Madeira Eco Catamaran Dolphin & Whale Watching Hybrid Boat

Spot dolphins and whales offshore, then cruise past Cabo Girão and fishing villages

You board a quiet hybrid catamaran in Funchal and head offshore while land-based spotters radio in dolphin and whale locations. You watch from two decks or the bow nets, listen to certified guides explain the species and Madeira's coastal history, then cruise past Cabo Girão and traditional fishing villages on the way back. The whole experience takes 2.5 to 4 hours depending on which departure you choose, and includes onboard commentary, a professional guide, and local taxes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Dolphin and whale watching tour

• Depart from Funchal marina
• Spot whales, dolphins, turtles, birds
• Cruise by Cabo Girão cliff
• Motor along south coast
• Learn about local points of interest
• Relax and enjoy sea views

The experience

The boat pulls away from Funchal marina and the engines hum almost silently. That's the hybrid-electric system doing its job, cutting noise and emissions so the cetaceans around you stay calm and curious instead of spooked. Magic Dolphin Eco is purpose-built for this work, the only catamaran on Madeira Island designed specifically for dolphin and whale watching, and you notice the difference the moment you leave the harbor. Two levels mean you can position yourself wherever the light and the animals are, and if the swell is gentle, the trampoline nets at the bow let you sit right at the edge of the water with nothing between you and the open ocean.

Spotters on land use binoculars to track the pods and radio the boat directly to them, so you're not drifting around hoping. There's strategy behind where you go. The crew are certified guides, not just crew, and they talk through what you're seeing: which species, how they behave, why they're here. After you've had time with the dolphins or whales (depending on what's moving that day), the boat motors along the south coast, and that's when Madeira's geography becomes the second half of the tour. Cabo Girão rises up (the second tallest sea cliff in the world), and then you pass Câmara de Lobos, a fishing village that looks like it hasn't changed in decades, and the guides point out Reid's Hotel, where Winston Churchill used to stay. The coast unfolds in layers: cliffs, villages, the kind of detail you only catch from the water.

There are two bars onboard for drinks and snacks, two bathrooms, and enough space that you're not packed shoulder-to-shoulder even when the boat is full. The 9am departure runs 2.5 hours and skips the swimming stop: good if you want a shorter outing or you're timing a connection. Later departures run longer and include time in the water if conditions allow. All areas are wheelchair accessible, and the boat operates in all weather, so bring a layer even if the morning looks clear. Infants sit on an adult's lap, and specialized infant seats are available if you need one.

What’s included

Your tour includes a professional, certified local guide, live onboard commentary about the species and coastal landmarks, entry to the catamaran, access to two decks and trampoline nets at the bow, two bathrooms and two bars for drinks and snacks, and local taxes. Transportation to the marina is not included but public transit options are available nearby.

Options for this experience

4 options

Just Wild LifeGuide in English or Portuguese · Available from 10 Jul 2027Magic Dolphin Eco. Lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes. Dolphin and whale watching on an ecological catamaran.

Summer Eco Magic DolphinGuide in English or Portuguese · Available from 1 Jul 2027Lasts 3 hours. Includes a swimming stop at the Cabo Girao seacliff during the summer months. Eco-friendly catamaran.

Eco Catamaran Magic DolphinGuide in English or Portuguese · 10:00 and 14:30Lasts 3 hours. Includes a swimming stop at the Cabo Girao seacliff during the summer months. Swimming always depends on sea conditions. Eco-friendly catamaran.

Ecological CatamaranGuide in English or Portuguese · Available from 1 Jun 2027Lasts 3 hours. A roomy, steady eco-friendly catamaran built for comfortable dolphin and whale watching. Wildlife ecological catamaran.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:00 and 14:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (12 to 65 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupUp to 149

Live guideEnglish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Magic Dolphin

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see dolphins and whales from a boat designed to keep them calm (the hybrid engines and the spotters on land are what make the sightings reliable instead of random), and you're willing to spend a morning on the water without arranging your own transport or timing.

Traveler reviews

4.59★★★★★★★★★★

282 verified traveler reviews

5 ★224

4 ★26

3 ★14

2 ★11

1 ★7

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What time does the catamaran depart?

Departures run at 9am, and additional times in July and August. The 9am trip is 2.5 hours. Later departures are longer and may include a swimming break.

Can I swim during the tour?

The 9am departure does not include a swimming stop. Later departures may offer time in the water if sea conditions allow.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

Yes. All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and transportation options to the marina are also wheelchair accessible.

What if I arrive late or miss the departure?

Refunds are not issued if the tour is missed due to late arrival or non-arrival. Arrive at the marina with time to spare.

What should I bring?

Dress for the weather and bring a layer: the boat operates in all conditions. Sunscreen and a hat are practical for time on deck.

Is the tour operated in English?

The guide may be multilingual. Confirm the language of your departure when you book.

How long is the tour?

The 9am departure is 2.5 hours. Other departures typically run 3 to 4 hours depending on wildlife sightings and swimming time.