8 Best Algarve dolphin watching tours
Portugal’s Algarve coast is known for its beautiful coastline with gorgeous beaches and dramatic cliffs. While people come here for surfing and relaxing beach vacations, fewer know about the Algarve dolphin watching tours that lie not far from the pretty towns up and down the coast.
After spending several weeks in the Algarve, the dolphin watching tour we took was one of the things I enjoyed the most out of everything we did in the Algarve. The Algarve’s clear, turquoise waters became a playground for a pod of dolphins, gracefully gliding through the waves. The sight of them leaping out of the water and playing together was so much fun to watch from the boat. I loved it.
if you’re looking for the best things to do in the Algarve, be sure to check out these Algarve dolphin watching tours which are all highly rated and well worth booking.
I’ve included tours from various towns along the coast so that you can pick the ones that are closest to where you’re staying or where you’re planning on going.
Important information about Algarve dolphin watching experience tours: Dolphins are wild animals and as such, sightings cannot be guaranteed. Though you might not see dolphins on this drop, you will still get a unique perspective of the coastline and see some of the stunning rock formations.
1.5-Hour Dolphin Watching trip from Portimão with an expert crew with over 30 years of experience who have sightings on over 95% of trips!
1. Private yacht rental and a chance to see dolphins
- Rating: 5/5
- Price: €870 for 12 people (€72.50 each)
- Meeting Point: Albufeira Marina
- Where to book: GetYourGuide
For a fun and special way to see Portugal’s southern coastline with your friends, check out this Algarve private yacht rental tour. This way you and your friends or family can hang out on a beautiful yacht all day, sailing to private beaches and perhaps finding pods of dolphins are you sail.
With a private yacht, you can make the tour exactly how you want and the crew on board are there to serve you a welcome drink and Portuguese charcuterie. You’ll have access to juice and water as well as wifi and you’re welcome to bring whatever additional drinks you want onboard.
On this yacht, you’ll also get snorkelling gear and a paddle board!
People who’ve done the tour before really liked it describing it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Book this Algarve Private Yacht Rental tour
2. Best Algare dolphin watching tour: Portimão 1.5-hour dolphin-watching trip
- Rating: 4.9/5
- Price: €40
- Meeting point: Estrada Marina Portimão
- Where to book: GetYourGuide
This 1.5-Hour Dolphin Watching Excursion leaves from Portimão and offers an unforgettable adventure for travellers to the Algarve.
This expert crew has over 30 years of experience searching for dolphins in their natural habitat and has sightings on over 95% of trips which is super high given you’re viewing wild animals!
Your fully-certified skipper on this Algarve watching tour has loads of knowledge to share with you about the dolphins and you could see both bottlenose and common dolphins on the trip.
After a 90-minute cruise (and hopefully plenty of dolphin sightings) you’ll return back to Portimão.
Book this Portimão dolphin watching tour
3. Dolphin watching with professional marine biologists
- Rating: 4.8/5
- Price: €40
- Meeting point: Marina de Lagos
- Where to book: GetYourGuide
This dolphin watching tour allows you to glide across the glistening Atlantic Ocean in search of local Algarve dolphins with professional marine biologists as your guides.
This tour company has been offering tours for over 30 years and so has tonnes of experience to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable trip. They also know the best spots to look for dolphins so your chances of spotting them may be higher with this tour company.
You’ll be onboard “the Tornado rib” which can go super fast to get out into the open waters. Feel the thrill of the wind in your face as you glide across the glistening Atlantic Ocean in search of beautiful bottlenose and common dolphins and then enjoy watching them play.
Book this 1.5 hour dolphin watching tour Lagos
4. Sunset Cruise Benagil Cave and dolphin tour
- Rating: 4.8/5
- Price: €39
- Meeting point: Portimão
- Where to book: GetYourGuide
This Benagil cave and dolphin watching tour promises a magical experience filled with stunning sights. Departing from Portimão, you’ll cruise along the coast, visiting the renowned Benagil Caves and watching dolphins jump and swim in the waves.
A marine biologist will be on board to offer insights about the dolphins and you’ll also finish up the tour around sunset when the sky turns into some beautiful colours.
One guest review said, “Great trip and very friendly staff. We saw dolphins and the trip to the caves was amazing. Would definitely come back again.
Book this sunset dolphin watching boat trip
5. Dolphin watching along the Ria Formosa coast
- Rating: 4.5/5
- Price: €55
- Meeting point: Cais da Porta Nova, near the old town of Faro.
- Where to book: GetYourGuide
This tour is a perfect choice for those staying in Faro or nearby and looking to combine a trip out to Ria Formosa natural park in Portugal with some dolphin watching.
The natural park in the Algarve is a true gem of the coastline and on this 2-hour long tour, you can learn about the dolphins as well as the other flora and marine life of the park.
This boat also includes binoculars so you can get a closer look at both the dolphins and the interesting bird life you can see in this area.
Previous people who’ve done this tour dolphin watching in the Algarve tour said they saw a lot of dolphins, that the guides were very nice and explained a lot of things about what they were seeing.
Book this Ria Formosa dolphin watching tour in the Algarve.
6. Algarve coast dolphin watching & cave tour
- Rating: 4.5/5
- Price: €35
- Meeting point: Albufeira Marina
- Where to book: GetYourGuide
This Dolphin Watching and Cave Tour on the Algarve Coast offers a great mix of exploration and adventure for an unforgettable experience seeing the Algarve dolphins.
It’s a 2-hour long tour where you’ll explore some of the best parts of the Algarve coastline including the unique rock formations and caves and also see the dolphins playing in their natural habitat.
One of the previous guests said that the tour was definitely worth the money, the boats were fast and exciting and they were surprised at how much of the coastline they were able to explore in the 2 hours!
If you’re looking for Albufeira boat trips with caves and dolphins, this is the one to book.
Book this 2-hour dolphin watching tour from Albufeira.
7. Dolphin watching half-day cruise & water activities
- Rating: 4.5/5
- Price: €45
- Meeting point: Marina de Lagos (Gate EFGHI)
- Where to book: GetYourGuide
This half-day dolphin watching cruise lasts around 3-4 hours and gives you the chance to spot dolphins while also exploring the coast and getting to go snorkelling and swimming in the Algarve’s beautiful clear waters.
One of the highlights of this tour is the chance to see dolphins socialising, frolicking, and feeding. The onboard guides will give you information about the dolphins and the environment they live in which gives you an appreciation for these friendly-looking creatures.
After the dolphin watching, you’ll head to a peaceful and secluded bay where you can go swimming, or sunbathe on board the catamaran.
You’ll also get snacks and some soft drinks while onboard the boat.
Check availability for this half-day dolphin watching tour.
8. Benagil cave & dolphin watching boat tour, 2.5 hours
- Rating: 4.4/5
- Price: €35
- Meeting point: Marina of Albufeira
- Where to book: GetYourGuide
This boat tour allows you to cruise along the coast of the Algarve in search of hidden caves and playful dolphins.
It lasts for 2.5 hours and includes a boat cruise, a professional guide, and a 10% discount at the Gate 4 Café lounge for after-sailing or pre-sailing drinks and lunch.
You’ll be accompanied on board by a marine biologist who will give you plenty of interesting facts and information about the dolphins of this area.
The tour also includes a stop for a swim and a visit to the Benagil Caves which are one of the must-see things on the Algarve Coast.
Previous guests on this tour said that the guides were great and it was good that jackets were provided since it can get windy!
Book this Benagil Caves and dolphin watching tour
FAQs about the best Algarve dolphin watching in Portugal
What is the best time to see dolphins in Algarve?
The best time to see dolphins in the Algarve is during the warmer months of May to September when dolphin sightings are more frequent due to better weather and sea conditions.
What time of year is best for dolphin watching?
The best time for dolphin watching in Portugal is during the summer months of June to August when the weather is warm, sea conditions are generally calm, and dolphin populations are more active.
What time of year can you see dolphins in Portugal?
Dolphins can be seen in Portugal throughout the year, but the peak season for dolphin watching typically occurs from spring to autumn when there is a higher concentration of dolphins along the coast.
Where can I watch dolphins in Portugal?
There are several locations along the Portuguese coast where you can watch dolphins, including the Algarve region (such as Portimão, Vilamoura, or Albufeira), as well as other coastal areas like Setúbal, Peniche, and Madeira
Final thoughts about the best dolphin watching Algarve tours
The Algarve is a great place to go dolphin watching where you’ll get a mix of beautiful scenery, stunning rock formations and (hopefully) plenty of dolphin sightings.
Though seeing dolphins cannot be guaranteed, these highly rated tours have guides who are committed to giving you a great experience nonetheless.
If you’re looking for more things to do in the Algarve, check out these Albufeira parasailing tours, wine-tasting Algarve tours, this guide to kayaking tours in Lagos or learn more about surfing in Sagres.
1.5-Hour Dolphin Watching trip from Portimão with an expert crew with over 30 years of experience who have sightings on over 95% of trips!
Last Updated on June 16, 2023 by Hannah
Hannah started That Adventurer after graduating back in 2013 and has documented all of her adventures since then. From backpacking South America to city breaks in Europe, a 3 month road trip across the USA in a self-converted van and 6 years living in Canada, you’ll find posts on all of this.
Hannah specialises in active travel and on That Adventurer you’ll find hiking, walking, biking, skiing and all sorts of active travel guides to allow you to see a destination in an adventurous way.
Now back in Europe, you’ll find new guides as Hannah and her husband spend the next year ‘digital nomading’ from Norway to Portugal, Switzerland to Scotland and places in between.
