15 Madeira Catamaran Cruises Worth Booking

1.Ecological Catamaran Dolphin Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 8,204 reviews · 3 hours · from $41Our pick

From Funchal Marina, Magic Dolphin’s 2022 hybrid-electric catamaran spends three hours seeking dolphins, whales, turtles, and seabirds. Land-based spotters guide the crew, while English and Portuguese guides explain the wildlife. Expect open decks, large viewing nets, toilets, and Cabo Girão views on the return.

“Offering a complimentary water would be appreciated. Overall it was fun, appreciative of the guide helpfulness and they helped retrieve a lost backpack. I’d definitely recommend Magic Dolphin Boat tours, and will use them next time I come here.”

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2.Dolphin and Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise

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

Sail from Funchal for three hours aboard a comfortable Seaborn catamaran, watching for dolphins, whales, turtles, and flying fish. Your English or Portuguese-speaking crew shares facts about Madeira’s sea life, then stops beneath Cabo Girão for swimming when conditions allow. Drinks and snacks are sold onboard.

“It was amazing! We got to see dolphins and then we got to swim the water was perfect amd the guides very a very fun and nice bunch! I didnt get their names but it was one of the 3pms tour 👌🏾🥳”

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3.Funchal Bay: Dolphin & Whale Watch Luxury Catamaran Cruise

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

Join Atlantic Pearl Catamaran in Funchal for a three-hour cruise with Portuguese or English-speaking crew. Watch for dolphins, pilot whales, sperm whales, and other marine life, then stop to swim beneath 580-meter Cabo Girão. The smaller boat, onboard bathroom, covered seats, hammocks, and paid bar make this a relaxed alternative to a large party cruise.

“Both staff were absolutely quality, good laugh and a great tour! Saw pilot whales and dolphins at first spot and had a great swim in the beautiful waters! All the best with the new baby captain!”

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4.Dolphin and Whale Watching by Luxury Catamaran

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

Set out from Funchal Marina on a spacious Magic Dolphin catamaran with indoor seating, sun beds, and trampoline nets. Your Portuguese or English-speaking crew looks for dolphins, whales, turtles, and seabirds, then sails to Cabo Girão for a swim when conditions and timing allow. A drink is included.

“A wonderful tour with a fabulously charismatic and knowledgeable marine biologist. We saw dolphins and experienced a beautiful day on the stunning catamaran. Absolute bargain, highly recommended!!! 10/10”

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5.Funchal Sunset Tour by Catamaran

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

From Funchal Marina, you’ll cruise Madeira’s south coast for three hours, look for dolphins and whales, and stop beneath Cabo Girão for a swim when conditions allow. The catamaran has a bar, toilets, two levels, and English and Portuguese-speaking guides. A second trip is offered if no animals are seen.

“It was a really good fun trip, my only comment would be to go a little further out to see the sun set over the sea rather than behind the mountain as that is what I was expecting.”

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6.Dolphin and Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise from Funchal

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

Cruise Madeira’s south coast for about three hours aboard a catamaran from Funchal Marina. The crew searches for dolphins and whales, explains the marine life and coastline, and may stop for a swim below 580-meter Cabo Girão when conditions allow. Drinks and toilets are available onboard.

“Both me and my daughter loved it. The staff were so helpful and friendly . We loved seeing the dolphins and also seeing madeira from the sea”

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7.Half-day Catamaran Trip from Funchal

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 272 reviews · from $40Best value

Sail from Funchal with Jon and the Seaborn Catamaran crew on a relaxed 3-hour trip along Madeira’s coast. Watch for dolphins, whales, and turtles, enjoy Cabo Girão views, and swim in the Atlantic during summer. Snorkel gear is available with a cash deposit.

“Everything was great but no snorkelling gear on our trip :( . The crew was friendly and professional.”

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8.Eco-Friendly Catamaran Dolphin and Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 226 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours (approx.) · from $42

You’ll cruise Madeira’s south coast aboard Magic Dolphin’s eco-friendly catamaran, leaving Funchal for dolphins, whales, turtles, seabirds, and possibly Monk seals. Land-based spotters guide the crew toward wildlife. The trip also passes Cabo Girão, Câmara de Lobos, and Reid’s Hotel, with drinks, snacks, commentary, and possible swimming onboard.

“Einfach perfekt! Sollte man wirklich gemacht haben! Die meisten Leute sind ja nur einmal auf Madeira. Wunderschön!”

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9.Desertas Islands Full-Day Catamaran Trip from Funchal

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 196 reviews · 9 hours · from $106

Spend nine hours sailing from Funchal to the protected Desertas Islands with an English or Portuguese guide. You’ll visit Deserta Grande, learn about monk-seal protection, eat lunch on board, and swim, snorkel, or paddle in clear water. Wildlife sightings are possible, but never guaranteed.

“Everything about this trip was spot on. We had beautiful weather both there and back to Desertas. The highlight of the trip was spotting a group of killer whales on the way there and a couple of bottle nosed dolphins on the way back. Something I'll never forget. I would do this trip again in a heartbeat. Excellent staff and crew. Couldn't have asked for anything more.”

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10.Half Day Tour on a Luxury Catamaran on Madeira Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 159 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $48

Spend about three hours aboard Atlantic Pearl’s catamaran from Funchal, watching for dolphins, whales, turtles, and other cetaceans before stopping for a swim. The boat carries up to 36 people and has a restroom, WiFi, bar, and snorkeling gear. Crew members such as Jose, John, and Edgar have led praised departures.

“Lovely to see a group of dolphins enjoying themselves near the boat. Catamaran had very good facilities on board.”

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11.Cabo Girao Sunset Cruise on Luxury Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 84 reviews · 3 hours · from $47

Join Atlantic Pearl Catamaran in Funchal for a three-hour sunset sail to Cabo Girão. You will see Madeira from the water, look for dolphins and whales, stop for swimming and snorkeling, and watch the sun set over the Atlantic. Portuguese and English guides lead the trip.

“Was a Last minute booking and thank god we did book! We had the most amazing time! The guide was so lovely and helpful explaining how to kayak and stayed with us while we were travelling to the beach so make sure we were all doing okay! when we got to the beach he told us a bit of history about the island and animals which was really interesting! Had the best time snorkelling and saw some amazing fish! The colours on them were gorgeous. All together had the most amazing time, we go given 2 waters and 2 redballs for the trip and got given snorkelling equipment as well.…”

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12.Catamaran Sunset Cruise from Funchal

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 77 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $48

Leave Praça do Povo in Funchal for a three-hour catamaran cruise along Madeira’s coast. Expect sunset views, live commentary, a possible swim stop, music, a paid bar, toilets, and a chance to see dolphins or whales when sea conditions cooperate.

“Se sale desde el puerto, no tiene perdida. Hay que ir hasta la caseta de la empresa para que te den las entradas aunque tengas la reserva previa. El trayecto fue increible, nos dejaron bañarnos unos 20 min con el atardecer de fondo (fatasía). Lo malo es que no avistamos delfines ni ballenas ni nada... Aunque al no haber visto nada te dan la opcion de darte el mismo trayecto gratis al día siguiente. Muy recomendable, repetiría sin duda!”

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13.New Year’s Eve Fireworks by Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 72 reviews · from $171

Meet at Cais 8 in Funchal Marina 30 minutes before departure, then sail out by catamaran for Madeira’s huge New Year’s Eve fireworks. English and Portuguese guides are on board, and champagne, wine, beer, and soft drinks are included. The 1.5-hour cruise returns to the marina.

“It was a magnificent experience, very well organised, but most of all the fireworks were amazing :)”

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14.Cabo Girão Sunset Catamaran Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 63 reviews · from $40Top rated

Join Catamaran Seaborn in Funchal Marina for a three-hour evening sail along Madeira’s southwest coast. You’ll head toward Cabo Girão, swim if weather allows, and watch the sunset on the return to Funchal. English and Portuguese are available, with toilets and snorkeling equipment on board.

“We were very lucky, only a few other guests were on board. On the way back we even sailed for half an hour. And we were able to spot dolphins (an flying fishes, not me but the others). I really enjoyed the trip.”

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15.New Years Eve Fireworks Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 58 reviews

Sail from Funchal Marina at 11 PM, cruise past Madeira’s Christmas lights, then return to the bay for the midnight fireworks. Catamaran Seaborn provides champagne, Madeira wine, snacks, and an English or Portuguese guide. Expect a lively setting, limited seating, and a 12:30 AM return.

“Picie i przekąski no limit, widoki warte każdej ceny. 10/10 i chętnie bym tam wróciła”

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