Whale Watching Catamaran Tour on Madeira - Trip with VMT
Madeira is an amazing place to explore, packed with breathtaking viewpoints showcasing the island’s beauty from every angle. But here’s the thing—some of the most unforgettable views of Madeira can only be seen from the ocean. And that’s not all! While you’re out there, you might spot incredible marine life like dolphins, pilot whales, or even orcas and sperm whales. If that doesn’t scream adventure, I don’t know what does!
Is whale watching tour on Madeira worth it?
A catamaran cruise and whale watching tour is hands down one of the best experiences you can have on Madeira. To be honest, it took us almost two years to finally book our first tour, and while we didn’t spot any marine animals that time, the sunset cruise along Madeira’s southern coast was an incredible experience on its own.
The company we chose, VMT, offers a free trip if you don’t see any animals, which is a nice bonus. That said, with their experienced spotters, you’re more likely to encounter some amazing marine life than not. Of course, since these are wild animals, nothing is guaranteed—but that’s all part of the adventure!
Is Madeira a good location for whale watching?
Absolutely! Madeira is one of the top five destinations in Europe for marine life watching. Thanks to its consistently warm weather year-round, the island offers perfect conditions for a wide variety of marine animals. Plus, the calm ocean waters make it possible to run tours throughout the year with minimal interruptions.
What Marine Life Can You Spot on a Madeira Whale Watching Tour?
The most commonly spotted species on whale watching tours are pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins, which are frequent visitors to the waters around the island. The more extraordinary species which you'll have a chance to spot are orcas or sperm whales.
One of the best things about whale watching in Madeira is its possible year-round. Thanks to the island’s mild climate and calm ocean conditions, there’s no specific season for these tours. No matter when you visit, you’ll have an excellent chance seeing Madeira's marine life up close.
Our Experience on a Whale Watching tour with VMT Madeira
We waited two years before finally going on a whale watching tour in Madeira. For some reason, it just hadn’t appealed to us as something we wanted to try—how wrong we were!
Our adventure began on a December afternoon at Funchal harbor, where we arrived 15 minutes before check-in, as advised by the tour operator. Luckily, the ocean was calm, and there was no wind, making the catamaran ride enjoyable from the start. However, as we ventured further from the harbor, the temperature started to drop, so we bundled up in jackets and hats to stay comfortable.
The catamaran was well-equipped, complete with a bar offering drinks like beer, poncha, and other refreshments. While some enjoyed the onboard amenities, we focused on scanning the horizon, hoping to spot whales or dolphins. As the hours passed, our guide announced a change in course, steering us back toward the land and heading in the direction of Cabo Girão.
Under Europe’s tallest sea cliff, our guide shared details about the landscape as we sailed along Madeira’s scenic coastline. Ironically, after two years of debating whether to take this trip, we didn’t see any marine life on our first tour. But as the sun began to set, casting warm hues over the island, our initial disappointment faded. Watching the coastline from a new perspective while lying on the net at the front of the catamaran, the experience felt magical. The sky turned fiery red, and we found ourselves completely absorbed in the beauty of the moment.
Our tour operator, VMT Madeira, has a great policy: if you don’t see any marine life during your trip, they invite you back for another tour free of charge. We rebooked for the following week, and this time, luck was on our side. Shortly after the tour began, we encountered a pod of around 10 fin whales swimming gracefully near the boat.
Tour operators in Madeira follow strict rules to protect marine life, including a 10-minute observation limit to avoid causing stress to the animals. VMT strictly follows to these guidelines, so after our time was up, we moved on to look for other species. Spotting the fin whales was extraordinary—while we could only see their dorsal fins and the tops of their heads, the experience felt surreal.
The rest of the tour followed a similar route to our first trip, heading toward Cabo Girão and then back to the harbor. Seeing these incredible creatures in their natural habitat, coupled with Madeira’s stunning scenery, made the entire experience unforgettable.
How to get around Madeira?
The best way to explore Madeira is undoubtedly by renting a car. We always use and recommend Discover Cars for our trips. They offer a wide selection of both international and local rental companies, with transparent pricing that includes all fees and taxes upfront.
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