Which Whale Watching Company in Madeira?
Fourteen Madeira whale watching companies side by side: the boat, where it leaves from, how long, the guide's languages and what each does if you see nothing.
The best whale watching company in Madeira depends on the boat you want, because every licensed boat works under the same distance and time rules. For a first trip, Magic Dolphin’s From Funchal: Ecological Catamaran Dolphin and Whale Watching from US$45 (checked November 2026) is the comfortable default; for a small fast boat, Azul Diving or Rota dos Cetáceos; for drinks included, Oceano Pioneiro; for a yacht or a quieter coast, the Calheta companies.
The calendar is Magic Dolphin’s catamaran. Every company below is linked to its own trip.
What actually differs between companies
Madeira’s whale-watching regulation (DLR 15/2013/M, read November 2026) sets the same limits for every licensed boat: no active approach closer than 50 m, up to 10 minutes per boat between 100 m and 50 m, and 40 minutes at most for all the boats in that zone together. Under the 2015 amendment of Portaria 46/2014, the harbours and marinas in the municipalities of Funchal, Câmara de Lobos, Santa Cruz and Machico share at most 25 authorised boats, and those of Calheta, Ponta do Sol and Ribeira Brava share 7.
So a company cannot sell you more time beside the animals. It can sell you a different boat, a smaller or larger group, a longer or shorter trip, a guide in your language, drinks, a swim stop, and a better deal when you see nothing. Those are the columns below.
The companies, side by side
| Company and trip | Boat | Leaves from | Time | Guide | If you see nothing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magic Dolphin Atividades Maritimas: Ecological Catamaran | Two-deck catamaran | Funchal marina | 3 hours | English, Portuguese | Sightings cannot be guaranteed |
| Magic Dolphin Atividades Maritimas: Luxury Catamaran | Catamaran | Funchal marina | 3 hours | Portuguese, English | Sightings cannot be guaranteed |
| Magic Dolphin Atividades Maritimas: Speedboat Cruise | Speedboat, up to 25 | Funchal marina | 2 hours | English, Portuguese | Go again for €10 a person |
| Catamaran Seaborn: Catamaran Cruise | Catamaran | Funchal marina | 3 hours | English, Portuguese | Not guaranteed |
| VMT Madeira Catamaran: Dolphins & Whales | Catamaran | Funchal Marina, Pier 8 | 3 hours | English, Portuguese | A voucher for a second trip, never a refund |
| Atlantic Pearl Catamaran: Luxury Catamaran | Catamaran | Funchal’s new marina | 3 hours | Portuguese, English | Not guaranteed |
| Oceano Pioneiro: All-Inclusive Luxury Tour | Catamaran, drinks included | Funchal marina, VipDolphins kiosk | 3 hours | English, Portuguese, Spanish | Not stated |
| Azul Diving Madeira - Blue Safari Madeira: Responsible Watching | Small high-speed boat | Funchal | 2 hours | English | Another ticket free |
| Rota dos Cetáceos Whale&Dolphin Watching: Whale and Dolphin Watching | Semi-rigid boat, 18 or 36 seats | Marina do Funchal | 2.5 hours | English, French, Portuguese | A second trip free |
| Ventura Nature Emotions: Speed Boat Tour | Speedboat, up to 18 | Funchal | 2 hours | Portuguese, English | A second trip free |
| Bonita da Madeira, LDA: Wooden Boat Excursion | Wooden boat | Avenida do Mar, Funchal | 3 hours | English, Portuguese | Not stated |
| Gaviao Madeira: Sailing Trip | Sailing boat | Funchal marina | 3 hours | English, Portuguese | Not guaranteed |
| On Tales: Yacht Cruise | Yacht, up to 12 | Marina da Calheta | 2.5 hours | English, Portuguese | Cannot be guaranteed |
| Lobosonda - Madeira whale watching: RIB from Calheta | RIB, up to 18 | Calheta | 2 hours | English | No refund |
| H2oMadeira: RIB from Calheta | RIB, up to 12 | Marina da Calheta, level 0 | 2 hours | Portuguese, English | Not stated |
| MADEIRA SEA EMOTIONS - BOAT TOURS: Speedboat | Speedboat, up to 30 | Quinta do Lorde, Caniçal | 2 hours | English, Portuguese, Spanish | Another trip free |
On a phone, swipe the table sideways.
Trip details checked in November 2026. This is the set of trips we list, not every licensed boat in Madeira.
Where they leave from
Twelve of the sixteen trips in the table leave from Funchal, so a base in Funchal keeps the morning simple. Calheta is about 32 km by road west of Funchal marina, and Quinta do Lorde is at the east end of the island, by the Ponta de São Lourenço peninsula. Whale watching from Calheta and whale watching from Caniçal go through those boats.
If you see nothing
This is where the companies differ most, so read the terms before you book. A free second trip only helps if you have a spare day in Madeira, and some come with conditions: VMT issues a voucher to the same person, never a refund. Magic Dolphin’s speedboat asks €10 a person for the second go. Lobosonda gives no refund if no wildlife is seen. The catamarans from Funchal say only that sightings cannot be guaranteed, and if the sea is unsafe Magic Dolphin’s catamaran is moved or refunded.
If a second chance matters to you, book early in your stay with Azul Diving, Rota dos Cetáceos, Ventura or Madeira Sea Emotions, and leave a day free.
Languages
Every company runs in English. Rota dos Cetáceos also guides in French, and Oceano Pioneiro and Madeira Sea Emotions in Spanish. Azul Diving and Lobosonda guide in English only.
Our pick for a first trip
For most first-time visitors, the three-hour catamaran is the right call: Magic Dolphin’s eco catamaran from Funchal marina has two decks, shade, a bar and two toilets, an English-speaking guide, and spotters on land who direct the boat.
If you want a faster, smaller boat instead, catamaran, RIB or yacht weighs them up, and what Madeira whale watching costs lists every price.
More around Madeira
Madeira Tours with Open Dates
Other trips on the island with live availability. The start point, what is included and the cancellation terms show before you book.
Start with the Catamaran from Funchal
Magic Dolphin's eco catamaran: three hours from Funchal marina, two decks, a bar, spotters on land and an English-speaking guide. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Check dates