From Funchal: Whales and Dolphin Adventure Tour

The best part of this Madeira boat trip is the chance to meet whales and dolphins in open water, not behind glass or in a crowded floating platform. The small RIB carries no more than 18 people, and its speed lets the crew cover more sea than a slow sightseeing boat.

I like two things here: the guides, several of whom are marine biologists, and the careful approach to wildlife. Guides such as Camila, Fernanda, Natasha, and Agata have been praised for clear explanations and warm personalities. I also like the possibility of swimming with common or spotted dolphins when the animals and sea conditions make it suitable.

The catch is simple: wildlife makes the schedule, not you. The ride can be bumpy, the sea swim is never guaranteed, and some departures see only a few dolphins or a brief whale sighting. Bring a jacket or raincoat, and do not book this as a sure-fire swimming trip.

Quick reasons to consider this Madeira boat tour

• Small RIB, maximum 18 people: You can look in every direction without fighting for a place along a crowded rail.
• Fast search area: Powerful engines help the crew reach more open water and look for different groups of whales and dolphins.
• Marine life with a purpose: Guides explain the animals and connect sightings with ongoing research and conservation work.
• Possible dolphin swim: Entry into the water may be offered with common or spotted dolphins, but only when behavior and sea conditions are right.
• Wildlife guarantee with limits: If you see no whales or dolphins, you can receive another trip or, if weather prevents a new departure, a voucher valid for two years.
• Two hours from Funchal Marina: The trip is easy to fit into a morning or afternoon, but you need to arrive 20 minutes early.

What the two-hour trip is really like

You meet the crew at the new marina in Funchal, then board the custom-made speedboat in front of door 4, the last door on the left when you face the sea. The boat heads out from the harbor and along Madeira’s coast while the guide explains what to watch for.

This is not a fixed route with a set animal schedule. The skipper communicates with people on shore and adjusts the search area based on sightings and sea conditions. One trip might find dolphins within minutes. Another may spend much of the two hours scanning the water before a pod appears near the end.

That uncertainty is part of the point, but it affects your expectations. You are joining a wildlife search, not taking a guaranteed sightseeing cruise. The advertised chance of seeing cetaceans is 99 percent, and the company offers a replacement trip if no whales or dolphins appear, but you should still allow room in your Madeira schedule in case bad weather forces a change.

Why the small speedboat matters

The boat is the main difference between this trip and a large catamaran outing. With no more than 18 passengers, you have a much better view across the water. You do not need to rush to the other side of the boat when a fin appears.

The speed also helps. The crew can cover a larger area and reach reports of animal activity faster. That can mean several sightings in one trip: bottlenose dolphins, spotted dolphins, pilot whales, sperm whales, turtles, flying fish, or even Portuguese man-of-war have all appeared on different outings.

The ride is also part of the fun. A RIB can cut across the waves with plenty of speed, which gives the outing an adventurous feel rather than a quiet cruise. The trade-off is comfort. Several people found the ride bumpy, and one practical warning came up repeatedly: sitting on a small fast boat can leave you wet and sore. The claim that the speedboat causes no motion sickness should not be treated as a promise. If you have a sensitive stomach, sea conditions matter more than the engine.

The guides add meaning to each sighting

A good whale trip needs more than a captain who can find animals. You need someone to tell you what you are seeing and why the crew changes course or keeps its distance.

That is where this tour earns much of its appeal. Camila has worked as a marine biologist and has been praised for explaining animal behavior while also taking photographs. Fernanda, Natasha, Agata, and other guides have also been described as friendly, engaging, and well-informed.

The guides explain that these are wild animals. The crew does not chase a pod simply to create a closer photo. Instead, the boat waits for animals to approach when possible and follows rules created with World Animal Protection. That approach can mean less action at times, but it gives the trip a better ethical basis.

You may also learn about the research connected with the company’s work. Some guides use sightings to support marine research and conservation. That gives the experience more value than a quick photo hunt, especially if you care about how wildlife tours affect the animals they show.

Whale and dolphin sightings are never alike

Madeira’s waters can produce a mixed bag of encounters. You might see a large pod of bottlenose dolphins with calves, pilot whales moving in a group, or a single whale surfacing near the boat. On other departures, you might see only a few scattered dolphins for a short time.

Past outings have included groups of spotted dolphins, pilot whales, sperm whales, and a rare Bryde’s whale. Other sightings have included sea turtles, flying fish, and Portuguese man-of-war. These are possible examples, not a promised list.

Dolphins may bow-ride or swim beside the boat, giving you a fast sequence of fins and splashes. Whales usually require more patience. A surfacing whale may appear only briefly, so keep your eyes on the water rather than your phone.

The crew’s communication with shore helps them respond to fresh information, but nature still sets the terms. A departure with no whales can still be worthwhile if you see dolphins and enjoy the coast. A departure with a single brief sighting may feel thin if you expected a full wildlife show. The replacement policy softens that risk, but only if you have enough time to return.

Swimming with dolphins: a special extra, not the main product

If the crew encounters common or spotted dolphins and their behavior is calm, you may be invited into the water. The sea must also be safe. The guide decides based on the animals, the waves, and the welfare rules.

When a swim happens, people enter in small groups. One account describes groups of four holding a rope on the side of the moving boat for several minutes while the dolphins remain nearby. That is a controlled, short encounter, not a long snorkeling session.

You may be close enough to watch dolphins below the surface, but you cannot make them stay. If a pod has young animals, if the sea is rough, or if the dolphins move away, the swim will not happen. Some trips have included a swim of about five minutes. Others have offered no water entry at all.

This is one area where you should read the booking carefully. The swim is a possible addition to the whale and dolphin search, not something included regardless of conditions. You will still receive the boat trip if swimming is unsafe or the animals are unsuitable.

Snorkeling equipment, a mask and snorkel, is provided. Bring swimwear and a towel, but do not assume you will use them. You should also bring sunscreen and a jacket. A raincoat is smart because spray from the waves can soak you, especially on the return ride.

Funchal views and the open-water setting

The trip begins and ends at Funchal’s new marina, so you get a changing view of Madeira from the sea as the boat moves along the island’s edge. The clear water is part of the appeal, even during a quiet wildlife search.

From the boat, you see the coast from a low, open position. There is no glass in front of you and no large crowd blocking the view. You can watch for movement on all sides, then turn toward the island when the crew slows down.

This is not a coastal sightseeing tour with a long stop at a landmark. The priority is finding marine life. Still, the setting gives you a useful view of Madeira and makes the journey feel like more than transport to a wildlife spot.

Is $58 a fair price?

At $58 per person for two hours, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water, but the price compares well with the small group size and speedboat format. You are paying for a focused search, a captain, a live guide in English or Portuguese, and the chance to cover more sea than a slower boat.

The price looks strongest if you see several pods, a whale, or take part in a supervised dolphin swim. It still has value if the guide gives you a clear understanding of the animals and the crew handles the search responsibly. It feels less satisfying if you see only a few distant dolphins, though that is the risk with any wildlife trip.

No food is served on board. A café nearby sells food, so eat before departure if you need something substantial. Two hours is short enough that most people will not need a meal during the trip, but you should not expect fruit, drinks, or lunch to be included.

Who should book this speedboat trip?

This trip suits you if you want an active, small-group encounter rather than a relaxed catamaran cruise. It is a good fit for people who enjoy fast boat rides, open-water views, wildlife photography, and learning from a marine biologist.

It also works well for visitors with only a short time in Funchal. The two-hour format leaves room for other plans, though you should not schedule something immediately afterward if weather may delay the departure.

The minimum age is 10, and the tour is not suitable for pregnant women. Children who meet the age rule should be comfortable with a quick, bumpy boat ride and changing sea conditions.

You should think twice if you strongly dislike spray, rough water, or uncertain results. This is not the right pick if you need a calm, guaranteed swim. The boat ride itself can be lively, and sea conditions may make the outing uncomfortable for anyone prone to seasickness.

Meeting point and useful timing tips

Arrive 20 minutes before departure. Look for the speedboat in front of door 4 at the new Funchal marina, the last door on the left when you face the sea. A short directions video is available from the operator if you have trouble finding the boat.

If you drive, use the Almirante Reis parking lot. The Marina Park is private, so do not rely on it for public parking.

Wear swimwear under clothes, pack a towel, sunscreen, and a jacket, and add a raincoat if you have one. Keep your phone secure and ready, but do not spend the whole trip filming. A whale can surface and vanish while you are checking your screen.

The operator offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and allows you to reserve now and pay later. Weather can change quickly around Madeira. If a departure is canceled, you may be rescheduled. If no whales or dolphins are spotted, another free trip is offered, or a voucher valid for two years may be provided if weather prevents another outing.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the best chance of an active wildlife search from a small boat and you accept that nature may provide a brief sighting rather than a full show. The strongest reasons are the 18-person limit, fast search boat, marine biologist guides, and serious approach to animal welfare.

Do not book it solely for the dolphin swim. Treat that as a lucky extra. If you can keep your plans flexible, arrive prepared for spray, and accept a bumpy ride, $58 is a fair price for two hours of open-water searching around Madeira.

FAQ

How long does the whale and dolphin tour last?

The tour lasts two hours, including the boat ride from and back to the new marina in Funchal.

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat departs from the new marina in Funchal. Meet the guide at the speedboat in front of door 4, the last door on the left when facing the sea.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive 20 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

How many people can join the speedboat?

The speedboat carries a maximum of 18 people.

Are whales and dolphins guaranteed?

No wildlife sighting can be guaranteed. If you see no whales or dolphins, you are offered another free tour. If weather prevents another departure, you may receive a free voucher valid for two years.

Can I swim with the dolphins?

Swimming may be offered if the crew encounters common or spotted dolphins and both animal behavior and sea conditions make it safe and suitable. It is not guaranteed.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. A mask and snorkel are provided. Food is not included, though you can buy it at a nearby café.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a jacket. A raincoat is also useful because the speedboat can spray you with seawater.

Who can take this tour?

The tour is available for children aged 10 and older. It is not suitable for pregnant women. The live guides speak English and Portuguese.