Dolphin and Whale Watching Sailing Yacht Trip with Snorkelling Madeira

Funchal quay and the harbour

The trip begins on the long quay of Funchal harbour, the stone pier that has welcomed ships to Madeira's capital for centuries and still berths cruise liners today. Walking out along the quay, you have one of the best views of the city: the old town of Santa Maria, the cathedral tower and the white houses climbing the green slopes towards Monte.

Follow the quay to the very end and take the last stairs down on your right, where the yacht waits. Because shoes are not allowed on board, you will sail barefoot, which suits the relaxed mood of the trip. A Funchal yacht tour is one of the most peaceful things to do in Funchal, and the late morning departure leaves time for breakfast and a stroll along the seafront avenue before you board.

Sailing the south coast in search of dolphins and whales

Once outside the harbour the yacht heads west along the coast, and when there is enough wind the crew sets the sails and turns off the engine. Bottlenose and common dolphins live in the deep water just off Madeira all year, while Atlantic spotted dolphins arrive from spring to autumn and short-finned pilot whales are often seen resting at the surface.

Sea turtles are a special bonus of this route: the young loggerheads seen around Madeira hatch on distant beaches across the Atlantic and drift here on the ocean currents, spending years feeding in these waters. Your guide shares facts about each animal and how to recognise it. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but sailing quietly gives you a good chance of close and natural encounters.

Cabo Girão: swimming and snorkelling below the cliff

Cabo Girão rises about 580 metres above the waves, one of the highest sea cliffs in Europe, and at its foot lie the terraced fields of a fajã still farmed by local families. The yacht drops anchor in the sheltered water below, where the cliff towers overhead and the sea is usually calm and clear.

Here you can swim from the yacht and use the snorkel gear provided to look at the rocky seabed, where ornate wrasse, damselfish, parrotfish and starfish are common. The water temperature is most pleasant from June to October, though many swimmers enjoy it all year. If you prefer not to swim, relax on deck with your drink and admire the cliff. This swim stop is the highlight of our Cabo Girão sailing tour.

Câmara de Lobos and the views of Funchal from the sea

On the way back the yacht passes close to Câmara de Lobos, a small fishing town with brightly painted boats in its harbour and houses stacked above the water. Its name comes from the monk seals, lobos-marinhos, that the first explorers found sheltering here in the fifteenth century, and its fishermen are known for catching the deep-sea black scabbardfish.

As you return east, the whole amphitheatre of Funchal opens in front of you, from the hotel cliffs of the Lido to the port and the hills above the city. Seen from the deck of a sailing boat, it is the classic view of Madeira's capital and the perfect end to a relaxed three hours on the water, before the yacht docks back at Funchal Marina.