Funchal: RIB Whale Watching Cruise and Optional Dolphin Swim

Funchal’s coast is best seen from a small RIB, where you sit close to the water and move quickly between wildlife sightings. Dolphins may race beside the boat, while whales surface farther out. The crew uses shore-based spotters, which helps turn a wide ocean search into a more focused outing.

I like the small-group feel and the way the crew keeps the boat close enough for good views without chasing animals. I also like the fair dolphin-swim policy: you pay the €20 add-on only if the swim can actually take place. The catch is that wildlife is wild, and the ride can be very bumpy, especially on the return to Funchal.

At a glance: what makes this trip worth considering

• Fast RIB access to wildlife: The boat can reach possible sighting areas quickly, leaving more of your 2.5 hours for watching animals rather than simply getting there.
• Small groups near the water: A RIB gives you a low seat and a more personal view than a large sightseeing boat.
• Shore-based spotters help the search: The crew works with people on land to locate dolphins and whales.
• Dolphin swimming follows strict rules: Only Common Dolphins or Atlantic Spotted Dolphins qualify, and the swim lasts around one to two minutes per person.
• Cabo Girão adds a scenic bonus: The return route includes views and a photo stop near Madeira’s famous sea cliff.
• No-sighting promise: If you see no cetaceans at all, you may join another trip free within one year, subject to availability.

A small boat and a big Atlantic view

This is not a slow harbor cruise. You leave Funchal in a compact rigid inflatable boat, often called a RIB, and head toward open water with Madeira’s steep south coast behind you. The boat sits low, so you see the sea at eye level rather than from a high upper deck.

That position matters. When dolphins appear, they can feel close enough to touch, even though the crew keeps a respectful distance. Several trips have produced Atlantic Spotted Dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, pilot whales, sperm whales, and sea turtles. You should not expect every species on one outing, but the range is unusually good for a short trip.

The price is about $61 per person. For a 2.5-hour boat trip with safety equipment, fuel, taxes, a guide, and a strong chance of seeing at least one cetacean species, I consider that reasonable. It is not the cheapest way to see Madeira from the water, but the small boat and fast travel make it a better fit for people who want action and close viewing rather than a broad, relaxed cruise.

Before you leave Funchal Harbour

The outing begins with preparation, boarding, a safety talk, and life jackets. The meeting point can vary according to the option you book, so check your confirmation carefully. Finding the jetty entrance may take a little patience. A clear map pin helps, but signs at the quay may be limited.

Bring a windbreaker, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and a warmer jacket or waterproof layer in cooler months. Madeira may feel mild in town, but the wind picks up quickly once the boat is moving. A jacket also helps during the faster sections of the ride, when spray and wind are part of the fun.

There are no drinks or snacks included, and parking is not included. If you are prone to motion sickness, the RIB may suit you better than a larger boat because it has less of the rolling motion associated with a high-sided vessel. Still, this is a lively ride, not a smooth one. Hold on and expect some bouncing.

The cruise along Madeira’s south coast

Once you leave the marina, the boat follows the coast and heads toward open ocean. This first stretch gives you a fine view of Funchal and the island’s dramatic slopes, but the main task is to find wildlife.

The search can be quiet at times. The crew may slow down, scan the water, and wait for information from shore spotters. That pause is part of responsible whale watching. The captain cannot order an animal to appear, and good operators avoid racing from one sighting to another in a way that stresses the wildlife.

When a sighting is reported, the RIB’s speed becomes useful. The crew can move to the area without spending a large part of the trip in transit. The boat may stop near a pod, then adjust position carefully as animals surface and move.

You should keep your eyes on the water rather than expect a formal presentation every few minutes. Guides such as Anna, Paulo, Mark, and Ana have been praised for explaining species and the island, but the experience still depends on patience and luck. Wildlife watching rewards alert passengers.

What you might see offshore

Dolphins are often the most active animals on this trip. Atlantic Spotted Dolphins may approach the boat and travel alongside it. Their movement makes them easier to follow than a whale that appears for a few seconds and then disappears below the surface.

Pilot whales and sperm whales are also possible. A whale sighting can be brief, so have your camera ready, but do not spend the whole trip looking through a screen. The best view may last only long enough for you to see a back, fin, or blow before the animal slips away.

Turtles have been spotted too, though they should be treated as a welcome surprise rather than a target species. The boat’s typical sighting success is described as about 99 percent for at least one cetacean species over the year. That is a strong figure, but it does not mean every trip produces close dolphins, several whale species, or ideal photo conditions.

I appreciate the crew’s reported care around the animals. They keep a reasonable distance, explain what you are seeing, and follow local protection rules. On one outing, the crew even stopped to remove plastic from the water. That small act says something useful about the tone of the operation.

The optional dolphin swim, with important limits

The dolphin swim costs €20 per participant, but it is charged on site only if entering the water is possible. If conditions or animal behavior prevent the swim, you pay only the standard trip price. That makes the add-on less risky than paying in advance for an activity that may not happen.

There are strict limits. The crew can enter the water only when the dolphins are Common Dolphins or Atlantic Spotted Dolphins and when their behavior meets local animal protection rules. Seeing dolphins does not automatically mean swimming with them.

If the swim goes ahead, you wear a mask and snorkel and hold a rope attached to the boat. Each person is generally in the water for only one or two minutes. You are not free-swimming through the ocean or spending a long time snorkeling. You are briefly in the water while the dolphins move around the boat.

That distinction is important. Some people will find the short swim thrilling, while others may find the rope and brief timing less relaxed than expected. One useful point from the experience is that the boat keeps moving in a controlled way, so this is closer to a short, supervised water encounter than a leisurely swim.

I would book the option if the extra €20 fits your budget, but I would treat it as a bonus rather than the main reason to reserve. The boat ride and animal viewing remain worthwhile even when a swim is not allowed.

Cabo Girão and the return to Funchal

The route includes a scenic section near Cabo Girão, one of Madeira’s best-known sea cliffs. From the water, the cliff gives you a different angle on the island’s steep south coast. You may also get views of coastal caves and rocky shoreline as the boat returns toward the marina.

The return can be the roughest part. The RIB is fast, and several outings have included a bumpy ride back. If you enjoy speed, this is part of the attraction. If you want a calm cruise, you may prefer a catamaran or larger vessel.

The boat’s speed also means you spend less time plodding back after the wildlife search. On clear days, the ride itself becomes a scenic run along the coast. You get a changing view of Madeira’s cliffs, harbor, and sea-level formations rather than simply retracing the same route.

Small group comfort and private bookings

The standard experience is designed around a small group, which helps everyone get a clear view. You are not looking over rows of heads or waiting for a gap at a crowded rail. The low boat also gives each passenger a close angle on the water.

A private boat is available for groups of up to 18 people. That could work well for a family gathering or a group of friends who want control over the company on board. A private booking will cost more than the listed per-person price, so you need to compare the total before deciding.

For families, the trip has real appeal. Children can enjoy the speed and the chance of seeing dolphins, while adults get coastal scenery and species information. The main question is comfort: a small RIB is more exposed to wind, sun, spray, and bouncing than a larger vessel.

How the guides shape the experience

The crew does more than drive the boat. Guides explain the animals, point out behavior, and provide background on Madeira. English and Portuguese are available, and names connected with the operation include Anna, Paulo, Mark, Ana, and Marc.

The best part of the guiding style is its practical focus. Instead of promising guaranteed close encounters, the crew searches, waits, and moves when a useful sighting develops. That approach gives the trip a more responsible feel and helps you understand why the boat may pause instead of constantly chasing animals.

Communication at the boarding point is one area that could be clearer. Allow extra time to find the correct jetty entrance, especially if you are unfamiliar with Funchal’s waterfront. Once on board, the process is more straightforward: briefing, safety gear, cruise, wildlife search, coastal views, and return.

Is the $61 price good value?

At $61, you are paying for a focused nature outing rather than a simple boat transfer. The price includes the boat, required safety gear, taxes, fuel surcharges, and a live guide. Drinks, snacks, parking, and the dolphin-swim add-on are extra.

The value is strongest when you care about three things: a small boat, a fast ride, and a good chance of seeing wildlife. The shore spotters and the boat’s speed improve the odds of spending useful time near animals. You also get the coastline and Cabo Girão as part of the outing.

The value is weaker if you dislike rough water, need a guaranteed dolphin swim, or prefer a quiet, polished cruise. The swim is conditional, the wildlife is never fully predictable, and the RIB exposes you to the weather.

There is also a no-sighting fallback. If you see no cetacean species at all, the company offers another trip free within one year, subject to availability. That does not fix a disappointing day if you are visiting briefly, but it does reduce the risk for people staying in Madeira longer.

Who should book this RIB tour?

I would choose this trip if you want the most direct connection to the sea and do not mind a little speed. It suits couples, families with older children, small groups of friends, and anyone who prefers an active boat ride to a large, slow vessel.

It is also a good choice for photographers who want to be close to the water, although wildlife photography always involves luck. Keep your camera protected from spray and be ready to watch rather than record every moment.

I would think twice if you have serious mobility or balance concerns, since the boat is small and the ride can be bumpy. The supplied information does not give specific accessibility details, so ask the operator before booking if you need assistance.

Should you book it?

Book this Funchal RIB whale watching cruise if you want a lively 2.5-hour outing with small-group viewing, fast access to possible sightings, and fine coastal scenery. The crew’s attention to animal welfare and the pay-only-if-possible dolphin swim are both strong points.

Go in with realistic expectations. You may see several species close to the boat, or you may spend time scanning open water before a brief appearance. If you can accept that uncertainty, $61 is a fair price for a well-focused wildlife trip, and the optional €20 swim is worth adding only as a possible extra, not a promise.

FAQ

How long does the Funchal RIB whale watching trip last?

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

How much does the boat trip cost?

The listed price is $61 per person. The dolphin swim is an optional €20 add-on.

Is the dolphin swim included?

No. You must book the dolphin swim option. The €20 fee is charged on site only if entering the water is allowed and possible.

Can everyone swim with the dolphins if dolphins are spotted?

No. Local animal protection rules apply. The crew may enter the water only with Common Dolphins or Atlantic Spotted Dolphins when the animals are behaving suitably.

How long is each dolphin swim?

Each participant is generally in the water for about one to two minutes.

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include dolphins, whales, and turtles. Specific animals seen on previous trips have included Atlantic Spotted Dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, pilot whales, and sperm whales.

What happens if no cetaceans are seen?

You can join another trip free of charge within one year, subject to availability. The offer is not transferable.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide is available in English and Portuguese.

Is a private boat available?

Yes. A private group can bring up to 18 passengers on its own boat.

What should I bring?

Bring a windbreaker, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and a jacket. A warmer waterproof jacket is sensible during the winter months because conditions can become windy at sea.