From Funchal: Whales and Dolphin Adventure Tour

Madeira’s Atlantic waters are home to dolphins, pilot whales, sperm whales, and other sea life, and this two-hour speedboat trip gives you a lively way to look for them. The small RIB boat carries no more than 18 people, so you can scan the sea from every side instead of fighting for a view among a hundred people on a large catamaran.

I like the fast boat for two reasons: it can cover more water when animals are hard to find, and the guides, including marine biologists such as Camila, Fernanda, and Natasha, add real insight rather than simple commentary. I also like the company’s clear animal-first rules. The crew does not chase dolphins or whales, and swimming is offered only with common or spotted dolphins when the sea and animals make it suitable.

The trade-off is comfort. A small RIB can bounce hard, especially when the wind picks up. Several people found the ride exciting, while others warned that it can be rough or seasick-making. Bring a jacket or raincoat, even on a warm Madeira morning.

Key points to know before you book

• Small boat, maximum 18 people: You get a broad view of the sea and a more personal outing than a large catamaran cruise.
• Wildlife comes first: The crew waits for animals to approach and follows welfare rules developed with World Animal Protection.
• Swimming is not guaranteed: You may enter the water only with common or spotted dolphins, and only if behavior and sea conditions are right.
• Fast coverage of Madeira’s coast: Powerful engines help the skipper search a wider area during the two-hour outing.
• Sightings can vary: You might see several pods, pilot whales, turtles, and flying fish, or only a few dolphins near the end.
• Weather can change plans: A canceled trip can be rescheduled, and if no animals are seen, you are offered another tour or a voucher when weather prevents a return trip.

Leaving Funchal Marina in a compact RIB

Your meeting point is the new marina in Funchal. Meet the crew directly at the speedboat in front of door 4, the last door on the left when you face the sea. Arrive 20 minutes before departure, since the marina can take a little time to navigate if you are unfamiliar with it.

If you drive, use the Almirante Reis parking lot. The Marina Park is private, so it is not the right choice for this tour. The provided Google Maps point is intended to take you to the boat, and the operator also supplies a short video with directions.

The boat itself is one of the main reasons to choose this outing. It is built for speed, and the engines help the skipper reach more distant areas quickly. That matters in whale and dolphin watching, since animals are not waiting beside the marina for a scheduled appearance.

You sit close to the water, with views on all sides. On a large catamaran, you may need to rush across the deck when a fin appears on the opposite side. Here, the smaller size makes it easier to keep watch and hear the guide.

The boat’s compact design also means more spray. Wear swimwear beneath your clothes and pack a towel, sunscreen, and a jacket. A raincoat is especially useful. Even when the sky looks friendly, the combination of speed and waves can leave you wet.

The search for dolphins and whales

Once the boat leaves Funchal, the outing becomes a moving search rather than a fixed sightseeing cruise. The skipper watches the water and communicates with people on shore, while the guide explains the species you might encounter and helps you understand what you are seeing.

You could find bottlenose dolphins, spotted dolphins, pilot whales, sperm whales, or less common whale species. Past outings have also produced turtles, Portuguese man-of-war, and flying fish chased by dolphins. No two departures follow quite the same pattern because the animals decide where the action is.

Some sightings happen within minutes. On one outing, dolphins appeared about five minutes after departure. On another, the crew spent most of the trip searching and found dolphins toward the end. That difference is normal for a wildlife trip, and it is the most important expectation to set before booking.

The operator advertises a 99 percent chance of seeing cetaceans, but you should still treat the sea as unpredictable. You may see a large pod of bottlenose dolphins with young, several groups of dolphins, or pilot whales close to the boat. You may also see only a handful of dolphins for a few seconds.

The guarantee helps soften the risk. If no dolphins or whales are seen, you can receive another free tour. If weather makes another outing unavailable, you receive a free trip voucher valid for two years. That does not replace the disappointment of a quiet sea, but it gives you some protection against paying for a completely empty search.

Guides who add more than animal names

The best part of this tour is not just the chance of seeing a fin. The guides explain animal behavior, species differences, and why the boat keeps its distance.

Camila is a marine biologist who has guided many of the recent departures. She has also taken photographs and discussed the scientific research carried out by her team. Fernanda, Natasha, Agata, Vlad, Florine, and other crew members have also been praised for their clear explanations, friendly manner, and care around the animals.

I value that combination. A guide who simply points toward a dolphin gives you a sighting. A marine biologist can help you understand why a pod changes direction, why a mother and calf affect the boat’s behavior, or why the crew may choose not to enter the water.

The company says its operating rules were created in consultation with World Animal Protection. In practice, the key point is simple: the crew does not chase animals that are avoiding the boat. If dolphins show curiosity, the skipper can hold position or move carefully with them, but the animals set the pace.

This approach may mean less constant action. It also means your encounter is more respectful and more honest. You are watching wild animals, not attending a guaranteed performance.

What swimming with dolphins really involves

Swimming is the most exciting possibility on this trip, but it is not the standard finish to every departure. It may be offered only when the animals are common dolphins or spotted dolphins, their behavior is suitable, and sea conditions are safe.

Pilot whales and other whale species are for watching, not swimming. Dolphins with babies may also be left alone if entering the water could create stress. Rough waves can stop the swim even when the right species is nearby.

When swimming does take place, the group is handled in small sets. One past outing placed four people in the water at a time for roughly five to ten minutes, with the boat moving slowly and swimmers holding a rope along the side. That arrangement gives people a chance to see the dolphins without putting a crowd in the water.

You should not book this tour mainly for the swim. Book it for the chance to see marine life in the wild, and treat entering the water as a rare bonus. Some people have had dolphins close by in the water, while others saw dolphins but could not swim because of waves or animal behavior.

Snorkeling equipment, specifically a mask and snorkel, is included. Bring your own underwater camera if you want photographs from the water. You can also use your phone from the boat, and photos taken by the guide may be available to purchase at the end.

A ride with thrills, spray, and possible seasickness

The speedboat is fun, but do not confuse speed with smoothness. The boat covers distance quickly, yet it can also hit the waves firmly. Several people loved the bumpy ride and the adrenaline. Others reported sore backsides, strong motion, or seasickness.

The operator describes the RIB as less likely to cause motion sickness than some alternatives, but that is not a promise. Sea conditions change quickly, and personal tolerance varies. If you are sensitive to motion, consider the possibility that the boat may be uncomfortable for part of the two hours.

The crew can provide a sick bag, but you should still plan carefully. Eat lightly before departure, bring water if you need it, and keep your jacket or raincoat accessible. There is no food served on the tour, although a café near the departure area sells food.

This is not a quiet luxury cruise. It suits you if you want a lively ride, quick movement, and close views of the water. If you want a stable deck, lots of room to walk, or a gentle sailing pace, a catamaran may be more comfortable, though it will usually carry a much larger group.

Reading the Madeira coast from the water

The boat does more than search for animals. It gives you a different view of Madeira’s edge, with clear Atlantic water and the island rising behind you.

The scenery is especially useful if the animals take their time. You are not sitting in a harbor waiting for a show. You are moving along the coast, watching the water for fins, birds, turtles, and flying fish while the guide fills in the gaps.

Still, the wildlife remains the focus. The boat may travel farther from Funchal to locate a pod, and the route can change during the trip. The crew cannot promise a particular cove, viewpoint, or animal species.

A good attitude makes a difference. If you need a fixed list of sightings, this will feel uncertain. If you enjoy the search itself, the sudden appearance of dolphins after a long quiet stretch can be thrilling.

Is $58 a fair price for two hours?

At $58 per person, this tour is reasonably priced for a small-group marine wildlife outing from Funchal. The value comes from the limited capacity, fast RIB boat, guide, snorkeling mask and snorkel, and the repeat-trip policy if no cetaceans appear.

You are paying for access to a search area, not a staged attraction. That distinction matters. A short encounter with a few dolphins may feel expensive if you expect nonstop action, but the price compares well if you value a smaller boat and a marine biologist who can explain what is happening.

The cost also includes the possibility of a much bigger morning: dolphins, pilot whales, a sperm whale, a turtle, and the chance to swim with spotted dolphins. You should not assume that full combination is typical, but it has happened.

There is no meal included, so budget for café food before or after the boat. You may also have the option to buy crew photographs, though you can take your own pictures.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would choose this outing for adults, older children, couples, and small groups who want an active way to see Madeira’s sea life. It is particularly good for you if you care about animal welfare and prefer a guide with a science background.

The minimum age is 10, and pregnant women should not take the tour. The rough ride also makes it a poor fit for anyone who needs a calm, steady boat or who is very prone to seasickness.

Families with children aged 10 and over can enjoy it, but parents should prepare them for waiting, spray, and changing conditions. Seeing dolphins is likely according to the operator’s stated rate, but the number of sightings and the chance to swim remain outside anyone’s control.

I would also schedule this early in your Madeira stay if possible. Weather can cancel a departure, and moving it to another day is easier when you have spare time. One person had to wait several days before conditions finally allowed the boat out, then saw six sperm whales.

Booking, cancellation, and timing advice

The outing lasts two hours, with English and Portuguese guides. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is useful if your Madeira plans depend on the weather.

Wear swimwear, sunscreen, and a jacket. Add a towel and raincoat, and keep your phone in a waterproof case. Bring no expectation of lunch on board.

Should you book the Madeira whale and dolphin tour?

Book it if you want a small, fast boat and a genuine wildlife search, not a guaranteed show. The crew’s animal-first approach, marine biologist guides, and limited 18-person capacity give it a more personal feel than a large catamaran trip.

The strongest reason to choose it is the mix of science and excitement. You may spend part of the trip scanning empty water, then suddenly find dolphins beside the boat or pilot whales rising ahead. The biggest caution is the rough ride and the fact that swimming may not happen.

For the best chance of enjoying it, plan a flexible day, arrive early, dress for spray, and treat the dolphin swim as an extra. If that sounds right to you, $58 is a fair price for one of Madeira’s most memorable sea-based outings.

FAQ

Where does the whale and dolphin tour depart from?

The tour departs from the new marina of Funchal. Meet the guide directly at the speedboat in front of door 4, the last door on the left when looking toward the sea.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 20 minutes before the scheduled departure time so you can find the boat and complete the boarding process without rushing.

How many people are on the speedboat?

The custom speedboat carries a maximum of 18 people. This is smaller than the large catamaran trips described by the operator.

Is swimming with dolphins guaranteed?

No. Swimming is offered only if sea conditions and animal behavior are suitable, and only when the boat encounters common dolphins or spotted dolphins. The crew may also decide not to enter the water if dolphins have babies or conditions are unsafe.

What happens if no whales or dolphins are seen?

You are offered another free tour. If weather conditions prevent another trip, you receive a free trip voucher valid for two years.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a jacket. A raincoat is also a smart choice because the speedboat can send spray over the passengers. Snorkeling mask and snorkel use is included.