Sesimbra: Arrábida Dolphin & Whale Watching Tour with Biologist

Summary

Arrábida dolphin watching tour from Sesimbra with marine biologist and local stories

You’ll set out from Sesimbra with a marine biologist as your guide, searching for dolphins and whales along Arrábida’s wild coast. Watch playful pods up close, swim or snorkel in turquoise bays, sip local wine on deck, and hear pirate legends as you float under sunlit cliffs. It’s one of those days you’ll remember for how real it feels.

What’s the experience like?

Someone hands me a windbreaker before I even realize I’ll need it — the air at Sesimbra’s marina has that salty chill, but everyone’s smiling like it’s summer. Our guide, Joana (she’s the biologist), chats with us about what we might see out there. She points at an old fishing boat and says her grandfather worked these waters. I’m still thinking about that when we climb onto the boat and she starts the safety talk. Life jackets everywhere, but honestly, I’m more nervous about saying “Arrábida” right than anything else.

The engine kicks in and suddenly it’s just sea spray and the green cliffs of Arrábida sliding past. Joana keeps spotting things — “Look, shearwaters!” — while I’m mostly trying not to drop my phone overboard. About half an hour in, someone shouts and there they are: dolphins, way closer than I expected. There’s this weird mix of excitement and quiet on board; you can hear people holding their breath between laughs. The dolphins move so fast it almost feels rude to blink. Joana explains how they track them without disturbing their patterns — she sounds proud, but not showy about it.

We drift along the coast after that, into these little bays where the water goes turquoise all of a sudden. The boat stops and Joana offers us a glass of Moscatel (I spill half of mine trying to get my snorkel on). The air smells like seaweed and something sweet from the cliffs — maybe wild herbs? She tells us stories about pirates hiding here centuries ago; I can’t tell if she believes them or just likes telling them. Either way, nobody seems in a hurry to leave.

I still think about those dolphins sometimes — how close they came, how normal it seemed for Joana to know them all by sight. If you’re looking for a day trip from Lisbon that doesn’t feel staged, this dolphin & whale watching tour from Sesimbra is probably it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Dolphin watching and coastal tour

• Meet at Marine Centre Sesimbra Marina
• Board boat and safety briefing
• Navigate Arrábida Maritime Park for cetacean watching
• Learn about dolphin biology and conservation
• Boat tour to secluded bay for swimming and snorkeling
• Enjoy local drink and storytelling
• Return to Sesimbra harbour and tour ends

Top questions

How long does the Sesimbra dolphin & whale watching tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 3.5 hours from meeting at the marine center to returning to Sesimbra harbor.

Is hotel pickup included in this dolphin watching tour?

Hotel pickup is available upon request for an extra fee; otherwise, meet at Sesimbra Marina.

Will we definitely see dolphins or whales on this tour?

The operator reports 100% cetacean sightings during tours around Arrábida but wild animal sightings can never be guaranteed.

Can children join this day trip from Lisbon?

Yes, children are welcome; infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller.

Is snorkeling equipment provided on the tour?

Yes, snorkeling gear is included for swimming stops in secluded bays along Arrábida’s coast.

Are there facilities at the meeting point in Sesimbra Marina?

The marine center offers free WiFi, toilets, wind jackets, and guest amenities before departure.

Is this dolphin & whale watching tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible including boarding at Sesimbra Marina.

What language does the guide speak during the tour?

The local guide/biologist speaks English and Portuguese during commentary and storytelling.

What’s included

Your day includes meeting at Sesimbra Marina with free WiFi and wind jackets provided if you want them; then heading out with a licensed marine biologist as your guide. All national park fees are covered along with bottled water onboard. You’ll have snorkeling gear ready for swimming stops in Arrábida’s bays plus a glass of typical local wine before heading back to harbor together.