4 Boat Trips in Madeira to Build a Day Around

1.Dolphin and Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5,697 reviews · 3 hours · from $41Our pick

From Funchal Marina, Seaborn Catamaran takes you along Madeira’s coast to search for dolphins, whales and turtles. The three-hour trip includes a guide in English or Portuguese, sea views, an onboard bar and a summer swim stop below Cabo Girão. Sightings are never guaranteed, and rough winter seas can bring motion sickness.

“It was amazing! We got to see dolphins and then we got to swim the water was perfect amd the guides very a very fun and nice bunch! I didnt get their names but it was one of the 3pms tour 👌🏾🥳”

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2.Funchal Bay: Dolphin & Whale Watch Luxury Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 2,684 reviews · 3 hours · from $47

Join Atlantic Pearl at Funchal New Marina for a three-hour cruise with Portuguese and English-speaking guides. You will look for dolphins and whales, hear about local marine life, and stop to swim beneath Cabo Girão. The boat has covered seating, outdoor loungers, hammocks, bathrooms, and a bar.

“Terrific , good access to the boat, good seating. Great staff and we were lucky and saw both sperm whales and dolphins.”

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3.Dolphin and Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 844 reviews · 2 hours · from $58

Set out from Funchal aboard a rebuilt 18-seat speedboat with a marine biologist and captain. Watch for bottlenose dolphins, spotted dolphins, pilot whales, sperm whales, turtles, and seabirds while learning how Madeira’s marine ecosystem works. The fast boat covers more water than larger craft, but expect spray, bumps, and no guaranteed close encounter.

“It was great! Natasja is lovely and the captain did his work perfect! Go go go and book this tour.”

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4.Dolphin and Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise from Funchal

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 645 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $48

Sail from Funchal Marina along Madeira’s south coast on a 3-hour catamaran cruise. The crew searches for dolphins, whales, and other sea life, explains what you see, and may stop beneath Cabo Girão for a swim when conditions allow. There is a bar and toilet onboard, but no hotel pickup or meals.

“Lovely Catermeran, not too busy. Plenty of space aboard up or downstairs. Shame the wildlife never showed up but that's nature. Plenty of great scenery on the sail back to port, swimming if you wanted too at a well no beauty spot under the cliffs. Bar sold draught beers €4 a pint & cold/nice flavour. Overall good value excursion.”

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