Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour and Catamaran Whale & Dolphin Watching
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
3.7/5
Based on 55 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour and Catamaran Whale & Dolphin Watching worth booking?
Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour and Catamaran Whale & Dolphin Watching is a 5-hour experience in Funchal, Portugal, from $54 per person. It scores 52 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.7/5 rating across 55 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 52 / 100
- Rating
- 3.7/5 (55)
- Duration
- 5 hours
- From
- $54 per person
Join an amazing adventure aboard a catamaran and immerse yourself in the Atlantic Ocean’s vibrant sealife, searching for playful dolphins, majestic whales, and curious turtles while capturing unforgettable photos. Feel t
What you get
About this experience
Join an amazing adventure aboard a catamaran and immerse yourself in the Atlantic Ocean’s vibrant sealife, searching for playful dolphins, majestic whales, and curious turtles while capturing unforgettable photos. Feel the sea breeze as you glide across the sparkling waters, letting the rhythm of the waves make every moment magical. Hop on the panoramic buses and explore Funchal’s charming Old Town, wandering through cobbled streets filled with history, vibrant markets, and colourful façades. Pause at Pico dos Barcelos Viewpoint for breathtaking panoramic views over the city and coastline, or enjoy a relaxing stroll along the scenic Lido Promenade. Discover the picturesque Câmara de Lobos Bay, with its colourful fishing boats bobbing in the water, and sample the town’s traditional restaurants, where local flavours and hospitality come together. This experience combines nature, culture, and gastronomy into an unforgettable day, perfect for capturing memories that will last a lifetime.
What's included
Included
- Catamaran cruise alongside Madeira’s coast
- Sample a glass of Madeira wine at Old Blandy's Wine Lodge
- Discounts on tickets to monuments, museums and leisure activities
- Hop-on hop-off tour (48h ticket validity)
- 10% discount when purchasing other Yellow Bus ticket (ever tour in every city)
- Bordal Embroideries Factory free entry and 10% discount on its products
Not included
- Museums/monuments entrance
- Hotel pick up and drop-off
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, fi, ru, sv, pt, en, it, fr, nl, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Yellow Bus
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Catamaran check-in is obligatory 30 min. before the booked starting time
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 55 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
55 verified traveler reviews for Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour and Catamaran Whale & Dolphin Watching. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Dishonest ticket agent!
The ticket agent was dishonest and overcharged the four of us. His name is Jioe as in “Chris Hoy”. We disputed the price before boarding the catamaran. Another agent rectified the matter
Response from the operator: Dear Customer, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us your evaluation, which deserved our best attention. We apologize for any inconvenience our service may have caused you and, if you wish, we are available to analyze the situation together with you, just send us an email to yellowbus@carris.pt. You should add to the process all the data that may be useful to expedite the investigation.Thank you for your attention, we extend our best regards, Yellow Bus Customer Support Team
via Tripadvisor
A dishonest agent!
There were four of us that were perusing the notice board at stop # 1, where two cruise ships were moored. A rep approached us and was polite, engaging in a conversation.
Response from the operator: Dear Customer, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us your evaluation, which deserved our best attention. We apologize for any inconvenience our service may have caused you and, if you wish, we are available to analyze the situation together with you, just send us an email to yellowbus@carris.pt. You should add to the process all the data that may be useful to expedite the investigation.Thank you for your attention, we extend our best regards, Yellow Bus Customer Support Team
via Tripadvisor
100% book this tour, Best looking boat tour with a fantastic crew and free boat tour if you don't see any animals.
Fantastic time with both the tour and the boat cruise. Such a beautiful island and this Bus tour was very Informative with a clear speaking English and French for the wife narrative. The Boat cruise was the highlight of our Holiday, we saw beautiful dolphins and the crew were awesome, infact we didn't see anything on our first sailing which was a blessing as we got a second cruise free.
Response from the operator: Dear Customer, Thank you for your contact. It is very rewarding for us to know our customers are satisfied! We work on daily basis so that our customers feel welcome and have an amazing experience with Yellow Bus tours. We are very much grateful for the time you took to give us this reviw and we will be looking forward for your next visit. Best regards, Yellow Bus Team
via Tripadvisor
On/off bus tour with whale and dolphin watch
The hop on hop off busses are a great way to get around an unfamiliar city and find important sights and landmarks
Response from the operator: Dear Customer, Thank you for your contact. It is very rewarding for us to know our customers are satisfied! We work on daily basis so that our customers feel welcome and have an amazing experience with Yellow Bus tours. We are very much grateful for the time you took to give us this review and we will be looking forward for your next visit. Best regards, Yellow Bus Team
via Viator
Traditional activity
Funchal hop-on-hop-off is - like numerous other hop-on-hop-offs - a very handy way to familiarize yourselves with local attractions. In Funchal it is not any better or any worse than somewhere else. Commentary gives you basic knowledge about important places, houses or activities. Buses, which we used were a little bit worn-outs. We bought a 5-day ticket and used the Yellow Buses to go to Funchal centre avoiding crowdy local buses. Only problem was that Yellow Buses did not have any clear timetable, you had to wait a moment beside the street. But a tourist must not be in a hurry...
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Booked in 30 days
- 19
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 52
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour and Catamaran Whale & Dolphin Watching: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Funchal.
How much does Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour and Catamaran Whale & Dolphin Watching cost?
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Prices start at $54 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 Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour and Catamaran Whale & Dolphin Watching take?
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Plan for about 5 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 Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour and Catamaran Whale & Dolphin Watching worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 52 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.7/5 across 55 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 Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour and Catamaran Whale & Dolphin Watching?
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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 Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour and Catamaran Whale & Dolphin Watching suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour and Catamaran Whale & Dolphin Watching?
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Around 19 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?
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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 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour and Catamaran Whale & Dolphin Watching start and how do I get there?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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.
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