Category Dolphin & Whale Watching Boat Trips

Madeira · DOLPHIN & WHALE WATCHING BOAT TRIPS

The 13 Best Whale & Dolphin Watching Trips in Madeira

13 reviewed

Madeira drops straight into deep water, so the whales and dolphins are close to the harbour. Here are the best watching trips off Funchal: catamaran versus fast RIB versus traditional wooden boat, how long you stay out, the sighting record each operator keeps, and what a seat costs.

Madeira Dolphin and Whale Watching on a Ecological Catamaran

Madeira Dolphin and Whale Watching on a Ecological Catamaran - How the spotters guide you to dolphins and whales

1.Madeira Dolphin and Whale Watching on a Ecological Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,957 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $42Our pick

Eco catamaran whale watching from Funchal with land spotters, quiet hybrid-electric cruising, and coastline stops like Cabo Girão.

“The price was reasonable, and we got to see a group of pilot whales up close. The itinerary was well-planned and comfortable; after the whale watching, we also enjoyed views of Madeira's coastline and Madeira Airport from the sea. Our whole family was very happy.”

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VipDolphins Luxury Whale Watching

VipDolphins Luxury Whale Watching - First leg out at sea: spotting dolphins and whales the fun way

2.VipDolphins Luxury Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,709 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $95Top rated

Luxury whale and dolphin cruise from Funchal on a small catamaran, with drinks, snacks, and a swim/snorkel stop at Cabo Girao.

“Saw some pilot whales. It was relaxing and beautiful and the crew was awesome. I’d be happy to go again!”

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Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour in Madeira

Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour in Madeira - The Swim and Snorkel Part: Warm Water, Rocky Bottoms, and Real Time in Sea Life Country

3.Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour in Madeira

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,192 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $83

2.5-hour Madeira yacht tour from Calheta: small-group dolphin and possible whale spotting, warm-water snorkeling, drinks, and big Atlantic views.

“Great crew. Fun educational moments for kids. A chance to jump off and swim and even a dolphin pod sighting! The staff at the front office (and throughout) were kind and throughough! We were well taken care of and it felt like VIP service, but genuine.”

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Private Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour in Madeira

Private Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour in Madeira - The Swim and Snorkel Stop: Where the Tour Becomes Real

4.Private Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour in Madeira

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 539 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $592

Private dolphin and whale watching on a Madeira motor yacht from Calheta. Snorkel with gear, swim breaks, sparkling wine, and photos.

“Absolutely incredible. Loved seeing the island from the sea, watching the dolphins and pilot whales with a baby only a few days old.”

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Dolphin – Whale – Turtle – Bird Watching

Dolphin - Whale - Turtle - Bird Watching - The 500 HP RIB Boat: Speed, Control, and Sea Comfort

Madeira : Whales and Dolphins wooden boat excursion

Madeira : Whales and Dolphins wooden boat excursion - Meeting At Pier 8: How Not to Waste Your Time

6.Whales and Dolphins wooden boat excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 247 reviews · 3 hours · from $41Best value

3-hour Madeira wooden boat trip from Funchal to look for whales and dolphins, with Madeira wine and a possible swim at Cabo Girão.

“The trip was a great success. The crew was very polite and well-informed about where to go. It was a pleasure to meet dolphins and swim in the ocean. There are also beanbags below deck for children to lounge on. I highly recommend it.”

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Responsible Whales and/or Dolphins Watching Tour

Responsible Whales and/or Dolphins Watching Tour - Where the tour starts in Funchal (and how not to waste time)

7.Responsible Whales and/or Dolphins Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 237 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $59

Speedboat whale and dolphin watching from Funchal. Small groups, marine biologists, 99% spotting chance, Madeira views, 2 hours.

“Fantastic trip with a knowledgeable guide and super boat captain. We saw a whale and two species of dolphin. Fabulous value for money, highly recommended”

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Funchal: Whale Watching and Swimming with Dolphins Cruise

Funchal: Whale Watching and Swimming with Dolphins Cruise - The Boat Setup: Fast, Semi-Rigid, and Built for Searching

8.Whale Watching and Swimming with Dolphins Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 111 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $94

A 2.5-hour Madeira cruise for whales and wild dolphins, led by marine biologists, with a real chance to swim if conditions allow.

“I couldn’t go as I had food poisoning the night before and was feeling to ill to go on the trip Contacted the tour 2 hours before the trip to say the situation and to see if I could change for a few days later but it was to short notice I thought they could of changed the date as I couldn’t help getting food poisoning”

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Magic Dolphin Celebrity

Magic Dolphin Celebrity - The Jeep component: east or west Madeira by land

9.Magic Dolphin Celebrity

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 77 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $48

Small-group Madeira sea safari on a roomy catamaran plus Jeep time, with a real wildlife watch for whales, dolphins, and possible swim at Gabo Girão.

“It was a lovely trip. We were not packed into the boat. Nice number. We saw pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins. The crew were very kind and were very much into their job. They cared about the people on board and the animals of the sea. Wear sunscreen. Even on cloudy day the sun will find a way.”

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Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour and Catamaran Whale & Dolphin Watching

Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour and Catamaran Whale & Dolphin Watching - Starting wherever you want: how the bus day should feel

10.Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour and Catamaran Whale & Dolphin Watching

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 53 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $55

Hop-on bus around Funchal plus a catamaran whale and dolphin cruise, with Madeira wine and embroidery included. Great for flexible touring.

“I enjoyed riding the bus loop, it was easy to find. Was very dissappointed there was no internet. The region is very mountainous, So we visited areas we would not have reached on foot.”

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Funchal:Hop-on Hop-off Bus & Whale & Dolphin boat Excursion

Funchal:Hop-on Hop-off Bus & Whale & Dolphin boat Excursion - Old Blandys Madeira Wine Tasting: why this stop earns its place

11.Hop-on Hop-off Bus & Whale & Dolphin boat Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 41 reviews · 2 days · from $54

Hop-on hop-off bus plus VMT catamaran whale and dolphin watching from Funchal, with wine tasting and Bordal embroidery entry.

“communication needs to be clearer, we thought start time referred to start of 48 hours but apparently it was the catamaran, so we nearly missed it. but the catamaran trip was lovely and we saw lots of dolphins close up so that was a bonus”

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Wines Tasting Experience and Skywalk with Dolphin Watching

Wines Tasting Experience and Skywalk with Dolphin Watching - Stop 2: São Vicente Caves and Vineyard Country by Off-Road Route

12.Wines Tasting Experience and Skywalk with Dolphin Watching

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $130

Wine tasting, skywalk cliff views, then a dolphin boat ride from Funchal. Small-group jeep morning, larger-boat afternoon.

“Prompt pickup by a very friendly, genuine and informative guide. Who added fun and a real sense of adventure. Well done Rooey. Sorry about the spelling. It was a fabulous trip to St Vincent in the jeep, off road and en route to a beautiful vineyard. Well worth it! Boat trip in the afternoon was a bit disappointing. No commentary to help lift the disappointment of no marine life.”

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Funchal: Guarantee Wild Dolphin&Whale Watching by RIB

Funchal: Guarantee Wild Dolphin&Whale Watching by RIB - The wildlife search: patience with a very practical plan

13.Guarantee Wild Dolphin&Whale Watching by RIB

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 28 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $70

Small-group RIB boat from Funchal in Madeira chasing wild dolphins, whales, and sometimes turtles, plus an optional regulated swim snorkel.

“Easy to book. Punctual, informative, educational. Hair raising in an adrenaline fix fun way. So lucky to see wild animals and we appreciate the opportunity to do so.”

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