Boat trips · CATAMARAN CRUISES IN PORTUGAL
Good catamaran cruises in Portugal fill up weeks ahead and the calm mornings go first. Below: the 9 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Review of Madeira’s eco catamaran whale and dolphin cruise, with wildlife tips, onboard features, value, access, and booking advice.
“A lovely afternoon and highly recommended. The highlight was seeing pilot whales 🐋”
Review of Madeira’s 3-hour Seaborn catamaran cruise, with dolphin and whale watching, Cabo Girão views, swimming, tips, and honest advice.
“We enjoyed a cruise along the coast in an Easterly direction. We were very lucky to spot a pod of Pilot Whales including a mother and baby swimming along together. This put the icing on the cruise cake! We celebrated with a small glass of beer and wine from the onboard bar on the way back! I can recommend this 3 hour activity to anyone looking for a shortish trip out on the ocean. I should also say that we had very calm weather which helped make the trip comfortable.”
Cruise from Albufeira to Benagil by catamaran, with coastal caves, a swim stop, local guides, music, and excellent value.
“We had an amazing time! The guide was great, they had good music playing in the boat at a respectable volume. We got to jump off the boat for a swim half way into the tour. Lots of room on the boat to bring a bag and sit comfortably. Definitely recommend this tour!!”
Review of Lisbon’s 90-minute sunset catamaran cruise, with Tagus River views, music, a welcome drink, blankets, and practical tips.
“It was a really fun boat trip. The music was great!”
Review of Madeira’s $47 catamaran cruise, with whale and dolphin watching, Cabo Girão swimming, practical tips, and honest value advice.
“Great staff we saw half a dozen pilot whales at least very interesting nice bouncy sail back into port once the waves got up ! Would recomend this trip”
Paddle through Ponta da Piedade caves from a catamaran, then swim and use the boat slide on this lively Lagos adventure.
“The kayaking was great. The guide was entertaining and even though it was foggy it was a great experience overall.”
Review of Lagos’s 150-minute catamaran cruise to Ponta da Piedade and Praia da Luz, with swim stop, paddle boards, views, and practical tips.
“We loved it! A fantastic way to see the beautiful landscape and lots of fun when we stopped at Luz. Highly recommend”
See wild dolphins, enjoy Algarve coast views, and slide into a secluded bay on this family-friendly Lagos catamaran cruise.
“We loved the tour. It was very informative and we saw lots of dolphins! Also had a lot of time do swim and jump from the boat. Super fun! Our female guide (Nadja) was very friendly and knowledgeable.”
Paddle into Lagos’s Ponta da Piedade caves by double kayak, with a catamaran escort, swimming stop, friendly guides, and weather backup.
“As a solo female traveler, I was a bit nervous about joining the Ponta da Piedade Caves Kayak Tour, especially wondering how they’d fit me in and worrying about my lack of experience. But honestly, this was one of the best parts of my trip! When I got there, I noticed most people were in pairs, which didn’t help my nerves, but then a trio showed up, and the mood instantly lightened. The staff was warm and welcoming, which made a huge difference. I ended up paired with one of the trio, and our guide, Ricardo (who totally looks like Adam Sandler!), was fantastic. He made sure I felt comfortable…”
River hour, cave run, whale ground or a deck with lunch on it.
