The Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus) the largest being in Lisbon

Spotted 20 times in 2024, during spring-summer

Group size is 1-3

Usually lets us close, then moves away

This is the second largest animal on Earth, being twice the size of our boat. The main feature of the fin whale is the asymmetric colouring of the head, which needs photographs of both sides to be sure. This whale is quite frequent (for a whale) in the Tagus river, normally die shortly after entering or they came already dead stuck on the ships bulbs.


The Minke Whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) small and shy.

Spotted 4 times in 2024

Group size is 1

Swims away from the boat

They are the smallest  baleen whale in the Northern Hemisphere.
Given its small size, the blow is hard to spot, making it a very discrete whale. It is distinguished from other whales by the small size and white spot on the fins.
In our expedition region, they appear to settle for a few months in a row, feeding of fish schools. Usually they are solitary animals, rarely swimming in pairs.


Sei Whale (Balaenoptera borealis) best whale to find

Spotted 2 times per year

Group size is 1

Always lets us close

In all sightings, the individuals were feeding at the surface and incredible tolerant with our presence. These are the fastest whales in the world, even thought we never saw such display, always being the calmest whale we see.

HumpbackWhale (Megaptera novaeangliae) very shy

Spotted 1 in 2024

Group size is 1

Very evasive

In all sightings, the individuals tend to avoid the boat, very hard to see.

The Orca (Orcinus orca), is the largest dolphin in the world.

Spotted 1 time in 2024, during summer

Group size is on average 5-10

Usually lets us close for short periods at a time

Because the experience is more similar to a whale watching experience we decided to place in this page too.

Individuals occur in the area as transients on their annual migration along the Portuguese coast. There are 3 known families that pass by Lisbon Bay and other 2 that might do the same route, but never sighted by us.
It is almost impossible to confuse them, as they have a very peculiar colour pattern, a massive size and males have a 1.8m tall dorsal fin, that cuts the horizon like a sword.
The orcas that can pass in Lisbon belong to the Iberian orca population with slightly more than 30 individuals and are bluefin tuna specialists. As most orcas in Europe, they only feed on fishes. We see them hunting alongside with the common dolphins.
They can be spotted between May and June, in August and in September-October. The fall period is the most when we sighted them more often as there are better sea conditions. They were recorded inside the Tagus and the Sado river a few decades ago. We keep a catalogue of all individuals that we meet.
+Read more about our orcas.