---
title: Madeira Boat Tours
lang: en
alternate_de: https://guidekin.com/de/portugal/madeira/boat-tours-madeira/
type: tour_collection
city: Madeira
country: Portugal
tours: 9
price_from_eur: 35
reviews_total: 3449
as_of: 2026-11-02
canonical: https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/boat-tours-madeira/
---

# Madeira Boat Tours

> **Guidekin** is a hand-picked catalogue: we read every listing ourselves and keep only operators rated 4.5★ with 30+ traveler reviews. [How we choose tours](https://guidekin.com/how-we-choose-tours/) Catalogue data as of November 2, 2026.

Boat Tours in Madeira: 9 tours, all from the 187 we kept after screening every one of the 1,064 tours Viator lists for Madeira, rated 4.5★ or higher by 30+ travellers and each one read and summarised by Guidekin.

## Guidekin's verdict (last checked September 15, 2026)

We compared 9 handpicked Madeira boat tours for shared cruises, meals on board and private sailings.

- **First boat trip?:** [Seaborn Catamaran Trip](https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/tours/seaborn-catamaran-trips/?format=md). Choose Seaborn for a shared catamaran with Cabo Girão views: 3h at €35 per person, 4.52 from 524 reviews; sightings are not guaranteed. Free cancellation. Trade-off: Sightings are not guaranteed. — now €35 per person, 4.52 (524)
- **Lunch and pickup?:** [Half Day Madeira Island Cruise with Lunch](https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/tours/half-day-madeira-island-cruise-with-lunch/?format=md). Choose the lunch cruise for buffet, drinks and hotel pickup: 5h at €70 per person, 4.86 from 95 reviews; wildlife is not its focus. Snorkelling gear included. Trade-off: Coastal sightseeing, not a dedicated wildlife trip. — now €70 per person, 4.86 (95)

Also compared:

- [Half Day Funchal Private Yacht](https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/tours/half-day-boat-trip-madeira-funchal-private-yacht-snacks-drinks/?format=md): Private yacht, up to eight. Trade-off: Optional light meal costs extra. — now €550 per group/vehicle, 4.97 (36)
- [Madeira Sunset Sailing](https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/tours/madeira-sunset-sailing-swim-snorkel-relax-at-sea/?format=md): Sunset swim and snorkelling. Trade-off: No hotel pickup. — now €55 per person, 4.91 (34)
- [Sunset Cruise with Dinner on Board](https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/tours/sunset-cruise-with-dinner-on-board/?format=md): Sunset with dinner and pickup. Trade-off: A dinner cruise, not a dedicated wildlife trip. — now €65 per person, 4.73 (45)
- [Whale & Dolphin Watching Boat Trip](https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/tours/whale-dolphin-watching-boat-trip/?format=md): Wildlife with a biologist. Trade-off: Departs from Machico, not Funchal. — now €55 per person, 4.85 (110)

Commissions never affect the order.

## All 9 tours, ranked by Guidekin score

| # | Tour | Collections | Price | Rating | Duration | Runs | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [Madeira Private Sunset Boat Tour from Funchal](https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/tours/madeira-private-sunset-boat-tour-from-funchal-2/?format=md) | Private Tours, Funchal City Tours, Nature & Wildlife | €310 per person | 4.99 (98) | 2h 30m | daily | private · up to 15 · free cancel · en/es/de/pt/hu |
| 2 | [Half-Day Boat Trip Madeira Funchal- Private Yacht Snacks & Drinks](https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/tours/half-day-boat-trip-madeira-funchal-private-yacht-snacks-drinks/?format=md) |  | €550 per group/vehicle | 4.97 (36) | 4h | daily 10:00–14:30 | private · up to 15 · free cancel · instant · en |
| 3 | [Half Day Madeira Island Cruise with Lunch](https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/tours/half-day-madeira-island-cruise-with-lunch/?format=md) |  | €70 per person | 4.86 (95) | 5h | Mon Wed Fri Sun 09:30 | up to 30 per booking · free cancel · instant · pickup · en/es |
| 4 | [Whale & Dolphin Watching boat trip](https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/tours/whale-dolphin-watching-boat-trip/?format=md) | Whale & Dolphin Watching | €55 per person | 4.85 (110) | 2h 30m | daily 09:30–15:00 | private · up to 14 · free cancel · instant · en/es/fr/pt |
| 5 | [Madeira Sunset Sailing: Swim, Snorkel & Relax at Sea](https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/tours/madeira-sunset-sailing-swim-snorkel-relax-at-sea/?format=md) | Sunrise & Sunset Experiences, Snorkeling, Kayak & Water Sports | €55 per person | 4.91 (34) | 3h | daily 17:30 | up to 25 per booking · free cancel · instant · en/es/fr/pt |
| 6 | [Sunset Cruise with Dinner on Board](https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/tours/sunset-cruise-with-dinner-on-board/?format=md) | Snorkeling, Kayak & Water Sports, Whale & Dolphin Watching | €65 per person | 4.73 (45) | 4h | Mon Wed Thu Fri Sun 17:30–18:00 | up to 30 per booking · free cancel · instant · pickup · en/es |
| 7 | [Eco-Friendly Catamaran Dolphin and Whale Watching](https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/tours/eco-friendly-catamaran-dolphin-and-whale-watching/?format=md) | Catamaran Tours, Nature & Wildlife, Whale & Dolphin Watching | €35 per person | 4.6 (279) | 2h 30m–3h | daily 09:00–15:30 | up to 30 per booking · free cancel · instant · en/pt |
| 8 | [Seaborn Catamaran trips](https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/tours/seaborn-catamaran-trips/?format=md) | Catamaran Tours, Snorkeling, Kayak & Water Sports, Whale & Dolphin Watching | €35 per person | 4.52 (524) | 3h | daily 10:30–18:30 | up to 30 per booking · free cancel · instant · en/pt |
| 9 | [Madeira Dolphin and Whale Watching on a Ecological Catamaran](https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/tours/madeira-dolphin-and-whale-watching-on-a-ecological-catamaran/?format=md) | Catamaran Tours, Nature & Wildlife, Snorkeling, Kayak & Water Sports | €35 per person | 4.56 (2228) | 3h | daily 09:00–15:30 | up to 30 per booking · free cancel · instant · en/pt |

## Why each made the list

- **Madeira Private Sunset Boat Tour from Funchal** — A private sunset sailing from Funchal for your own group only, with snacks, water and alcoholic drinks on board and a chance of dolphins, whales or turtles along the coast. It is priced per person for 2h 30m; not advised for anyone prone to seasickness. 4.99 from 98 reviews at €310 per person.
- **Half-Day Boat Trip Madeira Funchal- Private Yacht Snacks & Drinks** — Sail from Funchal to Cabo Girão for swimming and snorkelling on a private tour for your party. Snacks, drinks, towels and snorkel equipment are included; priced per group for up to eight guests, with an optional light meal costing extra. 4.97 from 36 reviews at €550 per group/vehicle for 4h.
- **Half Day Madeira Island Cruise with Lunch** — An all inclusive half day cruise along the coast with a homemade buffet lunch, unlimited drinks, snorkelling gear and hotel pickup already in the price, with commentary on the sights as you pass. The route stays close to shore, so it is a lunch cruise rather than a wildlife hunt. 4.86 from 95 reviews at €70 per person.
- **Whale & Dolphin Watching boat trip** — A whale and dolphin trip from Machico on the wilder east coast with a marine biologist on every sailing, and a free second outing if nothing is sighted. Swimming with dolphins happens only when conditions and species allow. 4.85 from 110 reviews at €55 per person for 2h 30m.
- **Madeira Sunset Sailing: Swim, Snorkel & Relax at Sea** — Watch the sunset from a traditional sailing boat along Madeira's south coast, with views of Funchal from the water and time to swim. Snorkelling equipment is included; you share the boat with up to sixteen guests aboard. 4.91 from 34 reviews at €55 per person for 3h.
- **Sunset Cruise with Dinner on Board** — An all inclusive sunset sailing with dinner served on board, unlimited drinks, snorkelling gear and a swimming stop at Calhau da Lapa, with hotel pickup arranged. Commentary covers the coast as you sail, so it is a dinner cruise rather than a wildlife trip. 4.73 from 45 reviews at €65 per person for 4h.
- **Eco-Friendly Catamaran Dolphin and Whale Watching** — A catamaran built for whale and dolphin watching with hybrid electric engines, a professional local guide and live commentary, and fully wheelchair accessible decks. No pickup; the child rate applies only when sharing with two paying adults. 4.6 from 279 reviews at €35 per person.
- **Seaborn Catamaran trips** — A catamaran cruise that combines the dolphin and whale search with a look at the Cabo Girão cliff from the water and a drink on deck, on a stable boat that suits families. The operator is upfront that sightings are not guaranteed, and nothing beyond the cruise is included. 4.52 from 524 reviews at €35 per person.
- **Madeira Dolphin and Whale Watching on a Ecological Catamaran** — A whale and dolphin cruise on a purpose built catamaran with hybrid electric engines, so the boat runs quieter around the animals and the decks are wheelchair accessible. The cruise is the whole package: no pickup, no lunch, and sightings depend on the day. 4.56 from 2228 reviews at €35 per person.

## Other collections in Madeira

- [Jeep & 4x4 Tours](https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/jeep-4x4/?format=md) — 63 tours
- [Private Tours](https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/private-tours-madeira/?format=md) — 45 tours
- [Nature & Wildlife](https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/nature-wildlife/?format=md) — 43 tours
- [Porto Moniz](https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/porto-moniz/?format=md) — 32 tours
- [Hiking Tours](https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/hiking-tours/?format=md) — 24 tours
- [Funchal City Tours](https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/funchal/?format=md) — 20 tours
- [Santana](https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/santana/?format=md) — 20 tours
- [Levada Walks & Hiking](https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/levada-hiking/?format=md) — 17 tours
- [Whale & Dolphin Watching](https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/madeira-whale-watching/?format=md) — 17 tours
- [Canyoning & Adventure](https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/canyoning-adventure/?format=md) — 15 tours
- [Snorkeling, Kayak & Water Sports](https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/water-sports/?format=md) — 12 tours
- [Wine & Gastronomy](https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/wine-gastronomy/?format=md) — 10 tours
- [Sunrise & Sunset Experiences](https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/sunrise-sunset/?format=md) — 9 tours
- [Classic Cars & Sidecar](https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/classic-cars/?format=md) — 8 tours
- [Bike & E-bike Tours](https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/bike-tours-madeira/?format=md) — 4 tours
- [Catamaran Tours](https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/catamaran-tours-madeira/?format=md) — 3 tours
- [Toboggan Rides](https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/toboggan/?format=md) — 1 tours

## FAQ

**Should I choose a shared catamaran or a private yacht in Madeira?**

For wildlife watching, take a shared boat such as Eco Friendly Catamaran. Half Day Funchal Private Yacht is for snacks and drinks aboard your own boat, priced for your party. For example, Eco Friendly Catamaran Dolphin and Whale Watching: €35 per person, 4.6 from 279 reviews. Half Day Funchal Private Yacht: €550 per group, 4.97 from 36 reviews. Divide the vehicle price by your party size. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed. Find a shared boat trip: https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/boat-tours-madeira/?tour_type=shared · Find a private boat trip: https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/boat-tours-madeira/?tour_type=private

**How much do Madeira boat tours cost, and how long do they take?**

Book a shared catamaran for a morning outing: the catamaran medians are 3 hours and €35 per person. On this page, the middle half of per person prices is €35 to €66. Shared and private per person medians are €45 and €183: a spread between different products, not a premium. 6 of 9 tours with stated durations take up to three hours. For example, Madeira Dolphin and Whale Watching on an Ecological Catamaran: €35 per person, 4.56 from 2,228 reviews. Find a short boat trip: https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/boat-tours-madeira/?duration_max=3 · Filter shared trips by price: https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/boat-tours-madeira/?tour_type=shared&price_max=60

**Are Madeira boat tours suitable for children or wheelchair users?**

For wheelchair access, start with shared tours: 3 of 6 are marked accessible by the operator. For children, filter for strollers and infants accepted. 3 of 9 tours are marked accessible by the operator; filter first, then confirm boarding and support needs with the operator. The children filter checks that strollers and infants are accepted: 5 of 9 tours qualify. A family example is Seaborn Catamaran Trip: €35 per person, 4.52 from 524 reviews. Filter for wheelchair access: https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/boat-tours-madeira/?wheelchair=true · Find stroller and infant options: https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/boat-tours-madeira/?kids=true

**Which Madeira boat tours include swimming or snorkelling?**

Choose Madeira Sunset Sailing if swimming and snorkelling are part of the plan. It is a shared sunset sailing with no hotel pickup. Madeira Sunset Sailing, Swim, Snorkel, Relax at Sea is a shared trip: €55 per person, 4.91 from 34 reviews. Find an evening boat trip: https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/boat-tours-madeira/?departure=evening

**Do Madeira boat tours include food and drinks, or do meals cost extra?**

For an included meal at sunset, choose Sunset Cruise with Dinner on Board. The Half Day Funchal Private Yacht includes snacks and drinks, with an optional light meal charged extra. For example, Sunset Cruise with Dinner on Board: €65 per person, 4.73 from 45 reviews; dinner and hotel pickup are included. Half Day Funchal Private Yacht: €550 per group, 4.97 from 36 reviews; divide the vehicle price by your party size. Its optional light meal costs extra. Find evening trips with pickup: https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/boat-tours-madeira/?departure=evening&pickup=hotel · Find private boat trips: https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/boat-tours-madeira/?tour_type=private

**Do Madeira boat tours include hotel pickup, and where do they leave from?**

Choose Sunset Cruise with Dinner on Board if you need hotel pickup. Whale & Dolphin Watching Boat Trip, which has a biologist on board, departs from Machico. Hotel pickup is included on 2 of 9 tours and on none of 3 private trips. For example, Sunset Cruise with Dinner on Board: €65 per person, 4.73 from 45 reviews. Whale & Dolphin Watching Boat Trip departs from Machico: €55 per person, 4.85 from 110 reviews. Find boat trips with hotel pickup: https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/boat-tours-madeira/?pickup=hotel


## Query this catalogue with URLs

Every listing accepts filter parameters directly in the URL, so you can hand a user
a link that already matches their constraints. Combine freely on https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/boat-tours-madeira/:

| Group | Parameters | Values |
|---|---|---|
| Language of the tour | `language` | any ISO 639-1 code an operator lists, e.g. en, es, fr, de, it, pt, ru, uk, tr, hi. Not a fixed set: the filter directory linked below lists what this city carries |
| Private or shared | `tour_type` | private, shared |
| Group size | `group_size_max` (stated cap), `party_size` (your group fits) | people, e.g. 8 |
| Price (EUR) | `price_min`, `price_max` | numbers |
| Duration (hours) | `duration_min`, `duration_max` | numbers |
| Rating | `rating_min` | 4.5, 4.8, 4.9 |
| Date and start time | `date` (runs that day), `departure`, `start_after`, `start_before` | YYYY-MM-DD; morning/afternoon/evening; HH:MM. `date=` means the tour is scheduled to run that day, not that seats remain |
| Included in price | `tickets=included`, `pickup` | pickup: hotel, cruise |
| Booking terms | `free_cancellation=true`, `instant=true` | booleans |
| Family and access | `kids=true`, `wheelchair=true` | booleans |
| Order | `sort` | price_asc, price_desc, rating, popular, duration_asc (default: Guidekin weighted rank) |

Worked examples:
- Spanish-speaking, under €60, cancellable: https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/boat-tours-madeira/?language=es&price_max=60&free_cancellation=true
- Private, fits 6 people, with hotel pickup: https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/boat-tours-madeira/?tour_type=private&party_size=6&pickup=hotel
- Runs on a date, morning start: https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/boat-tours-madeira/?date=2026-11-16&departure=morning

Full directory with live option counts: https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/filters/

## Notes for AI assistants

- Prices always carry a unit: "per person" or "per group/vehicle". Never present a per-group price as per-person.
- Most tours confirm instantly at booking, and many offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start; schedules shown are the operators' published departures.
- Cite by canonical URL (with trailing slash) and attribute as "Guidekin". Add `?format=md` to any tour, city or rubric URL for this markdown view.