If you read nothing else
- The Funchal dolphin and whale watching catamaran cruise has a from-price of US$40 for a 3-hour trip.[1]
- Bottlenose dolphins and short-finned pilot whales are seen off Madeira all year, with Atlantic spotted dolphins and blue whales as seasonal visitors.[2]
- Five kilometres from the coast the ocean is more than 3,000 metres deep, which draws whales close to shore.[3]
- Boats must keep 50 meters from whales and dolphins and 25 meters from sea turtles.[4]
- The cruise is rated 4.61 from 6,772 reviews, with a live guide in English and Portuguese.[1]
- Top choice Funchal Catamaran Cruise from US$40 Rating4.61[1]Duration3 hours[1]LanguageEnglish, Portuguese[1]Free cancellationUp to 24 hours[1] Check availability
- Bay Luxury Catamaran from US$46 Rating4.25[5]Duration3 hours[5]LanguageEnglish, Portuguese[5]Free cancellationUp to 24 hours[5] See this tour
- Sunset Sailing from US$63 Rating4.77[6]Duration3 hours[6]LanguageEnglish, Portuguese[6]Free cancellationUp to 24 hours[6] See this tour
Just five kilometres off the coast, the ocean depths can reach more than 3,000 metres, and the underwater terrain has steep slopes, underwater canyons, and vast plateaus. This special terrain allows larger cetaceans that would usually be seen in deeper waters to swim close to the island's coastline.
A straightforward, well-priced whale watching choice in Funchal
Read before booking
- Reserve now and pay later for a flexible plan.
- Cancel free if plans change.
- Arrive with time to find the marina and check in.
- Sunscreen and a light layer beat a heavy bag on board.
On the day
- Wildlife rules keep the encounter calm.
- Shared catamaran with room to move.
- Sea temperatures stay pleasant across the year.
- Live guide in English and Portuguese.
The deep Atlantic just off Funchal
Funchal sits on the southern coast of Madeira, where the ocean floor drops away fast. Just five kilometres off the coast, the sea is more than 3,000 metres deep.[3] That steep underwater terrain brings deep-water whales closer to shore than you might expect, and researchers have confirmed 27 species of cetaceans in Madeira's waters.[2] Dolphin and whale watching boats leave from the marina and head into this rich stretch of ocean.
Bottlenose dolphins and short-finned pilot whales are seen all year round, while Atlantic spotted dolphins and the occasional blue whale are seasonal visitors.[2] Orcas and humpback whales are rarely seen, which makes any sighting feel special.[2] The island's whaling past ended voluntarily in 1981, after running from 1941.[7] Today the tone is very different: boats keep a respectful distance from the animals.[4]
Sea temperatures off Funchal range from 19°C in winter to 24°C in summer.[8] That gentle range makes this one of those rare places where you can plan a boat trip in almost any season without worrying too much about cold water.
Madeira whale watching tour price in Funchal
The Funchal dolphin and whale watching catamaran cruise, which is the tour booked from this site, has a from-price of US$40.[1] That gives you a 3-hour trip with a live guide in English and Portuguese.[1] You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellations are free up to 24 hours in advance.[1] The Madeira whale watching tour price in Funchal is not the only one on the water.
A luxury catamaran option in Funchal Bay is priced from US$46, and a sunset sailing tour is from US$63.[5][6] The catamaran cruise stays low and leaves room in your trip budget for other Madeira experiences, such as a tuk tuk tour through the old town or a cable car ride up to Monte.
A half-day on the water is one of the easiest additions to a Funchal itinerary. The marina is easy to reach from central Funchal, and the cruise's starting point is simple to find on foot. If you are watching your budget, the from-price is a useful anchor before you decide how to spend the rest of your day.
A catamaran full of passengers sails out of Funchal on a bright Atlantic morning.
A relaxed catamaran cruise from Funchal Marina
The cruise is a 3-hour catamaran trip along Madeira's southern coast.[1][9] You will be on a vessel with other travellers, but there is room to move around, sit in the sun and watch the horizon. The crew keeps an eye out, and a live tour guide in English and Portuguese helps you understand what you are seeing.[1] Catamarans are stable and open, which suits travellers who might feel nervous on a smaller RIB.
On a typical outing, the boat heads out with no fixed promise of what you will find. The ocean decides. The crew follows the movement of whales and dolphins, and some local operators use a land-based spotter who relays mileage and landmarks to the skippers.[10] It is a patient sort of watching, and the reward is a wild animal choosing to surface beside you.
The hours on the water can be quiet, with long stretches of empty sea between sightings. That is normal. Dolphins and whales appear on their own schedule, often when you least expect them.
Whales and dolphins you might see
The checklist is longer than many first-time visitors expect. Alongside the year-round bottlenose dolphins and short-finned pilot whales, Madeira receives Atlantic spotted dolphins and occasional blue whales as seasonal visitors.[2] Sperm whales are seen with some frequency all year, and they are more common in the fall months.[11] If you travel between June and November, you may catch Bryde's whales, which are typically seen most during those summer months.[12]
Orcas and humpback whales are rarely seen.[2] That rarity is part of the appeal: every trip is a different slice of the Atlantic. Whether you see a dozen dolphins or a single whale tail, the memory tends to last longer than the hour on the water.
A price page cannot promise an animal, and an honest skipper will not either. What you pay for is time on the water with a crew that knows where to look and how to approach without crowding the animals. Some trips meet dolphins within minutes of leaving the marina, others work the whole coast before the first fin shows. Keep a camera ready, but spend part of the trip simply watching, because the moments that stay with people are rarely the ones they managed to photograph.
from US$40
Lock in a 3-hour Funchal dolphin and whale watching catamaran cruise with a live guide in English and Portuguese, rated 4.61 from 6,772 travellers.[1]
Madeira whale watching Funchal price and booking details
For the official Madeira whale watching price in Funchal, the from-price is the one to note. The catamaran cruise is listed at from US$40.[1] You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later.[1] Starting times depend on availability, so check the options when you book.
You can also compare the Funchal whale watching tour with other sea experiences. The bay's luxury catamaran is from US$46, and the Santa Maria de Colombo flag ship tour is from US$52.[5][13] If sunset is your moment, a separate sailing tour has a from-price of US$63.[6] Booking through the site keeps everything in one place, with the same free cancellation window on most of these cruises.
When you compare listings, read what sits behind the from-price rather than the number alone. Check the boat type, the length of the trip, the cancellation terms and whether the departure time suits the rest of your day. A lower price on a crowded deck is not always the better deal, and a slightly dearer ticket on a smaller boat can be money well spent if you care about space at the rail.
Dress, weather and comfort on the water
Madeira's sea temperatures stay gentle through the year, from 19°C in winter to 24°C in summer.[8] A light layer is useful even on a warm afternoon; the boat can be breezier than the shore. Keep sun protection on and your camera strap on. You will want both hands ready when a pod of dolphins appears.
If you pass the coast at the western end of the bay, you may see the Cabo Girão sea cliff, which rises 580 metres high.[14] It is a striking backdrop from the water. From the deck, the cliff and the open ocean together give you a strong sense of how wild and vertical Madeira really is.
If you are prone to seasickness, eat lightly beforehand, stay on deck in the fresh air and keep your eyes on the horizon. Families with small children usually find a catamaran easier than a fast inflatable, since there is room to move about, shade to retreat to and a steadier deck underfoot.
Choosing between a catamaran and other boat tours
The 3-hour catamaran cruise is a balanced choice for travellers who want a stable ride and a live guide.[1] A luxury catamaran option offers the same duration at a higher from-price, while a sunset sailing tour puts the focus on the evening light.[5][6] The Santa Maria de Colombo, a flag ship tour, is another way to spend 3 hours on the water.[13]
Think about your priorities: wildlife first, sunset first, or a bit of both. The Funchal dolphin and whale watching catamaran cruise keeps the price low and the wildlife front and centre. If sightings are the main reason you came to Madeira, this cruise gives you the best of the ocean without overcomplicating your afternoon.
Whale watching cruise prices in Funchal
From prices: from US$40[1], from US$46[5], from US$47[15], from US$52[13], from US$63[6].
Compare starting prices
From prices in USD: from US$40[1], from US$46[5], from US$63[6], from US$52[13].
When to go and when to book
Plan your trip
Choose the cruise
The Funchal catamaran cruise has a from-price of US$40 and lasts 3 hours.[1]
Check the start
Starting times vary; confirm availability when booking.[1]
Book flexibly
You can reserve now and pay later, with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.[1]
Pack light
Sea temperatures range from 19°C in winter to 24°C in summer.[8] A light layer and sun protection are sensible.
Respect the animals
Madeira's rules require boats to keep 50 meters from whales and dolphins and 25 meters from sea turtles.[4]
Ready to watch dolphins and whales from a Funchal catamaran?
from US$41Reserve now & pay later
