This site is dedicated to all the different Madeira boat trips you can do while visiting Madeira. There are a number of differrent ways to go out and see the dolphins and whales. There is a variety of Madeira boats that offer half day and full day cruises along the south end of the island. A variety of Madeira dolphins and Madeira whales can be observed during the course of the year.
The most popular Madeira boat tour is by Catamaran. Madeira Catamaran is a company that owns two catamarans called "Sea the Best" and "Sea Pleasure". They specialize on searching for dolphins and whales and will give you a free ride if you do not get to see anything when you go out with them. The chances of you being able to see dolphins or whales are 95%. This boat tour takes about 3 hours and goes out twice a day, every day. It anchors in front of the highest sea cliff in Europe, Cabo Girão, for a swim and a chance do do some snorkeling. The Catamaran is quiet big, takes up to 98 people, has a covered area and has refreshments and toilets onboard . It also offers special summer trips.
The boat embarks from the Marina in Funchal and the meeting point is half an hour before, in front of the "O Solar Da Santola" restaurant in the marina.
Daily Trips
Mornings ( 10h30 - 13h30 )
Afternoons ( 15h00 - 18h00 )
Summer Cruises
Sunset ( 18h30 - 21h30 ) On Fridays and Sundays from June to September.
Evening Cruise ( 18h30 - 20h00 ) On Wednesdays from June to September.
East Coast Cruise ( 10h00 - 17h00 ) On Wednesdays from June to September.
West Coast Cruise ( 10h00 - 17h00 ) On Thursdays from June to September.
Whale and Dolphin Watching
Sea the Best
"Rota dos Cetáceos" is a company that specialises in the observation of dolphins and whales. In fact they guarantee that you will see either dolphins or whales. If not, you will get another free ride! Their team consists of marine biologists that accompany the trips and will be able to answer any questions regarding the observation of the various types of sea mammals that visit our waters.
Trips are made in fast, semi-riged type boats with a capacity for 12 people, and onboard a modern, engine catamaran with a capacity for 50 people. With these types of boats they can assure that you get out to the dolphins and whales in the shortest possible time. They are also the only company that offers swimming among the dolphins.
Daily Trips
Three times a day for a duration of 2h30.
Rota dos Cetaceos
Dolphin & Whale watching
Swimming with wild Dolphins
Here is a good old fashioned boat, called "Ventura do Mar", that will take you out to the desertas islands for the day. A chance to see the worlds rarest seal and to explore this natural park. The trip to the islands lasts 3.5 hours and you get the chance to see dolphins and whales. This is a whole day event and the price includes a meal at lunch time and all drinks. This trip is normally done on Fridays and you can also go out to see dolphins and whales, either in the morning or the afternoon, on any other day of the week. They also organise diving trips to the Desertas islands and at the most eastern point of Madeira, Ponta do São Lourenço. For bird watching enthusiasts, they also do specialised birdwatching trips.
The Desertas island trip is quite popular and lasts the whole day. The 3.5 hours journey to the islands will give you the chance to observe dolphins, whales and marine birds. Once there, you get to swim in the crystal clear waters, followed by a typical meal onboard. After lunch you get to go out and explore one of these islands, which is now a nature reserve. A really delightful day out. The trip may be cancelled if weather does not permit it.
Desertas Island Trip
Fridays ( 9h00 - 19h30 )
Dolphin & Whale Watching
Mornings ( 10h30 - 13h30 )
Afternoons ( 14h45 - 18h00 )
Ventura do Mar
Desertas Islands
One of the most photographed boats or ship, is the Santa Maria de Colombo, otherwise known as the Pirate Ship, which is the exact replica of Christopher Columbus boat, build in 1998. This trip has an adventures feeling about it, as one can almost feel how it was when the island was discovered 500 odd years ago. The boat also goes out twice a day and covers the same route as the catamaran which also stops at the bottom of Cabo Girão (The highest sea cliff in Europe), for a swim.
Daily Trips
Mornings ( 10h30 - 13h30 )
Afternoons ( 15h00 - 18h00 )
Santa Maria de Colombo
The Beluga submarine is the only glass bottom boat in Madeira. This trimaran has a central cabin that is semi submerged and has 8 glass panels which allow underwater vision. This glass bottom boat does two daily trips towards the east side of the island where the natural marine reserve of Garajau is situated. There they stop to view the abondance of fish that live in the reef, including some impressive species such as Pigfish, Bream, Grouper, Ray and more.
For anyone that wants to go for a swim here, a snorkel and mask is provided. They then make their way to deeper waters for a chance to see dolphins, whales and turtles, through the glass bottom of the boat. A truly unique boating experience.
Daily Trips
Mornings ( 11h00 - 14h00 )
Afternoons ( 15h30 - 18h30 )
This liveaboard yacht, specialising on diving trips also offers island cruises for non divers. A wonderful way to see the island by sea, a chance to see dolphins and whales and spend a relaxing day sunbathing on this luxury yacht. Full day island cruises, including lunch onboard and goes on Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays. Will go on any day for groups bigger than 12 people. Departing from Santa Cruz or Funchal this trip will be around Desertas Island, São Lourenço, Caniçal, Machico, Santa Cruz, Reyes Magos, Funchal.
They also offer weekend trips to Porto Santo on an all inclusive basis of liveaboard. This luxury yacht can accomadate 20 guests plus crew.
