Dolphin and Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise from Funchal

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: 1 day learn more
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. During the summer months, there is the possibility to swim in the crystal clear waters below Cabo Girão if the conditions are good, one of the highest sea cliffs in the world at 580m (1903 ft) in altitude.

During the trip, our qualified crew will give you detailed information about the species of cetaceans you are seeing as well as other technical and historic information to ensure a complete and unique experience.

Since we are dealing with wildlife, there are times that you could end up the trip with no sightings. In the event of no sightings of cetaceans (dolphins or whales), you will be offered with a complimentary trip to go again on an alternative occasion (valid for 1 year since travel date).

Points of Interest

  • Cabo Girao

  • VMT Madeira

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
(562 Ratings)
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Olga_g
Aug 17, 2024
Wonderful experience - Love everything in this trip, seeing the Dolphins so near was breathtaking! Then that swim in Cabo girao was amazing!!! Well organised and very informative
Review provided by Viator
Yvette_o
Aug 16, 2024
Wonderful day - Highly recommended! Saw dolphins right away and stopping to take a swim along the beautiful coastline was such an amazing experience
Review provided by Viator
Elinorr204
Aug 10, 2024
Must do experience - Brilliant trip with lovely people -we saw lots of delphins and were impressed by how environmentally sensitive and careful the company are. Definitely a must do cruise on Madeira!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ted
Aug 7, 2024
Catamaran trips with VMT. - The catamaran sea nature and its crew were outstanding. They found a pod of Atlantic spotted dolphins and stay with then a while. My wife was overwhelmed and said it was spectacular watching them swimming by the bow and a couple jumping out of the water. Thank you , abrigado to the team of Sea Nature for a great day.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Matss_s
Jul 23, 2024
Very good energy - Got to see whales and dolphins. They even have a spotter. And there’s room for everyone. Swim and beer available. Great experience, obrigado!
Review provided by Viator
Adrenaline42
Jul 13, 2024
Top!! - Great morning! We had a great time on board and had the chance to meet a school of about twenty dolphins!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Zizalin
Aug 4, 2024
Just 5 minutes with animals - 1,5hours sailing until we spotted dolphins, but the captain just allowed 5-7minutes and then sailed below Cabo Girão for swimming. It was not much and my youngest daughter did not see anything as people moved all on one side and time was so limited. I’m somewhat disappointed from the trip. It was not much worth it. Although catamaran sailing (with engine) was itself nice experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Debbie_m
Jul 19, 2024
Disappointing experience - Very disappointed with the overall trip. I understand there’s no guarantee of seeing whales. There was no explanation or apology in regards to not seeing any whales. Everyone disembarked and looked disappointed We seen some beautiful baby dolphins which was a lovely expedience Carried on sailing in the ocean stopped for a swim, sailed bck. Trip took 3hrs not sure why as it could have been completed in 1hr
Review provided by Viator
Aplally
Aug 8, 2024
Half day Catemeran trip VMT - Having been on another Catemeran from another company and cost less than this tour. Was very dissapointed by some of the crew who spent most of their time on there mobile phones. Very little customer interaction. No crew came to back of catemeran to demonstrate the safety procceedures on the way out. After the swimming the steps that lead to the upper deck were not wiped down for safety. I can not believe that somking was allowed at the back were people were sitting. Some of the crew looked more interested in their socil lives on rheir phones rather than being professional. One crew member sat at back of catemeran playing music on his phone. The cost of refreshments cost 2 euros more compared to other comapnies. The bottles of water were very small and not value for money. On other catemerans they had booklets with pictures of the types of sea mammals we were seeing and this was shown to all customers where with this company that did not happen.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tinaanettevinther
Jul 26, 2024
Worst dolfin trip ever - Worst dolfin trip ever with rude staff. Be aware that this is a big boat with room for more than 100 people and not the boat at the picture. We tried to tell the staff that this was not the boat we booked and they did not care but was very rude. There was with high music. We saw 2 dolphins for 5 minutes. We went swimming with 50 people in the water only allowed to be 10 m in front of the boat. Big tourist trap.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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