The quick version
- The Desertas Islands Full-Day Catamaran Trip from Funchal by VMT lasts 9 hours and runs Funchal, Desertas Islands, Funchal.[1]
- The full-day Desertas trip is from US$104, with a live guide in English and Portuguese.[1]
- Bottlenose dolphins and short-finned pilot whales are seen all year round off Madeira.[2]
- Researchers have confirmed 27 species of cetaceans in Madeira's waters.[2]
- Just five kilometres offshore the ocean is more than 3,000 metres deep, so deep-water whales can come close to shore.[3]
| Desertas full-day | Funchal Bay cruise | All-inclusive luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| From | from US$104[1] | from US$46[4] | from US$91[5] |
| Duration | 9 hours[1] | 3 hours[4] | 3 hours[5] |
| Traveller rating | 4.35 from 216 reviews[1] | 4.25 from 3,470 reviews[4] | 4.92 from 2,885 reviews[5] |
| Live guide | English, Portuguese[1] | Portuguese, English[4] | English, Portuguese, Spanish[5] |
| Route | Funchal, Desertas Islands, Funchal[1] | Catamaran, Secret stop, Cabo Girao Cliff[4] | Catamaran, Secret stop, Cabo Girao Cliff[5] |
| Cancellation | Free up to 24 hours ahead[1] | Free up to 24 hours ahead[4] | Free up to 24 hours ahead[5] |
Five kilometres offshore, the ocean can be more than 3,000 metres deep, with steep slopes, underwater canyons and vast plateaus. This lets larger cetaceans usually seen in deeper waters swim close to the island's coastline.
Why the Desertas full-day trip wins
Pre-booking checklist
A full day on the water from Funchal
From Funchal, the Desertas Islands Full-Day Catamaran Trip from Funchal by VMT is the biggest sea day on this page. The cruise lasts 9 hours, and the route runs Funchal, the Desertas Islands, then back to Funchal.[1] It costs from US$104, with a live guide in English and Portuguese on board.[1] The operator offers a full refund and free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, so you can book with a little more confidence.[1]
The Desertas are three bare volcanic islands 22 nautical miles southeast of Funchal.[7] A full day lets you cover that distance without rushing. You get time on the water, time to watch for wildlife, and a relaxed sail home. The pace is very different from a short bay cruise, and that is exactly why it suits travellers who want Madeira to feel like an ocean island, not just a stop on a sightseeing list.
A catamaran gives you deck space, shade and a steady ride. You can move around, talk to the guide, and settle in for the long crossing. Many travellers use the outward leg to scan for dolphins, then spend the return journey relaxing at the bow or stern. A full-day boat trip is as much about the rhythm of the sea as it is about any single sighting.
Deep water close to shore
The reason Madeira is such a reliable place to see whales and dolphins comes down to what lies under the boat. Just five kilometres off the coast, the ocean depths can reach more than 3,000 metres.[3] The underwater landscape is steep and canyon-like, which means deep-water whales can swim close to the island instead of staying far offshore.[3]
Researchers have confirmed 27 species of cetaceans in Madeira's waters.[2] That number gives you a sense of the variety. You will not see them all in one day, but it explains why a full-day crossing to the Desertas is so attractive: you are heading toward some of the richest water around the island.
The same steep slopes and underwater canyons that bring whales close also shape the surface. You may see shearwaters and other seabirds working the same water, and the boat will sometimes slow or change course when something is spotted. Watching the crew read the sea is part of the pleasure.
The Desertas Islands rise bare and volcanic from the Atlantic southeast of Funchal.
Whales and dolphins you may meet
Bottlenose dolphins and short-finned pilot whales are seen all year round off Madeira.[2] Atlantic spotted dolphins and occasional blue whales arrive as seasonal visitors, while orcas and humpback whales are rarely seen.[2]
On the full-day Desertas trip, a live guide in English and Portuguese is there to help you make sense of what appears.[1] If you are new to whale watching, the guide will often point out behaviour first, so you know where to look before the animals surface again. Bring binoculars if you have them, and keep an eye on the horizon.
If you want to improve your chances, keep your eyes on the horizon and watch for blows, splashes or a sudden flock of seabirds. Patience matters more than equipment. A calm morning at sea is often the best time, but the guide will adjust to what the day offers.
Shorter catamaran cruises from Funchal
If a full day is too much, shorter catamaran cruises make a good alternative. The Funchal Bay Dolphin & Whale Watch Luxury Catamaran Cruise runs 3 hours from US$46, and the All Inclusive Whale and Dolphin Watching Luxury Tour also runs 3 hours from US$91, with a guide in English, Portuguese and Spanish.[4][5]
The Ecological Catamaran Dolphin Whale Watching trip from Funchal is from US$40 and lasts 2.5 to 3 hours.[8] These bay cruises are easier to fit around other plans. The Funchal Bay cruise is rated 4.25 from 3,470 reviews, while the all-inclusive option scores 4.92 from 2,885 reviews.[4][5]
For most people, the choice comes down to time. If you have a free day, the Desertas full-day trip gives you more ocean, more wildlife habitat and a stronger sense of escape. If your schedule is tight, a 3-hour bay cruise is still a lovely way to see Funchal from the water.[4]
from US$104
VMT's full-day catamaran sails Funchal to the Desertas Islands and back in 9 hours, with a live English and Portuguese guide.[1]
Booking and practicalities
The Desertas Islands Full-Day Catamaran Trip from Funchal by VMT lets you reserve now and pay later, with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.[1] That is handy for a trip that depends on the weather and your own travel plans.
Sea temperatures off Funchal range from 19°C in winter to 24°C in summer.[6] Even in summer, the breeze on deck can feel cool, so pack a light layer, sun protection and a hat. The trip starts and ends in Funchal, so leave yourself time to get to the marina and find the boat.
Before you go, decide what you want from the day. If your main aim is wildlife, try to book a morning sailing, when the sea is often calmer. If you want sunset light, choose a late sailing and bring a warmer layer. Either way, the booking page will show starting times when you check availability.
Porto Santo by ferry
Porto Santo deserves a quick note, because many travellers ask about it. The Desertas full-day catamaran trip does not go to Porto Santo; its route is Funchal, the Desertas Islands and back.[1] Porto Santo Line currently expects its ferry crossings to take 3 hours and 15 minutes due to technical reasons.[9]
For a day trip, that is a long crossing, and many travellers prefer to save Porto Santo for a longer stay. If your heart is set on Porto Santo, the ferry is the practical way to get there. The catamaran trips covered on this page are for whale watching and the Desertas, where the deep water close to shore makes the sailing worthwhile.
If you do decide to cross, plan for a relaxed day rather than a packed one. A long ferry crossing leaves less time ashore, so it works best when you are happy to sit back, watch the ocean and keep the schedule light.
A gentler way to watch whales
Madeira's whaling industry ran from 1941 until 1981, when it voluntarily stopped.[10] These days, operators use land-based spotters to find animals. A spotter relays details such as mileage and landmarks to the skippers, so boats can go straight to the right area.[11]
Some catamarans are built with wildlife in mind. The Magic Dolphin engages electric engines for silent, emission-free cruising when sea life arrives.[12] VMT's fleet includes the Sea Nature, Sea the Best and Sea Pleasure, with capacities of 216, 98 and 70 passengers.[13] The SeaBorn eco catamaran in Funchal has a maximum capacity of 100 guests.[14]
Responsible operators keep their distance and use engine power sparingly. That is good for the animals and usually better for viewing, too. If you have children, a catamaran with deck space and a toilet makes a comfortable choice, and the crew are used to first-time whale watchers.
Catamaran passenger capacity
Capacities from VMT Madeira's fleet ([13]) and OceanSee's SeaBorn ([14]).
Trip from-prices compared
From-prices in US dollars from tour listings:[1],[4],[5],[8].
When to book
How to plan your trip
Choose your trip
Decide between the 9-hour Desertas full-day trip and the shorter bay catamarans.[1]
Check availability
See starting times on the booking page before you settle your plans.
Book with flexibility
Reserve now and pay later, with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.[1]
Get to Funchal
The trip starts and ends in Funchal; allow time to reach the marina.
Join the live guide
The full-day cruise has a live guide in English and Portuguese.[1]
Leave a review
After the trip, share your experience to help other travellers plan.
Ready to sail to the Desertas from Funchal?
from US$104
