The 15 Cruises & Boat Tours from Funchal We Would Book Again

From Funchal: Ecological Catamaran Dolphin Whale Watching - The Eco-Catamaran: Modern 2022 Safety, Two Decks, and Real Viewing Space

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5,771 reviews · from $40Our pick

Eco-catamaran dolphin and whale watching from Funchal with silent hybrid-electric engines, net viewing, and a swim stop at Cabo Girão.

“Well organised and safe trip. modern catamaran and smooth sailing. We have close up view of Dolphins swimming along with the boat and a group of Pilot Whales. Crew gave animals plenty of space and made sure they didn't stress them. good information about the sealife from the guide. Plenty on space on board didn't feel crowded.”

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Funchal: Dolphin and Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise

2.Dolphin and Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5,697 reviews · 3 hours · from $41

Sail from Funchal on a Seaborn catamaran to spot dolphins, whales, and turtles near Cabo Girão, with a swim option and bar drinks.

“Great trip the crew ensured we had a good time and we felt we were in safe hands. Saw pilot whales which was amazing can thoroughly recommend this company.”

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Funchal Bay: Dolphin & Whale Watch Luxury Catamaran Cruise

3.Dolphin & Whale Watch Luxury Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 2,684 reviews · 3 hours · from $47

Luxury catamaran from Funchal for dolphin and whale watching, plus Cabo Girão snorkeling and swimming. 3 hours from $47.

“We had a great few hours out on the boat. We saw a pod of dolphins and some pilot whales too”

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Madeira Dolphin and Whale Watching on a Ecological Catamaran

4.Madeira Dolphin and Whale Watching on a Ecological Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,957 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $42

Eco-friendly catamaran whale and dolphin watch from Funchal. Hybrid-electric cruising, expert spotters, and Madeira coast sights in 3 hours.

“We were so looking forward to this trip based on other reviews but we really hated it. The 2* is for the ship cleanliness and friendliness of staff only. The seas were very rough so we were wet and cold for the entire trip. People were huddled together, wrapping towels around themselves and shivering and miserable and the crew seemed completely oblivious. Information was very sparse along the journey and there was no music or anything to create a fun atmosphere. There was a bar but it was too choppy to carry drinks without them spilling over. We did eventually encounter a pod of pilot whales which we were excited…”

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Funchal: Dolphin and Whale Watching by Luxury Catamaran

5.Dolphin and Whale Watching by Luxury Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,709 reviews · 3 hours · from $47

Luxury catamaran whale and dolphin watching from Funchal, sail to Cabo Girão, enjoy comfort, and learn marine life on a 3-hour tour.

“Excellent boat. Crew was nice and skilled on dolphins, answered many questions with great pleasure. The boat is big and secure. What we loved most is that we were a limited group of people.”

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Catamaran & Sailing Cruises, Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Sunset Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours, Whale & Dolphin Watching

Funchal: Dolphin and Whale Watching Sunset Sailing Tour

6.Dolphin and Whale Watching Sunset Sailing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,642 reviews · from $63

Sunset sail from Funchal with open bar and snorkeling at Cabo Girão, plus a guided search for whales and dolphins on Madeira.

“Wow, great trip! The guides were fantastic and it was such a great way to see the beauty of the island. It was easy to find the meeting point and we started by finding dolphins. The crew did a great job trying to find them while also keeping a safe distance. We got to see a pod and a couple jumps too! Then we sailed off to find a swim spot. It was a must do to jump into the water. It made the views even more impressive. A crew member even jumped in with us and made sure we were safe. The sunset was just gorgeous as well peaking…”

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Funchal: Dolphin and Whale Watching Sailing Trip

7.Dolphin and Whale Watching Sailing Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,325 reviews · 3 hours · from $47

3-hour sailing from Funchal for dolphin and whale watching near Cabo Girão, plus snorkeling and drinks on a small yacht.

“It was a beautiful experience, the captains talked with us and were very friendly. The group was limited to a maximum of 20 people to ensure enough space and a pleasant atmosphere. Thank you very much for a lovely day at sea!”

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Madeira: Funchal Sunset Tour by Catamaran

8.Funchal Sunset Tour by Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,200 reviews · 3 hours · from $47

Sail Funchal’s south coast on a 3-hour catamaran sunset cruise with dolphin or whale sightings, a swim stop at Cabo Girao, and a free return trip if none.

“We had an anazing experience -we have always gone for the day trips and took the Sunset trip this time We saw Whakes ,two types and enjoyed a beautiful sunset - Well worth booking, great trip and the crew were great. GRAHAM Appleyard”

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Funchal: Dolphin and Whale Watching Cruise

9.Dolphin and Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 844 reviews · 2 hours · from $58

2-hour Funchal dolphin and whale cruise with a marine biologist on a small 18-seat speedboat. Dolphins and whales prioritized offshore.

“Great activity good amount of time and saw a lot of marine life”

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Dolphin and Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise from Funchal

10.Dolphin and Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise from Funchal

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 645 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $48

3-hour catamaran cruise from Funchal to spot Madeira dolphins and whales, with a possible Cabo Girão swim, bar, and repeat trip option.

“The trip was a blessing, we saw orcas, dolphins and on the way back to the coast ., a manta ray approached the catamaran, wich is not happening very often on the coasts of Madeira. Captain and team are a perfect match and they did a great job. I would do the trip again, right away. Thanks for everything and stay calm with the crazy tourists. Muito obrigado Thanks a lot villmols Merci Dankeschön”

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3-Hour Experiences, Cruises & Boat Tours, Pirate & Tall Ship Cruises, Tour Reviews

Madeira Pirate Ship: 3-Hour Boat Trip

11.Madeira Pirate Ship: 3-Hour Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 528 reviews · 3 hours · from $54

Cruise Madeira on the Santa Maria de Colombo, hunt for dolphins and whales, anchor at Cabo Girao for a swim, then snack on honey cake and Madeira wine.

“Well organised, fantastic experience really enjoyed the traditional Madeira cake. Would recommend.”

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Funchal: Whale and Dolphin Watching Speed Boat Tour

12.Whale and Dolphin Watching Speed Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 526 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $56

Speed boat whale and dolphin watching from Funchal, Madeira with a marine biologist. Small groups, 2.5 hours, second trip if needed.

“Amazing activity!! If you were wondering, speedboat vs. catamaran: 1. Speedboat adds an adrenaline rush to the activity, 2. It is closer to the water, 3. It covers a wider area, which increases the chances of seeing different species, 4. Lower risk of sea sickness, and 5. They usually start later in the day (if you're booking an evening tour), which gives space for a half-day activity in the morning. It is more expensive, though. We had a marine biologist with us and was super informative. We got splashed a lot, so bring a raincoat. Whales need a great deal of luck to be seen. We had none :(”

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Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Sunset Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours

Funchal: Sunset Tour on Traditional Madeiran Boat w/ Drinks

13.Sunset Tour on Traditional Madeiran Boat w/ Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 482 reviews · from $56Top rated

Traditional Madeiran boat sunset cruise from Funchal to Cabo Girão, includes drinks and snorkeling gear, plus a relaxed small-boat vibe.

“The cruise was great. The ocean was rough and some in our group became ill, but that was not Rob’s problem. He was very kind and kept the drinks coming for the rest of us and showed great consideration and assistance to those that needed it. The views and sunset were spectacular!”

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Seaborn Catamaran trips

14.Seaborn Catamaran trips

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 432 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $42

A 3-hour Seaborn catamaran trip from Funchal for Madeira’s wildlife, dramatic sea views, and a swim break with onboard drinks.

“Great day . Fantastic crew . Saw both Dolphins and Pilot Whales on the trip. We got a personal update on what we had just seen using a fantastic book Would recommend heartily”

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Funchal: RIB Whale Watching Cruise and Optional Dolphin Swim

15.RIB Whale Watching Cruise and Optional Dolphin Swim

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 273 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $61

Funchal RIB whale watching in a small group, with a chance to swim with dolphins. 2.5 hours, Madeira wildlife encounters.

“Amazing boat trip with a great captain and guide. Clear respect for the animals and the sea — they even made a short stop themselves to fish a piece of plastic out of the water. We saw many dolphins, and the snorkelling option is definitely recommended.”

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