From Funchal: Whales and Dolphin Adventure Tour

Madeira’s small speedboat gives you a real advantage when wildlife is spread across the sea. With room for up to 18 people, you can scan both sides without fighting a crowd, while the boat’s powerful engines help the crew cover more water during the two-hour search. Dolphins are common sightings, while whales, turtles, flying fish, and Portuguese man-o-war may also appear.

I like two things here: the marine guides explain what you are seeing, and the company follows animal welfare rules rather than chasing creatures for a close photo. I also like the backup policy: if you see no whales or dolphins, you can take another trip or receive a voucher valid for two years. The catch is a bumpy ride, and swimming with dolphins is never guaranteed.

Quick points before you book

• Up to 18 people: A smaller group means better views and less crowding than a large catamaran.
• Two hours on the water: The speedboat spends its time searching around Madeira rather than stopping at several shore sites.
• Marine guides: Guides including Camila, Fernanda, Natasha, Agatha, and others explain species, behavior, and conservation.
• Swimming is conditional: You may enter the water only with common or spotted dolphins, and only when conditions and animal behavior make it suitable.
• Bring a jacket and towel: The ride can send spray over the boat, even on a warm Madeira day.
• No food included: A café near the departure area sells food, but plan to eat before or after the trip.

A small RIB instead of a crowded catamaran

This tour begins at the new marina in Funchal, where you board a custom-made RIB speedboat. The boat carries no more than 18 people, a useful limit when you are trying to spot a fin in a wide stretch of ocean.

I like the smaller layout because you can look in every direction. On a large catamaran, a sighting on the far side can mean a quick scramble through a crowd. Here, you have a better chance of keeping the animal in view, especially if the guide points out movement before it reaches the boat.

The speed also matters. Whales and dolphins do not gather at a fixed viewing platform. They move, disappear, and surface somewhere else. A fast boat can cover more ground and reach different groups during the two-hour trip. That does not guarantee a sighting, but it gives the crew more options than a slower vessel.

There is a tradeoff. A RIB feels lively and exciting, but it does not offer the same stable, open deck as a catamaran. Several people describe the ride as bumpy, especially when wind and waves pick up. If you are prone to seasickness, this is worth taking seriously. The crew has provided a sickness bag when needed, but a sensitive stomach may make the trip less enjoyable.

Leaving Funchal Marina for the open sea

You meet the guide 20 minutes before departure at the new marina in Funchal. Find door 4, the last door on the left when you face the sea, and look for the Blue Safari Madeira speedboat. The supplied Google Maps point is the best navigation reference.

If you drive, use the Almirante Reis parking lot. Do not use Marina Park, which is private. The parking area is only a few minutes from the boat, but arriving early gives you time to find the dock without rushing.

Once everyone is aboard, the boat heads away from Funchal and along the edge of Madeira. The ride itself is part of the outing. You get broad views of the island from the water, plus the changing color of the sea as the boat moves away from shore.

The guide normally provides information in English or Portuguese. The strongest part of the trip is not simply naming an animal. Guides such as Camila, Fernanda, Natasha, Agatha, and others have explained how different dolphins and whales behave, why the crew avoids chasing them, and how the trip can support marine research and conservation work.

That approach matters. You are watching wild animals, not visiting a controlled show. A good encounter depends on the animals choosing to approach, and the crew’s rules are designed to keep the boat from turning a sighting into a pursuit.

What the two-hour search is really like

The crew searches for signs of cetaceans across the water. You might spot a fin, a splash, a group traveling together, or a dolphin riding the boat’s wake. The timing varies. Some trips find dolphins within minutes, while others spend much longer searching and see animals near the end.

The advertised chance of seeing whales or dolphins is 99 percent, but nature still sets the terms. A sighting may last several minutes, or it may be a brief appearance by scattered dolphins. You should book this for the chance to see wildlife, not for a guaranteed close encounter or a guaranteed number of animals.

Dolphins are the most frequently described sighting. Bottlenose dolphins, spotted dolphins, pilot whales, and larger groups have all appeared on different trips. Some outings have included several pods, while others have produced only a few dolphins. Whales have included pilot whales, sperm whales, and occasional less common species.

Keep your expectations flexible. You might see a large pod with young animals, as some groups have reported, or you might watch dolphins for only a short time. You may also see flying fish, a turtle, or Portuguese man-o-war. Those smaller sightings can add interest when the larger animals stay out of view.

The guide’s commentary helps during quiet stretches. Instead of staring at empty water with no context, you learn what the crew is looking for and why an animal may not approach. I find that useful because it makes the search feel like part of the experience rather than wasted time.

The possible dolphin swim

Swimming with dolphins is the most tempting part of this trip, but it needs a clear explanation. You may enter the water only if the animals are common dolphins or spotted dolphins, the sea is safe, and the animals’ behavior suggests the encounter will not cause stress.

Even if the right species appears, the swim can be cancelled. Strong waves, poor visibility, the presence of young animals, or the dolphins simply moving away can all end the possibility. Pilot whales and other whales are observed from the boat rather than used for swimming.

When a swim does happen, the group enters in small sets. One account describes four people entering at a time, holding a rope attached to the side of the moving boat while the dolphins remain nearby. The time in the water can be short, perhaps several minutes, but it can be a remarkable moment when the animals choose to stay close.

Do not book this as a swim-with-dolphins package. Book it as a whale and dolphin search with a possible swim. That distinction protects you from disappointment and respects the animals. A trip with no swim can still include excellent sightings and a well-run boat ride.

The crew may decline a swim even when dolphins are present. That is a good sign, not a failure. One group with babies was not approached for a swim because the encounter could have been stressful. The company’s animal welfare policy was developed with World Animal Protection, and the guides make the decision based on the animals and conditions rather than on a promise made to customers.

Wildlife sightings and what you might see

Madeira sits in a productive part of the Atlantic, and the trip can produce a mix of sightings. The main targets are whales and dolphins, but the sea may offer surprises.

You could see:

• Bottlenose dolphins
• Common dolphins
• Spotted dolphins
• Pilot whales
• Sperm whales
• Other whale species
• Sea turtles
• Flying fish
• Portuguese man-o-war

The sightings vary by day and season. Some trips have seen both whales and dolphins close to the boat. Others have found dolphins but no whales, or a glimpse of a whale with no further activity. One of the practical lessons here is that a successful trip does not need to include every species.

Pay attention to the guide’s advice about where to look. A marine guide can help you distinguish a dolphin’s quick surface movement from a whale’s slower rise and blow. You will also get more from the outing if you listen between sightings, since the species information gives meaning to what you see.

Bring your own phone if you want photos, but protect it from spray. Guides may take photos that are available to purchase afterward. You can also take your own pictures, though a phone is not always easy to handle on a moving, wet boat. An underwater camera is useful if you are offered a swim.

Spray, sun, and the clothes that make the difference

The supplied packing advice is simple: bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a jacket. I would treat every item as necessary.

The small boat can hit waves hard enough to soak you. A raincoat or waterproof jacket is especially useful, even when the weather looks bright from the marina. One practical detail from the trips is that you may dry out on the return ride, but that is not a plan I would rely on if you have a later appointment.

Wear clothing that can handle salt spray. Keep cameras, phones, and other items protected. Sunscreen matters because the reflection off the water can be strong, and the boat offers less shade than a larger vessel.

No food is served during the two-hour outing. There is a café near the departure area where you can buy something before boarding or after returning. Eat lightly if you are worried about seasickness, and avoid arriving with no time for water or food.

The tour is not suitable for children under 10 or for pregnant women. The combination of a fast boat and a rough sea is the reason to take those limits seriously.

Price, group size, and overall value

At $58 per person, this is a fair price for a two-hour wildlife trip from Funchal, especially if you value a small group and a fast boat. You are paying for more than transport. The price covers the guide, the boat search, and the chance to encounter wild animals with a crew that follows animal welfare rules.

The value is strongest for people who dislike crowded catamarans. A maximum of 18 people gives you more space to watch and makes it easier to hear the guide. It also means the boat can move quickly between possible sightings.

The value is less certain if you are mainly paying for the dolphin swim. Swimming may not happen, and there is no partial refund for a missed swim. You should see the swim as an extra possibility rather than part of the guaranteed service.

The operator does offer some protection against a completely empty wildlife trip. If no whales or dolphins 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 policy does not remove the risk of a quiet sea, but it makes the price easier to accept.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available start times when booking, since the exact schedule can change.

Who will enjoy this Madeira boat trip most

I would choose this tour if you want an active morning or afternoon on the water, prefer a small group, and enjoy the idea of searching rather than being taken to a fixed viewing spot. It suits couples, older children who meet the age rule, and anyone interested in marine life and conservation.

It is also a good fit if you want a guide who explains the animals. The strongest guide experiences have included marine biologists such as Camila and Natasha, along with captains and guides who keep the trip friendly and organized.

Think twice if you need a smooth ride, dislike getting wet, or want a guaranteed close encounter. The sea can be rough, the boat can bounce, and wildlife may stay distant. This is an outdoor nature trip, not a show with a scheduled performance.

Plan it early in your Madeira stay if your schedule allows. Weather can cancel a departure, and moving the trip to another day is easier when you have spare time. Some outings have been postponed before finally reaching calm enough conditions.

Should you book the Funchal whale and dolphin tour?

Book it if the small RIB, open-water search, and chance of a respectful dolphin swim appeal to you. The combination of speed, a group limited to 18, and guides who care about research and animal welfare gives this trip a clear edge over a crowded boat ride.

Skip it if you want guaranteed swimming, a gentle cruise, or a meal included. For everyone else, $58 is sensible value, provided you bring waterproof clothing, accept the uncertainty of wildlife, and treat any swim as a bonus. The best reason to go is not a promise of perfect sightings. It is the chance to see Madeira’s marine life on its own terms.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

The boat leaves from the new marina in Funchal. Meet the guide at the speedboat in front of door 4, the last door on the left when you are looking toward the sea.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive 20 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

How long does the tour last?

The boat trip lasts two hours, including the search for whales and dolphins and the return to Funchal Marina.

How many people can join the speedboat?

The speedboat carries a maximum of 18 people.

Is swimming with dolphins guaranteed?

No. Swimming is offered only if the animals are common or spotted dolphins and the sea conditions and animal behavior make it suitable.

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 waterproof jacket is useful because spray can reach the boat.

Is food included?

No food is served on the tour. A café near the departure point sells food.

Is the tour suitable for children and pregnant women?

The tour is not suitable for children under 10 or for pregnant women.