Top 12 Madeira Boat Tours

1.From Funchal: Ecological Catamaran Dolphin Whale Watching

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

Set out from Funchal Marina aboard the 2022 Magic Dolphin, Madeira’s purpose-built hybrid-electric whale-watching catamaran. Land-based spotters help locate wildlife, while certified guides explain the species you see. Look for dolphins, pilot whales, sperm whales, turtles, and seabirds, then return past Cabo Girão and Câmara de Lobos.

“A lovely afternoon and highly recommended. The highlight was seeing pilot whales 🐋”

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2.Funchal: Dolphin and Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise

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

From Funchal Marina, you spend three hours scanning Madeira’s open waters for dolphins, whales, and turtles aboard the stable Seaborn catamaran. The crew shares information in English and Portuguese, then heads toward Cabo Girão for coastal views and, in summer, a swim stop. Drinks and snacks cost extra, and wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

“Our cruise was from 6pm-8:30. It was an ideal time as the sun was not too strong at that time and we also got to see the sunset on our way back. We saw quite a few dolphins but not any whales. We also made a stop at Cape Girao for a quick swim.”

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

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

Board Atlantic Pearl at Funchal’s New Marina for a three-hour cruise with Portuguese and English-speaking crew. Watch for dolphins and whales, stop to swim beneath Cabo Girão, and enjoy covered seating, hammocks, bathrooms, and drinks for purchase. The boat carries a smaller group, with a relaxed feel rather than a party-boat atmosphere.

“Great staff we saw half a dozen pilot whales at least very interesting nice bouncy sail back into port once the waves got up ! Would recomend this trip”

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4.Funchal: Sunset Sailing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 2,144 reviews · 3 hours · from $58

Join Bruno, Joe, Victor, or another friendly guide for a three-hour sunset sail from Funchal. The small yacht carries up to 20 people, with swimming and snorkeling at Cabo Girão, an open bar, coastal views, and a chance to spot dolphins or whales. Wildlife is never promised, but the relaxed setting and sunset are.

“Fantastic boat! Wonderful crew: entertaining but very responsible. They encouraged everyone to jump into the water, it was brilliant! Sunset was perfect, drinks were welcomed, no whales have been seen but it didn’t matter. Experience was FANTASTIC!”

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5.Funchal: Dolphin and Whale Watching by Luxury Catamaran

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

Join Magic Dolphin Atividades Maritimas for a three-hour catamaran trip from Funchal. You’ll watch for dolphins, whales, turtles, birds, and other sea life while guides explain Madeira’s ocean ecology. The boat has indoor seating, shaded areas, sun beds, and trampoline nets. Summer trips usually include a swim near Cabo Girão.

“Absolutely loved this trip, the chap speaking to us about the wildlife found off the coast was incredibly knowledgeable. Really good value for money. And we saw a group of dolphins up close! You also get a free drink included which was a nice touch. Would definitely go back to this company again!”

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6.Funchal: Dolphin and Whale Watching Sailing Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,325 reviews · 3 hours · from $47

From Funchal Marina, sail up to three miles offshore with a captain and guide in search of dolphins, whales, and sea turtles. Bruno and Joseph are among the crew members praised for their warm, informative hosting. You will stop near Cabo Girão to swim or snorkel, then return with a drink and wide ocean views.

“My husband and I had a fantastic 3 hour trip on this lovely sailboat. We weren’t lucky enough to spot any sea life, but nevertheless, the crew took good care of us, and were very skilled and knowledgeable. Seeing the island from the ocean gave a whole new perspective, and snorkeling in the warm waters was a special touch! Definitely recommend 🫶🏼”

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7.Funchal: Sunset Tour on Traditional Madeiran Boat w/ Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 767 reviews · 3 hours · from $47Top rated

Set out from Funchal aboard the traditional Madeiran boat Dragão for a three-hour coastal cruise to Cabo Girão. Guides such as Rob, Pedro, João, and Claudio share island tips, serve included drinks, and stop for swimming when conditions allow. Expect music, a small-group feel, and a sunset view from the Atlantic.

“We were a family of eight plus a baby, and from the moment we boarded the boat until the moment we stepped off, the experience was a 10 out of 10. The boat itself was the perfect size, about 15 people in total, so there was plenty of room for everyone without ever feeling crowded. It was a traditional Portuguese vessel, which made the whole experience feel authentic and special. Pedro and Joao were incredible, knowledgeable, friendly, and clearly passionate about Madeira. They pointed out all the landmarks, shared fascinating insights, and made the trip unforgettable. I much preferred this to the bigger, more commercial boats. We would highly recommend…”

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8.From Calheta: Madeira Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 573 reviews · 2 hours · from $67

Set out from Calheta Marina for two hours of whale and dolphin watching aboard a modern speedboat. Guides such as Paula, Hannah, and Sarah explain the animals in English and German, while the crew approaches wildlife carefully. You may see dolphins, sperm whales, pilot whales, turtles, flying fish, and seabirds, though sightings are never guaranteed.

“Our guide Hannah was very professional and nice and explained everything we saw to us in detail in German and English. We were a really small group of only 10 people and we were provided with rain gear. We were able to see two whales and many dolphins, it was an amazing experience.”

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9.Madeira Pirate Ship: 3-Hour Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 528 reviews · 3 hours · from $54

Spend three hours aboard the Santa Maria de Colombo, a full-size replica of Columbus’s flagship, sailing from Funchal along Madeira’s south coast. Watch for dolphins and whales, stop near Cabo Girao for a swim, and enjoy Madeira honey cake with a small glass of local wine. Bring warm layers in winter and swim gear in summer.

“This was three hours well spent on an amazing replica ship, with crew going up into the crows nest to release the sails which gave a really good feel for what it must have been like in days gone by. We saw Bottle Nose Dolphins and Common Dolphins and I caught a glimpse of what I thought was a turtle. There was a lot of fun as we all kept our eyes glued to the ocean and waited for someone to call "here on this side" or "over there". The crew had extremely sharp eyes and helped lots for us to take pictures and catch the dolphins in their natural…”

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10.Funchal: Whale and Dolphin Watching Speed Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 526 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $56

From Funchal Marina, you’ll spend 2.5 hours on a speed boat searching for Madeira’s whales and dolphins. A marine biologist guide explains each species, while land-based lookouts help the crew find wildlife. The boat carries no more than 18 people, gets close to the water, and may splash you, so bring a windbreaker.

“Great staff members -we saw both dolphins and a whale - close up - really happy we selected this option”

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11.From Calheta: Whale and Dolphin Watching RIB Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 298 reviews · 2 hours · from $70

From Calheta Marina, you’ll spend two hours aboard a fast RIB searching for whales, dolphins, and other marine life. An experienced spotter helps the crew find active pods, while your English or Portuguese guide explains what you see. Expect open-ocean views, spray, wind, and a lively ride rather than a quiet cruise.

“The most incredible experience of our lives! Our tour guides were knowledgeable, safe, and made sure everyone had fun on the tour. We saw so many dolphins, some that came right up to our boat. We spent a couple of hours on the water looking for dolphins and whales, enjoying the spectacular views of the island, and even doing some ocean clean up when we saw garbage. 20/10 experience. We can’t wait to do it again. Thank you h2o Madeira!”

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12.Funchal: RIB Whale Watching Cruise and Optional Dolphin Swim

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 273 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $61

Join guides such as Anna, Paulo, or Mark on a fast, small-group RIB from Funchal. You will search for dolphins and whales with land-based spotters, cruise below Cabo Girao, and may spend 1 to 2 minutes in the water with Common or Atlantic Spotted Dolphins if conditions and animal behavior allow.

“Great experience. We saw lots of dolphins in 2 different locations. The boat was fast and fun so we enjoyed it even when we were travelling between locations.”

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