Portugal · DOLPHIN WATCHING
Bottlenose and common dolphins sit off the Algarve most of the year; the resident pods off Madeira are the surer bet. The 15 below compare boat size, how far out they go and which operators run a second trip free if nothing shows.
Review of Albufeira’s 2.5-hour Benagil caves and dolphin cruise, with coast views, swim stop, marine guide, practical tips, and value advice.
“Our guide Christian and our boat driver Jesus were both brilliant. Christian really knew his history and was able to show us everything on the tour in good time. The whole experience was great and would highly recommend to anyone!”
Review of Albufeira’s Benagil Caves and dolphin speedboat tour, including stops, guides, swimming, value, sea conditions, and practical tips.
“I had a great morning on the sea caves and dolphins excursion, and I was lucky enough to see dolphins almost straight away! We had Ruben as our captain and Ana was our guide; and what an exceptional team they made. Ruben made sure to take us where the dolphins had been spotted and then kept a good distance as to not scare them. Ana was simply amazing, she spoke in both English and French and was incredibly knowledgable. I’d recommend this trip to everyone, even without the dolphins the views are stunning!”
Review of Madeira’s hybrid eco-catamaran dolphin and whale cruise, with wildlife tips, Cabo Girão swimming, price, access, and practical advice.
“Very nice, we saw bottlenose dolphins and pilot whales. Cool info about dolphins and whales as well. Amazing to see them and to know that they are protected.”
Review of Madeira’s 3-hour Seaborn catamaran cruise, with dolphin and whale watching, Cabo Girão views, swimming, prices, and practical tips.
“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 👌🏾🥳”
Review of Albufeira’s 2.5-hour cruise to Benagil Cave, with dolphin watching, coastal views, swimming stops, practical tips, and honest value advice.
“Skipper and crew were very knowledgeable and friendly. Checking that all passengers were OK and not feeling seasick. Luckily we saw dolphins 🐬 🥰”
Review of Albufeira’s 2.5-hour dolphin and Benagil Caves cruise, with boat comfort, dolphin odds, value, safety, and booking tips.
“Nice staff on.boat trip, Johnny F and Jose. I booked online viator and paid 70 euro for two people. Sadly no dolphins at all. I got 50 amazing photos / videos. When we arrived In the caves , the boat was bouncing up, down( waves), I got sick ( puked) in. a Bag (they gave me a bag ) they told me wash my face with sea salt water which helped Alot!!!! thank you! They told me don't drink normal water on boat ( because I would probably get sick again) . Don't go , if you're not good with travelling, sea sickness. Staff are very good. They asked does…”
Review of Ponta Delgada whale watching with Futurismo, covering boats, seasons, wildlife, guides, comfort, price, and practical tips.
“This was absolutely amazing, our tour guide was so passionate and knowledge about Marine life and conservation and the system by which they determine where the Dolphins/Whales are in so interesting! 10/10 couldnt recommend this enough to anyone!”
Review of Portimão’s Benagil Caves and dolphin cruise with a marine biologist, including itinerary, value, swim stop, and practical tips.
“Fantastic trip well worth doing. I think I saw more dolphins on this trip than all of the previous dolphin trips I’ve been on over the years. There were about 30 swimming around the boat and jumping out of the water about 20m away from us. Great tour of the Alsace coast and caves as well”
Review of Lisbon’s 2.5-hour Tagus-to-Atlantic dolphin cruise, with landmarks, live guides, open bar, practical tips, and honest limits.
“Excellent trip and extremely helpful and knowledgeable crew,and added bonus we saw the dolphins which isn't always guaranteed. Highly recommend to anyone😀”
Review of Albufeira’s dolphin and Benagil Cave cruise, with practical tips on boats, sea conditions, value, safety, and what to expect.
“This experience was amazing. We got to see a mother duck and her little ducklings, and seeing the cabes was just WOW. Learned alot about the caves and when we was just about to give up on dolphin spotting, we saw them. A big group of them. I love how careful the tour guides/captain were when approaching the dolphins. Every one else was just pushing in but the guide said something that stayed with me ‘ they are living, we are working’ and this sentence really shows how much they care to protect the dolphins but still care to give us this opportunity as safe for us and for them.…”
Cruise Funchal Bay by luxury catamaran, watch for dolphins and whales, swim beneath Cabo Girão, and enjoy Madeira’s coast for $47.
“Great go do it we saw whales jumping and went for a swim”
Review of Madeira’s 3-hour luxury catamaran tour, with whale and dolphin watching, Cabo Girão, swimming, local snacks, and an open bar.
“We had a wonderful time aboard, we saw dolphins and it was heartwarming that the crew caught a plastic bag from the ocean to protect the turtles/fish. Exceptionally pleasant guiding from Margarita and Nico, they told us the ins and outs about Madeira, its geography and the sealife. Food and drinks were amazing, delicious cinnamon coffee. With this tour you pay more, but it is well worth it, because the small group size makes it more “intimate” and there is more opportunity to speak with the crew.”
Review of Lagos’ dolphin and Benagil Cave speedboat tour, with marine biologists, wild dolphins, coastal caves, price, tips, and drawbacks.
“Simply highly recommended. Going out by speedboat to see the wild dolphins, exploring the caves, and then returning along the coast makes it an unforgettable experience.”
Review of Madeira’s eco catamaran whale and dolphin cruise from Funchal, with wildlife tips, boat details, value, comfort, and booking advice.
“Excellent facilities and great guide. We encountered both whales and dolphins. Make sure to dress warm if its windy”
Review of Lisbon dolphin watching by speedboat with marine biologists, covering wildlife, safety, itinerary, value, tips, and who should book.
“We saw a huge number of dolphins! Wonderful trip with the RIB boat.”
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