Funchal: RIB Whale Watching Cruise and Optional Dolphin Swim

Madeira’s south coast looks good from shore, but the best view may be from a fast RIB skimming just above the Atlantic. This 2.5-hour trip combines whale and dolphin watching with sweeping views of Funchal and Cabo Girão, and the boat keeps you close to the water without putting you on a large cruise vessel.

I like the small-group feel, which gives you a better chance of seeing the animals and hearing the guide. I also like the crew’s clear concern for wildlife, along with the strong sighting record and the promise of a free return trip if no cetaceans appear. The main drawback is that the optional swim is brief, tightly controlled, and never guaranteed.

Key points to know before booking

• Fast RIB access to wildlife: The boat can move quickly between possible sighting areas, giving you more time to search rather than simply cruising offshore.
• Land-based spotters help the crew: Spotters watch the sea from Madeira and pass on information about animal locations.
• The dolphin swim is conditional: It costs €20 only if entering the water is possible, and each participant usually gets just one or two minutes.
• Wildlife comes first: The swim is allowed only with Common Dolphins or Atlantic Spotted Dolphins, and only when their behavior meets local rules.
• Cabo Girão adds a scenic bonus: The return route includes views of one of Madeira’s best-known sea cliffs.
• Small boats feel exciting, not luxurious: Expect spray, wind, and a bumpy ride rather than padded seats and a calm catamaran deck.

A close-to-the-water start in Funchal

You meet near Xpoint Madeira in Funchal, though the exact meeting point can vary by booking option. Allow a little extra time to find the jetty entrance. A few signs would help, and it is worth following the supplied map pin carefully rather than wandering around the marina looking for the boat.

Before leaving, the crew gives you a safety briefing and fits life jackets. Guides and skippers may include Anna, Paulo, Mark, or Ana, and the strongest part of their job is explaining what you are seeing without turning the trip into a lecture.

The boat is a RIB, or rigid inflatable boat. That means a low position close to the sea, a compact group, and a lively ride. You will not have the high, stable deck of a catamaran, but you will feel more connected to the water and usually have a clear view in several directions.

This format works well for people who want an active outing. It is less suitable if you want a quiet, fully sheltered boat ride or if you dislike bouncing over waves. The RIB can be fun even during the stretches when no animals are visible, but the same speed and movement can feel tiring for some passengers.

The run along Madeira’s southern coast

The boat leaves Funchal harbor and heads toward open water, with Madeira’s southern coast in view. The coastline gives you something to watch while the crew searches for signs of marine life. On the way back, you may see cliffs, sea caves, and coastal details that are easy to miss from inland roads.

The RIB’s speed matters here. Wildlife is spread across a large area, so the crew may need to move from one possible location to another. A quick boat does not guarantee sightings, but it can reduce the time spent traveling between search areas.

The water can change quickly. A calm morning may become breezy farther offshore, and the ride back can be especially bumpy. Bring a windbreaker even on a sunny day, plus a warmer waterproof jacket in winter. Sunglasses, a sun hat, and sunscreen are also sensible, since you are exposed to sun and spray for much of the trip.

The operator says the boat stays out for at least two hours, with the full activity lasting about 2.5 hours. That is enough time for a proper search rather than a quick ride out and back. Still, whale watching is a wildlife outing, not a timed show. You may spend stretches waiting, scanning the sea, and listening for updates.

How the whale and dolphin search works

The crew searches for wild dolphins, whales, and, at times, turtles. The use of land-based spotters is a real advantage. People positioned on Madeira can scan broad areas of ocean and guide the boat toward possible sightings, while the crew handles the closer approach.

The reported annual success rate is about 99 percent for seeing at least one cetacean species. That is a very strong figure, but it should not be read as a promise for every departure. Weather, sea conditions, animal movement, and simple luck still matter.

You might see dolphins moving in groups near the boat, or whales surfacing farther away. The exact species varies. Sightings described during this season have included Common Dolphins, Atlantic Spotted Dolphins, Bottlenose Dolphins, Pilot Whales, and Sperm Whales. Some trips have produced several species, while others have focused on one good encounter.

The small boat helps you observe animals at water level. You are not looking down from a tall ship, so a dolphin surfacing beside the RIB can feel remarkably close. The crew still needs to keep a respectful distance and avoid alarming the animals. That balance is important: the best encounter is not necessarily the closest possible one.

If the crew finds no cetaceans at all, you are invited to join another trip within one year at no extra charge, subject to availability. That policy gives the $61 price more protection than a standard sightseeing cruise, especially if your schedule allows a second attempt.

The optional swim with dolphins

The dolphin swim is not included in the base price. You can book the €20 add-on, but you pay it on site only if the crew is actually able to enter the water with the dolphins. If the conditions are not right, you pay only for the standard boat trip.

This is not a free swim beside a large pod. You wear a mask and snorkel, hold a rope attached to the boat, and spend a short time in the water as the boat moves slowly in relation to the animals. In most cases, each person gets about one or two minutes.

That short time may surprise you. The aim is to limit pressure on the dolphins and follow Portuguese animal-protection rules, not to create a long swimming session. You may be in the water only if the animals are behaving appropriately, and the operator is allowed to enter the sea only with Common Dolphins or Atlantic Spotted Dolphins.

The crew also needs suitable sea conditions. A boat may locate dolphins but still decide that swimming is not safe or appropriate. This is why you should book the add-on as a chance to take part, not as the main reason for buying the tour.

If the swim happens, expect something active rather than polished. You need to hold the rope securely while watching the dolphins in the water, and the motion can make the experience physically demanding. It is a memorable extra for confident swimmers, but people seeking a long, relaxed snorkel should choose a different type of outing.

Cabo Girão and the return to Funchal

Cabo Girão is one of Madeira’s signature coastal sights, and the trip includes a photo stop and sightseeing near the cliff. From the water, you get a different angle on the towering coast than you would from the viewpoint above.

This part also gives the outing some variety. The trip is not only a search for animals in open water. You get a moving view of Madeira’s cliffs, caves, and shoreline, with the RIB providing a fast ride back toward Funchal.

The return can be rough. One reported trip described the ride as very bumpy but quick, with beautiful coastal views along the way. That is a useful warning for anyone prone to motion sickness. Another account found the RIB easier than expected because the boat does not produce the same rolling movement as a larger vessel, but your experience will depend on sea conditions.

Sit securely, keep your jacket close, and follow the crew’s instructions. The boat’s low profile means you can feel the waves more directly, which is part of the fun and part of the trade-off.

What the guides add to the outing

The crew does more than point toward a fin. Guides explain the different species and share information about Madeira and the surrounding sea. Anna and Paulo have received particular praise for their friendly explanations, while Mark and Ana have also led trips with strong attention to the animals.

The tone is informal and practical. You can ask questions, and the guide helps turn a brief surfacing into a more meaningful sighting. That matters because whales and dolphins may appear for only a few seconds. Knowing what to watch for makes the time on the water more rewarding.

The crew’s environmental approach is another positive. On one outing, the guides stopped to remove a piece of plastic from the sea. That small action says more than a slogan about responsible tourism. The boat team appears willing to put animal welfare and the condition of the water ahead of getting the closest possible photograph.

You should still keep your expectations realistic. Even a good guide cannot control the animals. The crew can improve your chances with spotters, local knowledge, and a fast boat, but wild sightings remain unpredictable.

The value of $61, and who should pay the extra €20

At $61 per person, the tour offers more than a basic harbor cruise. You get about 2.5 hours on the water, safety equipment, fuel, taxes, wildlife searching, coastal views, and the chance to return free within a year if no cetaceans are seen. The small group and fast RIB also give it a different feel from a larger, slower catamaran.

The value is strongest if you want three things at once: wildlife, scenery, and an active boat ride. A calm sightseeing cruise may cost a similar amount, but it will not give you the same low-water perspective or the same quick movement between sighting areas.

The €20 swim option is reasonable because you are charged only when the water entry can happen. Still, do not treat it as guaranteed value. The swim may last only one or two minutes per person, and some trips will see dolphins without being allowed to enter the water.

Bring your own drinks or snacks if needed. They are not included, and neither is parking. The activity includes the necessary safety equipment, but you should arrive prepared for sun, wind, and spray.

Who will enjoy this RIB cruise most

I would choose this trip if you want to see Madeira from the sea and prefer a small, lively boat to a large sightseeing vessel. Families with older children can enjoy it, and one outing included three children who had a good time spotting two kinds of dolphins and several whales.

It also suits couples, groups of friends, and people who want a private outing. A private boat can take up to 18 passengers, so a family or friend group can have the RIB to itself.

You should think twice if you want a long swim, a dry boat, or guaranteed calm water. The ride can be bumpy, the meeting point may be slightly hard to locate, and the dolphin swim is brief and subject to strict conditions.

The languages offered are English and Portuguese. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Madeira plans depend on weather.

Should you book the Funchal RIB whale watching cruise?

Book it if your priority is a close, active wildlife outing with a responsible crew and a strong chance of seeing dolphins or whales. I especially like the land-based spotters, the small groups, the free return policy when sightings fail, and the honest limits placed on the dolphin swim.

Choose a larger boat instead if you want more space, a smoother ride, or sheltered seating. Choose this RIB if you are happy to trade comfort for speed, sea-level views, and a better sense of being out in the Atlantic.

The best approach is to treat the swim as a possible bonus. The real value is the full outing: a fast ride from Funchal, careful wildlife watching, Madeira’s cliffs from the water, and guides who make the sea easier to understand.

FAQ

How long does the Funchal RIB whale watching trip last?

The activity lasts about 2.5 hours. The boat remains at sea for no less than two hours before returning to Funchal.

What animals might I see?

The trip searches for dolphins, whales, and sometimes turtles. Species seen on different trips have included Common Dolphins, Atlantic Spotted Dolphins, Bottlenose Dolphins, Pilot Whales, and Sperm Whales.

Is swimming with dolphins included?

No. It is an optional €20 add-on. You are charged on site only if entering the water with the dolphins is possible.

Is the dolphin swim guaranteed?

No. The swim depends on the dolphins’ behavior, sea conditions, and local animal-protection rules. It is allowed only with Common Dolphins or Atlantic Spotted Dolphins.

How long do I stay in the water during the dolphin swim?

The water time is usually about one to two minutes per participant. You hold a rope attached to the boat and use the provided mask and snorkel.

What happens if no whales or dolphins are seen?

You can join another trip free of charge within one year, subject to availability. The offer applies if no cetacean species is seen during your trip.

What should I bring?

Bring a windbreaker, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and a jacket. The sea can become windy quickly, and a warmer waterproof jacket is advised during winter.

Is a private boat available?

Yes. A private boat can accommodate up to 18 passengers. The meeting point may vary depending on the option you book.