Category Dolphin Watching

PORTUGAL · DOLPHIN WATCHING

The 15 Best Dolphin Watching Trips in Portugal

41 tours

Common and bottlenose dolphins live along the whole coast, and boats out of Albufeira, Portimão, Lagos, Setúbal and Funchal find them most days between April and October. Below are the 15 trips with boat size, time at sea, and which operators carry a marine biologist.

Albufeira: 2.5-Hour Benagil Caves & Dolphin Watching

Albufeira: 2.5-Hour Benagil Caves & Dolphin Watching - Two missions in 2.5 hours: caves and dolphin watching, with real-life limits

1.Albufeira: 2.5-Hour Benagil Caves & Dolphin Watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 10,710 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $40Start here

2.5-hour Benagil Caves and dolphin watching cruise from Albufeira with a swim stop, marine biologist, and $40 ticket.

“The whole experience was fabulous. Speeding across the ocean to look for dolphins was very exhilarating. Getting to see so many dolphins up close in their natural environment was amazing and then the caves, which were awe inspiring. Always wanted to swim in the deep ocean so the chance to jump off the boat and do so was great. The guide was very informative and friendly and the captain gave us a fantastic journey. We both had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon and would definitely recommend this activity.”

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Albufeira: Benagil Caves & Dolphin Watching Speed Boat Tour

Albufeira: Benagil Caves & Dolphin Watching Speed Boat Tour - The 18 km coastal cruise, what to watch for on the way

From Funchal: Ecological Catamaran Dolphin Whale Watching

From Funchal: Ecological Catamaran Dolphin Whale Watching - How the spotting works from land to sea

3.From Funchal: Ecological Catamaran Dolphin Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5,771 reviews · from $40

Eco-catamaran dolphin and whale watching from Funchal with silent hybrid engines, Cabo Girão cliff views, and a refreshing swim stop.

“Great crew. Friendly, knowledgeable and communicative. They did a good job finding some Sperm whales and Atlantic Spotted dolphins. Boat was comfortable and it was a pleasant 3 hours on the water.”

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Funchal: Dolphin and Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise

Funchal: Dolphin and Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise - Getting Onboard the Seaborn Catamaran, Without the Stress

4.Funchal: Dolphin and Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise

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

3-hour Seaborn catamaran cruise from Funchal, Madeira, searching for dolphins, whales, turtles, plus a swim under Cabo Girão.

“We loved our morning out on the boat and we’re lucky enough to see a pod of short finned pilot whales right up close to the boat ! There was plenty of space on the boat to move around and for everyone to take photos. It was a beautiful and memory-making experience. We enjoyed the swim stop - the sea was lovely and warm and some of the guests had fun diving off the boat . I used the steps which were very easy to use. All in all a lovely trip and great value for money.”

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Albufeira: Dolphin Watching and Benagil Cave

Albufeira: Dolphin Watching and Benagil Cave - Getting There: XRide Office Check-In at Marina de Albufeira

Dolphins Search and Benagil Caves from Albufeira

Dolphins Search and Benagil Caves from Albufeira - Dolphin Search Time: What You Can Hope For (And What You Should Not Assume)

6.Dolphins Search and Benagil Caves from Albufeira

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,814 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $36Best rated

2.5 hours on a small boat from Albufeira, searching for dolphins and exploring Benagil Caves with a possible swim stop.

“Our tour guides, Diogo and the captain, Osvaldo were absolutely the best in entertaining us along the ride with historical facts, jokes and music. Osvaldo’s ability to steer the boat at high speed made the ride exhilarating while we felt safe. Diogo was friendly and serviceable. Always making everyone laugh with his jokes and offering to take pictures of us at the Benagil cave. The views of the caves, beaches and shoreline were amazing. To top it off, we were lucky to have seen a few dolphins frolicking and jumping in the ocean on our way back to the marina. Definitely recommend this tour when in the Algarve region. It’s…”

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From Ponta Delgada: Whale and Dolphin Watching Trip

From Ponta Delgada: Whale and Dolphin Watching Trip - Catamaran vs Zodiac: how the boat choice changes comfort and viewing

7.From Ponta Delgada: Whale and Dolphin Watching Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 4,109 reviews · 3 hours · from $82

3-hour whale and dolphin watching from Ponta Delgada with marine biologist commentary, catamaran or Zodiac boats, and a second trip if no sightings.

“Staff were helpful, friendly and knowledgeable, made the trip so much more. We were on the water for 3 hours and had multiple dolphin sightings, and a Sei whale for good measure. Boat was pretty full, and everyone wants the best view so choose your seats accordingly.”

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Portimão: Benagil Caves & Dolphins Watching with Biologist

Portimão: Benagil Caves & Dolphins Watching with Biologist - The 2.5-Hour Rhythm: Caves First, Then Open Ocean for Dolphins

8.Portimão: Benagil Caves & Dolphins Watching with Biologist

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 3,795 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $47

2.5-hour Portimão cruise with a marine biologist: dolphin spotting, Algar de Benagil caves, and a possible swim. From $47.

“When they say dolphin watching, they mean dolphin watching. we saw a pod of ~100 who played and stayed near the boat for about 20 minutes. it was incredible. The caves are beautiful... the boat goes in just long enough for some pictures and gazing. the biologists are knowledgeable and friendly. A great experience!”

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Lisbon: Tagus River Cruise to the Ocean & Dolphin Watching

Lisbon: Tagus River Cruise to the Ocean & Dolphin Watching - Price and value: what $38 covers, and how to make it worth it

9.Lisbon: Tagus River Cruise to the Ocean & Dolphin Watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 3,019 reviews · from $38

Cruise Lisbon’s Tagus River to the Atlantic with an open bar and dolphin watching, plus nonstop Lisbon waterfront scenery.

“everything was well organised. the meeting point and the whole experience in general. the beer and sangria was EXCELLENT!! The staff were friendly and professional (max 2 people outside at the front of the boat for example) would have been great to see dolphins but again we know they are wild animals so there is no guarantee. we appreciate the effort that the crew made to try and find them for us. overall, it's an activity that we would do again.”

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Albufeira: Dolphin Watching and Benagil Cave Boat Cruise

Albufeira: Dolphin Watching and Benagil Cave Boat Cruise - The 18 km Coast Cruise, Sea Caves, and Alfanzina Lighthouse Views

10.Albufeira: Dolphin Watching and Benagil Cave Boat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 3,008 reviews · from $38

A small-boat cruise from Albufeira Marina to sea caves and Benagil, with a marine biologist helping you look for wild dolphins.

“The guides Miguel and Daniel were great! The experience was amazing, caves and the dolphins - wow! But Benagil cave was disappointing because we couldn't get to this closer because of the high water. Everything was safe, understandable, I recommend it to everyone!”

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Funchal Bay: Dolphin & Whale Watch Luxury Catamaran Cruise

Funchal Bay: Dolphin & Whale Watch Luxury Catamaran Cruise - The first sail over 45 minutes: settling in with Funchal coastline views

All Inclusive Whale and Dolphin Watching Luxury Tour

All Inclusive Whale and Dolphin Watching Luxury Tour - The wildlife hunt: dolphins, whales, and turtles without the chaos

Lagos: Combo Dolphin and Benagil Tour with Marine Biologist

Lagos: Combo Dolphin and Benagil Tour with Marine Biologist - Hurricane Speedboat: Fast, Safe, and Actually Practical

Madeira Dolphin and Whale Watching on a Ecological Catamaran

Madeira Dolphin and Whale Watching on a Ecological Catamaran - How Spotters With Binoculars Change Your Odds

14.Madeira Dolphin and Whale Watching on a Ecological Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,957 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $42

Sail Madeira’s southern coast on an eco catamaran with spotters, hybrid-electric cruising, and chances to see dolphins and pilot whales.

“I already did the west side but I did not mind doing it again as it was very enjoyable experience, I am also glad visiting the east side asI always wanted to walk above the clouds not just on airplanes! The views were like a dream come true, Both guides were excellent in describing everything.”

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Lisbon: Dolphin Watching with Marine Biologist

Lisbon: Dolphin Watching with Marine Biologist - The Speedboat Ride: What “Fast and Comfortable” Means in Real Life

15.Lisbon: Dolphin Watching with Marine Biologist

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,853 reviews · 3 hours · from $76

Dolphin watching from Lisbon with marine biologists on a fast RIB speedboat, plus coastal views and Belém monuments. 3 hours.

“Sara was amazing. She was enthusiastic and you could see her love for what she does. My family truly enjoyed this experience. The dolphins came right up to the boat and swam along with us. It was definitely a must.”

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