Madeira Dolphin & Whale Watching Tour
Recommended by 94% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Madeira, Portugal
- 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
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.
- Learn about whales and dolphins from a marine biologist
- Take in the views of Madeira's coast while you sail
- Choose from several sail times to suit your schedule
What's Included
- Life jacket
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- VENTURA | Nature EmotionsCais 8, Marina do Funchal, São Martinho, 9000-055 Funchal, Portugal
Pier 8, Marina do Funchal, 9000-055 Funchal VENTURA NATURE EMOTIONS KIOSK Please arrive at the kiosk 30 minutes before the trip.
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
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 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
Featured review
Jill_B
Excellent experience. Very knowledgeable and helpful guide. We had fantastic views of two species of dolphins.
Reviews
4.7
based on 471 reviews
Justen_F, Feb 2026
It was brilliant! Guide was excellent and kept us informed about the whales we saw and the driver gave us an added extra by doing doughnuts around the harbour at the end, great fun! Thoroughly recommend.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you so much for your fantastic review and recommendation! 🤍
We’re delighted to hear you had such a brilliant time and that you enjoyed the information shared by the guide, as well as the extra fun at the end in the harbour!
It was a pleasure having you on board, and we hope to see you again soon for another great adventure at sea. 🌊🐋
Souganthika_S, Jan 2026
The tour was almost canceled due to the weather but the Captain decided to go ahead with it as they spotted wildlife and asked the folks who were ready to get wet to proceed with the tour. I am so glad I didn’t back out - we saw plenty of short finned pilot whales and a couple of bottle nosed dolphins. Only complaint is that the tour is advertised as being a 3hr cruise but we got back in 2 hrs. Apart from it, the entire experience was enthralling and the rough waters we experienced that day added to the thrill!
Laimonas_K, Jul 2025
All was perfect, our 8 years old daughter liked the ride and the dolphins as well as we did. Thanks, great experience.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Hi,
Thank you for your feedback.
We are glad that we could provide a good experience on your holidays.
Thank you,
Ventura Team.
AC_C, Jun 2025
This was a great tour! The guides were kind and great at spotting wildlife. The boat was comfy enough. Remember to bring a wind breaker on the boat as it can get chilly!
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you so much for your lovely review! 💙 We’re happy to hear you enjoyed the tour, felt well taken care of by our guides, and got to spot some wildlife! Great tip about the wind breaker, the ocean breeze can definitely surprise you. Hope to welcome you back on board soon for more ocean magic! 🐬🌬️⛵
Sarah_L, Dec 2024
Trip was changed from a 1pm start Saturday to 930am Sunday morning … and asked to check in at 9am. Not convenient but no other availability. The staff then arrived 15 mins late. Trip was ok - after an hour saw dolphins and a whale . Staff were average. Not that enthusiastic or knowledgable. Not much interaction . Done similar tour before that was much better.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. We’re sorry for the inconvenience caused by the schedule change and the late arrival of our staff. We understand how this affected your experience and appreciate your honesty.
We’re glad you were able to see dolphins and a whale during the trip, though we regret that our team didn’t meet your expectations in enthusiasm and interaction. We continuously work to improve our service and will take your comments on board.
We hope to have the opportunity to provide you with a better experience in the future.
— Ventura Nature Emotions Team
amber_s, Aug 2024
We saw many animals including 4 sperm whales and lots of bottle nose dolphins! An experience to remember!
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Thank you for your feedback and your kind words.
We are glad that you have enjoyed this experience.
We hope to see you soon!
Best regards,
Ventura Team
Greta_D, Aug 2024
The tour was really enjoyable, guide was knowledgeble and helpful. It was very exciting to see the wildlife (especially the dolphins jumping out of the water).
Tip for travellers - if you have any doubts about getting seasick, make sure to pack some medicine, because when the speedboat's engines are off, it's rocking quite vigorously.
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Thank you for your feedback and your kind words.
We are glad that you have enjoyed this experience.
We hope to see you soon!
Best regards,
Ventura Team
Michael_B, Jul 2024
We had a great time and you get a great close up of the Wildlife at eye level. Very respectful of the wildlife legislation and informative. We got to see Bottlenose Dolphins and had a great encounter with a large pod of feeding Atlantic Spotted Dolphins
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Dear Michael
Thank you for your feedback and your kind words.
We are glad that you have enjoyed this experience.
We hope to see you soon!
Best regards,
Ventura Team
Wendy_S, Jun 2024
We thoroughly enjoyed our boat trip. Raquel was friendly and informative. The trip as a whole was very well organised and we were made to feel safe by the crew throughout. The boat itself was a lot of fun but in addition we got to see bottleneck dolphins and Atlantic Spotted dolphins to include a baby dolphin. Could not fault and highly recommend.
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Thank you for your feedback.
We are glad that you have enjoyed this experience.
We hope to see you soon!
Best regards,
Ventura Team
Jill_B, May 2024
Excellent experience. Very knowledgeable and helpful guide. We had fantastic views of two species of dolphins.
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Thank you for your feedback.
We are glad that you have enjoyed this experience.
We hope to see you soon!
Best regards,
Ventura Team
Eszter_W, Feb 2024
Everybody was really kind! It was a great program! You could see a lot of beautiful views also from the ocean to the cities and cliffs
Response from Host, Feb 2024
Dear Eszter,
Thank you for your feedback.
We are glad that you have enjoyed this experience.
We hope to see you soon!
Best regards,
Ventura Team
Matt_D, Feb 2024
We went on this trip on a sunny February morning. We saw some common dolphins hunting and playing and it was magical. I’d really recommend going. The guides really tried to find the wildlife and we spent a good amount of time with the dolphins when they were spotted. The speedboat in itself is a fantastic experience.
Response from Host, Feb 2024
Dear Matt,
Thank you for your feedback.
We are glad that you have enjoyed this experience.
We hope to see you soon!
Best regards,
Ventura Team
Phil_L, Feb 2024
A great trip with very informative tour guide - Raquel. Definitely recommended. Always prefer the rib to get up close.
Response from Host, Feb 2024
Dear Phil,
Thank you for your feedback.
We are glad that you have enjoyed this experience.
We hope to see you soon!
Best regards,
Ventura Team
Peter_S, Feb 2024
Finding the Pilot whales miles out in choppy seas took an experienced team. I don’t know how they located the family of whales, and at one point thought I was just going to enjoy a high speed boat ride with a sea view of Madeira. But much to everyone’s delight our target was located.
The guide was knowledgeable and informative about these Pilot Whales and everyone had a good time.
Response from Host, Feb 2024
Dear Peter,
Thank you for your feedback.
We are glad that you have enjoyed this experience.
We hope to see you soon!
Best regards,
Ventura Team
Frank_G, Oct 2023
Great tour. Lots of action. Saw many pilot whales and two different schools of dolphins on a three hour tour. Our tour guide was very knowledgable and made the whole experience memorable.
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Thank you for your feedback.
We are glad that you have enjoyed this experience.
We hope to see you soon!
Best regards,
Ventura Team
Lee_S, Sep 2023
Great experience great price great tour guides.
Slight issue with the starting point, wrong link for the destination. But guide rang and all was good.
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Thank you for your feedback.
We are glad that you have enjoyed this experience.
We hope to see you soon!
Best regards,
Ventura Team
Camille_L, Sep 2023
We saw 2 different species of dolphins. It was really great with the commentaries of the biologist Raquel. I recommend this activity!
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Thank you for your feedback.
We are glad that you have enjoyed this experience.
We hope to see you soon!
Best regards,
Ventura Team
Iwona_D, Jun 2023
We had a fantastic time. Spotted few different species including pilot whales and common dolphins. We felt safe onboard and our guide was attentive and told us multiple interesting stories. Worth it 😁
Kostakis_I, Jun 2023
Great tour ! We only saw dolphins some rear ones but the tour was very well organized, about 2,5 hours and we took all of our chances for the whales!
Response from Host, Jun 2023
Thank you for your feedback! Hope to see you again!
ChristineHall, Jun 2023
Loved this tour. Our hosts went above and beyond and we saw Pilot Whales and Bottlenose Dolphins. Thoroughly enjoyable on a 'speed boat'.
Response from Host, Jun 2023
Thank you for your feedback! We hope to see you soon!
Caroline_M, Jun 2023
Had a fabulous time. Seen a hammerhead shark, bottle nose dolphins and quite a few pilot whales. I didn’t want the trip to end. Really enjoyed the trip back and the shower of sea water every so often.
Ana_G, May 2023
We had a wonderful time during the excursion with Hugo and João. We went fairly early in the season (May). While we didn't spot any whale, we came across many playful dolphins. If you like an exhilarating ride and being extra close to the dolphins, this is the way to go.
Andy_H, Nov 2022
We unfortunately didn't see any whales on the trip; HOWEVER, we did see the most dolphins I've ever seen. Two huge pods of 50+ dolphins, they were super fun and interactive with the RIB (Speedboat). We got so close you felt like you could almost touch the dolphins. Absolutely would recommend this experience to anyone.
Bonus: We saw a flying fish and it blew my mind!
Gemma_T, Sep 2022
Very good trip the boat was a fun part but seeing whales was amazing and the guide was very knowledgable.
Michal_S, Sep 2022
Many thanks to Ventura. Everything was perfect. They approach very professional from safety aspects to dolphin watching. Recommend to everyone. Also Many thanks to pick up the rubbish from the ocean.
Jamie_L, Aug 2022
Lovely experience, saw spotted dolphins, whales and bottleneck dolphins. Guide and skipper were great
Alexander_D, Aug 2022
Great time had and we did get to see some dolphins which was great.
It was great to see that the marine biologist and the driver as well as on the look out for dolphins/whales they also scooped up any plastics or general items that could harm marine life.
The lady marine biologist who’s name escapes me, kept us always informed of what was happening and what we saw.
Can recommend for sure.
Sara_b, Jul 2022
Best way to see sea life on a rib by far. Everyone had great view of turtles, dolphins and brydes whale. Plus beaut views of the island. Great crew very passionate about the environment, slowing down to pick up a plastic wrapper and looked after our 80 year old mother. Well done guys great excursion 10/10
Alina_T, Nov 2020
My girlfriend and I did the dolphin & whale watching in November 2020. We choose to go with the speedboat, which already makes a lot of fun on it’s own.
Our guides Marco and Alex did a really good Job. They could answer all our questions and had a lot of Knowledge about the Marine Life here in Madeira.
Even though we did this tour off-season, we still managed to see two different types of dolphins. And Not just a few, but huge groups together. And we’ve Seen Pilot Whales.
There are rules that there’s only two boats allowed around the animals, and Not longer than 10 minutes to avoid stress for the animals. Marco and Alex take really good care of that.
Response from Host, Dec 2020
Dear sailor,
We appreciate your review. Our team always try to do our best so that everyone gets the best out of it. Looking forward to welcoming you aboard again!
Sasha_Z, Aug 2020
Super friendly and knowledgeable crew. The tour is just the right length. Saw some beautiful creatures (including pilot dolphins). As a bonus the views of Madeira from the sea are stunning.
From $56.33
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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