12 tours · €35–€439 per person · ★ 4.7
Water sports in Madeira mean getting out on the Atlantic, and a boat tour is the easy way in. Funchal is the launch point for most trips, and booking online sorts the boarding, the gear and a captain who knows where the dolphins and whales actually show up that day. You skip the marina guesswork and just turn up.
When you compare boat tours in Madeira, check what the trip is built around. We'd look for a catamaran sailing for dolphin and whale watching if marine life is the draw, or a sunset cruise out of Funchal for a relaxed evening on the water with a swim stop. Ask whether snorkeling, kayaks or a dip off the boat are in the itinerary, since not every excursion stops to let you in. A private charter sets your own pace and route; small-group catamaran trips keep the cost sensible.
12 water sports tours and boat trips in Madeira from €35. Private and small-group, sunset cruises and wildlife watching, hotel pickup and free cancellation on most - easy to book online.
Snorkeling, Kayak & Water Sports in Madeira: 12 tours, all from the 188 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.
Experience diving for people with or without experience, where we want to put the participants in contact with the species in the Madeira Aquarium, wh...
Discover the thrill of surfing in the stunning surfing spots of Madeira with a lesson tailored just for you. No matter if you’re a beginner, intermedi...
Our service has a personal touch and we are very proud of our trip. We offer an impressive portfolio of swimming spots across Madeira, ranging from re...
This is the world’s most popular scuba course and has introduced millions of people to the adventurous diving lifestyle. Learn to dive is fun! We will...
Sail into the Madeira sunset aboard a traditional sailing boat with a maximum of 16 guests. Enjoy a relaxed and intimate experience at sea, with time ...
Enjoy an all-inclusive boat tour at sunset, with pickup and delivery at the hotel. Relax in a comfortable place in the sun or in the shade while saili...
Adventurous villages and spectacular views make Madeira perfect for those who wish to spend their holidays off the beaten path. This is the perfect to...
We offer an amazing surfing experience, aiming at a quality service for all those who want to start surfing or just have a surfing experience, and for...
There are many ways to learn about the marine wilderness in the protected area of Ponta de São Lourenço. But the best way to experience the underwater...
A half-day kayak tour along the Underwater Nature Reserve of Garajau, including plenty of time to snorkel and swim in the crystal clear waters of this...
- Search for dolphins, whales and turtles in their natural habitat - Take in panoramic views of the island from the sea - Explore the crystal clear wa...
Go green with the premier dolphin and whale watching Eco-experience on Madeira Island! Magic Dolphin Eco is the only purpose built dolphin & whale wat...
Tours and prices on this page last updated November 10, 2026
Editorial picks checked: September 15, 2026 · Ranked by Activity fit, included gear, stated requirements, duration, price and review evidence. Prices and ratings on tour cards are live. Commissions never affect the order.
We compared all 12 Madeira water activities on this page by included equipment, stated swimming requirements and time commitment.
Choose Ponta de São Lourenço for snorkel gear and a guide in the water, with no transfers: 4.52 from 71 reviews at €35 per person.
For swimmers, choose Garajau kayaking with snorkel gear and a life jacket: minimum two per booking; 4.55 from 122 reviews at €49 per person.
| Tour | Best for | Price | Rating | Duration | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snorkelling at Ponta de São Lourenço | A guide in the water | €35 per person | 4.52★ (71) | 2h 30m | No transport to Quinta do Lorde marina |
| Garajau Kayak and Snorkeling | Paddling plus snorkelling | €49 per person | 4.55★ (122) | 2h | Must be able to swim; minimum two per booking |
| Madeira Sunset Sailing | Sailing with time to swim | €55 per person | 4.91★ (34) | 3h | Shared boat with up to sixteen guests |
| Sunset Cruise with Dinner on Board | Dinner, drinks and a swim stop | €65 per person | 4.73★ (45) | 4h | English and Spanish only |
| Diving in the Madeira Aquarium | Trying scuba with spectators | €135 per person | 4.98★ (217) | 2h 30m | Unsuitable if you fly the same day |
| Madeira Surf Classes in Portugal | Surfing with board and suit | €70 per person | 4.6★ (58) | 3h | Private transport excluded |
Our editorial picks require a rating of 4.5★ or higher and at least 50 traveler reviews. Read our methodology.
The highest-rated experiences here, chosen by thousands of real reviews.
Experience diving for people with or without experience, where we want to put the participants in contact with the species in the Madeira Aquarium, wh...
Go green with the premier dolphin and whale watching Eco-experience on Madeira Island! Magic Dolphin Eco is the only purpose built dolphin & whale wat...
A half-day kayak tour along the Underwater Nature Reserve of Garajau, including plenty of time to snorkel and swim in the crystal clear waters of this...
- Search for dolphins, whales and turtles in their natural habitat - Take in panoramic views of the island from the sea - Explore the crystal clear wa...
Choose Garajau Kayak and Snorkeling if paddling and snorkelling are the focus. Take Sunset Cruise with Dinner on Board if you want dinner and drinks with a swim stop. For example, Garajau Kayak and Snorkeling requires swimming ability and includes snorkel gear and a life jacket: €49 per person, rated 4.55 from 122 reviews. Sunset Cruise with Dinner on Board: €65 per person, rated 4.73 from 45 reviews. Both are shared.
Explore shared water activities → Browse Madeira boat trips →
Keep a morning for a surf or snorkelling outing and filter for shorter activities. The middle half of this page's prices is €35 to €66 per person. Of 12 activities with a stated duration, 9 take up to three hours; the median is 3 hours. The median price is €55 per person. For example, Surf Lessons Tailored to Your Skill Level in Madeira costs €60 per person, rated 5 from 41 reviews.
With a stroller or infant, or for operator-marked access, stay with the shared activities: the only private listing carries neither mark. Operator-marked accessible: 3 of 11 shared activities. Strollers and infants accepted: 6 of 11. In the private selection, operator-marked accessible: none; strollers and infants accepted: none. Private Open Water Swimming Experience: €55 per person, rated 5 from 37 reviews. Filter first, then confirm with the operator: these labels do not establish swimming suitability or boarding details.
Filter for strollers and infants → Find operator-marked accessible tours →
Choose the Private Open Water Swimming Experience for swimming with your own party, charged per person. The shared median covers a different mix of water activities. Private availability on this page: 1 of 12 activities. The private median is €55 per person and the shared median is €55 per person. Any difference is a spread between different products, not a premium. Private Open Water Swimming Experience: €55 per person, rated 5 from 37 reviews.
For Ponta de São Lourenço snorkelling, arrange your own way to Quinta do Lorde marina. If hotel transport matters, use the hotel pickup filter to choose your water activity. Hotel pickup is included on 2 of 12 activities. Snorkelling at Ponta de São Lourenço excludes transfers but includes snorkel gear and a guide in the water: €35 per person, rated 4.52 from 71 reviews.
Figures in these answers come from the 12 tours on this page, as of November 10, 2026.
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