Catamaran Whale and Dolphin Watching in Portugal: Our Top 11

1.Ecological Catamaran Dolphin Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 8,204 reviews · 3 hours · from $41 per person Our pick

Cruise from Funchal for three hours aboard Magic Dolphin, Madeira’s purpose-built hybrid-electric catamaran. Land-based spotters help locate dolphins, pilot whales, sperm whales, turtles, and seabirds. Certified guides explain the wildlife, while the spacious decks, viewing nets, toilets, and shaded areas make this a comfortable choice for most visitors.

“It was fantastic trip. Safe vessel and cruise, professional crew, we saw dolphins, everything went great.”

Check availability →Read our review →

2.Dolphin and Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5,697 reviews · 3 hours · from $41 per person

Set out from Funchal Marina on a three-hour Seaborn catamaran cruise with English and Portuguese-speaking crew. Watch for dolphins, whales, turtles, flying fish, and seabirds, then stop beneath Cabo Girão for a summer swim. The boat has shaded seating, open decks, front nets, and a bar selling drinks and snacks.

“We were lucky to see both dolphins and whales. Staff were great! ,they interacted with everyone, pleasant, friendly and very informative about the sea life.”

Check availability →Read our review →

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

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

Sail from Funchal’s New Marina aboard the Atlantic Pearl, a comfortable catamaran with outdoor hammocks, covered seating, bathrooms, and a small bar. Your Portuguese or English-speaking crew watches for dolphins and whales, then anchors below Cabo Girão for swimming. Groups are limited to about 20 people.

“Great value for money. We were lucky to see a pod of pilot whales, which was amazing. The two hosts were really knowledgeable and good fun. The onboard drinks good value - large red wine and a beer was only 6 euros! Highly recommend.”

Check availability →Read our review →

4.Madeira Dolphin and Whale Watching on a Ecological Catamaran

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

Join Magic Dolphin in Funchal for a 2.5 to 3-hour cruise aboard a 2022 hybrid-electric catamaran. Land-based spotters help the captain find dolphins and whales, while certified guides explain Madeira’s sea life. The return trip passes Cabo Girão, Câmara de Lobos, Reid’s Hotel, and the coast near Funchal. Bring warm layers and waterproof clothing.

“Great experience. We saw lots of dolphins. First time and would do it again. Well worth the money. Go for it.”

Check availability →Read our review →

5.Dolphin and Whale Watching by Luxury Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,709 reviews · 3 hours · from $47 per person

Set out from Funchal Marina on a spacious catamaran with indoor seating, sun beds, and trampoline nets. Your Portuguese or English-speaking crew watches for dolphins, whales, turtles, seabirds, and other marine life, then sails to Cabo Girão for a swim on most summer trips. A drink is included, and groups are kept small.

“This was excellent. Loved every minute. Really chilled out trip. The guides were amazing, made us feel really welcome and looked after. Made us all feel at home. the boat was spacious and plenty of seats anywhere on the boat or under the canopy in the shade if needed. One free drink and then very inexpensive to buy another £2.50 for a beer. The whole thing was great. The guides did their very best to get us to see the dolphins which were mostly quite a few meters from the boat but we got quite close at one point with 3 swimming directly in front of the boat. Actually the…”

Check availability →Read our review →

6.Dolphins & Caves – Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,512 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $58 per person

From Marina de Lagos, join AlgarExperience for a 2.5-hour catamaran cruise led in Portuguese and English by a marine biologist such as Nadia or Diogo. Watch for dolphins, whales, and orcas, then stop by the cliffs for swimming, boat jumps, and an inflatable slide. Fruit and a cookie are included.

“This boat ride was SO FUN. The 3.5hrs didn’t feel lik a lot at all. We got a cookie and some fruit as a snack, was very yummy. We saw many dolphins, and got to ask the guide questions. Very kind and fun crew. We had to reschedule once and that went very smoothly!”

Check availability →Read our review →

7.Dolphin and Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise from Funchal

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

Cruise Madeira’s south coast aboard a catamaran from Funchal Marina, searching for dolphins, whales, and other marine life with an experienced crew. You’ll hear about the species you see, admire Cabo Girão from the water, and may swim below its 580-meter cliffs when conditions allow. A second trip is offered if no cetaceans appear.

“Fabulous catamaran trip so wonderful to Bottle nose dolphins in the in the wild they also took us to Cabo Girao & stopped to have a swim too”

Check availability →Read our review →

8.Dolphin Watching Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 257 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $47 per person

Set out from Lagos Marina on a 1.5-hour catamaran cruise in search of wild dolphins. You can move between shaded benches, sunny seating, side viewing spots, and a forward platform for photos. A multilingual skipper shares facts about marine life and the Algarve coast. The route may also include views of Benagil Cave and a swim stop, depending on sea conditions.

“We had a lovely morning out on the boat. We saw lots of dolphins and were able to get a good view of them from the side of the boat and then up on the viewing platform right at the front of the boat. The crew made sure everyone had the chance to go up to the viewing platform if they wished. My 3 year old son loved the whole experience! The crew were very friendly and seemed very knowledgeable about the dolphins and were happy to answer questions. Definitely recommend this trip!”

Check availability →Read our review →

9.Dolphin Watching Cruise on a Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 239 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $48 per person

From Marina de Lagos, join Days of Adventure for a 90-minute dolphin search aboard a purpose-built motor catamaran. Steve and other skippers offer live commentary while you watch from the bow, side platforms, or shaded deck. Dolphins are not guaranteed, but sightings are frequent, and some trips also find whales or visit the Algarve cliffs and grottos.

“It was canceled due to sea conditions. Bad luck. Some other time. Refunded took 2 days. Very professional. Thanks”

Check availability →Read our review →

10.Eco-Friendly Catamaran Dolphin and Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 226 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours (approx.) · from $42 per person

From Funchal, Magic Dolphin takes you offshore by catamaran to look for dolphins, whales, sea turtles, seabirds, and possibly rare monk seals. Land-based spotters help guide the boat toward wildlife. You’ll also see Cabo Girão, Câmara de Lobos, and Reid’s Hotel, with live commentary from a local crew.

“Excellent trip. The crew was very nice and funny. We saw a large family of pilot whales which was amazing”

Check availability →Read our review →

11.Dolphins & Benagil Caves – Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 167 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $59 per person Top rated

Join Discover Tours in Lagos for a 3.5-hour catamaran cruise along the Algarve coast. Your crew searches for wild dolphins, passes Ponta da Piedade and famous beaches, then anchors for swimming and an inflatable slide. Expect cushioned seats, shade, commentary, a snack, and a free return voucher if dolphins are not found.

“So much fun!! There were only about 20 persons in the boat. We cruised along the magnificent coast. Then stopped when we saw some motion in the water. Before we knew it Dolphins were swimming around the boat giving us a show. We saw families of Dolphins w/babies. They swam & jumped all around us. Then we starting cruising back & stopped to swim. They put a swim slide off the top of the boat which was do much fun. The water was refreshing !! Definitely recommend !”

Check availability →Read our review →