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Algarve Swim with dolphins

Our most recommended Algarve Swim with dolphins

Albufeira: Dolphin Watching and Benagil Cave Boat Cruise

1. Albufeira: Dolphin Watching and Benagil Cave Boat Cruise

Climb aboard a small boat in Albufeira marina and journey along the coastline of the Algarve for 18 kilometers. Enjoy watching dolphins in their natural habitat with commentary from a guide and marine biologist. See the Alfanzina Lighthouse and the seaside Benagil Cave. Journey with a captain with expert knowledge of this part of the coastline. Sail to the Alfanzina Lighthouse and be amazed by the beaches and rock formations along the way. Marvel at the stunning sea caves, including the famous rock formations of Benagil Cave. Cool down with a swim in the sea, if conditions permit, and then look for the lovable dolphins as they frolic in the water. Feel the sea breeze on your face as you take in the scenic views. Learn about the surrounding marine life from the local marine biologist onboard.

From Lagos: Dolphin Watching Boat Trip

2. From Lagos: Dolphin Watching Boat Trip

Meet your experienced crew at the Marina de Lagos and get a safety briefing before you set sail off the coast of the Algarve. Look for dolphins aboard a rigid inflatable boat in a small group of no more than 12 people for a more personalized experience. Hear detailed information about the sea and weather conditions, and the last known coordinates and patterns of the dolphins’ behavior from the previous days to help you locate the animals. Travel at a speed of around 25 knots, depending on the sea conditions, as you look for magnificent sea mammals for 1 hour and 45 minutes. Benefit from a 90% chance to encounter the beautiful creatures in their natural environment – although as an act or nature sightings cannot be guaranteed. 

Ria Formosa: Dolphin-Watching Boat Tour

3. Ria Formosa: Dolphin-Watching Boat Tour

On this 2.5-hour dolphin-watching boat tour you’ll pass through the inlet in the Ria Formosa Natural Park and then head out to sea, following the coastline for 1-3 miles. You’ll receive a briefing by the skipper and guides will be available on board to tell you more about the local animal life. During the tour, you’ll observe dolphins in their natural environment. The most commonly sighted species are the short-beaked common dolphin and the common bottlenose dolphin. Other creatures, such as flying fish, ocean sunfish and sea turtles may also be spotted during the tour. Cetaceans are migratory animals, distributed around the world’s seas, and pass along Mallorca’s coast daily. The current rate of spotting dolphins on the boat trips is 95 percent, but guides cannot guarantee sightings as these are wild animals in their natural habitat.

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What people are saying about Algarve

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 2,329 reviews

We have seen the dolphins and caves with a short history behind the caves. Tour was planned for 2.5hrs initially, however we were searching for the dolphins 1h15mins before we get message from another bout who found them - we immediately have turned to that way and were lucky to see them. very cooperative boat drivers - thank you for that. then we spent around 15 minutes with dolphins and in order to respect their privacy - turned to the caves and left the place. it is awesome experience to see the real nature and it's life. overall tour took 2h45min and definitely worth the money we've paid. highly recommended!

The team was really nice and took good care of us. We took the speedboat far out to sea, didn't have much luck with the dolphins. You could really tell from the team that they wanted to try everything so that we customers could still see dolphins. We drove across the sea for a very long time and in the end we were rewarded and we were all very happy. What did the team say? The dolphins are shy and wild animals. We're not guaranteed to see any. So my question was also superfluous as to whether the animals might not be fed. That was definitely not the case. It was a very nice trip!

The combination makes the tour an experience in any case. Very good organization, pleasant guide, good size of the boat. That we actually saw dolphins was gigantic.

Seeing the Algarve coast from a boat was very impressive. All those little beaches and caves. Even without the dolphin watching the price would be reasonable!!!

Good ride down the coast and caves, the crew managed to find the dolphins for us. Great trip.