10 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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