Dolphin and Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise with Cabo Girão Swim Stop
- Duration3 hours
- Daily except 25 December and the morning of 1 January
- Group
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Overview
This shared catamaran cruise leaves Funchal Marina and heads five to six miles offshore, where the deep Atlantic around Madeira attracts dolphins and whales throughout the year. The crew searches for the animals and gives live commentary in English and Portuguese, and when the sea is calm the catamaran anchors below Cabo Girão, one of Europe's highest sea cliffs, for a swim and snorkel stop in clear water. The stable twin-hull boat has covered seating, sunbathing areas and toilets, so it is comfortable for families with children aged five and over, couples and first-time boat travellers. The trip lasts about three hours with morning and afternoon departures, and there is no hotel pickup: you meet us at the marina.
Highlights
- Spacious, stable catamaran departing from the heart of Funchal
- Dolphins and whales searched for five to six miles offshore
- Swim stop below the Cabo Girão sea cliff, weather permitting
- Snorkel masks available on request on board
- Live commentary from the crew in English and Portuguese
- Covered seating, sunbathing nets and toilets on board
- Views of Câmara de Lobos and the Funchal skyline on the way back
- A second trip if no whales or dolphins are seen
Full Description
Funchal Marina and Praça do Povo
The catamaran departs from Pier 8 of Funchal Marina, right below Praça do Povo, the seafront square created from the debris carried down by the 2010 floods and opened as a public garden in 2016. The marina lies between the old town and the cathedral district, so it is an easy walk from most central hotels and a natural starting point for any Funchal boat trip.
Check in at the catamaran kiosk thirty minutes before departure. While you wait you can watch the fishing boats and yachts in the harbour and look up at the city climbing the hills behind. Departures at 10:30 and 15:00 make this one of the most flexible things to do in Funchal, and it fits easily before lunch or after a morning exploring the old town.
Dolphin and whale waters offshore
Madeira rises steeply from the ocean floor, so deep water lies only a short distance from the coast. Five to six miles out, the catamaran reaches the feeding grounds of bottlenose and common dolphins, present all year, and of Atlantic spotted dolphins, which arrive in spring and stay through autumn. Short-finned pilot whales are resident, and depending on the season you may see Bryde's, sperm or fin whales.
The crew scans the horizon and follows the latest sightings, then slows the engines when the animals appear so you can watch them riding the bow or surfacing nearby. The high deck of a catamaran gives a wide, stable viewpoint, ideal for children and photographers. Our dolphin watching catamaran in Madeira offers a second trip if no cetaceans are seen.
Cabo Girão and the swim stop at the fajã
Cabo Girão rises about 580 metres above the sea and is among the highest sea cliffs in Europe. At its foot lies a fajã, a narrow strip of flat land formed by ancient landslides, where tiny terraced plots are still farmed and reached by a cable car from the cliff top. Seen from the water, the sheer wall of rock is even more impressive than from the glass platform above.
When the sea conditions allow, the catamaran anchors below the cliff for a swim stop in calm, clear water, with time to snorkel among small fish along the rocks; masks can be requested on board. The Atlantic here is pleasant from late spring to autumn, and braver swimmers enjoy it all year. If you prefer to stay dry, relax on the sun nets and enjoy the view.
Câmara de Lobos and the Funchal coastline
On the way back the catamaran follows the coast past Câmara de Lobos, a picturesque fishing town whose name recalls the monk seals, lobos-marinhos, that the first explorers found in its cove. Colourful wooden boats line its small harbour, and its fishermen still go out at night for the black scabbardfish, the island's signature dish.
Further east, the amphitheatre of Funchal comes into view: the hotels on the cliffs of the Lido, the cathedral tower, the fort of São Tiago and the green hills dotted with houses up to Monte. It is a relaxed end to the trip, perfect for photos as the catamaran returns to the marina, and a lovely way to understand how the island's capital is built between the mountains and the sea.
Itinerary
- Check-in at Funchal MarinaCheck in at the catamaran kiosk on Pier 8, below Praça do Povo, thirty minutes before departure.
- Safety briefing and departureThe crew welcomes you aboard, gives a short safety briefing and the catamaran leaves the marina.
- Dolphin and whale watching offshoreSearch for cetaceans five to six miles from the coast with live commentary from the crew; most of the trip is spent here.
- Swim stop at Cabo GirãoIf the sea allows, the catamaran anchors below the cliff for about thirty minutes of swimming and snorkelling.
- Coastal return to FunchalCruise back along the coast past Câmara de Lobos, arriving at the marina about three hours after departure.
What's included
- Catamaran cruise from Funchal Marina
- Crew and live commentary
- Dolphin and whale watching offshore
- Swim stop at Cabo Girão, weather permitting
- Snorkel masks on request on board
- Toilets and covered seating on board
- A second trip if no cetaceans are seen
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Snacks and drinks (available to buy on board)
- Personal expenses
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Families with children — a child price for ages 5–12
- Nature and wildlife lovers
- Anyone who wants to see it from the water
- A half-day plan — about 3 hours
Think twice if
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
- You get seasick easily
Not suitable for
- Wheelchair users
Meeting point
Check in thirty minutes before departure at the catamaran trips kiosk at Funchal Marina, Pier 8, just below Praça do Povo in the centre of Funchal. Departures are usually at 10:30 and 15:00. Hotel pickup is not included, but the marina is within walking distance of the old town and most central hotels, and taxis and city buses stop along the seafront avenue. The catamaran returns to the same pier.
Important information
- Bring a windbreaker, sunscreen, comfortable shoes and a camera
- Bring swimwear and a towel if you want to swim at Cabo Girão
- The swim stop depends on sea conditions and is decided by the skipper on the day
- Snacks and drinks can be bought on board; toilets and covered seating are available
- Large bags and luggage are not allowed on board
- Trips run every day except 25 December and the morning of 1 January
- Trips may be cancelled in bad weather; you are then offered another date or a refund
- If no whales or dolphins are seen, you receive a voucher for a second trip
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
Is this a shared or a private experience?
It is a shared catamaran cruise with other travellers, led by the skipper and crew.
How long does it take?
About three hours from departure to return at Funchal Marina.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. You meet us at the catamaran kiosk on Pier 8 of Funchal Marina, below Praça do Povo.
What is included?
The catamaran cruise, crew and live commentary, dolphin and whale watching, a swim stop at Cabo Girão when conditions allow, snorkel masks on request, toilets and covered seating, and a second trip if no cetaceans are seen.
Is the price per person or per group?
The price is per person, with a reduced rate for children. The booking panel on this page shows the current price of each option.
Is it suitable for children or people with reduced mobility?
The stable catamaran is very suitable for children aged five and over. Boarding involves steps and a moving deck, so it is not suitable for wheelchair users.
What should I bring?
A windbreaker, sunscreen, swimwear, a towel, comfortable shoes, a camera and rain gear in the cooler months.
Which departure is better, morning or afternoon?
Both have similar chances of sightings. The morning sea is often calmer, while the afternoon trip is warmer for the swim stop.
What happens in bad weather?
If the sea is too rough the trip is cancelled for safety and we offer you another date or a refund. The swim stop is skipped if conditions are not right.
Can I swim and snorkel during the trip?
Yes, when the sea allows the catamaran stops below Cabo Girão for a swim, and masks can be requested on board.
Will I definitely see dolphins?
Sightings are very frequent around Madeira, but wild animals are never guaranteed. If none are seen, you receive a voucher for a second trip during your stay.
How do I book and confirm?
Choose your date and departure time in the booking panel and send your request. Our team confirms your booking on WhatsApp within minutes.
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