry that you don't have enough travel experience to drop reviews (or google experience either?). 3 reviews back, you have someone saying they loved this boat....interesting..maybe you were influenced to write this.
Go back to your river Yacht Karen. Oh and you thought the sea was flat? hahah nice try diddy.
Julia_K, Oct 2025
This is a genuine great experience, with rea marine biologists who actually care about both the wildlife and your experience. Do not go for any of the cheap tour operators who optimize for profit, chose Ocean Vibes!
Rina_A, Oct 2025
Excellent experience all round and we saw hundreds of dolphins! Tour guides are very knowledgeable. Booking was easy.
Stacey_M, Oct 2025
I booked this trip after booking one a couple of days before with a different company. The one with the other company which we booked with the hotel was disappointing. This one 100% made up for it. The man and woman on the boat where lovely, they really went out of there way to find dolphins. We seen the stripped dolphins, it was the first time my children seen them and the looks on their faces where priceless. We didn’t want to see any in captivity as it’s so wrong. If you’re debating between two companies book this one!! The boat ride alone was worth the money. The staff where all lovely. Thank you for an amazing experience. It’s a memory we will never forget for the rest of our lives.
Katie_L, Oct 2025
Amazing trip!! The guides are so lovely and just as excited to see the marine life as we were we got to see both types of dolphins & a Portuguese Man-o-war. Unfortunately no whales or sharks as they’re more summer sightings but still loved the experience! Would recommend to friends & do again !
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you so much for the kind review! Just quick correction: whale season is spring, not summer :) although the “tropical” species (Bryde’s) can be seen both during spring but also summer and autumn. Have a great day!
Pami_N, Sep 2025
Excellant, informative and fun!
The only criticism we had was …we weren’t sure we were at the correct office as they were all out on the previous trip. A board or something to tell the next customers what was happening would have helped enormously!
Sara_M, Sep 2025
Fantastic experience. Both marine biologists on board were extremely knowledgeable and kind and fun. Would recommend to anyone visiting Faro!
REMI_G, Aug 2025
This activity booked was an amazing experience for us, we were very happy to meet Diogo & Pedro, 2 super Naturalists that know very well their job and explain very well the informations for the customers.
We have the chance to meet one very huge group of common dolphins as nearly 300 individus with mum & babies, very chanceful, and we met also 2 whales around several times.
We recommend 200% to book with these 2 guys who are very very professional and make everything safety and ethic.
Thank you Men for your passion sharing.
We will come again for sure if we come back Faro.
Tamara_P, Aug 2025
830 am trip was the best way to start my day! It wasn’t too hot yet and we had a great pod of dolphins and even saw a whale or two. I have never seen so many dolphins in my life in one area! Guides were knowledgeable and friendly. They spoke all languages of guests on the boat too. I felt safe on board and the boat was comfortable at high speeds and able to stretch when slowing down for watching and pics.
Catherine_W, Jul 2025
Wonderful experience with my family my 3 year old son and 6 year old daughter who loved seeing the dolphins
Tellisa_C, Jul 2025
I am not a big fan of small boats on the ocean. The jockey-style seating was hard to ride on for 4 hours and the sea was VERY rough coming back in on the day we chose. Probably not typical but I found it very painful for my neck & back.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
“Karen”…You literally booked an experience that says “Small group Dolphin Tour” and then you proceed to say you are not a fan of small boats? Really? Is that brain working or…? This person Sees dolphins, knows the boat type, then complains. Also, no tour took 4h - you are just saying BS. We extended the trip by 1h after seeing the dolphins due to reduced speed, given the bad sea conditions. This was to avoid crashing on waves. Next time go to mass tourism companies in Albufeira or Tenerife. Or, stay at home watching Netflix (I’m pretty sure they have dolphins there). We prefer to have normal *educated* people with us. And yes, the sea changed VERY FAST and there was nothing we could do when the conditions change without a reliable last-minute forecast. It’s called nature Karen…don’t be like Karen. Be a normal human
Stephen_C, Jul 2025
Amazing experience the boat trip alone an seeing pods of dolphins you could not ask more knowledgeable guides
kmdx01, Jun 2025
Excellent tour Very knowledgeable and saw many dolphins jumping and swimming very close to the boat .
Axel_D, Jun 2025
The staff is awesome, really friendly and super knowledgeable, we got to see quite a few dolphins (some were very close to the boat), lots of birds and a moon fish.
It's a team of scientists so they're not just disturbing wildlife for tourists but collecting data which makes it much more meaningful, and they actually respect the rules of wildlife protection.
I 100% recommend!
Melissa_P, May 2025
Great tour with friendly guides, we saw 2 dolphin species, a turtle and various sea birds. The boat is comfortable and we had plenty of time to watch the animals, loved it!
Ann_F, May 2025
Absolutely incredible! Guides were super knowledgeable and seeing animals in the wild is such a moving experience
Sarah_P, May 2025
Fantastic 2.5 hours spent watching several pods of dolphins, we even got to see a Minky Whale. Miguel was extremely knowledgable and passionate about the wildlife. The crew was just as excited as us to see the Minky Whale! They team care about the welfare of the pods and are very careful not to get too close or harass them. Would highly recommend this trip.
louis_n, May 2025
Theys guides are very kindness, They did everything to make sure we could have a wonderful time.
Thank you !!!
Yvonne_C, Apr 2025
The team were very knowledgeable. They took us out and found a pod of porpoises to watch for a while, then took us out into deeper waters to find dolphins - loads of them! The dolphins kept surrounding the rib, some swimming alongside, some going under the rib. We were then taken to see a fin whale, which was an unexpected bonus! We were out for nearly 3 hours despite only paying for 2. It was an amazing experience!!
Carl_H, Mar 2025
We saw a lot of dolphin and the guides were very nice and professional and the tour started in time so we have no complains and are very satisfied with everything.
Joe_S, Feb 2025
Very knowledgeable guides who try hard to put you onto sea life. Unfortunately, we didn't see any whales this day but we did see common dolphins in the distance, along with a basking shark and Sun Fish.
Chris_T, Feb 2025
This is an ethical and thoughtful operator observing a long list of precautions to avoid affecting the animals negatively. The animals inside the boat get treated considerately also! I went twice and learned different things on each day. I think the company employs biologists to give accurate details and protect the dolphins whales and other animals. We were lucky to share our experience with a nice bunch of people. Over the trips I saw turtle, common dolphins, bottle nosed dolphins, osprey, gannet and .... Finn Whales!!!!!! I was over the moon! We will specifically use this operator again because of their kindness to the animals (including the people!). Next time I will video whilst watching, but concentrate on enjoying the experience, so that I don't miss anything. It is easy to pick a good photo from the video later.
Olga_S, Dec 2024
Great experience, very knowledgeable and friendly guides. The guides really made effort to make everyone feel safe and comfortable, and the small group creates a nice atmosphere.
highly recommended, and would love to
come again!
Judit_M, Dec 2024
We rode with wind and high waves, it was hard core fun with a rollercoaster vibe. Both of my kids threw up but we saw dolphins so it was a success story. The marine biologists were very knowledgable and nice, contolling everything with grace.
Zsolt_P, Nov 2024
Amazing experience, once again thank you for the whole team at Ocean Vibes for 3 amazing trips last week. We saw common dolphins, bottle nose dolphins, porpoise and sunfish and countless seabirds. They are all very knowledgeable and make the whole experience perfect. Can`t wait to return. Don`t miss this trip if you are in Faro.
Karen_C, Oct 2024
Amazing experience with very experienced guides. Pic does not do it justice , we had very close encounters with both bottlenose and common dolphins. All captured on video and will be etched in my memory forever. Thank you such an awesome trip with people passionate and who care for their welfare.
Regina_T, Oct 2024
The boat ride itself was so much fun. We did see a group of dolphins really close, it was amazing. Thank you, Susanne and Pedro for the awesome experience!
Janet_C, Oct 2024
Great trip with Miguel and Pedro. Such knowledgeable guides and expert skipper, saw hundreds of dolphins, the time flew! Thank you
From $65.79
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Small Group Dolphin and Wildlife Watching Tour in Faro
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2 hours 30 minutes
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