From Funchal: Whales and Dolphin Adventure Tour

Wild animals make the schedule. That is what makes this two-hour Madeira boat trip so exciting: you head from Funchal into open water with no fixed promise of what will appear. The small speedboat, limited to 18 people, gives you a clear view in every direction, and I like the chance to cover more sea than a slow catamaran can manage. I also like the animal-first approach, with guides such as marine biologist Camila explaining what you see without pushing the boat after the animals. The main catch is simple: the ride can be bumpy, and dolphin swimming depends on the animals and sea conditions.

At about $58 per person, this is a fair price for a focused two-hour outing, especially if you value a small group and an active ride. You may see dolphins within minutes, or spend much of the trip searching before a brief sighting. That uncertainty is not a flaw in the wildlife, but it is worth understanding before you book.

Key Points at a Glance

• Small RIB boat: The speedboat carries a maximum of 18 people, far fewer than large catamaran trips that can carry more than 100.
• Fast access to open water: Powerful engines help the crew cover a wider area around Madeira during the two-hour outing.
• Strong wildlife record: The operator advertises a 99 percent chance of seeing whales or dolphins, with a free return trip or two-year voucher if nothing appears.
• Swimming is conditional: You may enter the water only with suitable common or spotted dolphins, and only when animal behavior and sea conditions allow it.
• Guides add real value: Marine biologists including Camila, Fernanda, Natasha, Agata, and others have been praised for clear explanations and care for the animals.
• Pack for spray: Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a jacket or raincoat. Waves can soak you on a small, fast boat.

Leaving Funchal Marina on a Small Speedboat

Your meeting point is the new marina in Funchal. Find the Blue Safari Madeira speedboat in front of door 4, the last door on the left when you are facing the sea. Arrive 20 minutes before departure, since the marina can be confusing if you are rushing.

If you drive, use the Almirante Reis parking lot. The nearby Marina Park is private, so do not assume it is the correct place to leave your car. The supplied Google Maps point is intended to take you directly to the boat, and the operator also provides a short video with directions.

Once aboard, the difference from a large catamaran is immediate. The boat holds no more than 18 people, so you are not competing with a hundred other passengers for a railing position. You can look forward, backward, or off either side without racing across a crowded deck.

The compact boat also creates the main physical challenge. A RIB speedboat moves quickly and can hit the waves hard. Several outings were described as bumpy, and one person noted that sensitive stomachs should take this seriously. If you are prone to seasickness, ask the crew for help at the first sign of trouble. A sick bag is available, but prevention is better than heroics.

Two Hours Along Madeira’s Open Coast

The trip has one main purpose: search the sea for cetaceans. There are no scheduled beach stops or sightseeing stops. Your time is spent moving around the edge of Madeira, watching for fins, blows, splashes, and groups of animals.

The speed helps the crew respond when another group is reported nearby. It also gives you a better chance of seeing more than one pod during the outing. Past trips have included bottlenose dolphins, spotted dolphins, common dolphins, pilot whales, sperm whales, and a Bryde’s whale. Other sightings have included turtles, flying fish, and Portuguese man-of-war.

You might see dolphins within five or ten minutes of leaving the marina. You might also wait until late in the trip. One outing produced only a few scattered bottlenose dolphins near the end, while another found two pods of pilot whales after a long search. This is a wildlife tour, not a performance with animals trained to appear on cue.

The crew’s conduct matters here. Guides explain that the animals are wild and will not be chased if they move away. Boats approach only when the animals show interest, and the tour operates under animal welfare rules created with World Animal Protection. That makes the experience feel more responsible than a pursuit designed only to guarantee close photos.

The Guides Make the Difference

The strongest part of this experience is often the guide. Marine biologists have led many departures, and their role is more than pointing at a dorsal fin. They explain species, behavior, and the reasons the boat may slow down, wait, or leave an animal group alone.

Camila has been praised for combining scientific information with a warm manner, and for taking excellent photographs. Fernanda and Vlad have been described as funny and informative, while Natasha has earned praise for answering questions and explaining the rules for entering the water. Guides named Agata, Francisco, Florine, Marco, Ruben, and others have also been singled out for making the ride welcoming and well organized.

That matters because a quick sighting can otherwise feel too short. A dolphin may surface only a few times, or a whale may show just its back before disappearing. Good interpretation helps you understand what you are seeing rather than simply hoping for a dramatic jump.

The crew also works with people on shore to locate animal groups. That communication can save time, but no system can control the ocean. The guides appear to understand that their job is to give you the best possible chance while respecting the animals.

Seeing Dolphins and Whales in Their Own World

Dolphins are the most likely highlight. You may find a small group, several pods, or a large gathering. One outing encountered around 150 dolphins, while others saw bottlenose dolphins with babies, flying fish being chased, or spotted dolphins moving close to the boat.

If the dolphins are curious, they may swim near the bow or alongside the boat. This is when the small group pays off. You can usually keep watching without the noise and crowding that come with a very large vessel.

Whales are possible but less predictable. Sightings have included pilot whales, sperm whales, and a rare whale identified by the guide as a Bryde’s whale. One trip saw six sperm whales, and another included both whales and dolphins. Other outings saw dolphins but no whales, which is normal for a short search at sea.

Keep your camera ready, but do not let it take over. A whale may surface only briefly, and the best memory may be the sound of the guide quietly identifying the species or explaining its behavior. You can take photos and videos with your own phone. Some guides also take photographs that you may purchase afterward.

Swimming With Dolphins: A Rare Extra

Swimming is not included as a guaranteed part of the tour. It is offered only when conditions are suitable and the animals are the right species, specifically common or spotted dolphins. The dolphins must also show behavior that makes entering the water appropriate.

When it happens, the arrangement is controlled. One account described groups of four entering the water for five to ten minutes while the other group waited. Swimmers held a rope attached to the side of the moving boat, allowing the dolphins to decide how close they wanted to come.

This is a remarkable possibility, but you should treat it as a bonus. Rough seas can cancel the swim even when dolphins are present. A group with young animals may also be left alone because approaching them could cause stress. Some outings ended with no swimming, yet still offered dolphins, whales, or other sea life.

Bring swimwear and a towel, but do not board expecting an open-water swim. If the swim is your main goal, you need to accept a real chance of disappointment. If your main goal is respectful wildlife watching, the boat ride remains worthwhile even when you stay dry.

The Views and the Physical Feel of the Ride

Madeira looks different from the sea. The boat gives you a broad view of the island’s edge, with clear water and open horizons replacing the streets and hills of Funchal. The scenery is a useful part of the trip, especially during stretches when the crew is searching.

The ride itself is lively. The speedboat can reach distant areas quickly, but it also bounces across waves. Some people find that exhilarating, while others may find it tiring or uncomfortable. One person warned that sitting can leave you sore, and another advised bringing a raincoat because spray can soak you through.

I would pack a light waterproof jacket even on a sunny day. Sunscreen is just as important, since you are exposed on the water. The required practical kit is simple:

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Jacket or raincoat

Snorkeling equipment, including a mask and snorkel, is provided. Food is not included, although there is a café where you can buy something before or after the trip. The tour lasts two hours, so bring a snack from the marina if you need one.

The experience is not suitable for children under 10 or for pregnant women. The fast boat and changing sea conditions explain why this is better for people who can manage a rough ride and climb in and out of the water if swimming is offered.

Is $58 a Fair Price?

At $58, the tour costs more than a basic harbor cruise but offers a different product. You are paying for a small group, a fast boat, a guide who may have marine biology training, and a focused search over open water. The limited capacity also gives you a better chance of seeing the sea from the side you choose.

The value is strongest if you want an active wildlife trip rather than a relaxed boat outing. You get more speed, more direct searching, and less crowding. A catamaran may suit you better if you prefer a steadier platform, more room to move, or a slower sightseeing pace.

The advertised 99 percent sighting chance is encouraging, but it should not be read as a promise of a close encounter, a whale, or a swim. You may see one species briefly, several pods, or a mix of whales and dolphins. If nothing is spotted, the operator offers another free tour. If weather prevents a replacement trip, you receive a free trip voucher valid for two years.

The free return option reduces the risk, but it may not help if you are leaving Madeira soon. Build some flexibility into your schedule if possible. Weather caused one booking to be postponed twice before the group finally went out and saw six sperm whales, so a spare morning or afternoon can be useful.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Madeira plans are still shifting.

Who Will Enjoy This Tour Most?

I would choose this trip if you like wildlife, open water, and a little adrenaline. It suits couples, friends, and families with children aged 10 or older who can handle a bumpy ride. It is also a good choice if you care about how animals are approached and want explanations from a guide who takes conservation seriously.

You will probably enjoy it less if you get severe motion sickness, dislike getting wet, or need a guaranteed schedule of sightings. Pregnant women and children under 10 should choose another activity.

For the best chance of a smooth plan, book early in your stay rather than on your final day. That gives you room to move the trip if weather interrupts the departure. If swimming matters to you, ask the crew about current sea conditions, but remember that the final decision depends on animal behavior.

Should You Book the Madeira Whale and Dolphin Adventure?

Yes, if you want a small-group wildlife search with a fast ride and guides who respect the animals. The chance to swim with suitable dolphins can be extraordinary, but the real product is the search itself: two hours on clear Madeira waters, watching for life that may appear for seconds or stay hidden.

I would book it with realistic expectations, a raincoat, and enough room in my schedule for weather changes. Choose this speedboat over a large catamaran if close viewing and an active ride matter more to you than comfort. Skip it if you need guaranteed whales, guaranteed swimming, or a calm cruise.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

It 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 looking toward the sea.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 20 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

How long does the tour last?

The boat trip lasts two hours, including the search for dolphins and whales around Madeira.

How many people can ride on the speedboat?

The speedboat carries a maximum of 18 people.

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include dolphins, pilot whales, sperm whales, common dolphins, spotted dolphins, and bottlenose dolphins. Turtles, flying fish, and Portuguese man-of-war have also been seen.

Is swimming with dolphins guaranteed?

No. Swimming is offered only when sea conditions and animal behavior are suitable, and only with common or spotted dolphins.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A mask and snorkel are included.

Is food included?

No food is served on the tour, but there is a café where you can buy food.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a jacket. A raincoat is a smart choice because the speedboat can throw spray over you.

What happens if no whales or dolphins are seen?

You are offered another free tour. If weather prevents a replacement trip because of unavailability, you receive a free trip voucher valid for two years.