Funchal: Whale Watching and Swimming with Dolphins Cruise

Madeira’s best wildlife show happens offshore, where wild whales and dolphins set the schedule. This 2.5-hour cruise takes you out in a fast semi-rigid boat with a marine biologist, land-based lookouts, and a real chance to see several species in their natural setting.

I like two things here: the small boats keep the outing personal, and the marine biology talk gives meaning to what you see. The chance to swim with dolphins is a rare extra, though it is not guaranteed and depends on which dolphins appear.

The main catch is that this can be a lively, noisy ride, and the swimming portion may not happen. Some departures have produced excellent sightings but no swim, while a few people found the onboard explanations hard to hear.

Key points

• Two boats carry 18 people each: The smaller vessels offer a more intimate outing than a large sightseeing boat.
• A marine biologist leads the experience: You get an introduction to whale and dolphin behavior, habitat, and local marine life.
• Land-based lookouts guide the captain: The crew does not simply cruise at random. Lookouts help direct the boat toward animal sightings.
• Swimming depends on the species seen: You may enter the water with dolphins and turtles, but not every dolphin encounter permits swimming.
• No sightings bring a second chance: If you see no whales or dolphins, you are offered another trip free.
• Meet in central Funchal: The meeting point is Store 35 at Rota dos Cetáceos. Hotel transport is not included.

Setting out from Store 35 in Funchal

You begin at Store 35, the Rota dos Cetáceos Whale and Dolphin Watching and Swimming with Dolphins base in Funchal. You need to make your own way there because hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

The outing starts with a 10-minute safety briefing. This is where you get the basic instructions for the boat and life vest, as well as an introduction to the day ahead. Bring comfortable clothes and shoes. You are going onto open water, not sitting in a sheltered harbor café, so practical clothing matters more than looking polished.

The boats are semi-rigid inflatables with a fast, low-to-the-water feel. Two boats have 18 seats each, while a third can carry 36 people. If your booking is assigned to one of the smaller boats, you should get a closer, more personal feel from the crew. The 36-seat boat gives the operator more capacity but may feel less intimate.

I would treat the boat ride as part of the attraction, not just transport to the wildlife. The return journey can be especially lively, with the captain riding through the waves. That is fun for some people and tiring for others, particularly if you prefer a slow, quiet cruise.

A fast ride into Madeira’s whale country

Once the briefing is finished, the boat heads away from Funchal to search the waters around Madeira. The exact route depends on where the animals are. That is an important point: this is a wildlife search, not a fixed sightseeing circuit with a guaranteed viewing spot.

Lookouts on land help locate whales and dolphins and then guide the boats toward them. This system gives the crew a better chance of finding animals without simply racing around the sea. It also means the captain can adjust the route as conditions change.

The search lasts as part of the advertised 2.5-hour experience. You should expect time spent moving between possible sightings, watching the water, and waiting for animals to surface. Wild creatures do not perform on command, so patience is part of the bargain.

The payoff can be excellent. One outing recorded two species of cetacean and four separate groups. Another produced both whales and dolphins, followed by a fast, wave-filled ride back to Funchal. These are the moments that make the price feel fair.

Still, you should not book this as a guaranteed dolphin-swimming session. It is first a whale and dolphin search. The swim is an additional possibility, not the central promise you can count on every time.

What the marine biologist adds

A marine biologist joins the experience and explains the animals’ habits and environment. The short introduction before departure helps you know what to watch for, while the information on the water can turn a distant fin or back into a more meaningful sighting.

I especially like this element because whale watching can otherwise become a round of pointing at the sea. Knowing the difference between a quick surfacing dolphin and a larger whale encounter gives you more to look for. You also gain some context about why the animals live in Madeira’s waters and how they behave in the open sea.

The quality of the talk may depend on where you sit and how rough or noisy the ride becomes. One person found the biologist difficult to understand, and another felt that very little could be heard once the boat was moving. The pre-trip film and introduction may therefore carry more weight than the commentary at sea.

My practical advice is simple: pay close attention during the safety briefing and opening talk. If you care about the biology, listen early, then ask questions when the boat is stopped or moving slowly. The engine and waves can make conversation difficult.

Meeting whales and dolphins in open water

The most memorable part of the trip is seeing these animals where they actually live. You are not watching a staged display or a captive performance. The boat approaches carefully, and the animals decide how close they want to come.

Dolphins may approach the boat and play in the water near it. Whales can be more dramatic, but sightings are often briefer and farther away. Your experience will depend on the species, sea conditions, and the animals’ behavior that day.

You may see more than one species. One particularly strong outing included two kinds of cetaceans and four groups. That does not make every departure equally productive, but it shows why the crew uses lookouts and keeps searching rather than stopping at the first distant sighting.

The operator offers a second trip free if you see no whales or dolphins. That is a useful safety net, although it only helps if you have another suitable time in your Madeira schedule. I would not leave the experience until the final morning of a short visit if seeing wildlife is a major goal.

The swimming option, and its limits

The swimming portion is the most tempting part of the booking, but it needs careful explanation. You may get the chance to enter the water with dolphins and turtles, yet swimming is controlled by the species encountered and the conditions at the time.

A departure can produce good whale sightings but no swim. That is not necessarily a failure of the crew. Swimming is permitted only with certain dolphin species, so the boat may need to remain on the water when the animals seen are not among those approved for swimming.

When swimming is allowed, you can expect a short, supervised encounter rather than unlimited time in the sea. The supplied information confirms the opportunity, but it does not promise a fixed amount of swimming time or guarantee that dolphins will come close once you enter the water.

This distinction matters because the price is easier to justify if you see the swim as a bonus attached to a wildlife cruise. If your main goal is specifically to swim with dolphins, you should be prepared for a boat-only outing and possible partial refund when that activity cannot take place.

The life vest is included. You should bring comfortable clothes, and it makes sense to expect wet conditions even when you never enter the water. The information provided does not list towels or changing facilities, so do not assume those extras are supplied.

Group size, comfort, and the ride home

The two 18-seat boats are the best fit for anyone who values a smaller group. You have a better chance of hearing the guide and seeing around the boat, although engine noise can still be an issue.

The 36-seat boat is not necessarily a poor choice, but it will feel busier. If you want a quiet natural-history lesson, this is not the same as a land-based museum visit. You are on a quick, open boat, and the ride itself can be energetic.

The captain has earned praise for both handling the boat and making the return trip exciting. That fast run through the waves can be a highlight for people who enjoy speed. It is less appealing if you are prone to seasickness or prefer a gentle boat ride.

I would think about your comfort before booking. The experience suits people who can handle a brisk ride, changing sea conditions, and a little uncertainty. It may be less suitable for anyone expecting a calm, polished cruise with continuous narration.

What the $94 price really covers

At $94 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning in Madeira. You are paying for a marine wildlife search, a fast boat, a guide with scientific training, lookout support, and the possibility of entering the water.

The value depends on what happens. A day with whales, dolphins, several groups, and a swim can make the price feel quite reasonable. A day with one distant sighting and no swimming will feel expensive, especially if you booked mainly for the water encounter.

The free second trip helps when there are no whales or dolphins at all. It offers less comfort when you see wildlife but cannot swim, although a partial refund for the unavailable swimming option has been handled smoothly on at least one departure.

I would compare this with your priorities rather than with a simple per-hour calculation. If you want a genuine chance to see wild animals and appreciate the effort involved in finding them, the price is defensible. If you want a guaranteed swim, you should regard the price as risky.

The good and the not-so-good

The strongest parts are clear:

• You search for animals in the wild rather than visiting a display.
• Marine biologists provide useful context.
• Land-based lookouts help the crew find whales and dolphins.
• The smaller boats can create a friendly group atmosphere.
• The captain may make the return trip exciting.
• A second trip is offered when no whales or dolphins are found.

The weak points are just as important:

• Swimming is not guaranteed.
• The boat can be loud, making commentary difficult.
• Some people have found the welcome at the meeting point unfriendly.
• The ride may feel uncomfortable if you dislike speed or waves.
• The free second outing is only useful if your schedule allows it.
• A last-minute cancellation because of illness may not be changeable. One person who became sick shortly before departure could not move the booking to another date.

That last point is practical rather than dramatic. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, with a full refund. If you are uncertain about your plans, use that window rather than waiting until the day of the cruise.

Who should book this Madeira cruise?

I would recommend it to anyone who wants a proper wildlife outing, not a simple harbor trip. Families with older children, couples, and solo visitors who enjoy nature and a bit of speed should find plenty to like.

It is also a good choice if you value a smaller boat and want a guide who can explain what you are seeing. The Portuguese, English, and French language options make it easier to choose a departure you can follow.

I would be more cautious if your only goal is swimming with dolphins. The chance is real, but the animals and species control the decision. Book this for the complete experience, then treat the swim as a welcome extra.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a lively 2.5-hour search for wild whales and dolphins, with marine biology, lookout support, and the possibility of a supervised swim. The strongest departures combine several sightings with an entertaining captain and an informative guide.

Skip it if you need guaranteed swimming, a quiet boat, or a fixed sightseeing route. My best advice is to schedule it early enough in your Madeira visit to use the free second-trip offer if there are no sightings. At $94, it is a worthwhile but experience-dependent purchase, with the wildlife and the open sea doing much of the deciding.

FAQ

Where does the cruise begin?

Meet at Store 35 at Rota dos Cetáceos Whale and Dolphin Watching and Swimming with Dolphins in Funchal.

How long does the experience last?

The advertised duration is 2.5 hours. The itinerary also includes a 10-minute safety briefing at the start.

Are hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. You must make your own way to the meeting point in Funchal.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in Portuguese, English, and French.

Is swimming with dolphins guaranteed?

No. Swimming depends on the dolphins and other animals encountered. Certain dolphin species must be present for swimming to be allowed.

What happens if no whales or dolphins are seen?

You are offered a second trip free if no whales or dolphins are seen.

What is included in the price?

The cruise and a life vest are included. Hotel transportation is not included.