Feathers & Scales

Very informative and educational, we all enjoyed the experience. Felt safe throughout. Travelled a good distance from the land out to sea then a good distance down the coast. The guides were experienced as to where the dolphins and whale were, unfortunately we didn't get to see any whales on this occasion. Great communication as well. We also had issues getting to the venue as our taxi dropped us off to far away and the guide actually picked us up following exchanging messages. Fantastic tour would highly recommend. FYI - take a jumper/hoodie the breeze out to sea is very cool in the Atlantic when travelling at speed.

this tour was amazing. we were up close with dolphins multiple times as our host spoke of the history and nature of the area. worth every penny.

worth every penny. awesome experience seeing wildlife in the ocean

This trip was unbelievable! Originally we were meant to do this earlier in the week however Vasco emailed us and let us know that the conditions were not going to be favourable that day and tried to get us to come another day on a day that would be better. He was absolutely right as it rained in Lisboa on the day we were meant to go and this would have been horrible at sea! We went today and honestly this was the best excursion I have ever done. The communication between myself and Vasco prior to the trip was top tier. Was very clear with the meeting point, what to wear, what to bring etc. The trip started with a sighting of dolphins on a hunt which was absolutely amazing but what was more amazing was Vasco knew just where to find them. There was no map, no plan, just a man that wanted to give his customers the absolute best experience. Once we had seen the first set of dolphins we moved into deeper waters where there was beautiful conditions but no dolphins sighted. We did however see two fishing boats that were bringing in their catches showing us some absolutely massive fish. Vasco was desperate to give his customers the best value for money and did everything he could to try and find more animals. We had a short break where we shared some of Portugals finest treats that Vasco had brought. Then out of nowhere there was a small blow of water in the air and the chase was on! Vasco was doing everything to give his customers the best experience and we saw a massive amount of dolphins but the icing on the cake was seeing 3 Bryde whales which were absolutely breathtaking. If you have the time I would 100% recommend this trip to anyone as the number 1 thing to do whilst in Lisboa. Vasco thank you again for making our trip to magical. Also to note Vasco spoke multiple languages which was really nice.

One of the most beautiful experiences I never had , we saw thousand of delfiins swimming around us , something that u can explain , the guide ( Vasco) an incredible person who really know the sea … would raccoment it 100/100 ,

Vasco was excellent and the whole trip a wonderful experience . Saw so many dolphins- highly recommend, group had many little children too so good for babies too

This was a truly surreal experience. We had so much fun and learned so much from both of our guides. We saw cliffs and rock formations, jellyfish, huge fishing vessels, birds, dinosaur tracks, and a huge pod of dolphins upclose. The dolphins swam and played around our boat for over an hour. It was an incredible experience that I highly reccommend to anyone visiting lisbon.

It was an amazing experience- seeing marine life in their habitat is such a great experience. I can’t wait to bring my kids next time I visit Lisbon. Vasco is very passionate about marine life and was quite informative during the tour. He was in touch soon after I booked the experience and was very helpful and accommodating. It was also nice to see how respectful they were towards the marine life.

Incredible day with Feathers & Scales, we were able to spot dolphins and whales, Vasco spoke French, English and Portuguese to our group and made sure everyone was comfortable. Thank you Vasco for this amazing experience. Today a dream came true !!

Vasco was incredibly informative and a fantastic guide on our tour. It is really impressive watching him navigate it all. It is a very intimate tour which allows you to see and do more. My friend was able to touch a dolphin and I was so close to it as well. Unfortunately, there were no whales out the morning of our tour but we were able to find their food and learn about it. Vasco felt really bad about not being able to see any whales, but it was not his fault at all. It was a gloomy day and they just were not around. We did have a nice school of dolphins to interact with, so it wasn't a bust at all. I would 100% book another tour with him. If we had more time, we would have gone out with him again. Highly recommend!

My teenage daughter and I had a great time with our guides Vasco and Catarina. Vasco recommended we go out at a time when the weather was best (less waves and more sun) rather than our not so good original selection which was a wise choice. It was the 4 of us on the trip (we enjoy small groups) and they took us to several locations in search of marine life and along the majestic coastline cliffs. We saw bottle nosed dolphins and a playful group of common dolphins that weaved under and around the boat. It was a wonderful experience and if we’re back in Lisbon again we’ll be sure to go on another trip.

Really recommend a trip with Vasco at Feathers & Scales. Coming out of the winter storms Vasco was in touch to monitor the weather for our trip in the week before, keeping us well informed. We had a great trip, being surrounded by a large number of common dolphins, who played alongside the boat, and with juveniles jumping nearby. The boat is quite an adventure, getting out of the river and into the sea! It's only a small boat, so you're really close to the dolphins. Vasco and Katherina gave us information on the wildlife and coast as we went. Overall a great trip!

My mother and I thoroughly enjoyed our dolphin tour with Feathers and Scales. Trip leader Vasco's enthusiasm for sharing his love of the ocean, dolphins, birds, and people made for a beautiful morning on the water. He made sure to spend some time with each person on the boat and answered all questions with knowledge and kindness. He even brought some Pastel de Nata to share with everyone. Even for someone who has seen dolphins before, this is an incredible experience not to be missed. Since the boat is small and close to the water, we saw dolphins closer than we ever had before, right next to and in front of the boat. The size of the group is small, which makes viewing very easy. Vasco was very invested in having good viewing experiences, and the trip was wonderfully unrushed. Communication before and after this trip was fantastic. We were not sure what the weather would be like before our trip. Vasco kept a close eye on the forecast and helped us move the date of our tour up when our original day started to look rainy. The weather on the day we went was perfect, and I am so grateful to Vasco for his flexibility. He also sent us an incredible video after the tour as a keepsake.

My rating is largely just a reflection of my actual enjoyment of this experience. This doesn't mean that it's not an experience for others, but it's not for me. The ride was extremely uncomfortable, constant bouncing up and down on the edge of the boat while getting rope burn from holding on so tight for fear that I would fall in. That was for nearly 6 hours, even though I had expected the ride to end 2 hours prior. I didn't get to really learn anything, aside from a fact about a rock formation that I asked to take a picture of. I saw no animals besides birds that we didn't stop to look at. The guide was nice, but I think he was way more determined to see a whale than I was after the first hour. Again, I am not saying the experience itself is necessarily bad, for the right person, or maybe it would have been worth it if we got to see anything at all (which is obviously not his fault) but I did not enjoy it at all after the first hour and just felt like I was lost at sea. I wouldn't personally ever do it again, even if I had seen something, just because of how miserable I felt. My entire body is sore as I write this review the next day.

This was nothing like your typical tourist boat trip, Captain Vasco takes you on a true voyage out to sea with no set route, no script, and no rules- just pure adventure in search of wildlife! It felt so real and exciting, like we were part of an expedition rather than a tour. We were incredibly lucky to spot whales, multiple species of dolphins that swam right up and under the boat, and even a mako shark that jumped right out of the water in front of us! Every moment was thrilling. Vasco and his friends were amazing hosts- so warm, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about what they do. They made me and my mum feel completely at home, like old friends rather than passengers. Thank you Captain Vasco, for one of the most unforgettable experiences in Lisbon! Highly, highly recommend this trip to anyone looking for something truly special and full of wonder.

We had a wonderful day out on the boat with Vasco! We saw dolphins several times, including a pregnant mother and a few babies. Even a baby believed to be only a few days old. It was a magical experience, travelling far out to sea and then Vasco brought us back along the coast showing us the beautiful rockery. He was full of knowledge, explaining many things we saw along the way. The boat ride itself is very fun, just make sure you're ready to hold on tight! Vasco is an incredible guy, and if we are ever back in Lisboa we'll be sure to see him again.

This dolphin and whale-watching excursion was the highlight of our 3½ days in Lisbon. It was nice to be on the water and we saw hundreds of dolphins swimming alongside us, doing aerial acrobatics nearby, and herding schools of fish to catch. Even saw a Bryde's whale! Vasco kept up a running commentary (English for my friend and me; French for a 3-generation family of 6), covering both scientific information about ocean life and fun things to do in Lisbon. He even stopped to chat with a fisherman friend and asked him to show off his catch to us! The hour-long ride out to the open ocean went by in a flash. We highly, highly recommend this excursion for all ages!

Vasco offers much more than a tour, he creates unforgettable experiences at sea. If you want to truly experience the ocean, guided by an exceptional host, you should book Feathers & Scales. This was already my third time joining him on a boat excursion and it will certainly not be the last. His trips are unlike the usual tours that just stay close to the coast. With Vasco, you really head far out into the ocean to discover the incredible diversity of marine life. On each of my three excursions, I have seen completely different animals: various dolphin species, fin whales, fascinating seabirds – and even encounters with local fishermen who gave us a glimpse into their daily life at sea. This uniqueness makes every single trip unforgettable. Vasco himself is truly outstanding: highly professional, warm-hearted, and deeply knowledgeable about the entire region and its wildlife. Safety is always guaranteed, and he approaches the ocean and its ecosystems with remarkable respect. That mindset immediately inspires everyone on board. What also sets these excursions apart is the passion of the guests. Marine biology isn’t a side note here – it’s at the core. Often, you’ll meet experts such as renowned photographers or researchers, creating the opportunity for meaningful conversations and exchanges of knowledge. And last but not least: seeing the coastline towards Cape Espichel from the water is simply magical. A view you will never forget!

This was an amazing experience that I will always remember. Our guide, Vasco, was wonderful and totally committed to making sure we all saw (so, so many) dolphins and sighted a whale many times. He provided lots of information about Lisbon, the marine life, the fishing industry, the coastline, and the ecological environment. One of the best tours ever! Note: it was chilly on the water and the boat was moving fast during parts of the trip - needed a light jacket, didn't need the bathing suit (although we might have if it were warmer). We were on the water for almost 6 hours.

Vasco was an amazing guide - he went above and beyond to make sure we saw animals on our trip. He was very knowledgeable about the area and spoke English and French fluently. My son and I had not time to get breakfast before the tour so he brought us croissants and even offered to pick us up from the hotel. I would highly recommend this trip and would love to come back and do it again. Book it! You won’t regret it!

The trip with Vasko was absolutely incredible! Right from the start, we had a great feeling – the atmosphere created by Vasko and his team was just perfect. They truly know what they’re doing and how to give you an unforgettable experience. Communication was smooth from the beginning – we were informed in advance about everything, and all our questions were answered clearly. We really wanted to see whales, and Vasko went out of his way to make that possible. I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity and would highly recommend it to everyone!!

We're fully satisfied and still under impression! Vasco is a profi who knows the places where whales and dolphins waiting you! All open pointsquestions were fixed immediately. Our expectations were covered fully - we saw dolphins (in the river and ocean) and whales. Special sweet surprise in the ocean was also amazing! Also it was interesting to meet ocean fishers with fresh catch) Thanx a lot Vasco and team! Good luck for you and your business! 100% recommended!!!

As a family we were looking for the wild life experience you see on TV. Vasco took us to those spots. With us were also two local bilologists on board, who joined us for there studies. We saw dolphines and there whales. Awesome. Our 3 years old son was with us. We felt save all the time. If you tend to fall sea sick we recommend to bring some travel gums. Also sufficient sun protection and clothing against the wind is key. That in mind, you will have an unforgettable trip.

We had an interesting and fascinating trip with a very nice guide. Many stories were shared. It soon felt like we knew him since forever. He made shure we were save and comfortable the whole time and there was a sweet breakfast surprise. We recommend bringing a jacket. We forgot ours, but he had extras. Obrigado!

Our host Vasco promised we would see dolphins in the wild, and he delivered on all fronts. We felt safe with him and he looked after us very well on our 4 hour trip. It was one of the most amazing and unforgettable experience we have ever had .We saw Bottle nose dolphins on three separate occasions feeding on bait balls of fish. Vasco somehow knew where to find them. He also had to make sure the weather conditions were perfect before going out which he did and kept us fully informed.

It was a 10/10 experience! You really felt how much soul and heart goes into this trip. Waves can be tough at the beginning but it is really worth it. We sah lots of dolphins and two whales and it was breathtaking!

An incredible tour. Vasco was fantastic throughout, being informative, friendly and going above and beyond to help us after the tour as Lisbon suffered a blackout. The people you meet are what make travelling special and Vasco has done exactly that. Will definitely recommend to anyone visiting.

Perfect trip by boat! Great communication in advance. We saw different sea birds, dolphins and the beautiful coastline of Lisbon. You can feel the enthusiasm about the ocean and its residents Vasco and his guides have. Vasco is very experienced out on the sea and makes sure that the trip is safe and a great experience. The guides have a lot of knowledge to share and are very friendly. Thank you for this unforgettable day! I look forward to join the next boat trip when I am back in Lisbon. :)

We had a really lovely afternoon on the boat with Vasco and Luis. Vasco was very kind in making sure they we picked a good day and we saw many dolphins and a couple of whales. Vasco was also very keen that we have a great experience and was extremely helpful and knowledgeable. The only thing I would say is that the experience is not suitable for families with small children or anyone who might have mobility or sea sickness issues. It is a small boat and you are close to the water. Which is really great for watching the dolphins, but might be stressful for people who can’t swim. For everyone else it is an unmissable experience. Especially compared to the tourist madness that is Belém!

What an incredible experience I recently had captained by the experienced "Sea Wolf" Vasco! He is really very hospitable and knowledgeable about marine life! Among different species, we had the opportunity to see hundreds of Dolphins, Pelagic Birds, and Whales!! I highly recommend this tour, so close to Lisbon!!

Vasco took as to a memorable tour, he explained the behaviour of the dolphins we saw. We also could see three whales. It was a memorable tour, and I recommend him!

We had a great afternoon. Vasco was a very capable and friendly captain and we spotted a lot of dolphins. Very nice getaway if you have seen enough of the city.

I booked a dolphin tour with Feathers and scales with my mother & my 2 yo son. It was a nice experience and very friendly owner. He explained a lot and we had a long ride with the boat to have the chance to see a lot of animals. We saw dolphins, a little shark and whale. Highly recommended

We decided at the last minute that we wanted to see dolphins. We didn't realize we would not only see dozens of dolphins, but also see fin whales. Vasco and his team are professional and knowledgeable. They are patient and knew just how to find these beautiful animals. We felt safe and comfortable. He gave the tour in three languages on the same boat and we all followed along. My entire family had a blast, especially my 5 year old. It was the trip of a lifetime.

It was one of the best days of my life! We saw whales, dolphins, a shark, krill, anemone, and so on... and they were all so close! Very calm trip in a way and so exciting and unique! Thank you Vasco for this wonderful day!

Vasco was an amazing guide, I was going with my toddler and old parents. He made sure all of us were comfortable and the dolphin watching itself was just amazing. Thanks Vasco, will definitely come back again ❤️

Excellent experience with the company Feathers & Scales. We left early in the morning towards the sea. On this trip we managed to see dolphins, lots of dolphins. It's incredible how much they love boats, they come to us straight away. We also saw two species of Whales. I highly recommend taking this trip, which lasts +/- 5 hours. I went with my 10 year old son and to this day he asks me when we can go back. It's very worth it. Thank you Captain Vasco for the Experience.

This was an awesome trip. We went with our 12 year old son who described it as one of the best things he had ever done. We saw many dolphins and whales in a small group taken out into the Atlantic on a fast speedboat. We were provided with wind proof jackets and life vests and at all times felt safe in the hands of Vasco. It was the absolute highlight of our trip to Lisbon.

Amazing experience to watch ocean animals and have a good time on the boat! Highly recommended! But use sunscreen is mandatory :)

The best, we see dolphins and wales. Vasco is a great person with a lot of experience. We had great moments in a boat.

What a thursday morning! We had an unforgettable - yet windy - experience with Vasco and Simao. We got to see more dolphins that we could have hoped for as well as a small shark which was mindblowing. Vasco is the most perfect guide and you can tell he knows his stuff just as much as he loves it. Obrigada!!

Vasco and his team were outstanding! They made the entire trip very personal and tool us on an adventure of a lifetime. The scenery was beautiful and we saw many dolphins.

A wonderful morning with Vasco and the team. It felt like a real adventure for the family with some magical moments (particularly seeing our first dolphins). Vasco was also super welcoming and went out of his way to make sure everything was perfect for us. Would strongly recommend for any visitors to Lisbon 👌

If you are looking for authentic unique experience in Portugal and also want to meet one of a kind professionals - you are at the right place. My dream came true - I have seen whale for the first time in my life, one of the rearest creatures. Of course it was also because of some luck, but nevertheless the whole trip is a memory for life. We are very thankful to Vasco for not only being a great professional, keeping us safe throughout the whole adventure but also for running responsible tourist business, for taking care of beautiful wildlife and sharing his knowledge on National Geographic ❤️ when we come back, we will definitely book another one!

This was an amazing trip. The guide was friendly, helpful and enthusiastic. We saw many amazing Dolphins riding beside the boat. The guide was good explained what animals we saw and told us interesting facts. An adventure I will never forget.

Amazing trip! Vasco is incredibly knowledgeable, personable, and clearly loves sharing his passion for marine animals with the tour group. The group is fairly small which is nice. He provided windbreakers for everyone for the day. It was really special to be so close and personal to these gentle giants.

That was a fantastic trip. We saw a lot of dolphins (three different species), a jumping baby-dolphin in a group of dolphins, a sunfish, jumping tunas, and a huge spectacle with birds, and mackerel feeding on giant pools of krill. That was incredible. Vasco was very nice with the kids and it was all in all a wonderful experience! Thankyou!

That was a fantastic trip. We saw a lot of dolphins (three different species), a jumping baby-dolphin in a group of dolphins, a sunfish, jumping tunas, and a huge spectacle with birds, and mackerel feeding on giant pools of krill. That was incredible. Vasco was very nice with the kids and it was all in all a wonderful experience! Thankyou!

An amazing experience if you are visiting Lisboa! I highly recommend this tour, as it was the highlight of my trip to Portugal. Seeing all the oceanic wildlife was stunning! They equipped us with safety gear and provided us with suitable jackets for those that didn't have any. They also have sunscreen. Vasco was very knowledgeable and a great guide. He knew the different types of marine animals that we were seeing and tried his best to get us as close as we could, safely, to really encounter these magnificent ocean creatures. We seen Fin Whales, and two types of dolphins swimming in large groups. On the way back they showed us some dinosaur footprints etched in the cliffs, and gave us a tour of the waterside before heading back to port. I would recommend bringing a waterproof case for you phone that can attach around your neck. Also to sit down in the boat when it's moving fast (less bumpy), and sit in the back near the driver if you don't want it to be as bumpy. The tour is 4 hours long, they do bring us to a clean washroom before and afterwards if needed.