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Dolphin watching in Setúbal

127 Reviews 4.94 out of 5 stars Based on 127 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 99% of reviewers |
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
Setubal District, Portugal

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Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 33 (0) days in advance.

2 hours 15 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation
Offered in: English
and 3 more
French, Spanish, Portuguese

Overview

You will observe a unique community of bottlenose dolphins, which have permanent residence in the Sado River estuary.

This species is larger than the common dolphin and has a darker hue, close to anthracite gray.

You can also observe common dolphins, which are smaller and extremely fast.

Speaking of speed, our boat is quite fast, which is a big advantage when it comes to finding dolphins, which are wild animals that travel many nautical miles in a short time. Therefore, our success rate in finding these friendly mammals is around 100%.

Furthermore, our boat, due to its characteristics, allows for very close observation of dolphins. This way, you'll be able to take fantastic photos and videos of the experience to share with your family and friends.

Dolphins are wild and unpredictable animals. We will locate them in different locations, which makes this experience unique and unrepeatable.

What's Included

  • Dolphin search and observation

    Meeting Location

    Meeting point

    Rua Praia da Saúde nº 11-A
    (frente para Rua Doca Delpeut), 2900-572 Setúbal, Portugal

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    Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

    End point

    This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    What To Expect

    Departure from Setúbal, sail on the Sado River and look for dolphins to observe in their natural habitat. We will pass by Albarquel beach, the Comenda palace and the Outão lighthouse that announces the entry into oceanic waters.
    Be amazed by the unique view over the beaches of Figueirinha, Galapos, Coelhos, Creiro and Portinho da Arrábida with their turquoise blue waters.
    We can also visit Alpertuche beach and the cliffs of Arrábida with its small caves, as well as the small islands at the mouth of Sado.
    However, so much beauty cannot make us forget the main objective of our trip: observing dolphins in their natural habitat. Our skipper will change the order of this itinerary depending on this great objective, making it possible to sail out to sea in search of these friendly wild animals.
    We will observe bottlenose dolphins, which have a colony in the Sado River, or common dolphins normally found in the open sea.
    Dolphins are wild animals and are not always found in the same place. Our company finds them on around 99% of boat trips. If you are included in the remaining 1%, you will be entitled to a free voucher to repeat the experience.

    Additional Info

    • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

    Frequently Asked Questions

    (9)

    Q: Do we get to swim with or touch the dolphins?

    A: As an active member of the Dolphin SMART program, we do not have physical contact with the dolphins on Dolphin watching in Setúbal. We watch them in their natural habitat from the boat. Read more Dec 2022

    Cancellation Policy

    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

    Still have questions?

    We're here to help.
    Activity code: C-412708P1

    Traveler Photos

    Reviews

    4.94
    127 reviews

    Average 4.94 out of 5 stars based on 127 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and partner sites such as Trustpilot, Viator, and TripAdvisor

    5 stars
    121
    4 stars
    5
    3 stars
    1
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    0
    1 star
    0

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    On average, this is booked 33 (0) days in advance.

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    What's Included

    Activity name

    • Dolphin search and observation

    Additional Info

    Activity name

    • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
    • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Operated by a business

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    Free Cancellation

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    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

    • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
    • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
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    • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (WEST).
    • This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
    • This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

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