Catamaran Cruise Funchal
Sail the Atlantic from Funchal, seeking dolphins and whales amidst Madeira's dramatic cliffs. An unforgettable marine adventure.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Calmer seas, better wildlife
Catamaran Cruise Funchal
Best Time
Calmer seas, better wildlife
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Sail the Atlantic from Funchal, seeking dolphins and whales amidst Madeira's dramatic cliffs. An unforgettable marine adventure.
"A lot of dolphins, beautiful sunset and very nice gentlemen in the crew. Thank you for the unforgettable emotions!"
🎯 Book Ahead for Summer
Tours fill up quickly in peak season. Book your catamaran cruise in advance to secure your spot! 🎟️
🐳 Wildlife Sightings Vary
Dolphins are common, whales less so. Enjoy the ride and scenery, sightings are a bonus! 🌊
Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
4.3 · 968 reviews
Type
Tour Agency
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Dolphin & Whale Watching
Off the coast of Funchal
Witness playful dolphins and majestic whales in their natural habitat. A truly magical marine encounter.
+1Scenic Coastal Views
Along the Madeira coastline
Marvel at Funchal's dramatic cliffs and the stunning Madeira coastline from the water.
Cabo Girão Cliff
Near Funchal
See one of Europe's highest sea cliffs from a unique perspective on the water.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Book in Advance for Peak Season
Wildlife Sightings Are a Gamble
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Book Ahead for Summer
Tours fill up quickly in peak season. Book your catamaran cruise in advance to secure your spot! 🎟️
🐳 Wildlife Sightings Vary
Dolphins are common, whales less so. Enjoy the ride and scenery, sightings are a bonus! 🌊
📸 Photography Opportunities
Plenty of space for great photos of the coast and marine life. Bring your camera! :camerawithflash:
🚰 Restroom Available
Most catamarans have onboard restrooms, so no need to worry about long trips. 🚽
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Book Ahead for Summer
Tours fill up quickly in peak season. Book your catamaran cruise in advance to secure your spot! 🎟️
🐳 Wildlife Sightings Vary
Dolphins are common, whales less so. Enjoy the ride and scenery, sightings are a bonus! 🌊
📸 Photography Opportunities
Plenty of space for great photos of the coast and marine life. Bring your camera! :camerawithflash:
🚰 Restroom Available
Most catamarans have onboard restrooms, so no need to worry about long trips. 🚽
👟 Water Shoes Recommended
If your tour includes a stop at an isle, water shoes are helpful for walking on pebbles. :athletic_shoe:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Catamaran cruises from Funchal are generally well-received, with many praising the opportunity to see dolphins and enjoy the stunning coastal scenery. The crew is often commended for their friendliness and professionalism. However, some visitors feel the wildlife watching aspect can be hit-or-miss, and the focus might shift to swimming rather than extensive searching for marine life on certain tours.
"Good organization, clean toilets, in our case, enough space for photography. At first nothing happened, no animation with the crew or explanation of the habitat (like we saw in the Azores) then luckily a whale or two "happened" and then a group of whales. Great opportunity to see black dolphin-like whales. Worth a visit."
Borut B
"Animal sightings are a gamble so this is very hit or miss. We managed to spot a few whale fins so that bit wasn’t too disappointing. Either way we got some lovely views of the island. The service itself was good, with some commentary and a stop for pics/swimming. The catamaran has a bathroom so don’t worry about the length of the trip if you’ve got a tiny bladder 😉"
Thais B.
"Whale watching and dolphin tour for 40€ --> I would not do it again. Read below why and more details about parking etc.
We just did the morning Dolphin&Whale watching tour. Or should I rather call it a cruise along the shore and swimming tour?
First of all for everyone coming by car I would recommend parking in a parking hall nearby. We paid 8€ for around 4,5h. It's quite ok. Location see picture attached. From there it's around 10min walk 850m to get to the booth where you do the Check-in, get your boarding cards (no ID card or anything required), then you line up at a "door" (for us was door 3) just where the booth is. Few meters away. So quite easy.
The tour itself. We thought it's gonna be a catamaran but it was a big boat. Similar to a catamaran but no sails. Picture attached. The boat was full of people. Very many people. Then we drove around 30min, saw some dolphins from around 30m-50m away. Slowly drove around for 10min and then we left towards the cliff Cabo Girāo. There we spent most of the time swimming in the water. No need to bring a snorkel you anyways can't snorkel there. After 45min to 1h we left very very slowly along the coast back to Funchal.
Conclusion: I would definitely not do it again. If I book a tour that is called dolphin and whale watching tour on then I would expect to go to different places to mainly find dolphins and whales. But there was no effort undertaken to go and find whales or any other dolphins, turtles etc. after we have seen some handful of dolphins from further away. No problem to leave after 10min to a different spot to find other whales etc but if the tour is only to spot them once and then leave for swimming then it is not worthwhile in my opinion."
Dani Knoll
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Most catamaran tours depart from Funchal Marina. It's easily accessible on foot from the city center. If driving, parking garages are available nearby, costing around 8€ for a few hours.
Yes, the check-in booths are usually located near the departure docks at Funchal Marina. Follow signs for 'Dolphin Watching Tours' or your specific tour operator.
Funchal is very walkable, but for longer distances, local buses are efficient. Taxis and ride-sharing services are also available. Many tours include pick-up from your accommodation.
Absolutely! Taxis are readily available throughout Funchal and can take you directly to the marina for your catamaran cruise.
Yes, several local bus routes stop near Funchal Marina, making it an affordable option to reach your departure point.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Prices vary, but expect to pay around 30-40€ per person for a dolphin and whale watching tour. Some tours may include extras like an open bar or snacks.
It's highly recommended, especially during peak season (summer, holidays), to book your tour in advance to guarantee a spot.
Typically, tours include the boat trip, dolphin and whale watching, and often a stop for swimming. Some premium tours offer open bars, snacks, and Wi-Fi.
Some tour operators may offer reduced prices for children. It's best to check with the specific company when booking.
Cancellation policies differ by operator. It's advisable to review the terms and conditions when booking or contact the tour provider directly for details.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Morning tours often offer calmer seas and potentially better wildlife viewing. However, sightings can occur at any time.
You're likely to see various species of dolphins. Pilot whales are also frequently spotted. Sightings of other whales and turtles are possible but less common.
Yes, February is a good time to potentially see whales in Madeira. You will definitely see dolphins.
Many tours include a stop for swimming, often near scenic spots like Cabo Girão. Bring swimwear and a towel.
Bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, and a camera. Water shoes are recommended if swimming stops are planned.
📸 📸 Photography
Yes, the open decks provide ample space for photography, offering great views of the coastline and marine life.
A camera with a good zoom lens is ideal for capturing marine life from a distance. A wide-angle lens is great for coastal scenery.
Absolutely! The catamaran tours offer fantastic vantage points for photographing Madeira's dramatic cliffs, including Cabo Girão.
With patience and a good zoom, yes. Dolphins often jump and play, providing excellent photo opportunities.
Generally, there are no restrictions on personal photography. However, always be mindful of other passengers and crew.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit