The 9 Best Boat Trips in Setúbal

1.Dolphin Watching Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 423 reviews · 2 hours · from $53Our pick

Join a two-hour speedboat trip from Setúbal Bay to look for wild bottlenose dolphins near Arrábida Natural Park. Guides speak English, Portuguese, and Spanish, and guides such as Rafa and Alex explain the local dolphin family and coastline. The boat offers open viewing, with swimming possible on some departures.

“Excellent. It was a very calm day but a jumper / coat was still needed. We saw an excellent display from the dolphins, the staff were great and booking was very easy. Highly recommended.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Dolphin-Watching Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 213 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $43

Cruise from Setúbal along the Sado estuary and Arrábida coast in a fast, open boat. Look for bottlenose and common dolphins, pass turquoise beaches, cliffs, caves, and small islands, and hear about the area from an English, Portuguese, or Spanish-speaking crew. Summer swims may be possible.

“They did an amazing job... they did not give up until we found the dolphins! It was an amazing experience! Thank you”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Arrábida Dolphin Watching Boat Tour with Biologist

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 197 reviews · from $63

Leave Sesimbra with a marine biologist and STCW-certified crew for three hours among the coves and waters of Arrábida Natural Park. Catarina and her team explain dolphin behavior, seabirds and conservation while you search for wildlife, then visit Praia da Mijona and Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach, with time for swimming and snorkeling when conditions allow.

“Super chill guide and boat. We saw lots of dolphins, 2 different kinds. Great trip”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Arrábida Beaches & Caves Boat Tour with Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 191 reviews · 3 hours · from $58

From Sesimbra, cruise through Arrábida Natural Park toward Cabo Espichel, stopping at Ribeiro do Cavalo, Mijona, Inferno, and Baleeira beaches. You’ll swim and snorkel in clear Atlantic water, hear stories about local fishermen, explore sea caves, and taste a typical Setúbal-region drink. Guides may speak English, Portuguese, Spanish, or French.

“This activity was amazing- our tour guide Catarina ensured before arrival that we find the meeting point and was helpful at all times. She provided lots of interesting information about the area of Sesimbra and beaches around. It’s a great mixture of fun, swimming and infos. We even were lucky and saw dolphins. We would recommend the tour and do it again once we are back. :)”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Family Friendly Boat Sea Tour w/ Submarine Vision

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 175 reviews · 2 hours · from $34Best value

Join Aquarama in Sesimbra for a two-hour family-friendly cruise aboard APNEA, a boat with panoramic underwater windows. A live guide in English, Portuguese, or Spanish points out fish, coastal plants, caves, beaches, and fishing traditions across Arrábida Natural Park. The tour includes photo stops, life vests, insurance, and pictures.

“Fantástica actividad para conocer la costa, sus calas, sus historias, sus fondos.. ideal para todas las edades.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Arrábida: Setubal, Sesimbra Coasteering & Speedboat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 166 reviews · 4 hours · from $70

Meet your certified guide at Creiro Beach, gear up, and ride by speedboat to Arrábida’s rocky coast. You’ll swim through clear bays, enter caves, climb low-level rock sections, and choose from more than a dozen jumps between 2 and 8 meters. Guides including Rafael, Tiago, Filipa, and Sandro explain the area in English, Portuguese, Spanish, or French.

“We did this activity with 11 people and enjoyed it immensely! We had 2 great guides. Specials thanks to Raphael for the great care. We also got very nice pictures of jumping. So we always have the nice memory in photo. All 11 of us would do this again with this company!”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Secret Bays and Beaches Boat Tour with Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 146 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $58Top rated

Spend 2.5 hours cruising Sesimbra’s coast with a small group of up to eight people. Guides such as Marco, Vanessa, Jorge, and Catarina lead you to Ribeiro do Cavalo, Mijona, Inferno, and Baleeira, with snorkeling, swimming, caves, marine life, and a regional drink included.

“Really enjoyed this small boat trip with snorkelling- two lovely guides, very knowledgeable and friendly. Got to get off the boat and swim /snorkel- thoroughly recommend”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Dolphin Watching Boat Tour with Biologist Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 102 reviews · from $62

Set out from Sesimbra Marina with biologists Rosa and Darcy, searching for dolphins and whales in Arrábida’s protected waters. The three-hour trip adds coastal caves, Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach, snorkeling, swimming, and Moscatel wine. Daily departures run at 10:00 and 14:30, with six people needed to operate the tour.

“Both Rosa and Darcy were very informative and helpful. They kept us engaged with dolphin spotting and also other species”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Portinho da Arrábida: Coasteering Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 78 reviews · 4 hours · from $82

Join Discover The Nature at Portinho da Arrábida for a 4-hour, 800-metre coasteering route through cliffs, caves, and clear water. You’ll rappel, climb, swim, zipline, and choose cliff jumps from 1 to 10 metres. Guides such as Rui and Marco are praised for calm safety coaching.

“Such a fun day full of tons of different activities. Great for those who love adventure. Our guide Ruy was excellent. So funny and informative. Boat driver Luig was also fantastic. Highly recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review