Dolphin watching in the Algarve

Dolphin watching in the Algarve is one of the most exciting experiences you can have on Portugal’s southern coast. Just a short boat ride from the marinas, you’ll be out in the Atlantic where pods of common, bottlenose, or striped dolphins often appear alongside the boat. Watching them leap, surf the waves, or swim playfully in their natural habitat is unforgettable, and far more authentic than seeing them in captivity. Tours run throughout the year, with spring and summer offering the calmest seas and the highest sighting rates. In this guide, you’ll discover which species can be spotted, when to go, what to bring, and the most reliable tour companies across the Algarve.

Dolphin watching at a glance

• Common species: common, bottlenose, striped, Risso’s; harbour porpoise
• Best months: April-October (peak activity & calm seas)
• Tour length: 1-3 hours
• Costs: from €25-€45 (kids often less)
• Sighting rate: typically 90-95% with licensed operators
• Good to know: bring a windproof layer, sun protection, water

Are you excited to go dolphin watching in the Algarve? Then watch the short video below and see how magical it is.

 

Which dolphins can you see?

• Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis): fast, often bow-rides; seen in mixed-age groups.
• Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus): larger bodies, powerful surfacing, sometimes nearshore.
• Striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba): sleek; known for acrobatics offshore.
• Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus): pale with body scarring; deeper water specialist.
• Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena): small, shy; subtle surfacing.

Occasional visitors include minke whales, orcas, sharks, sea turtles and abundant seabirds.

A dolphin watching tour

The best way to experience dolphins in the Algarve is by joining a guided boat tour. After leaving the marina, boats head offshore, often 5 to 15 kilometres from the coast, into areas where dolphins are most frequently seen. Tours run all year, but spring and summer bring warmer seas, calmer conditions, and the highest chances of watching pods play, leap, and interact.

Trips usually last between 1 and 3 hours and cost around €25-€45 per adult, with discounts for children. Safety equipment such as life jackets is always provided, and most operators give a short briefing before departure. Families, couples, and solo travellers all enjoy these tours, whether on a thrilling RIB (rigid-inflatable boat) close to the water or a larger catamaran with shade and toilets onboard.

What is the chance to actually see dolphins?

Seeing dolphins in the wild is never guaranteed, but in the Algarve your chances are very high. Most licensed operators report sighting rates of 90-95% during the main season, thanks to years of experience and constant communication between boats. Crews share live updates about recent sightings and adjust their routes so passengers have the best opportunity for success.

If no dolphins are spotted, many companies offer free rebooking or even a partial refund, which is as close as it gets to a guarantee in the wild. Book with confidence: operators work hard to maximize encounters while respecting natural behaviour.

Where to go dolphin watching in the Algarve

Dolphin watching tours are available all along the Algarve coast, so no matter where you’re staying, you’ll find a marina nearby with experienced operators. The most popular departure points include Albufeira, Lagos, Portimão, Vilamoura, Faro, Olhão, Lagoa, and Sagres. Each area offers slightly different experiences. Albufeira and Lagos are famous for combining dolphin watching with sea cave tours, while Sagres provides a wilder, Atlantic setting.

Many guides are professional marine biologists who share fascinating insights into dolphin behaviour, migration, and conservation. Some tours even combine wildlife watching with visits to caves, secluded beaches, or dramatic rock formations, making the trip more than just about dolphins. Whether you’re travelling as a family, couple, or solo explorer, these tours provide one of the most memorable experiences in the Algarve.

Albufeira area

Albufeira is a great place to start your dolphin watching journey. You can take a tour with any of the following companies:

• Dream Wave. They offer a 2 hour cruise between Albufeira and Carvoeiro. You will first visit several caves and enjoy stunning rock formations during the tour. Then on the return to Albufeira, the boat goes to deep sea to start the dolphin watching part.
• AlgarExperience. This company offers a variety of experiences, from reef fishing to a beach barbecue to dolphin watching. They have a 2 hour dolphin & caves tour in a normal boat or a 2,5 hour tour in a catamaran. The catamaran has a toilet and free wi-fi. They also have a 5 hour tour which combines dolphin watching with a beach BBQ. The BBQ menu has grilled shrimp, fish, meat, salad and fresh fruits. You will see beautiful rock formations during all tours as well.
• Seacret Tours. They offer a 2,5 hour tour to go search for dolphins and visit caves. You will first go by boat to the Alfanzina lighthouse and see stunning rock formations and secluded beaches on the way. The highlight of the first part of the trip is a visit to the famous Algar de Benagil cave. The second part of the trip is a quest to find dolphins.
• X-Ride Algarve. During 2,5 hours you will go look for dolphins in the wild, as well as visit beautiful caves. You will also have the opportunity to take a swim during the journey. The trip is done on a relatively large boat: a catamaran (capacity 23 people) or a cruising boat (capacity 50 people). Toilet facilities are on board.

Buy your tickets for dolphin watching near Albufeira already online:

 

Faro/Olhão area

In Faro or Olhão you can enjoy one of the following dolphin watching tours:

• Natura Algarve. They offer a 2 hour dolphin watching trip outside the Ria Formosa. You will also come across other marine wildlife animals, such as sea turtles, seabirds or even sharks. They depart from both the marina of Faro and the marina of Olhão.
• Sabino Boat Tours. They offer a 2,5 hour dolphin observation tour. On the trip you will see the beauty of the Ria Formosa natural park. Departure is from the marina of Olhão.
• Ecomarine Algarve. This company offers dolphin watching tours in the Ria Formosa with a local guide who will tell you about the different dolphin species. Before the tour they will give you a small briefing about the trip and the route.
• Carlos Boat Tours. During this 2 hour boat tour in the Ria Formosa you will go search for dolphins in the wild. An experienced guide will tell you all about these fabulous creatures.

Are you interested in a dolphin watching tour near the Ria Formosa? You can already book your tour below.

 

Lagoa area

Near Lagoa you can find the following dolphin watching tour companies:

• Wildwatch Algarve. They offer a 1,5-2 hour wild dolphin tour, a 3 hour wildlife explorer tour and a 2,5 hour caves & dolphins tour.  Departure is from Ferragudo. A marine biologist is on board during all tours. They guarantee a dolphin sighting, and will give you a new tour or refund half your money if you don’t spot a dolphin.

Lagos area

Are you in the area of Lagos? Then you can enjoy a dolphin watching tour by any of the following tour companies:

• Seafaris. They were actually the first company in the Algarve to offer dolphin watching tours. Their sighting rate on tours is over 95%.
• Sealife. They have a lot of experience and know exactly where to look for dolphins. A marine biologist is on board and will tell you which dolphin species you are seeing, as well as explaining dolphin behaviour. Very informative tour, with a focus on raising awareness about how to preserve the marine wildlife.
• Bluefleet. This company offers a 1 hour and 45 minute boat trip to go look for dolphins. They have small boats, with a maximum of 4 tourists per boat. Departure is from the marina of Lagos.
• Days of Adventure. In a family catamaran you will go look for dolphins in their natural habitat. This catamaran has a toilet and a bar on-site. The boat is even accessible by wheelchair. Trips last for 1,5 hours.

If you are interested in a tour near Lagos, you can actually book your tickets already online:

 

Portimão area

In Portimão you can take a dolphin watching tour with any of the following companies:

• Seadolphins. This company offers 1,5 hour dolphin observation tours. On the tour you will get to know about the marine ecosystem in the area. Departure is from the marina near Praia da Rocha.
• Seafaris. They were actually the first company in the Algarve to offer dolphin watching tours. Their sighting rate on tours is over 95%.

Sagres area

Staying near Sagres? Then see if you can join any of the following tour companies for a dolphin observation tour:

• CapeCruiser. They offer a wide range of sea activities and are one of the few companies near Sagres to do so. Their dolphin watching tour in the Atlantic Ocean focuses on both fun and education. They participate in scientific research projects and collect data about the dolphins in partnership with the Marine Environment Research Association (AIMM). Departure is from the Baleeira harbour in Sagres.
• Marilimitado. This company specializes in marine wildlife watching. Marilimitado literally means ‘unlimited sea’. Their 1,5 hour dolphin watching tour starts with an educational briefing, after which you will go out to the deep sea of the Atlantic Ocean. Departure is from the Baleeira harbour.
• SeaXplorer. During this 2 hour tour you will observe dolphins in their natural environment. The guide is quite knowledgeable about the area and the various marine animal species.

Vilamoura area

Hop on board for a dolphin watching tour on a boat owned by any of the following companies based in Vilamoura:

• AlgarveXcite. They offer a range of water sport activities and boat trips. Their dolphin watching tour lasts for 2 hours and also shows you some of the stunning rock formations of the Algarve coastline.
• Ocean Quest. This company offers a 2,5 hour dolphin quest tour with the aim of finding these magnificent creatures in the wild. You get a bottle of water for free with the tour. Departure is from the marina of Vilamoura.

Our tips

Want to experience dolphin watching like a seasoned insider, not just another tourist on a boat? Follow these tips to make your trip smoother, safer, and far more rewarding:

• • Book the morning slot. Seas are calmer early in the day, dolphins are more active, and you’ll avoid the heat and crowds.
  • Choose your boat wisely. RIBs (rigid inflatables) get you closest to the action, but catamarans offer shade, toilets, and comfort for families or anyone prone to seasickness.
  • Layer up smartly. Even in August, it feels 5-10°C cooler out at sea. A light windbreaker over a T-shirt works better than heavy clothes.
  • Expect to get wet. Spray is part of the fun, but a small dry bag or waterproof phone case will save your gear.
  • Don’t skip sunscreen. Reflection from the water intensifies the sun, so reapply mid-tour to avoid a surprise burn.
  • Shoot video first, photos later. Dolphins are unpredictable and fast. Capturing them on video ensures you won’t miss the moment while fiddling with settings.
  • Combine your tour with caves. If it’s your only boat trip in the Algarve, choose one that also visits Benagil or the sea cliffs. Two bucket-list experiences in one outing.
  • Bring sunglasses. They cut surface glare so you spot fins earlier.
  • Seat choice matters. Front of RIB = action, rear = smoother; on catamarans, upper deck = best panoramic shots.

Beware that a dolphin watching tour isn’t suitable for children under 3 years old, pregnant women and people with bone or spine problems, since the boat tour can get quite bumpy.