★★★★★
"It was excellent. We saw a bunch of dolphins, a few of them played in front of the catamaran, so we watched them from 2 meters. We also saw 2 whales. The staff is also nice. Worth every penny."
Portugal · Catamaran tour
Funchal: Dolphin and Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise
Enjoy the beauty of the Madeiran coast on board a comfortable catamaran. Look for dolphins, whales, and turtles swimming on the way to the Cabo Girão promontory where you can swim in the summer.
★ 4.66042 reviews
$38From / person
Madeira, PortugalMeeting point area
Free cancellation on most bookings · Bookings handled by GetYourGuide
Discover the natural beauty of Madeira coastline and look for marine life on this catamaran cruise from Funchal. Look for dolphins while sipping on a drink purchased from the onboard bar. See dolphins, whales, and turtles playing in their natural habitat. Throughout the year Madeira has different aquatic mammals journeying through its blue waters. Whether you come in summer or winter, the chances are high you’ll see one of these amazing creatures. Stop for a swim during the summer season or catch a glimpse of the world beneath the waves with the provided snorkeling equipment. Relax on deck with a refreshing drink from the onboard bar. We are very committed to a responsible dolphin and whale watching experience and passing our knowledge to you! We believe we can make a difference when we respect the wildlife, collect all garbage found on the sea and reduce the of single use plastic as much as we can. We ensure a timely departure for all our guests. Please arrive to our office in Funchal Marina 30 minutes before departure were we will exchange your ticket for a boarding card. Please note that if you miss the boat, you will not be eligible for a refund.
Highlights
- Search for dolphins, whales and turtles in their natural habitat
- Take in panoramic views of the island from the sea
- Explore the crystal clear waters under the Cabo Girão promontory
- Enjoy a drink on our relaxing, stable and comfortable catamaran
What's included
- ✅ Round-trip catamaran cruise
- ✅ Crew
What's not included
- ❌ Hotel pickup and drop-off
- ❌ Food and drinks
- ❌ We do not guarantee any sightings of dolphins or whales
Good to know
Meeting point.• We ensure a timely departure for all our guests. • Check in at our office where we will exchange your ticket for a boarding card. • Please note that if you miss the boat, you will not be eligible for a refund. Open in Google Maps
Not allowed
- Alcohol and drugs
- Unaccompanied minors
Know before you go
- The snorkeling equipment requires a deposit (cash only).
- Dolphin and whale sightings are not guaranteed.
What it looks like on board
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Reviews
★★★★★
"Very nice boat trip - saw a lot of dolphins and also a whale. Amazing experience."
★★★★★
"This is a great activity if your looking for a slow relaxing day in funchal. It was 3 hours in total of relaxing out the front of the boat in the sun, seeing whales and dolphins, with a swim in the sea near the end. highly recommend!"
★★★★★
"Excellent value for money, great staff and we saw dolphins and whales! You can see the staff also care for the wildlife, which was really lovely to see! Highly recommend thjs trip."
★★★★★
"Very smooth process. We saw dolphins and whales - both amazing. A good stop off opportunity for a swim. Great value for money."
★★★★★
"👉 **[Book on GetYourGuide](https://www.getyourguide.com/activity/-t210618?partner_id=RIYXUWR)**"
Questions guests ask before booking this tour
GetYourGuide lists the exact inclusions on the booking page — typically snorkel gear and life vests, drinks (often open bar), light food or lunch on the longer trips, and crew. Hotel pickup is sometimes included depending on the operator. Check the operator's inclusion list before booking; this comparison page surfaces the headline product, not every detail.
This tour starts at From $38 per person on GetYourGuide on our last refresh. Prices vary by date, season, and group size, and private-charter options are priced by the boat rather than per head. Click the Book button to see live pricing for your dates.
Most tours on GetYourGuide offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. Look for the cancellation policy on the GetYourGuide tour page before booking — it's flagged prominently on the offer card.
May – October (peak July–August). Shoulder months (april, may, october (lower prices, smaller crowds)) are the best-value window — smaller crowds, lower prices, mostly the same conditions. Avoid november – march (most operators reduced or paused).
10 % cash; service sometimes included on private charters. Cash to the captain at the end of the trip — they share with the deckhands. Service is sometimes included on private charters; check the booking confirmation.
Different products. Madeira is wildlife-led (whales, dolphins, the Calheta wreck). Algarve is geology-led (sea caves, cliffs, golden coastline). If marine wildlife is the priority, go Madeira; if the photo product is the goal, go Algarve.
Reef-safe sunscreen recommended, less strictly enforced than the Caribbean. Pick up a mineral (zinc-oxide) sunscreen before you board; on-board sales are usually marked up.
More catamaran tours in Portugal
Three more catamaran days in Portugal ranked by verified guest reviews. Cross-shopping these usually surfaces a better-value option for the same week.
Ready to sail?
Check live availability and lock in your date. Most catamaran tours offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
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