Worldwide · WHALE & DOLPHIN WATCHING TOURS
Some water holds both, and the boats that go looking for one usually find the other: Madeira, Tenerife, the Azores, Monterey. These 15 are the crossings where a dolphin morning can turn into a whale morning, priced and honest about the odds.
Cruise from Los Cristianos aboard Travelin Lady, a purpose-built eco-yacht with protected propellers and low-emission engines. A multilingual guide such as Ines helps you spot pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, and more, followed by the Cave of Love and a short swim stop if conditions allow.
“It was a great trip. And yes, we saw whales and dolphins. Thanks to the yacht team!”
Sail from Puerto Los Cristianos aboard the Bahriyeli, a spacious ketch with open viewing decks and an indoor salon. Government-certified guides speak Spanish, English, French, German, and Italian while you look for pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, and other marine life. The strict no-chase rule means no swim stop.
“We loved the fact that the staff seem to care about the sea life we were hoping to see. Having reached an area where dolphin and whales are often sighted the engine was cut. We saw both dolphins and a pilot whale which was amazing”
From Funchal Marina, Magic Dolphin’s 3-hour cruise uses Madeira’s only hybrid-electric whale-watching catamaran. Look for dolphins, pilot whales, sperm whales, turtles, and seabirds with help from land-based spotters, then return past Cabo Girão and Câmara de Lobos.
“we were lucky and sow bottleneck dolphins, common dolphins and pilot whales. it s all about luck”
Spend three hours aboard Catamaran Seaborn, searching Madeira’s waters for dolphins, whales, turtles, and flying fish with an English or Portuguese guide. The trip includes a stop beneath Cabo Girão for swimming in summer, plus space to relax on deck and drinks for purchase.
“Great trip where we saw at least 59 dolphins in a big group. No whales but that would have been a bonus! Nice choice of swimming spot, right beneath the cliffa”
Sail from Puerto Colón into Tenerife’s Teno-Rasca Whale Sanctuary on a fuel-efficient catamaran with an English or Spanish crew. Look for pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, and flying fish, listen through underwater audio, swim in the Atlantic, and choose between a three-hour cruise or a five-hour trip to Los Gigantes and Masca Bay.
“Was nice atmosphere, staff really friendly with kids, we super liked🌸”
Join Flipper Uno at Los Gigantes Port for a two-hour cruise through the Teno-Rasca Whale Sanctuary. Look for pilot whales and dolphins, hear local sea-life facts from the crew, admire the cliffs of Los Gigantes and Masca, then swim in a clear bay with a complimentary drink.
“Amazing 2h boat trip! There was everything & even more than we expected. Turtles, dolphins swimming as near as they could, laughter, jokes, beer, entertainment on the boat, swimming near the Masca beach. The crew was best in the whole wide world - friendly, smiling. Don't have any second thoughts - take it!”
Set out from Morro Jable on the Magic Dolphin, a modern boat with Spanish, English, and German guides. Search for wild dolphins, whales, turtles, and flying fish, then stop for a swim in Jandia. Drinks, a toilet, and optional resort pickup are included.
“saw dolphins within 5 minutes of leaving the harbour around 20 and then later around 15 pilot whales. excellent value for money and highly recommended”
Spend three hours off São Miguel searching for whales and dolphins with Futurismo Azores Whale Watching. A marine biologist explains local species, safety, and respectful viewing. Choose a steadier catamaran or an exciting Zodiac, with a second trip offered if no animals are seen.
“The tour was amazing. Because I captain decided not to stop at the dolphins we got the chance to see a curious sperm whale up close all by ourselves. The male came to about half a meter to our boat and looked at us curiously. What a thrill. After that we saw two more sperm whales, one sei whale, Atlantic spotted dolphins and common dolphins.”
From Morro Jable, you’ll race along Fuerteventura’s coast in a small speedboat with guides such as Maurizio, Cesar, and Cristina. The trip combines dolphin and pilot whale watching, a 30-minute snorkel stop, music, and a cold drink. Sightings are not guaranteed, but the ride itself is a major part of the fun.
“It was great! They have a guide speaking several language (DE, FR, IT, ES, EN from our outing) and dedicated to spotting the animals for us. The vibe was great as well! As mentionned in the description: it is a speed boat (I saw comments complaining) It can go fast and moves a lot, it is not like a slow moving ferry! However, the driver makes her to be slow, in case people are scared or when there are kids on board. They also offer another outing with a biggest and shower boat if you have kids. From my side, it was a lot of fun and a great experience!”
Join Neptuno Whale Experience Tenerife aboard the pirate-style Peter Pan from Los Cristianos. A multilingual crew explains local whales, dolphins, and conservation rules during a two-hour cruise, followed by an optional 15 to 20-minute swim stop when sea conditions permit.
“A very friendly crew. The boat was lovely to travel in.”
Sail from Los Cristianos aboard Ragnarok, a Viking-themed boat with shaded seating, a bar, restrooms, and a multilingual crew. During this two-hour cruise, you’ll look for pilot whales and dolphins in Tenerife’s coastal waters, enjoy sea views, and return to the harbor.
“Brilliant boat tour. I particularly liked the fact that it was not crowded, like the previous boat tour we saw, and we sat shaded, not exposed in the sun. The viking design /decor is quite atmospheric and adds to the experience. The crew were super friendly and accommodating, giving good information about the sea life and pointing to the seeing of the animals. We watched small groups of pilot whales who were leisurely going in & out of the water & bobbing, and some dolphins by the seabass fish farms, who were swimming with the fins out but this time not jumping or twisting. Food and drinks are available on…”
Join a three-hour yacht trip from Puerto Colón with up to 11 people, guided in English, French, German, or Spanish. Look for pilot whales and dolphins, watch for turtles, then stop to swim or snorkel in a sheltered bay. Drinks, sandwiches, fruit, and hotel pickup within 10 kilometers are available.
“Captain Guy was amazing, very informative and funny and still attentive to safety and awareness. The fantastic bonus was he was able to locate a family of pilot whales that came right up boat side, just amazing thank you so much Guy for a fantastic day.”
Sail from Puerto Colón on a comfortable catamaran with up to 24 people. Your crew searches for pilot whales and dolphins, serves drinks and a cold tapas buffet, then stops for swimming and snorkeling before returning along Tenerife’s south coast. Hotel pickup is available in selected southern resorts.
“it was a good tour and the guides were very hospitable. we has so much fun. we got value for the money paid.”
From Funchal’s New Marina, you’ll sail aboard the Atlantic Pearl with a Portuguese or English-speaking guide, scan the open sea for dolphins and whales, and stop beneath 580-meter Cabo Girão for swimming and snorkeling. The small-group boat has shaded seating, hammocks, bathrooms, and drinks for purchase.
“Great time. Saw dolphins and pilot whales and went to a nice cove for a swim. Guides were funny and nice”
Sail from Funchal with a welcome glass of sparkling wine, then search for whales, dolphins, and turtles aboard a spacious catamaran. Crew members such as Liv, David, Bruno, Maggie, and Nico have been praised for attentive service. The trip includes local snacks, unlimited drinks, and a swim beneath Cabo Girão.
“We had a wonderful trip out. We were extremely well looked after by the crew especially Nic the captain and Maggi . Despite being a little choppy we felt very safe . The crew were very knowledgeable and extremely considerate of the marine life . The catamaran was first class and immaculate . We enjoyed the local wines and snacks that were served to us . It was so enjoyable to be in small group , plenty of room to sit wherever we wanted , or move around . Thank you. Will definitely recommend your tour”
Pick a hull, pick the water you want to be in, or decide whether you want them wild.
