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SesimbraDolphin & whale watching

Our most recommended Sesimbra Dolphin & whale watching

Setubal & Tróia: Sado Estuary Dolphin Watching Boat Trip

1. Setubal & Tróia: Sado Estuary Dolphin Watching Boat Trip

Depart from Setubal or Tróia onboard a 22-meter long catamaran and go in search of the community of dolphins that inhabit the Sado estuary. Be accompanied by a knowledgeable crew who will use their expertise to locate these playful dolphins in their natural habitat. Learn more about this unique dolphin community, the only one of its kind in Portugal, with your expert guides. Sail through the estuary and admire the beautiful landscapes of the coastline of the Arrábida Natural Park. Keep an eye out for the playful dolphins which have inhabited this part of the coast for generations. Watch the dolphins frolic and play as they swim through the calm waters. Hear more about their feeding habits, breeding and their relationship to humans on an informative and relaxing boat trip.

100% Views! Dolphin Watching Tour, Let´s Explore Arrábida

2. 100% Views! Dolphin Watching Tour, Let´s Explore Arrábida

Visit the dolphins in the wild and the secluded bays of the Arrábida Mountains on this complete experience. Depart from Sesimbra harbor, where a briefing will be held regarding the behavior of the dolphins and what to do when they are spotted and learn the safety rules at sea. Depart towards the Arrabida Marine Park, a maritime reserve where the dolphins swim freely in large numbers all year long. Spot the dolphins and follow them during the period allowed by the maritime park code of conduct for the dolphin watching. The species that exist in the maritime park area: bottlenose dolphins and Atlantic common dolphins (100% sightings since 2013) and more rarely striped dolhins, orca and even whales can be seen. After the dolphin watch, visit the bays and stop for a taste of local tyipical liquor and snorkeling in one of the amazing bays of the Arrábida inside the Professor Luís Saldanha Maritime Reserve.

Lisbon: Dolphin Watching in Arrábida Natural Park

3. Lisbon: Dolphin Watching in Arrábida Natural Park

The sighting of dolphins in their natural habitat is an unforgettable experience, suitable for all ages. We are often greeted with their thrilling stunts, games and jumps. Navigating the calm crystal-clear waters of the professor Luiz Saldanha Arrábida Natural Park, in strict compliance with the Code of Conduct for Dolphin Watching in order not to disturb them, you will be able to see Bottlenose and Common Dolphins up close, among others, as well as many different birds and the occasional whale, sun-fish and other species. Be overwhelmed by the incredible landscapes of the professor Luiz Saldanha Arrábida Marine Park, its caves, wild beaches and magnificent cliffs, coves where you may eventually swim or simply remain aboard for a tasting of local traditional delicacies. Note - the activity takes between 02h and 03h, depending on the conditions and the time needed to attempt a sighting. If you book the activity with transfer, the arrival to Sesimbra will be before 09h30, the activity will start at 10h30 and the departure for the return to the meeting point will be at 14h30 in Sesimbra - we suggest a walk around the fishing port while you wait.

Sesimbra: Dolphin Watching Tour in Arrábida Natural Park

4. Sesimbra: Dolphin Watching Tour in Arrábida Natural Park

Depart from the Sesimbra Harbor and search for dolphins in their natural habitat with your marine biologist guide. See Bottlenose Dolphins as well as Short Beaked Common Dolphins in the clear blue waters of the park.  Learn about their food habits, group behaviors and family relations. Observe various forms of other wildlife, including migratory birds, as well. At the end of the dolphin watching activity, depending on the time spent of search and the location of the dolphins we might have time to show you the wonders of Sesimbra coastline, so you you can swim and relax in one of Portugal's most beautiful sandy beaches.

From Sesimbra: Arrábida Dolphin Watching Boat Tour

5. From Sesimbra: Arrábida Dolphin Watching Boat Tour

Enjoy a boat tour with dolphin observation through Arrábida coast, with boarding in Sesimbra. Observe more than one species of dolphin if you are lucky, like common dolphin and roazes corvineiros. Watch the cetaceans in their own natural habitat, as they socialize, swim, and eat. Experience an educational component about sea living and biodiversity, and the geology and points of interest of archeological and historical importance connected with this region. Travel along Arrábida coast, passing through the caves and sacred beaches protected by cliffs with transparent and crystalline water if the dolphin observation happens early in the tour. Stop for diving and swimming if the weather and sea conditions are favorable.

Sesimbra: Eco-friendly Dolphin Watching Tour

6. Sesimbra: Eco-friendly Dolphin Watching Tour

Enjoy a unique experience as you observe dolphins in their natural habitat and help locate and collect the harmful plastic which pollutes the waters. Learn more about the importance of environmental conservation and protection. Depart by boat from Sesimbra and search for species of dolphin that inhabit the coastline. Try to spot both common and bottlenose dolphins, as well as a variety of other marine species with your expert marine ecologist guide. Explore the entire coastline of the Arrábida Natural Park up to the Sado River. Discover the estuary which is a point of prime importance for dolphins conservation. Dolphins live here all year round, one of the few locations of its kind in Europe.

Dolphin Watch

7. Dolphin Watch

The dolphin watching tour in Sesimbra are one of the most sought after activities. The Prof. luiz Saldanha Marine Park is currently considered an example of excellence in terms of the preservation and management of a protected marine area, providing the ideal conditions for many different species. Dolphins benefit directly from this and it is therefore possible to observe them during their regular visits to this coast During this tour and as you have a taste of our local delicacies, you may enjoy the magnificent limestone cliffs of the Arrabida. Our guides will assist with the interpretation of local fauna, flora and geology. The experienced crew will do everything to find dolphins, we cannot guarantee 100% that we will find them. In fact, we deal with wild animals, we have a 98% sighting rate, so the probability is extremely high.

Full-Day Arrábida Culture & Wine Tasting Tour

8. Full-Day Arrábida Culture & Wine Tasting Tour

After pickup in Sesimbra you’ll visit the market in Setúbal, considered one of the best markets in the world. Explore the huge variety of fresh fish, fruit and vegetables, bread, cheese and regional pastries on offer. Soak up the vibe and history of the city. Continue to the first winery, stopping to take spectacular photos from the Arrábida Natural Park over the Atlantic Ocean. Visit the luxury Quinta da Bacalhoa wine cellars with a local guide, and enjoy a wine tasting of three renowned wines. Your next stop is for lunch in Setúbal, one of the most iconic and picturesque fishing towns in Portugal. Continue to the José Maria da Fonseca winery to tour the cellars, then enjoy a private visit and wine tasting in Azeitão village. Following this, visit the Azulejos de Azeitão tiles factory and watch traditional European methods of tile making. Then take a walk through the medieval castle of Sesimbra. Visit the local church inside the castle, completely adored in azulejos tiles. Finally you’ll visit the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora do Cabo, a sanctuary that combines a church, a water tower supplied by an aqueduct, and an opera house, with impressive views over the Atlantic Ocean.

Sesimbra: Private Boat Rental

9. Sesimbra: Private Boat Rental

Experience the beauty of Portugal’s Arrabida Natural Park aboard your own boat on this private boat rental. Choose where you go, take a dip in the sea, swim to the shore, or just eat and relax in the sunshine. Have the freedom of an entirely customizable boat rental and explore Arrabida. Swim in the sea, sunbathe and hang out on the boat with your friends and family. Or go on an adventure and explore along the coastline from a new perspective in the water. Make stops at bays and beaches in your own time. Discover some of the most beautiful sandy beaches and bays for snorkeling and swimming like Ribeiro do Cavalo, Cova da Mijona, Galapos, Portinho da Arrábida and more. Cruise along and keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife including dolphins and other local marine life. Soak up the beautiful coastline with the steep forested mountains of the natural park as the backdrop.

Sesimbra: Arrábida Natural Park Cabo Espichel Sunset Tour

10. Sesimbra: Arrábida Natural Park Cabo Espichel Sunset Tour

Depart from the harbor of Sesimbra and travel towards the famous Ribeiro do Cavalo beach. Enjoy the surrounding landscape and learn about the microclimate of the region from your guide.  Continue traveling westwards, where you will visit the beautiful beaches of Mijona and Inferno. Navigate along the shores of the Arrábida Natural Park and visit "Whale Bay" and learn about the history of whale hunting in the region.  Then, go towards Cabo Espichel and explore the caves and incredible rock formations dotted along the coast. Finally, enjoy a beautiful sunset with a sip of a typical drink from the region on the boat, before returning to Sesimbra.

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What people are saying about Sesimbra

Overall rating

5.0 / 5

based on 4 reviews

Unforgettable experience for young and old. The dolphins are just magical. Our guide was awesome too! So much information, all questions were answered - including about the life of the dolphins, environmental protection (plastic was fished out of the sea during our trip), how to deal with the dolphins (they are neither fed nor touched etc.) The trip by boat was also a highlight and the extensive observation of the animals was followed by the return journey along the cave-rich coast with further interesting information from the bird kingdom about the caves as well as the settlement and use of the area. At the end there was a sweet surprise (very tasty ;) Very well organized, everything was clearly communicated. Otherwise very friendly, helpful and entertaining. Thank you for this great day!

We had an amazing morning on our trip. Everyone was really friendly and the staff on the catamaran were very knowledgeable. The views of the coastline are stunning and even though it took us a while to find the group of dolphins they were not in any rush and reassured us that we would find them and it was definitely worth the wait when we did! I would highly recommend this excursion for anyone in the area!

The team is very friendly and you can tell that they actually have a close bond and respect the animals accordingly. We rode along for about 30 minutes and then turned off so as not to disturb them further. The catamaran is large with plenty of seating. The environment is great from the water! All highly recommended!

excellent outing at sea. the dolphins were well at the meeting. Super pleasant staff, and the catamaran was superb. small aperitif on board, and stop on a beautiful spot for a little swim!

It was such a nice experience! We saw many dolphins and the nice instructor gave us plenty of information about the dolphins.