Dolphin watching from Portimão Marina

Speed boat
Family
Exciting
Dolphin

Are you ready to go dolphin watching from Portimão?

This boat tour with dolphin watching from Portimão is a truly unique holiday experience for the whole family. In fact, dolphin watching from Portimão is an absolute “must do” whilst in the Algarve, particularly in Portimão. Be amazed by these magical creatures with the impressive rock formations of the Algarve coast in the background.

Get aboard on one of our super fast Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIB), also known as a semi rigid boat, and feel the excitement of searching for these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat. You'll be taken by one of the first dolphin watching operators of the Algarve, true specialists in searching for wild dolphins!

For over 20 years, the dolphins have been protected species in Portugal. That’s why our boats are dolphin-friendly. The boats use jet propulsion and sometimes they even like to play with our jets. This tour operator for dolphin watching from Portimão counts with very experienced skippers. We can never guarantee if we'll find these playful mammals in the immense ocean, but our success rate in finding dolphins and other species is 95%.
This dolphin watching trip from Portimão takes approximately 1,5 hours, but the memories will last forever!

FAQ about dolphin watching from Portimão

Do you need to know how to swim for this dolphin watching tour?

No, you’ll get onto the boat in the Marina of Portimão and you’ll almost won’t get wet as the tour finishes in the Marina too.

Can you get off the boat for a swim with the dolphins?

No, no swimming is allowed on this tour. In Portugal, swimming with dolphins is only permitted in the Azores and Madeira;

Is it guaranteed to see dolphins?

No. Dolphins are wild animals and they’re not fed. We never know if we’ll find them. It’s a true adventure. We have a very experienced crew that knows the sea like no other and manages to spot dolphins on almost all our trips. But there’s a small chance to have tough luck. The tour is always great fun, though, with impressive sights over the coastline.

How close can you get to the dolphins?

This really depends on the species of the dolphins and what their mood is when we find them. Some dolphins, like bottlenose dolphins, love to give us a show when we see them. Common dolphins are nice to see when they’re feeding, as they get really excited. Sometimes, the dolphins come close enough to touch, other times, we may find a pod that's less interested or shyer. It really depends.

Are the dolphins fed?

No, the dolphins are not fed. They are wild animals and we will try to interfere with them the minimum as possible. We also only stay with them for a limited period of time, which is set by law, to not bother them too much.

Are there dolphins all year round?

Yes, the dolphins are around the whole year. And this dolphin watching tour from Portimão runs all year round.

Is it possible to observe other species than dolphins?

Of course! As we said before, the dolphin watching tours are a true adventure. You never know if you’ll find a dolphin or another species and if so, what species. On this tour, we also frequently find turtles, orcas and several species of whales.

Is this dolphin watching tour suitable for babies and pregnant women?

No. The dolphin watching tours on Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs) are not recommended for babies under 3 years old, pregnant women nor people with back and neck problems.

Is the use of lifejackets mandatory? Are there lifejackets for children available?

Yes and yes.

Can you take your camera and phone with you on the dolphin watching trip?

Yes, it’s OK to take your camera and phone with you on the tour, but we are not responsible for any damages or losses that may happen.

How many people go on each boat?

Each boat takes 12 people and 2 skippers/guides. If you need more than 12 seats, we can take several boats or a bigger one. For charters or private tours, please get in touch with us for a personalized offer.

Should I book my dolphin watching in advance?

Yes, we always recommend booking in advance. In high season, boats get often fully booked!

What’s the best time to go dolphin watching?

We highly recommend the morning trips. In fact, normally there is less wind in the morning and the sea is calmer, but the evening trips may give you a prettier light. It’s up to you. All trips are amazing 😉 This is a great sea experience at any time.

Can you pay by card?

Yes, you can pay the balance due upon check-in by card or in cash.

What happens if the boat tour is cancelled?

The dolphin tours are always subject to the weather and sea conditions. If the tour is expected to be cancelled, you will be contacted in the evening before your tour to try to reschedule. It may occasionally happen that the tours are cancelled last-minute. We’re sorry, but this can happen as the sea can be rather unforeseeable and we want your safety above all. You’ll always be 100% refunded.

Gallery

Highlights

Enjoy the view over the amazing coastline from a unique perspective;
Extremely high chance of spotting wild dolphins with the experienced crew;
Search for and observe wild dolphins and other marine life in their natural habitat;
Seeing these mamals in their natural habitat is really a magical moment;
This experience is a good choice for families and groups of friends who are passionate about the ocean, nature and adventure;
This experience is always a true adventure as you never know which species you're going to find;

Reminders

A wind jacket may be useful;
Detailed tour operator information, including local phone number and exact address, is included in your confirmation email;
Please check-in 20 minutes before the start of the experience;
This experience does not include food and drinks so feel free to bring your own;
We recommend bringing sunscreen and comfortable clothes;
You'll pay a deposit to place your booking request and pay the remaining once your booking is confirmed, with the tour operator

What's included

A safety briefing by a multilingual guide, insurance and life-jackets are included;
The dolphin watching tour will be accompanied by a marine expert who can tell you all the secrets about the animals and other life in the sea;