Madeira Catamaran Tour: Dolphin and Whale Watching

Commence a soothing journey along the southern coast of Madeira aboard our cozy catamarans. This trip offers you the opportunity to observe dolphins, whales and sometimes turtles. In the summer season, if weather and sea conditions permit, you might even have the chance to take a dip in the pristine waters beneath the Cabo Girão sea cliff.

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights

Experience a 3-hour trip by catamaran along the south coast of Madeira Island. We depart from Funchal Marina, giving a quick briefing about the trip and safety matters on board. The crew then starts their search for dolphins and whales, and any other marine wildlife, using binoculars equipped with a compass, doing their best with their experienced eyes….

What's Included
  • 3-hour dolphin and whale watching tour
  • Friendly and knowledgeable guide
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Information
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • We always recommend to bring: Sunscreen and windbreaker. For the summer months you could add a towel and bathing suit.
  • In the event you did not see any cetaceans, you will be offered the same trip again on an alternative occasion (valid for 1 year)
  • Swimming is subject to favorable weather and sea conditions
Location
Praça do Povo
Avenida Do Mar
VMT Madeira Kiosk - Funchal Marina. Check-In: 30 minutes before departure
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.3
(650 Ratings)
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1 star
Wrighty1366
Apr 4, 2026
Lots of dolphins! - We booked at Easter and were going to use the ‘Eco’ boat as it had better ratings and a top deck but this was fully booked. Sussed out where we needed to be the previous day which is a booth right by the dock with the pirate ship, other catamarans 30 minutes before departure. On the day checked in, got a boarding ticket and queued up, it’s all very efficient with plenty of staff in company shirts. Lots of room with shaded area, bar with snacks and two toilets. After setting off we saw several dolphins within 20 minutes which swam close to the boat, got a couple of great videos! After that initial encounter we didn’t see anymore dolphins or whales but did come across a flock of shearwater sea birds. Returning close to land we had a quick swim before cruising back along the coast back to port. We enjoyed it, cost €35 with TA, it was 40 through Jet2, top tip would be to bring a top as it gets fresh in the wind out in the sea, thanks to all the VMT staff, great day!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
G1301ecstevens
Apr 3, 2026
Grandios - It was all perfect. The crew was optimally funny and very informative. Every question was answered and of course the humor could not be missing. We saw dolphins and I think it's wonderful that the needs of the animals are addressed. After 10 minutes we drove further to leave the animals alone. That was also very important to the crew, you could tell they were good people. We were also allowed to enjoy a dip in the water and added a lot of information about coast/sea and marine life. There was beer, too. Just great. I thank you and would always do the same trip again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michaela_p
Mar 29, 2026
👍great trip - Very friendly guides 😊 I just wish they would tell us some interesting facts about sea life in Madeira . Anyway it was a good experience. We got to see many dolphins.
Review provided by Viator
Anne_i
Mar 8, 2026
Madeira sea tour - Nice trip with dolphin and sperm whale. Really nice trip! excellent super ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review provided by Viator
Coastal02430461268
Feb 16, 2026
Great experience, great spacy catamaran and super crew - Great catamaran and crew, we saw small whales, unfortunate no dolphins. Tip: install electricity flushed toilets because nobody understands these manual pumps. More choice in the food would be great!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Fearfulflyer2
Jan 27, 2026
Good whale watching trip and adhered to the local rules - Had an enjoyable whale and dolphin watching tour (we were lucky enough to see both, even though it isn't the best season for whales). The catamaran is fast and low to the water, giving great views. I was impressed that the boat (and the other tour boats out at the same time from other companies) actually obeyed the rules about no more than two boats near the cetaceans and no more than 10 minutes. In my experience that isn't always the case. There was a bar and toilets on board, although I didn't use either. The seating was a bit uncomfortable with only two sets of benches cushioned, which my elderly mum found more difficult. I don't know if the boat would be very accessible for people in wheelchairs.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lovemygators
Jan 22, 2026
Great Trip - Great journey out to see whales and dolphins! We were lucky and saw 2 kinds of dolphins and pilot whales! The crew and captain were professional, friendly and fun to travel on the ocean with.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Elliecarvalhosilva
Dec 28, 2025
Great trip - Amazing experience from start to finish! The team was friendly, professional, and made us feel completely safe the entire time. It was fantastic not only for adults, but especially for the kids , they absolutely loved every moment and are still talking about it! The activity was well-organized, exciting, and a great value for the price. Everything ran smoothly and exceeded our expectations. It’s the perfect choice for families looking for fun and unforgettable memories. We felt welcome, relaxed, and very well taken care of. Highly recommended to anyone and we would definitely do it again!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Monicanf1547ns
Dec 5, 2025
Trip to the sea - Serious and reliable company. On the first outing there were no sightings, but we were rescheduled the ride for free and on the second outing we saw many dolphins. Nice experience that I recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Paulapk3779uj
Dec 1, 2025
Whales and sun - Simply amazing, beautiful place to visit, matched by sighting a pod of whales! Well worth the money for the tour with less people
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $47
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).