Dolphin - Whale - Turtle - Bird Watching
Pick your date
Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.
September 2026
Loading live availability
Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 369 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Dolphin - Whale - Turtle - Bird Watching worth booking?
Dolphin - Whale - Turtle - Bird Watching is a 2-hour experience in Funchal, Portugal, from $59 per person. It scores 73 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 369 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 73 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (369)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $59 per person
Join us for an ocean adventure as we head offshore exploring for whales, dolphins, sea turtles and oceanic birds in their natural environment. Completely rebuilt in 2023 the Sea Safari is powered by two brand new 250hp
What you get
About this experience
Join us for an ocean adventure as we head offshore exploring for whales, dolphins, sea turtles and oceanic birds in their natural environment. Completely rebuilt in 2023 the Sea Safari is powered by two brand new 250hp engines, so you can expect to cover a greater distance than any other boat in Funchal. Double cushioned seats ensure a comfortable adventure with amazing 360° views while you enjoy the best opportunity to see marine wildlife. Our team of spotters on land use powerful binoculars to find the dolphins & whales and then sends the boat directly to them. The boat sits low on the water so you feel very close to the whales and dolphins, but remember, it is wildlife, and the primary goal is to be respectful of their habitat. Listen to informative commentary about the cetaceans of Madeira, as your captain and marine biologist guide make sure you have a great time whilst learning about the marine wildlife, marine environment and ecosystem.
What's included
Included
- Local guide
- Local taxes including
- Live commentary on board
Not included
- Drinks
- Food and drinks
- Lunch
- Hotel pickup
- Transportation to/from attractions
What you'll see and do
This activity is specialized for the wild life lovers. Magic Dolphin Sea Safaris is purpose build boat with 500 Hp engines gives us to easy maneuver to get to the whales and dolphins faster then the any other boats in Marina Funchal. Our spotters on land gives us the direction where the Whales and the Dolphins are before we depart. The quality of this trip is, often you will see 2 or 3 different species in 2 hours. Having 500 HP engines gives us smooth ride with no motion sickness. Only 18 people are allowed for each trip and we have 2 certified guides will give you personalized service to make your experience of a life time. Wild life sighting is guaranteed, if you did not see anything on the first trip we will offer you the second trip completely free of charge.
Pass by without stopping
Cabo Girao
Our priory is to find the wild life Whales and Dolphins. After we have seen Whales and Dolphins on our way back we come closer along the beautiful cost line of Funchal Bay enjoying spectacular scenery of Madeira Island. Our guides will provide you with lots information not only about the wild life but Fauna, Flora and the history of Madeira Island.
Pass by without stopping
Cabo Girao
Camara do Lobos is a small picturesque fishing village where Sir Winston Churchill used to spend his afternoons painting and enjoying the view of the Bay of Camara do Lobos. We go closer to the shore so you can see this beautiful fishing village from Atlantic Ocean.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Funchal
Please arrive at the Funchal marina 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time. All guests must check in with our friendly staff at our kiosk for a boarding pass. In respect to all of our guests the boat leaves on time. If you miss the boat, you will be not be issued a refund.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Please arrive at the Funchal marina 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time. All guests must check in with our friendly staff at our kiosk for a boarding pass. In respect to all of our guests the boat leaves on time. If you miss the boat, you will be not be issued a refund.
Options you can book
WHALE WATCHING SEA SAFARIS
Sea Safaris Summer Program
Whale and Dolphin Watching: If you love the wild life, you will be trilled with this activity. You can have a up close observation for diffrent spicies. Dolphin and Whale Watching: We only take smal groups. All trips are accompanied by a Marine Biologists Duration: 2 hours Wild Life Speed Boat: Sea Safaris is a purpose build boat for wild life. Having 500HP engines gives us the speed to rich to wild life quicker.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- pt, en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Magic Dolphin
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- No high heels allowed on tour
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 369 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
369 verified traveler reviews for Dolphin - Whale - Turtle - Bird Watching. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Wonderful family trip which we will remember
Fantastic fun and well worth the money. We saw so many breeds of dolphin and learned so much. The guys were so knowledgeable
via Viator
Interesting and entertaining
Fun and ethical with great tour guide Francisco
via Tripadvisor
Dolphin watching in a speed boat
Great trip, the excellent guide was a marine biologist explaining everything so well and we saw lots of dolphins 🐬
via Tripadvisor
Fun exciting exhilarating couple of hours on the water
What a great day out!! Glad we chose this boat trip, excellent guide and captain and felt fun and safe on the 'speedboat '. The fast boat makes it easier to get to sightings of whales and dolphins And the sightings!!! Wow!! Jumping Bottlenose dolphins, and some coming around the boat too, a huge pod of striped dolphins jumping out all over the place was probably the highlight, and a brides whale too. Nice to see the Cory's Shearwaters up close too. Brilliant day out
via Tripadvisor
Had an amazing time...
Had an amazing time onboard, we saw Pilot Whales, a turtle and dolphins. The guide was really knowledgeable and kept us updated on what was happening throughout the journey across the sea. We felt safe the whole time and its the closest we’ve ever got to dolphins - we’d absolutely do it again!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 129
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 73
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Dolphin - Whale - Turtle - Bird Watching: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Funchal.
How much does Dolphin - Whale - Turtle - Bird Watching cost?
+
Prices start at $59 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Funchal usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Dolphin - Whale - Turtle - Bird Watching take?
+
Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Funchal is not rushed.
Is Dolphin - Whale - Turtle - Bird Watching worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 73 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 369 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Funchal, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Dolphin - Whale - Turtle - Bird Watching?
+
Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Dolphin - Whale - Turtle - Bird Watching suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Dolphin - Whale - Turtle - Bird Watching?
+
Around 129 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Funchal can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
+
Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Funchal and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Dolphin - Whale - Turtle - Bird Watching start and how do I get there?
+
The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Funchal within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Funchal?
+
On Outty we rank every Funchal experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Jeep Tour Amazing West to Natural Pools -Full-Day, Porto Moniz, Seixal, Fanal Forest, Cliff Skywalk in Open Roof 4X4, West Tour-Fanal Forest & Porto Moniz Natural Pools Small Groups. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Funchal?
+
Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Funchal?
+
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
+
Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Dolphin - Whale - Turtle - Bird Watching.
Pick your date
