Funchal Hop-on Hop-off Bus & Whale Watching Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★ 3.67 (55 reviews) 33% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellation

1/13

Duration5h

Audio guideEN · DE +8

Mobile ticketAccepted

Whales and dolphins off Madeira's coast, then the coloured fishing boats of Câmara de Lobos.

A combined hop-on hop-off bus tour and catamaran whale-watching experience in Funchal that runs for 5 hours across two routes. You board the panoramic bus to explore the Old Town, Pico dos Barcelos Viewpoint and the Lido Promenade, then switch to a catamaran to search for dolphins, whales and turtles along Madeira's coast. The ticket includes a glass of Madeira wine, free entry to Bordal Embroideries Factory with a 10% product discount, and discounts on museums and monuments. Catamaran check-in is 30 minutes before your booked start time.

The Experience

The day splits between two routes: the bus takes you through Funchal's Old Town with its cobbled streets and colourful façades, stops at Pico dos Barcelos for views across the city and coastline, and continues to the Lido Promenade for a walk along the water. The catamaran departs separately to search for dolphins, whales and turtles in the Atlantic, with the option to photograph them as they surface. A glass of Madeira wine is included, tasted at Old Blandy's Wine Lodge during the bus portion.

The hop-on hop-off format means you set the pace: stay on the bus for the full loop, or step off at any stop and rejoin a later bus within the 48-hour ticket window. Câmara de Lobos Bay is a natural pause—the town's coloured fishing boats sit in the water, and local restaurants serve traditional Madeiran food. The audio guide runs in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and six other languages, so you hear the narration in your choice of tongue.

Discounts on museum and monument entry come with the ticket, and free access to Bordal Embroideries Factory includes a 10% discount on purchases there. The catamaran requires check-in 30 minutes before departure, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Service animals are allowed on both the bus and the boat.

What’s included

Catamaran cruise searching for dolphins, whales and turtles along Madeira's coast.
hop-on hop-off bus ticket valid for 48 hours across Funchal's sightseeing routes.
glass of Madeira wine at Old Blandy's Wine Lodge.
free entry to Bordal Embroideries Factory with 10% discount on products.
discounts on tickets to museums and monuments throughout Funchal.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Yellow Bus

Is this one for you?The hop-on hop-off format suits anyone who wants to mix guided stops with time to wander: you stay on the bus for the narrated route, or step off to explore the Old Town, Câmara de Lobos or the Lido Promenade at your own speed, then catch the next bus. The catamaran runs as a separate departure, so you choose whether to add the whale-watching portion or focus on the bus tour alone.