★★★★★
"we joined catamaran cruise. staff wqs friendly, cruise wqs comfortable and we did see a largw group of doplphins and a whale in the distance."
Portugal · Catamaran tour
From Funchal: Ecological Catamaran Dolphin Whale Watching
Experience the ultimate dolphin and whale watching experience on our custom-built Eco-catamaran. Cruise offshore in comfort to see marine wildlife, then visit Cabo Girão for a refreshing swim.
★ 4.59104 reviews
$38From / person
Madeira, PortugalMeeting point area
Free cancellation on most bookings · Bookings handled by GetYourGuide
Go green with the premier dolphin and whale watching Eco-experience on Madeira Island! Book your cruise on our 2022 purpose-built Eco-friendly catamaran and enjoy a comfortable tour along the southern coast of Madeira Island. Watch out for wonderful whales and dolphins jumping and splashing nearby. When sea life arrives our electric engines engage for silent, emission free cruising which helps keep the cetaceans very happy! On this tour we will cruise a few miles out of Funchal looking for all kinds of wildlife such as dolphins, whales, turtles and oceanic birds. We have one of the best sightings records in Funchal thanks to our spotters from land monitoring the ocean and directing the boat to the dolphins and whales. Our certified guides will provide you with an informative commentary and fun facts about the cetaceans and marine species that you may find on your trip from Funchal. On our way back, we sail close to the coast passing by many points of interest such Cabo Girão where you will enjoy stunning views of one of the highest sea cliffs in the world! Camara de Lobos Bay – a traditional fishing village; the world famous Reid’s Hotel where Winston Churchill used to stay during his visits to Madeira Island and much more! You will be able to relax comfortably enjoy the beautiful views of the south coast of Madeira Island from our flagship vessel. Magic Dolphin Eco is the only purpose built dolphin & whale watching catamaran in Madeira Island with hybrid-electric engines. It was specially developed to assure our passengers a safe, comfortable and exceptional tour. Its hybrid-electric engines reduce noise and emissions making it the best experience not only for our guests, but also for our beloved cetaceans! Bar service (2x) with drinks and snacks available; Toilets (2x) on deck wheelchair accessible; Two decks for better sightseeing; Fantastic upper deck providing 360° panoramic views; Great bridge deck shade area; Large nets and sea life observation area; Seating for everyone inside and out; Fast Catamaran – up to 20 knots; Modern safety construction 2022; Stable and comfortable cruising. We are all about responsible dolphin and whale watching, and love sharing our knowledge with you! Join us and observe sealife the right way, in the wild! Note: Madeira is a world class destination for dolphin and whale watching. But as they are wild and free, it is simply not possible to guarantee seeing cetaceans on every tour. We encounter cetaceans every day and we always do our best to find them. But if your tour is one of the very few unlucky ones we will do our best to make you happy! Note: Please arrive to our office in Funchal Marina 30 minutes before departure. In respect to all of our guests the boat leaves on time. If you miss the boat, you will be not be issued a refund. Note: Cancellations/Booking Changes must be made 24h prior to departure time.
Highlights
- Silent emission free Dolphin and Whale Watching
- Catamaran build with Modern Tecnology
- Large nets for observation area
- Only Catamaran in Madeira has Hybrid engines
- Watching the wild life silent engaged our electric engines
What's included
- ✅ Unlimited access to all catamaran areas
- ✅ Enjoy full use of the vessel throughout the trip — including the upper deck, spacious nets area, indoor and outdoor seating, and our onboard bars. You are free to move around and make the most of every viewpoint.
- ✅ Certified crew and guides
- ✅ Our professional and fully certified crew is on board to ensure your comfort, safety, and an enjoyable experience from start to finish. They are always happy to assist and share their knowledge about the marine environment.
- ✅ Professional whale spotters on land
- ✅ We work with experienced whale spotters positioned on land who guide us toward areas with the highest chance of sightings. Their support greatly increases the likelihood of encountering dolphins and whales during your tour.
What's not included
- ❌ Hotel pickup and drop‑off
- ❌ Transportation is not included. All guests must make their own way to our designated meeting and departure point.
- ❌ Food and drinks
- ❌ Food and beverages are not included in the tour price. However, a selection of drinks and snacks is available for purchase on board.
- ❌ Snorkeling equipment
- ❌ Snorkeling gear is not provided. For hygiene and comfort, we recommend bringing your own equipment if you wish to snorkel during the tour.
Good to know
Meeting point.Meeting point may vary depending on the option booked. Morning Cruise Aboard the Magic Dolphin Eco Dolphin and Whale Watching Ecological Catamaran Afternoon Cruise Aboard the Magic Dolphin Eco Magical Sunset Eco Cruise
Not allowed
- High-heeled shoes
- Pets
- Weapons or sharp objects
- Smoking
- Intoxication
- Vaping
- Fishing
- Alcohol and drugs
- Glass objects
- Unaccompanied minors
- Feeding animals
- Touching marine life
- Explosive substances
- Making fire
- Nudity
Know before you go
- Your safety is always our priority.
- If weather conditions are unsafe, the tour will be canceled. We do our best to inform all guests in advance and offer the option to reschedule.
- If rescheduling is not possible, you will receive a full refund.
- To ensure a comfortable experience, we recommend:
-
- Comfortable clothing
-
- A windbreaker (it can get breezy at sea)
-
- No high heels
-
- During summer months: towel and swimwear
-
- On our 3‑hour trips, a swimming break may be possible depending on weather conditions.
-
- There are two toilets available on board for your comfort.
-
- Yes, and we actually recommend bringing your own for hygiene purposes.
- -Changes or cancellations should be made at least 24 hours in advance to avoid charges.
What it looks like on board
Scroll →
Reviews
★★★★★
"It was a lovely trip and we did see a pod of spotted dolphins which we approached slowly and quietly so they swam all around the boat and stayed with us for a while. We also saw evidence of a whale (water spout) but not the whale itself - must have dived after taking breath. The guide was knowledgable and a good…"
★★★★★
"informative and relaxing, we also ran their practices by friends who are marine biologists to check if they were "green washing" or genuinely ethical and they got the seal of approval which is a real comfort! highly recommend this experience, but do take a jacket as it can get breezy when you're far out"
★★★★★
"The whole experience was very enjoyable. We had beautiful weather and were lucky enough to see a pod of spotted dolphins! The crew were knowledgeable and passionate about marine conservation and the company work to offset their carbon footprint. The boat wasn't too overcrowded either, despite being worried about…"
★★★★★
"We really enjoyed the trip and were fortunate to see 2 Right Whales we did not see any Dolphins but we were not disappointed. We took a leisurely trip back along the coastline. Lovely trip highly recommend."
★★★★★
"👉 **[Book on GetYourGuide](https://www.getyourguide.com/activity/-t426409?partner_id=RIYXUWR)**"
Questions guests ask before booking this tour
GetYourGuide lists the exact inclusions on the booking page — typically snorkel gear and life vests, drinks (often open bar), light food or lunch on the longer trips, and crew. Hotel pickup is sometimes included depending on the operator. Check the operator's inclusion list before booking; this comparison page surfaces the headline product, not every detail.
This tour starts at From $38 per person on GetYourGuide on our last refresh. Prices vary by date, season, and group size, and private-charter options are priced by the boat rather than per head. Click the Book button to see live pricing for your dates.
Most tours on GetYourGuide offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. Look for the cancellation policy on the GetYourGuide tour page before booking — it's flagged prominently on the offer card.
May – October (peak July–August). Shoulder months (april, may, october (lower prices, smaller crowds)) are the best-value window — smaller crowds, lower prices, mostly the same conditions. Avoid november – march (most operators reduced or paused).
10 % cash; service sometimes included on private charters. Cash to the captain at the end of the trip — they share with the deckhands. Service is sometimes included on private charters; check the booking confirmation.
Different products. Madeira is wildlife-led (whales, dolphins, the Calheta wreck). Algarve is geology-led (sea caves, cliffs, golden coastline). If marine wildlife is the priority, go Madeira; if the photo product is the goal, go Algarve.
Reef-safe sunscreen recommended, less strictly enforced than the Caribbean. Pick up a mineral (zinc-oxide) sunscreen before you board; on-board sales are usually marked up.
More catamaran tours in Portugal
Three more catamaran days in Portugal ranked by verified guest reviews. Cross-shopping these usually surfaces a better-value option for the same week.
Ready to sail?
Check live availability and lock in your date. Most catamaran tours offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
Book on GetYourGuidePowered by GetYourGuide. We may earn a small affiliate commission.