The 14 Funchal Dolphin Tours People Actually Book

1.Madeira Dolphin and Whale Watching on a Ecological Catamaran

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

Cruise Madeira’s southern coast aboard Magic Dolphin’s 2022 hybrid-electric catamaran. Shore spotters guide the captain to dolphins and whales, while certified guides explain the species and ocean ecology. Allow 2.5 to 3 hours, bring warm layers and waterproof clothing, and expect possible spray.

“Got to see dolphins, sperm and pilot whales. Also opportunity to learn more about them and the area. Plenty of room on board with helpful staff making sure you got to see the wildlife.”

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2.Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour in Madeira

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

Set out from Calheta Marina aboard a comfortable yacht for about 2.5 hours of coastal views, wildlife spotting, and a swim stop. Captains such as Emanuel and crew members including Thiago explain Madeira’s sea life, provide snorkel gear and towels, and may share photos afterward. Sunset departures include swimming and sparkling wine, but no whale watching.

“Let me start with the positive, friendly staff and crew on board that’s trying to make a living in these difficult times. But the whole concept from start to end is a hoax. Viator is just a greedy provider exploiting small tour companies. We booked the whale tour🤣🤣and couldn’t get information about time because.... ohhh the weather? Wells the weather happened to be the same all day at sea, from early morning to dusk. A gentle breeze or even less than that... 2-3 second meter wind. Anyway was the morning 10 am trip not available because of weather conditions 🤔 No the truth is that it was most likely sold…”

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3.Private Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour in Madeira

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

From Calheta Marina, your private group of up to five cruises Madeira’s coast aboard a motor yacht, watching for dolphins and whales, swimming, and snorkeling. Emanuel, Luca, Chiara, and other crew members provide wildlife details, towels, drinks, photos, and a sunset option without whale watching.

“We had a great time on board. The whole crew took perfect care of us. Thank you very much for this experience.”

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4.Dolphin – Whale – Turtle – Bird Watching

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 350 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $60

Join Magic Dolphin from Funchal for a two-hour Atlantic safari aboard a 500-horsepower RIB limited to 18 people. Two guides, often including marine biologists such as Clara or Natasha, explain the wildlife, Madeira’s coast, and the fishing village of Câmara de Lobos.

“Very good tour. Smaller boat than the large catamaran tours so it's not crowded with lots of other people. Saw plenty of dolphins, whales and a turtle. Tour operators were very good, and would definitely recommend.”

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5.Madeira : Whales and Dolphins wooden boat excursion

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

Set out from Funchal’s Pier 8 on Bonita da Madeira’s wooden boat for three hours of whale and dolphin watching. English-speaking guides, including Miguel, Oriana, and Ana, share local information, serve Madeira wine, and may stop near Cabo Girão for a swim.

“Spotted pilot whale on several occasions and was a great view indeed and quite peaceful and calm. An amazing experience.”

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6.Responsible Whales and/or Dolphins Watching Tour

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

Set out from Funchal Marina on Blue Safari, a fast, small-group boat limited to 18 people. Marine biologists such as Fernanda or Camila explain Madeira’s whales and dolphins while the skipper searches the Atlantic. Expect about two hours at sea, strong wind, and a respectful wildlife approach.

“Muito boa e divertida a viagem. Com boas dicas e explicações. Pretendo voltar novamente e tentar outra experiência”

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7.Funchal: Whale Watching and Swimming with Dolphins Cruise

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

Meet Rota dos Cetáceos in Funchal for a 2.5-hour fast-boat trip led in Portuguese, English, or French. Marine biologists explain the animals while land lookouts help locate them. You may swim with dolphins or turtles, but sightings and swimming are never guaranteed.

“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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8.Magic Dolphin Celebrity

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

Set out from Funchal aboard the Magic Dolphin Celebrity, a spacious catamaran limited to 25 people. Your multilingual crew searches for dolphins and whales, explains the wildlife, and may stop near Cabo Girao for swimming in summer. The experience may also include a Jeep tour of Madeira’s east or west.

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

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

Explore Funchal by hop-on hop-off bus, using an audio guide and 48-hour ticket to reach the Old Town, market, Lido, Câmara de Lobos, and Pico dos Barcelos. Add a catamaran cruise along Madeira’s coast, with chances to spot dolphins, whales, turtles, and seabirds.

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

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

Spend two days exploring Funchal and Câmara de Lobos by hop-on hop-off bus, then join a catamaran trip from Funchal for dolphin and whale watching. You can swim at Fajã do Cabo Girão, taste Madeira wine at Old Blandy’s, and visit Bordal Embroidery Factory.

“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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11.Amazing Skywalk, Wine Tasting & 4×4 Adventure + Dolphin Watching

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $106

Spend a full day seeing Madeira from mountain roads and the sea. A guide drives you by 4x4 to Boca dos Namorados, Boca da Corrida, and Cabo Girão, with local poncha and Madeira wine along the way. After a short break in Funchal, join a three-hour dolphin and whale cruise.

“Such a fantastic day for a great price. The guide/driver was engaging and knowledgeable, clearly passionate about his country.. he took us to mountains, wine tasting and to a traditional taverna for ponca. Then on to a catamaran where we saw dolphins. Superb day thank you”

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12.Wines Tasting Experience and Skywalk with Dolphin Watching

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

Spend the morning in a small 4x4 group with stops at São Sebastião, São Vicente vineyards, and Cabo Girão, then join a three-hour dolphin and whale-watching cruise. Guides such as Rui, Paulo, and David bring humor and local detail, while the boat portion is less guided.

“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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13.Funchal: Guarantee Wild Dolphin&Whale Watching by RIB

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

Set out from Xpoint Madeira on a 2.5-hour RIB cruise with an English or Portuguese guide, searching for wild dolphins, whales, and turtles along Madeira’s coast. The small boat offers close views, while an optional 20€ swim may be possible with certain dolphin species.

“Fantastische activiteit, hele fijne gids en stuurman, heel veel respect voor de dieren, en veel dolfijnen met baby's gezien! Gids hielp ons heel prettig bij zeeziekte, echt een hele gave en fijne ervaring”

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14.Arieiro Peak and Cristo Rei 4×4 Experience + Dolphins Watching

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · from $105

You’ll tour Madeira in a private 4x4 with a professional guide, stopping at Pico dos Barcelos, Pico do Arieiro, and Cristo Rei before an afternoon catamaran trip from Funchal. The day runs from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, with hotel pickup in central Funchal and no return transfer after the boat.

“We saw many dolphins and even a tropical whale - amazing views and memories !”

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