Funchal: Whale Watching and Swimming with Dolphins Cruise

Madeira’s Atlantic coast gives you a real chance to see wild whales and dolphins, not animals performing in a tank. The boat moves quickly between sightings, while shore lookouts help the crew find pods at sea. If the right dolphins appear, you may also get into the water for a swim.

I like the small-group boat options, especially the two vessels with only 18 seats, and I like having a marine biologist explain animal behavior along the way. The 2.5-hour format also fits neatly into a morning or afternoon in Funchal. The main catch is that swimming is not guaranteed, and the ride can be loud and bumpy.

Key points to know before you book

• Wild sightings, not a staged show: You search off Madeira’s coast for whales and dolphins in their natural setting.
• A 10-minute safety briefing comes first: You meet at Store 35 and receive your basic instructions before boarding.
• Three boats keep groups fairly manageable: Two boats hold 18 people, while another carries up to 36.
• Swimming depends on the animals you find: Seeing dolphins does not automatically mean you can enter the water with them.
• No sightings bring a useful backup: You are offered a second trip free if no whales or dolphins are seen.
• You pay for the boat trip, not a guaranteed swim: At $94, the value rests mainly on sightings, guiding, and the possibility of getting in the sea.

From Store 35 to Madeira’s open water

You begin at the Rota dos Cetáceos Whale and Dolphin Watching office, specifically Store 35. This is also where the tour ends, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and you should plan your own way to the meeting point in Funchal.

The first formal part is a 10-minute safety briefing. It is short, but important. You receive a life vest, hear the basic boat instructions, and get an introduction to the outing. Comfortable clothes and shoes make sense because this is a practical boat trip rather than a polished sightseeing cruise.

After the briefing, you board a fast semi-rigid boat. These boats are built for speed and close contact with the water, which helps the crew cover more ground in search of animals. The tradeoff is comfort. You should expect wind, spray, engine noise, and a ride that may feel lively when the sea is rough.

The fleet includes two boats with 18 seats and one with 36 seats. I would choose a date and departure with the smallest available boat if you care about personal space and hearing the guide. The larger boat is still a reasonable choice, but the experience can feel less intimate, especially when everyone is watching the same pod.

Searching for whales and dolphins off Funchal

The main part of the trip lasts about 2.5 hours, including the time on the water. The crew does not simply take you to one fixed viewing point. Instead, the boat searches for signs of marine life, guided by local experience and lookouts stationed on land.

That system matters. Whales and dolphins do not follow a sightseeing schedule, so the trip depends on finding moving animals across a large stretch of sea. The shore team can direct the boat toward a promising location, reducing some of the guesswork for the captain.

You may see more than one kind of cetacean. One recent outing recorded two species and four groups, which gives you an idea of how varied a successful trip can be. Another outing saw whales and dolphins and ended with a fast, wave-filled ride back toward Funchal. These details point to the real appeal: you are watching free animals, and every trip has its own pattern.

I would set your expectations carefully. The experience is not a guaranteed procession of close-up encounters. The animals may surface at a distance, appear briefly, or remain too active for swimming. Yet that uncertainty is part of the honest appeal of a wildlife trip. You are responding to nature rather than watching a fixed performance.

What the marine biologist adds

A marine biologist is part of the guiding team, and the stated languages are Portuguese, English, and French. The guide explains the animals, their habits, and the marine environment while you search. This gives the outing more substance than a fast boat ride with occasional fins in the distance.

I especially value this when the animals do not cooperate. If a whale surfaces only briefly, a good explanation helps you understand what you saw instead of simply asking, Was that it? The guide can also help you watch for useful details, such as group behavior and the difference between species.

There is one practical concern: the boat can be noisy. One passenger found the spoken explanations hard to follow because of the engine and wind, while another felt the marine biologist gave a detailed account of marine mammals. Your ability to hear may depend on where you sit, the sea conditions, and the size of your boat.

If clear commentary matters to you, try to stay near the guide rather than at the far end of the boat. The pre-trip film and briefing provide some basic information, but the live explanation is meant to carry much of the educational side of the experience.

The possible swim with dolphins and turtles

The chance to swim with dolphins is the feature that pushes this tour beyond a standard whale-watching trip. When suitable dolphins are found, you may be invited to jump into the sea and swim near them. The description also mentions turtles and other marine life as possible encounters.

Do not treat this as a promise. You can see dolphins and still remain on the boat if the animals are not among the species permitted for swimming. One outing included two cetacean species but no swim because neither was one of the approved types. In that case, the extra amount connected with swimming was refunded without trouble.

This distinction is crucial when you compare tours. At $94 per person, you are buying a 2.5-hour wildlife cruise with the possibility of swimming, not a guaranteed dolphin-swim session. If you mainly want time in the water, you may find the price hard to justify when conditions prevent it. If you want whale and dolphin watching first, the possible swim is a welcome bonus.

You should also remember that the animals decide the schedule. The crew cannot manufacture a swim simply because you booked one. That is frustrating if you arrive expecting a close encounter, but it is the only honest way to handle a wild-animal experience.

How the $94 price holds up

The $94 cost sits in the premium range for a short boat outing, so value depends on what you want from it. You get the cruise, a life vest, a marine biologist, shore-based help locating animals, and a chance to swim if the right conditions and species line up.

The price makes more sense when you see several groups or species. One successful trip included two cetacean species and four groups, and another produced whale and dolphin sightings plus an enjoyable high-speed return. Those are full experiences rather than a quick ride out and back.

The calculation changes if you see animals but cannot swim. One passenger felt the trip was expensive for whale watching alone, while another received a straightforward partial refund when swimming was not allowed. I would book this if you are happy to pay for the search, the setting, and the wildlife sightings, with swimming as an optional extra.

The free second trip is an important protection. If you see no whales or dolphins at all, you are offered another outing at no charge. That does not solve every disappointment, since you need another opening in your schedule, but it shows the operator recognizes the uncertainty of wildlife viewing.

Boat comfort, group size, and the ride home

A semi-rigid boat gives you a more direct feel for the Atlantic than a large covered vessel. You sit closer to the water and can move quickly when a lookout spots animals. The boat is also exposed, so comfortable clothing is not just a formality.

The ride can be exciting. One particularly positive account praised the captain and described the return through the waves as a highlight. If you enjoy speed and sea spray, that final run may be part of the fun.

For others, the same qualities may be tiring. The trip has been described as an uncomfortable ride when the boat was loud and the guiding felt limited. I would not choose this outing if you need a quiet, smooth cruise with constant narration. I would choose it if you prefer a small, active boat and can accept the conditions of open water.

The 18-seat boats are the best fit for couples, families, and small groups who want a closer feel. The 36-seat boat may work well if that is the available departure, but you should expect a busier deck and less chance of hearing every word.

The strongest part of the experience

The most consistent positive elements are the captain’s handling, the chance to see more than one cetacean species, and the marine biology content. A good captain matters here because the boat must move efficiently without turning the search into a wild chase. The strongest outings combined close sightings with a confident return through the waves.

The wildlife itself is the real prize. Four groups in one outing is a strong result, but you should not use that as a promise for your date. The operator’s second-trip offer helps if the sea produces no sightings at all, but it cannot guarantee the same number of animals later.

I also like that the crew uses shore lookouts. This gives the search a local network rather than leaving the captain to scan every direction alone. It does not remove nature’s unpredictability, but it improves the odds of spending your time in useful areas.

Weak spots to consider before committing

The biggest issue is communication on the boat. Engine noise and wind can make the guide difficult to hear, particularly if you sit away from the speaking area or if the sea is rough. The short film before departure may be your clearest introduction if the live commentary becomes hard to follow.

Service at the office can also affect your first impression. One account described the reception as unfriendly and the crew as unmotivated, while other outings praised the captain and guide. I would treat this as a possible service inconsistency rather than the defining feature of every departure, but it is fair to know before paying for a special occasion.

The second-trip policy also deserves careful attention. It applies when you see no whales and dolphins. It does not mean you automatically receive another full tour when animals are seen but a swim is not possible. If swimming is unavailable, the response may instead be a partial refund for the swimming portion.

Finally, cancellation is flexible only up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. A last-minute illness may not qualify for a date change. One passenger who became sick shortly before the trip was unable to shift the booking, so keep that deadline in mind.

Who should book this Madeira cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want a short, active wildlife outing that fits around other plans in Funchal. It suits people who are excited by the search itself, enjoy a fast boat, and see a possible dolphin swim as a welcome opportunity rather than a certainty.

It is also a good match if you value explanation. The marine biologist can turn a few brief sightings into a more meaningful lesson about whales, dolphins, and their surroundings. The Portuguese, English, and French guiding makes the tour workable for a broad range of visitors.

Families and small groups may appreciate the 18-seat boats, although you should be prepared for noise and movement. I would bring only what you need, wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and avoid treating the outing like a calm harbor cruise.

I would hesitate if you need a guaranteed swim, dislike choppy boat rides, or expect a long, polished presentation from start to finish. I would also think twice if you have only one tightly scheduled day and cannot use a second trip if there are no sightings.

My booking verdict for $94

I would book this tour if your first goal is to see wild marine life from Funchal and your second goal is the chance to swim with dolphins. The combination of fast boats, shore lookouts, marine biology guiding, and a free repeat trip after no sightings gives the price a reasonable basis.

I would not book it solely for the swim. Sightings can be excellent, but swimming depends on the species found and the conditions on the day. Go in expecting a wildlife cruise with a possible swim, and you are more likely to feel the $94 was well spent.

The best choice is a departure on one of the 18-seat boats, if available. Arrive ready for noise, wind, and a lively ride, stay close enough to hear the guide, and leave room in your schedule if you want to use the second-trip offer.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching cruise meet?

Meet at Store 35 at Rota dos Cetáceos Whale and Dolphin Watching in Funchal. The tour also returns to this location.

How long does the activity last?

The full activity lasts about 2.5 hours. A 10-minute safety briefing takes place in Funchal before the whale and dolphin search.

Is swimming with dolphins guaranteed?

No. Swimming depends on finding dolphins and other conditions that allow the activity. You may see dolphins but remain on the boat if the species found is not permitted for swimming.

What animals might I see?

The experience searches for wild whales and dolphins off Madeira. The description also mentions the possibility of swimming with dolphins and turtles, along with seeing other marine life.

What happens if no whales or dolphins are seen?

You are offered a second trip free if you do not see any whales or dolphins.

What languages are available for the live guide?

Guiding is available in Portuguese, English, and French.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to Store 35.