Whales off the coast of Lisbon
This guide was led by our team of marine biologists. If you’d like to see these species in the wild, check out our Ethical & Licensed Dolphin Watching in Lisbon and keep an eye out for whales!
One of the most surprising facts for our passengers is the possibility of observing whales during the tour. In fact, we know that the rich ecosystem along the coast of Greater Lisbon supports incredible biodiversity, attracting animals of all sizes, including whales that feed in this area as they migrate.
Certainly, the shallower depths and tides influence their presence at greater distances from the coast, requiring more effort from the boat, but it is not uncommon to be surprised by the presence of whales just a few miles from the shore. Whale sightings are always surprising and require time and patience, as whales spend more time underwater.
Their presence in the area is not guaranteed, but we know that they frequently pass by our coast. Migrations are sometimes highly developed and remarkable, especially those of the baleen whales, which spend the summer feeding in cold seas and breed in temperate or even warm-water ecosystems at much lower latitudes.
Quick Facts
Number of species recorded
6 species were recorded, mostly during our dolphin watching tours.
Most common species
Minke Whale, Fin Whale and Sei Whale
Best time of year for observation
Whales can be seen all year, though sightings depend on sea and weather conditions. Winter has fewer trips and data, but records exist in most months.
Where they are most frequent
Whale watching occur exclusively in the open sea. The probability of sightings increases at depths greater than 100 meters.
Species Gallery
Minke Whale
Scientific name: Balaenoptera acutorostrata
Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN)
Probability of sighting: Occasional
When we see it: Late spring–autumn.
ID notes: Small, sleek bodies, V-shaped head; pointed snouts; white band on their pectoral fins; almost with non-visible blow; tall and curved dorsal fin.
Why Lisbon?: Upwelling lines and bait concentrations.
Did you know? Often surfaces in a series of low, fast rolls before a deeper dive.
Fin Whale
Scientific name: Balaenoptera physalus
Conservation status: Endangered (IUCN)
Probability of sighting: Occasional
When we see it: Occasional in productive months.
ID notes: Very large; asymmetrical jaw colour (right side paler); small dorsal fin far back.
Why Lisbon?: Follows prey along the shelf and slope.
Did you know? The second‑largest animal on Earth after the blue whale.
Humpback Whale
Scientific name: Megaptera novaeangliae
Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN, some populations recovering)
Probability of sighting: Occasional
When we see it: Mainly on migration.
ID notes: Long pectoral fins; knobbly head; low, stubby dorsal fin with hump; nose-dive to propel down to deeper depths; tail flukes with unique black‑and‑white patterns.
Why Lisbon?: Occasionally passage.
Did you know? Fluke photos can identify individuals across oceans.
Sei Whale
Scientific name: Balaenoptera borealis
Conservation status: Endangered (IUCN)
Probability of sighting: Occasional
When we see it: During productive periods with abundant small fish/krill.
ID notes: Tall, sickle‑shaped dorsal fin; V-shaped head with single ridge; rolls low at surface and doesn't arch back/tail; blowholes and dorsal fin visible simultaneously; relatively low blow.
Why Lisbon?: Can follow prey along the Iberian shelf during strong upwelling years.
Did you know? Often leaves a distinctive pale “slick” on the surface after lunges.
Bryde's Whale
Scientific name: Balaenoptera edeni
Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN; taxon complex)
Probability of sighting: Occasional
When we see it: Warm‑water visitor.
ID notes: Three longitudinal ridges on the rostrum; prominent and falcate dorsal fin; skin may be mottled; tall and thin blow; irregular dive sequence; dark upper side; arches tail stock on diving
Why Lisbon?: Occasional incursions of warmer, productive waters may bring this subtropical species within range.
Did you know? The genus includes Bryde’s and Eden’s forms - closely related and challenging to separate at sea.
Cuvier's Beaked Whale
Scientific name: Ziphius cavirostris
Conservation status: Least Concern (IUNC)
Probability of sighting: Occasional
When we see it: Mainly offshore; most likely in calm seas.
ID notes: Goose beak head shape; small and pale head; robust body; indentation behind blowhole; small teeth at tip of jaw; usually alone or small groups.
Why Lisbon?: Proximity to the Lisbon Canyon and shelf break provides suitable depths within reach of our range in exceptional conditions.
Did you know? Holds records for the deepest and longest mammalian dives measured.
Sightings
Biologists’ Notes:
Whales can be observed throughout the year along the North Atlantic, as they travel north–south and south–north in search of feeding grounds, mating areas and breeding hotspots.
Between April and October, ocean conditions are generally more favourable, allowing us to spend more time at sea. This increased survey effort naturally results in more sightings during the high season than in the winter months.
Whales also show seasonal dispersal patterns that remain only partially understood by the scientific community. In 2025, several Bryde’s whales were recorded south of Lisbon, and in 2023 and 2024, we documented multiple sightings of Fin whales in the Lisbon region.
Whale‑watching differs from dolphin‑watching in both method and expectation. Whales favour deeper offshore areas and spend longer periods underwater, which means patience is essential. When encounters happen, they are rare, unpredictable and scientifically valuable – and always a remarkable moment at sea.
Observation Success: Finding and observing marine mammals, especially at sea, can be a great challenge, and is strongly dependent on general weather and sea conditions. The best chances of finding cetaceans occur in calm seas, on windless and overcast days. Much is also dependent on the species involved (e.g., spending most of their time underwater), season, and even the time of the day, locality, and the type of boat used. However, a successful search is often also reliant on the crew, which has skills, practice, and motivation.
Documenting a whale sighting in Lisbon
Every now and then, the ocean gifts us with moments that go far beyond what we expect. This video shows one of those encounters, a whale surfacing just off Lisbon’s coast. Rare, powerful and unforgettable.
Sighting: SeaEO-Tours, Fin Whale, November, 2024
Editing: Lourenço Sassetti
Drone & Camera Operator: Sidónio Paes & Ricardo Silveira
Music: “Scott Buckley – Echoes” is licensed under Creative Commons
How We Identify Them
A single feature is rarely enough for a confident identification, so our golden rule is to collect information on as many characteristics as possible. We pay close attention to size; dorsal fin position, shape and colour; body and head shape; colour and markings; blow; fluke shape and markings; surfacing behaviour and dive sequence; breaching and other activities; number of animals; and the main habitat. Here are some examples.
Science Deep‑Dive on the ecology of the group in the region of Lisbon
Whales are seen near Lisbon because the mouth of the Tagus River creates a nutrient-rich feeding ground for them and dolphins, attracting diverse species like fin whales, Bryde’s whales, and minke whales, drawn to abundant small fish (sardines, mackerel) and krill in the productive waters, especially close to the deep Lisbon Canyon while they are passing by in our coast.
Feeding and hunting strategies
Their choices depend on their size and whether they have teeth. Most of the larger whales feed on huge schools of fish or on krill, and, for example, the minke whale will preferably hunt in this area because of the availability of sardines.
Whales feed using diverse strategies while filter feeding. Whales like blue, fin, and humpback whales will lunge feed by propelling themselves through dense schools with mouths wide open, expanding throat pleats, and then straining water out through their baleen plates, trapping food (krill and small fish) inside. This technique involves vertical or horizontal lunges to efficiently capture vast amounts of food in nutrient-rich waters, and it is one of the most common behaviours observed while hunting in this area.
Humpbacks are also known for creating a bubble net strategy: blowing bubbles in a circle to trap schools of fish or krill, then swimming up through the “net” with their mouths open or using their pectoral fins to herd prey into their open mouths while lying vertically in the water.
Ecological role
Several whale species were depleted by centuries of exploitation. After the ban on commercial whaling, many populations began to recover, reoccupying parts of their former range and becoming flagship species for marine conservation. Whales also support climate resilience by sequestering carbon and recycling nutrients, boosting marine productivity. They store carbon in their bodies and, through nutrient-rich faeces (especially iron and nitrogen), fertilise phytoplankton. These microscopic algae produce much of the oxygen we breathe and absorb CO₂, helping regulate the global climate and sustain marine food webs. When whales die, their carcasses can sink to the seafloor, locking away carbon for long periods.
Reproduction and life cycle
Estimates of sexual maturity in baleen whales range from about 4 to 11 years, depending on the species, and are often expressed in terms of body length. For example, Bryde’s whales typically mature at around 12 m, while minke whales mature at about 7–8 m.
Mating and birth seasons are linked to the annual migration cycle. While there is much variation, many whales mate in low-latitude calving areas during the winter. Females likely become sexually receptive once a year, but may become receptive a second time if conception fails. Males follow a seasonal reproductive cycle that aligns with female receptivity and compete with other males for mating opportunities. Females often mate with more than one male each season. Depending on the species, a calf can take 10 to 17 months to develop in its mother’s womb.
Whales are among the longest-lived mammals, with lifespans varying widely by species. Minke whales may live 30–60 years, blue whales around 70–90 years, and fin whales up to about 100 years. Bowhead whales can live for more than 200 years, making them the longest-living mammals known. Genetics, environmental conditions, and human impacts all influence whale longevity.
Behaviours that can be observed
We categorise whale behaviours into four main actions: Movement, Feeding, Resting, and Socialisation. Within each action, there may be subcategories, depending on the observation. For example, socialisation may include communication, behaviours intra- or interspecies, or even in relation to the vessel, such as mating or behaviours on the water surface (logging, spy-hopping, or jumps).
Threats and conservation in the Lisbon region
Pressures relevant to the group
Pollution/Overfishing/Noise/Bycatch
Dolphins and whales are threatened by climate change and human activity. Man-made marine noise causes stress and interferes with whale and dolphin communication; climate change is affecting food availability and ocean chemistry; and vessel strikes and entanglement in fishing nets are also pushing species to lower numbers. For these reasons, law regulation and compliance with environmental rules and conduct are essential for these animals.
What helps (simple and educational actions)
Small actions make a difference. Collaboration between entities or individual actions to protect and/or improve the environment promotes a healthier ecosystem and phenomenal sightings.
- Beach cleanups
- Compliance with the code of conduct when handling vessels near marine animals
- Environmental education in schools
Responsible Watching (Our Code)
At SeaEO-Tours, we proudly respect the code of conduct for cetacean watching. We do not impose our presence on our marine biologist-led tours.
1. Keep safe distances and approach parallel and slightly behind groups – never head‑on or cutting across travel paths.
2. Limit time with each group; move on if behaviour changes or calves are present.
3. Maintain steady speed; shift to neutral when animals approach the boat.
4. Avoid splitting groups, especially nursery groups; never feed, touch or swim with wildlife.
5. Reduce noise: no sudden accelerations; minimise engine and hull slaps.
6. Respect sensitive zones near bird roosts and estuary channels.
The protection of marine mammals in Portugal is governed by legislation that prohibits the capture, sale, and disturbance of these animals, notably Decree-Law No. 263/81 (general protection in the EEZ) and Decree-Law No. 9/2006 (rules for cetacean observation), which prohibit chasing, excessive noise, feeding, and touching, aiming at their conservation and the balance of the ecosystem, with specific rules applied in sensitive areas, in accordance with European directives.
Our Boat Tours
Our Boat Tours were carefully designed to offer the best nature and cultural experiences in the city.
Dolphin Watching Boat Tour
Birdwatching Boat Tour
Frequent Questions about Whales
What is the difference between a dolphin and a whale?
All dolphins are, in fact, whales. Scientifically, all whales, dolphins, and porpoises are classified as Cetacea. Within the Cetacea group, there are two subgroups: baleen whales and toothed whales. Dolphins are a type of toothed whale. Dolphins are simply smaller whales, with killer whales (orcas) being the largest type of dolphin. Baleen whales lack teeth and have two external blowholes, whereas toothed whales, the dolphin group, possess teeth, a single blowhole, and lack baleen.
Why whales don’t have teeth?
Baleen whales don’t have teeth. Instead, they have baleen plates that filter krill and plankton from seawater. Dolphins and other toothed whales have cone-shaped teeth, which they use to grasp their prey
Are whales always alone?
Both whales and dolphins are social creatures. But dolphins tend to travel in much larger social groups. Baleen whales tend to travel alone or in smaller groups. We’ve already had sightings of 3 fin whales in the same location, as well as observations of mothers with calves. Whales sometimes congregate to feed, breed, or migrate and often come together during the calving season. We also had sightings of whales with dolphins, especially during feeding behaviours.
Do whales have echolocation?
Baleen whales can’t echolocate. But they do communicate with each other through their deep, low calls, which can travel long distances across the ocean.
How fast can a whale swim?
Whales swim at different speeds depending on their behaviour and if they are in danger. Whales swim faster at the surface than in a deep dive. Migrating whales have been recorded travelling distances of over 3,700km at an average continuous speed of 17km/hour. Prolonged cruising speeds are probably between 4 and 30km/hour.
Can humans communicate with whales?
Scientists are actively working on communicating with whales, primarily using advanced AI to decode their complex clicks and songs, with early successes in mapping patterns and even creating basic back-and-forth interactions. But the true understanding is still a goal.
Not only did the crew find dolphins, they also found whales out at sea!!!
Gary P
Tripadvisor
Mini Glossary of Specific Terms
Marine Mammals
Most marine mammals, including dolphins and whales, belong to one of two major groups: Cetacea (cetaceans) and Pinnipedia (seals). The order Cetacea consists of three principal suborders, of which two have living representatives:
The Mysticeti are the baleen whales (four families: the right whales, Pygmy Right Whale, Grey Whale and the Rorquals) which lack teeth but possess two external blowholes.
The Odontoceti possess teeth, a single blowhole, and lack baleen, and are generally defined as the toothed whales and dolphins (the largest in terms of species being the oceanic dolphins and beaked whales, but also including the Sperm Whale, which forms its own family, the Beluga and Narwal, Porpoises, and several families of river dolphins).
Logging
Lying still at or near the surface.
Spyhopping
Raising the head vertically out of the water, then sinking below the surface without much splash.
Phytoplankton
Are microscopic marine algae. Phytoplankton is the base of several aquatic food chains.
IUCN Red List
The IUCN Red List is a critical indicator of the health of the world’s biodiversity. Far more than a list of species and their status, it is a powerful tool to inform and catalyse action for biodiversity conservation and policy change, critical to protecting the natural resources we need to survive. It provides information on range, population size, habitat and ecology, use and/or trade, threats, and conservation actions to inform necessary conservation decisions.
Scientific References
This guide is supported by scientific literature, field research, and the SeaEO team’s know-how. Below you can explore the main sources used.
Berta, A. (Ed.). 2015. Whales, dolphins & porpoises: A natural history and species guide. University of Chicago Press.
Carwardine, M. 1995. Whales, dolphins and porpoises: The clearest recognition guides available. Dorling Kindersley, London.
Kiszka, J., M. Woodstock, M. Heithaus. 2022. Functional Roles and Ecological Importance of Small Cetaceans in Aquatic Ecosystems. Frontiers, 9:803173: 1–7. Accessed on: January 13, 2026.
Latham, Katherine. “The scientists learning to speak whale” (online), BBC, 2024. Accessed on: January 14, 2026.
Monteiro, S.; Torres-Pereira, A.; Ferreira, M.; Vingada, J.V.; Nicolau, L.; Sequeira, M.; López, A.; Covelo, P.; Azevedo, M. I.; Hernandez-Milian, G.; Pierce, G. J.; Eira, C. 2025. “What’s on the menu? Diet of common minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) stranded on the Atlantic Iberian coast”. Marine Environmental Research, 205, 107024.
Shirihai, H., & Jarrett, B. 2006. Whales, dolphins and seals: A field guide to the marine mammals of the world. A. & C. Black, London.