Best Lisbon Dolphin Tours — Our Top 11

1.Lisbon: Tagus River Cruise to the Ocean & Dolphin Watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 3,019 reviews · from $38Our pick

Cruise from Estação Fluvial Sul e Sueste past Lisbon’s landmarks and out toward the Atlantic in search of wild dolphins. Guides such as Anna, Barbara, and Telma add local stories and marine insight. The $38 fare includes a 2.5-hour cruise and open bar, but dolphin sightings are never guaranteed.

“everything was well organised. the meeting point and the whole experience in general. the beer and sangria was EXCELLENT!! The staff were friendly and professional (max 2 people outside at the front of the boat for example) would have been great to see dolphins but again we know they are wild animals so there is no guarantee. we appreciate the effort that the crew made to try and find them for us. overall, it's an activity that we would do again.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Lisbon: Dolphin Watching with Marine Biologist

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,853 reviews · 3 hours · from $76

Set out from Doca de Santo Amaro with SeaEO Tours for a three-hour dolphin search led by a marine biologist. Expect a fast RIB ride, wildlife lessons, seabirds, and views of Bugio Lighthouse and Belém. Guides such as Sid, Bart, Sara, and Cidonio are praised for clear, caring commentary.

“The trip was amazing! We saw lots of dolphins. Our captain and the guide, who is a marine biologist, were both very friendly. They shared a lot of interesting information interacted with the participants and made the whole experience engaging. The entire tour is conducted with great respect for the dolphins — you can observe them in their natural environment. It was definitely worth the price. Everything was well organized and I felt very safe. I enjoyed it very much!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Lisbon: Dolphin Watching with Marine Biologist – Small Group

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 867 reviews · 3 hours · from $61

Join Terra Incógnita for a three-hour dolphin-watching trip from Doca de Santo Amaro. A marine biologist such as Mariana or Vanessa explains local wildlife while the crew searches the open sea for dolphins, whales, and seabirds. The return route brings fine views of Lisbon’s monuments.

“it was an amazing trip!! one of the best experiences I‘ve ever had - would recommend to everyone. additionally one of my friends was sea sick and they were super caring and understanding. finally, also supporting sustainable tourism! 5⭐️”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Lisbon: Dolphin Watching with a Marine Biologist – Ocean Safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 812 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $62Top rated

Join SeaEO Tours at Doca de Santo Amaro for a three-hour Atlantic wildlife trip in an 8.5-meter RIB. A marine biologist explains dolphin behavior as you pass Belem Tower, the Discovery Monument, and Bugio Lighthouse. Sid, Sarah, or Bart may be among the friendly crew.

“Finding dolphins is never guaranteed, but we quickly found a nursing pod with young calves in the river. Our biologist provided clear and interesting information about dolphins and their habitat around Lisbon. Note the boat has saddles that the passengers straddle; skirts are not a good choice for this trip.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Lisbon: Arrábida Natural Park Dolphin Watching Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 212 reviews · 2.5 - 7 hours · from $58

Meet your English or Portuguese guide in Sesimbra, then ride a semi-inflatable boat through Arrábida’s marine reserve. Guides such as Marta and Mario search for wild dolphins while sharing coastal views, caves, and a regional pastry. Add round-trip transport from central Lisbon for an easier half-day outing.

“I booked this tour for my boyfriend’s birthday, while staying a few days in Lisbon. Can really recommend to do this. By coincidence we were the only 2 people who booked the tour but still got to go and got to see many dolphins. Even a few ones with baby! They came very close to the boat and even when we headed to a nice place to take a dive, we had a second round of dolphin watching. The tour guides were really nice and chill with us being the only ones. During the tour we also got a regional drink and pastry which was perfect when you have already…”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Lisbon: Dolphin Watching with Marine Biologist – Small Group

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 131 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $78

Set out from Doca de Santo Amaro on a small-group speedboat with a marine biologist such as Vanessa or Inês. Look for wild dolphins, porpoises, whales, and sunfish while learning about ocean life, then view Belém landmarks from the water. Sightings are never guaranteed.

“This was a last minute added excursion for our group but ended up being one of our favorites. We saw dozens of dolphins and even a whale sighting. That doesn’t happen often from what our guide told us. Seemed the smaller boat makes it possible to get close and not interrupt dolphins in their natural habitat. It does get cold on the way out , a good coat, coat with a hood , and even light gloves are a good idea. It was late Sept so that may not be an issue during the summer. Wonderful experience, worth the time to do it.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Meet the Lisbon Dolphins – Dolphin Watching in Lisbon

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 118 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $78

Set out from Doca de Santo Amaro with a small group of up to 10 people and a marine guide such as Francisco. Search the Tagus and Atlantic for dolphins, whales, turtles, and seabirds, then return past Belém monuments. Bring warm layers, sunscreen, water, and a jacket.

“Although we had booked a dolphin trip, I never expected to see as many as we did, and seeing a whale and shark was the icing on the cake! Knowledgeable guide and a great half day excursion. One point of feedback, it would be helpful to have some information ahead of turning up on the day - ie that it can be cold on the water and to bring a jumper/wind heater with you.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Lisbon Dolphin Watching Ocean Safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 35 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $72

Race from Lisbon’s Alcântara marina along the Tagus and into the Atlantic on a fast RIB boat. Marine biologists guide the search for dolphins, while Bart, Diogo, and the skipper help shape the route around sea conditions and sightings. Expect Belem landmarks, open-water views, and a small group of up to 16.

“What an incredible trip!!! 5 stars all round. We are a marine animal loving family so we jumped at the chance to go dolphin spotting in Lisbon and I am thrilled we booked with Seaview- Nautical events. From start to finish we felt welcomed, safe and informed. It was an awesome experience on the sea, travelling through the river into the ocean, and the dolphins….. oh the dolphins! We initially saw a female pod with babies and, once out in open water, encountered the braver males who showed off to us by leaping out of the water and coming very close to our boat. Our biologist, Diogo, was so informative…”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Dolphin Route

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 25 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $54

Set out from Peniche in a 8 to 14-person boat to search for dolphins between Cabo Carvoeiro and Berlenga, then cruise toward Areia Branca. The 1.5 to 3-hour trip also brings sea caves, rock formations, and open Atlantic views, with wildlife sightings never guaranteed.

“Super équipe super ville super vue mais pas de dauphins enfants du coup très déçu et moi également au vue du prix”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Dolphin Watching in the Wild – Half Day

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 4 reviews · from $217

Travel from Lisbon with a private driver-guide, cross the 25 de Abril Bridge, and spend about two hours on a shared boat seeking wild bottlenose dolphins in the Sado Estuary. Filipa has been praised for her care and English support. Wine, views, and Arrábida stops may round out the outing.

“The dolphins were great The young lady there was very good at making sure everything was translated into English for us..”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Setúbal Private Tour – Including Dolphin Watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 3 reviews · from $221

Leave Lisbon at 8:00 am for a private day trip across the Tagus to Setúbal. Enjoy seafood, a three-hour catamaran ride with dolphins in the Sado Estuary, and views from Sesimbra Castle and Cabo Espichel. Hotel pickup, transport, WiFi, and bottled water are included.

“Le chauffeur et les activités étaient top, rien à redire c’était super sympa. Cependant l’activité phare de ce tour était le catamaran or l’agence a « oublié » de réserver nos deux places sur le catamaran. On nous a donc proposé de décaler l’aRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review