Dolphin and Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise from Funchal

Badge of Excellence

Madeira, Portugal

High interest

Booked 3 times today.

3 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.3

· Donna_S ·

Jun 2026

We had a lot of fun. Saw dolphins and a whale. Cruise on the coast was great as was the swim. The staff was helpful

· malcolmdavid_a ·

Jun 2026

Very well run cruise, the crew were friendly and extremely knowledgeable. The hospitality on board was excellent. We had perfect weather and were lucky enough to see Dolphins, Wales and turtles. We would highly recommend this cruise if you get the chance.

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Overview

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.

Spot a variety of marine life in its natural habitat
Refresh with an ocean swim if the weather and sea conditions are right
View the beautiful Madeira coast from a different perspective
If you don't see cetaceans, cruise again for free another day

What's Included

Friendly guide
3-hour dolphin spotting and whale watching tour

Food and drinks
Hotel pickup and drop-off

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Praça do Povo
J3WR+9P, Av. Do Mar 4, São Martinho, 9000-900 Funchal, Portugal
VMT Madeira Kiosk - Funchal Marina. Check-In: 30 minutes before departure

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Children must be accompanied by an adult
We always recommend to bring: Sunscreen and windbreaker. For the summer months you could add a towel and bathing suit.
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
In the event you did not see any cetaceans, you will be offered the same trip again on an alternative occasion (valid for 1 year)

Swimming is subject to favorable weather and sea conditions
Near public transportation
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 180 travelers

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

David_S

Enjoyable cruise out into the Atlantic for about an hour before suddenly slowing down to watch one or more pods of Pilot Whales for about 15 minutes. Very exciting. Then back to sailing along the coast and having the opportunity to swim close to I believe the tallest sea cliffs in Europe.

Reviews

4.3

based on 679 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

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Sort by: Most insightful

Call and windy ocean tour

Liga_K, Jul 2026

Perfect catamaran, no surprises re wawes or water splashes. We saw a bit of wales, no delphines as was mentioned in advertisement. Good crew 👍

Great outing. Had lots

Donna_S, Jun 2026

We had a lot of fun. Saw dolphins and a whale. Cruise on the coast was great as was the swim. The staff was helpful

Wonderful, friendly crew.

malcolmdavid_a, Jun 2026

Sailing close ti the Island

Endre_K, Jun 2026

It was not exactly which I hoped. Even we had the opportunity to watch Atlantic spotted dolphins, but we were allowed to spend only 10 minutes in their zone. The rest was sailing till a cultural point, where people could swim in the ocean. Disappointing a bit.

Really nice team, and fun...

Daniel_B, May 2026

Really nice team, and fun experience. We saw a brydes whale and a dolphin group. You can buy some drinks on the boat also.

Lovely Catamaran trip,...

Nichola_H, Apr 2026

Lovely Catamaran trip, unfortunately didn't see any Dolphins or Whales but they did offer us the opportunity return for a free. trip Friendly staff.

It was ok!

TravelAdventure, Apr 2026

First of all, the staffs were nice and friendly. I gave it a 3 stars, bc it was a little bored. The three hrs. I saw two small tails off the water. I didn’t like it much and didn’t have a good time. It was cold and windy, I got a headache after. I’d do this activity last.

👍great trip

Michaela_P, Mar 2026

Very friendly guides 😊 I just wish they would tell us some interesting facts about sea life in Madeira . Anyway it was a good experience. We got to see many dolphins.

Madeira sea tour

Anne_I, Mar 2026

Nice trip with dolphin and sperm whale. Really nice trip! excellent super ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Whale of a time

Dominika_J, Oct 2025

Lovely boat trip. Managed to spot some whales. The guide was very knowledgeable, and respectful to sea animals.

Lovely boat, friendly staff, lots of whale/dolphin sightings..

Sam_v, Sep 2025

Calm boat ride, very comfortable, drinks bar and toilets, saw lots of dolphins and whales, lovely swim to finish.

There is bar on board and...

Peter_T, Sep 2025

There is bar on board and toilets. They make home-made poncha. Be careful when on netting, water will splash. We saw big group of dolphins near ship. One of them was baby.

Fun boat ride, not fun whale/dolphin search

Trent_S, Jul 2025

It is more of a catamaran cruise than a dolphin and whale watching. It’s fun to be on the water, but don’t expect any education or real focus on finding the animals.

Great service

Kris_M, Jul 2025

We saw the dolphins on the second trip, the operator offered kindly a second trip because we didn’t see them the first time. Great policy!

Too Packed

Melissa_B, Jun 2025

Boat had wayyyyy too many people on it so you didn’t have the opportunity to walk around. Unfortunately because it was so packed we were sat at a bench next to the ash tray and smelled cigarette smoke for 3 hours straight (we are not smokers). On a more positive note, we did get to see dolphins which was cool. The swimming stop was nice and the drinks on board were affordable to purchase. Would not recommend nor would I do again.

Saw dolphins, drank...

Raman_K, Jun 2025

Saw dolphins, drank cocktails, swam in the ocean under the first Madeira cliff, the crew was very nice and polite. Great experience!

Pilot Whale Watching

David_S, May 2025

Dolphin watching

Brayden_F, Mar 2025

Took a morning catamaran boat ride to see dolphins and it did not disappoint. Saw tons of dolphins once we got closer to the island we were headed towards. The tour guide was very communicative about the tour. Overall great, relaxing tour

Both me and my daughter...

carla_s, Feb 2025

Both me and my daughter loved it. The staff were so helpful and friendly . We loved seeing the dolphins and also seeing madeira from the sea

Sun, search and sailing

Sue_G, Oct 2024

I gentle sail across the ocean searching for whales and dolphins…….didn’t see any, however a well run excursion. Offered a repeat trip but short of time to take up the chance to try again .

Dolphin & Whale trip in Madeira

Nigel_G, Oct 2024

Lovely Catermeran, not too busy. Plenty of space aboard up or downstairs. Shame the wildlife never showed up but that's nature. Plenty of great scenery on the sail back to port, swimming if you wanted too at a well no beauty spot under the cliffs. Bar sold draught beers €4 a pint & cold/nice flavour. Overall good value excursion.

Beautiful views and whales

Yasmin_M, Sep 2024

I enjoyed the whale watching tour and got as promised, beautiful sighting of wales near Madeira island! There was two main stops, one for wales and one for a dip in the ocean on the other side of the island. It would’ve been nice to add a third stop/ a welcome drink for the price. Some notes for guests… There is a place to buy drinks and snacks/ food on board. The water was quite choppy at times so if you get sea sick bring some medicines and stay on the top deck for a smoother ride. The operator is VMT, not magic dolphin! Overall I am glad I chose this tour and was amazing to see the sight of the wales. Thank you!

Wonderful experience

Olga_G, Aug 2024

Love everything in this trip, seeing the Dolphins so near was breathtaking! Then that swim in Cabo girao was amazing!!! Well organised and very informative

Wonderful day

Yvette_O, Aug 2024

Highly recommended! Saw dolphins right away and stopping to take a swim along the beautiful coastline was such an amazing experience

Very good energy

Matss_S, Jul 2024

Got to see whales and dolphins. They even have a spotter. And there’s room for everyone. Swim and beer available. Great experience, obrigado!

Disappointing experience

Debbie_M, Jul 2024

Very disappointed with the overall trip. I understand there’s no guarantee of seeing whales. There was no explanation or apology in regards to not seeing any whales. Everyone disembarked and looked disappointed We seen some beautiful baby dolphins which was a lovely expedience Carried on sailing in the ocean stopped for a swim, sailed bck. Trip took 3hrs not sure why as it could have been completed in 1hr

Manta Cata Tours

Ulrike_K, May 2024

The trip was a blessing, we saw orcas, dolphins and on the way back to the coast ., a manta ray approached the catamaran, wich is not happening very often on the coasts of Madeira. Captain and team are a perfect match and they did a great job. I would do the trip again, right away. Thanks for everything and stay calm with the crazy tourists. Muito obrigado Thanks a lot villmols Merci Dankeschön

Dolphin watching

Stacee_H, Mar 2024

Boat ride was lovely. Saw some dolphins. We visited in March and recommend layers and windbreaker/coats because it does get a bit chilly. We were lucky enough to get spots up front which I would also highly recommend!