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Whale fluke diving into the deep blue Atlantic waters off Madeira

Dolphins, whales and sailing off Funchal.

Three hours aboard the Seaborn and Seaborn II catamarans to the 580 m cliffs of Cabo Girão.

  • Seaborn & Seaborn II catamarans with toilets and bar
  • Sail to Cabo Girão bay (580 m cliff, 9 km by sea)
  • Free cancellation up to 24 h · Ages 0–4 free

Choose your catamaran sailing

Daily morning, afternoon, and sunset departures from Pier 8 at Funchal Marina with live seat availability.

Catamaran sailing at sunset past the cliffs of Madeira's south-west coastGolden hour · 3 hours

Sunset catamaran trip

Sail along the south-west coast toward the Cabo Girão protected area for a refreshing swim, then watch the sun sink into the Atlantic on the return to Funchal.

For golden-hour sailing with a swim stop at Cabo Girão

  • 3 hours
  • Up to 100 guests

from€35 per person

New Year's Eve fireworks over Funchal Bay viewed from the waterDec 31 Special · 1h 30m

New Year's Eve cruise

Celebrate New Year's Eve on the water for 1 hour 30 minutes with an unobstructed front-row view of the fireworks over Funchal's amphitheatre.

To watch Funchal's New Year fireworks from the ocean

  • 1 h 30
  • Up to 100 guests

from€120 per person

Seaborn catamaran sailing along the rugged cliffs of Madeira's southern coast
The Seaborn catamaran under sail along Madeira's south coast
Seaborn crew member presenting Madeira's cetacean species on board

Why sail with Seaborn

Two sailing catamarans built for stability, comfort, and respect for the ocean

Operating from Pier 8 at Funchal Marina, Seaborn Catamaran sails two twin-hull catamarans — Seaborn and Seaborn II — engineered for stability and open-deck comfort on the Atlantic, equipped with onboard toilets and bar service.

Across every 3-hour voyage along Madeira's southern coast, our crew searches for wild dolphins, whales, and sea turtles in their natural habitat, sharing insights into marine biodiversity and ocean protection before anchoring beneath the 580 m cliff of Cabo Girão.

  • 2Sailing catamarans (Seaborn & Seaborn II)
  • 580 mCabo Girão sea cliff (9 km by sea from Funchal)
  • 3 hDuration of wildlife & sunset cruises
  • 0–4Years travel free (ages 5–12 half price)
“Great tour! We got to see 3 different marine species and the ride was very enjoyable. The crew were all very knowledgeable and helpful as well.”
Char GetYourGuide
Seaborn catamaran anchored in turquoise waters beneath the cliffs of Cabo Girão

Aboard our catamarans

Explore the Seaborn & Seaborn II in detail

Select the numbered markers on this real photo beneath Cabo Girão to see what awaits on board.

  1. 1

    Twin-hull Seaborn & Seaborn II

    Two stable, spacious sailing catamarans, each accommodating up to 100 passengers.

  2. 2

    Open observation deck

    Unobstructed deck space for watching and photographing dolphins, whales, and Madeira's southern cliffs.

  3. 3

    Onboard toilets & bar service

    Equipped with onboard toilets and a bar serving drinks and snacks throughout the trip (extra cost).

  4. 4

    Swim stop & snorkelling gear

    Direct water access in the clear bay of Cabo Girão during summer and sunset sails, with snorkelling gear available for a cash deposit.

South Coast Route

From Funchal Marina to Cabo Girão Bay

  1. 1

    Funchal Marina · Pier 8

    Mandatory check-in at the Seaborn kiosk 30 minutes before departure to exchange your ticket for a boarding card.

  2. 2

    South Coast Pelagic Waters

    Offshore sailing from Funchal searching for the dolphins, whales, and sea turtles that inhabit or visit Madeira year-round.

  3. 3

    Cabo Girão Bay (580 m)

    Arrive beneath the world's second-highest sea cliff (9 km by sea), with a swim stop in clear waters during summer and sunset trips.

  4. 4

    Return to Funchal Bay

    Relaxed coastal sail with panoramic views of Funchal's amphitheatre back to Pier 8.

GetYourGuide · 4.6 ★ (7,945 reviews)

What guests say after sailing with our crew

★★★★★
“Great afternoon out on the waters off Funchal. Spotted bottlenose dolphins and pilot whales. The crew were excellent and the leader was knowledgeable and highly entertaining. Also had a wonderful swim off the boat!”
★★★★★
“Great tour! We got to see 3 different marine species and the ride was very enjoyable. The crew were all very knowledgeable and helpful as well. Highly recommend as a great way to see Madeira from the water and learn about its marine life.”
★★★★★
“Lovely half day on the sea, saw the pilot whales and dolphins and some flying fish. Dip in the Atlantic very refreshing.”
★★★★★
“The cruise was wonderful! And the crew was very nice and helpful We saw dolphins and whales, we could stay a bit longer for swimming - but anyway, the atmosphere was amazing.”

At sea off Madeira

Cetaceans, sea cliffs, and Atlantic sunsets

Meeting point & FAQ

Funchal Marina · Pier 8

Funchal Marina · Pier 8 (Praça do Povo)© OpenStreetMap

Check-in is mandatory at our office in Funchal Marina (Pier 8, Praça do Povo) 30 minutes before departure to exchange your ticket for a boarding pass. If arriving by car, please allow 1 hour for parking (recommended car parks: Almirante Reis and Praça CR7).

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Do you guarantee dolphin or whale sightings?

Because cetaceans are wild animals in their natural habitat, sightings can never be 100% guaranteed, but our crew actively searches for the dolphins, whales, and sea turtles that inhabit or visit Madeira's waters year-round.

Where is check-in and how early should I arrive?

Check-in is mandatory at the Seaborn office in Funchal Marina (Pier 8, Praça do Povo) 30 minutes before departure to collect your boarding card. If driving, please arrive at least 1 hour prior to park.

Is there a swim stop and snorkelling equipment?

Yes, on our Dolphin & Whale Watching cruises (during summer months) and on our Sunset Trip we stop for a swim in the clear waters of Cabo Girão. Snorkelling gear is available on board for a cash deposit.

What facilities are on board the catamarans?

Both the Seaborn and Seaborn II carry up to 100 passengers and feature onboard toilets and a bar service (drinks and snacks available at extra cost). The vessels are not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

What is the cancellation and weather policy?

On regular 3-hour trips, cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure (72 hours for the New Year's Eve special). If a sailing is cancelled due to weather or insufficient passengers, an alternative date or full refund is offered.

Three hours between Funchal and Cabo Girão

Pick your date and departure time to sail aboard the Seaborn or Seaborn II with instant confirmation.