Funchal: RIB Whale Watching Cruise and Optional Dolphin Swim

Wildlife comes with a thrilling boat ride. This 2.5-hour Funchal RIB cruise combines close-to-the-water whale and dolphin watching with fine views of Madeira’s south coast. I especially like the small-group setup, which gives you a better view than a crowded boat, and the use of land-based spotters to help locate marine life. The main catch is that wildlife is never fully predictable, and the optional dolphin swim is brief and allowed only under strict conditions.

The price is $61 per person, with the dolphin swim handled as a €20 add-on only if entering the water is possible. I also like the crew’s clear concern for animal welfare, backed by limits on which dolphins may be approached for swimming. You should expect wind, spray, and a bumpy ride, so this is not the best pick if you want a calm, slow cruise.

Key Points Before You Book

• Small RIB, closer views: The low boat puts you near the water, making dolphins and whales easier to watch than from a high-sided vessel.
• Strong sighting record: The operator reports a yearly average of 99 percent of trips seeing at least one cetacean species, though nature can still change the odds on your day.
• Useful land-based spotters: Spotters help the crew find active areas, reducing time spent searching empty water.
• Optional dolphin swim: If conditions and animal behavior allow, you can hold a rope attached to the boat for roughly one to two minutes.
• Excellent coastal views: The return route includes views of Madeira’s shoreline, sea caves, and Cabo Girão.
• Private option available: A private boat can carry up to 18 passengers, useful for a family or group of friends.

What This Funchal Whale-Watching Cruise Is Really Like

The experience begins at Xpoint Madeira, though the exact meeting point can vary with the option you book. Finding the jetty entrance may take a little patience. A few people have had trouble spotting where to board, so use the supplied map pin carefully and wait by the jetty door if the location is not obvious.

Once everyone is gathered, the crew gives a safety briefing and supplies life jackets. The guides speak English and Portuguese. Past trips have been led by guides and skippers including Anna, Paolo, Mark, Marc, and Paulo, with praise focused on their friendly manner, clear explanations, and care around the animals.

The boat is a rigid inflatable boat, or RIB. That means an open, lightweight craft with inflatable sides and a powerful engine. You sit close to the water, and the boat can move quickly between sighting areas. This makes the ride part of the attraction, not just transport.

That speed has a trade-off. The boat can bounce across waves, especially on the return trip. Several comments describe the ride as exciting, while one makes clear that it can be quite bumpy. You should wear clothing that can handle wind and spray, and keep your sunglasses secure.

Leaving Funchal Harbor With the Coast in View

The cruise leaves Funchal harbor and heads toward the open ocean. Even before any animals appear, you get a broad view of Madeira’s south coast from the water. This changes how you see the island. High cliffs, shoreline formations, and sea caves take on a different shape when viewed from below.

The boat does not simply race straight offshore and return. The crew searches for signs of marine life and works with spotters on land to identify promising locations. That teamwork matters. Whale and dolphin watching can otherwise involve a long period of looking at empty sea, but spotters give the skipper useful information about where animals have been seen.

The operators say that the search may be a matter of patience and luck, while reporting a yearly average of 99 percent of trips with at least one cetacean sighting. That is an encouraging figure, but it should not be treated as a guarantee for your departure. Wild dolphins and whales follow their own schedule.

If no cetacean species is seen, you can be invited to join another trip within one year, subject to availability. The replacement trip is not transferable. This policy gives the experience some protection against a disappointing day, though it will not help if you are leaving Madeira soon.

Watching Dolphins and Whales From a Low Boat

The strongest reason to choose this trip over a larger catamaran is the viewing position. A RIB sits low, so the water is closer to eye level. When dolphins surface near the boat, you have a more direct view of their movement. The smaller group also means less crowding at the sides.

Sightings reported on recent departures include Atlantic spotted dolphins, common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, pilot whales, sperm whales, and sea turtles. One especially successful outing included two dolphin types and four whales. Another included spotted dolphins close to the boat, pilot whales, and a turtle.

You cannot choose which species appears. That is part of the appeal, but also part of the risk. A quick glimpse of a fin is possible, while a pod may stay near the boat for several minutes. The crew’s job is to position the boat responsibly without chasing or frightening the animals.

The strongest praise for this trip concerns the guides’ approach. They explain the different species and share information about Madeira while keeping animal welfare in view. The crew has also been seen stopping to remove plastic from the sea, a small action that says something useful about how they treat the setting.

You should keep your expectations realistic. This is not a staged animal encounter. The best moments may be brief, and there is no promise that dolphins will leap beside your seat or whales will surface on cue. The chance to see several species is good, but the experience remains wild.

The Optional Dolphin Swim Is Brief and Conditional

The dolphin swim costs €20 per participant, but the charge is made on site only if entering the water is possible. If the conditions are not right, you pay only for the standard boat trip.

There are firm limits. The swim is allowed only if the dolphins are behaving in a suitable way under local animal protection law. The crew may enter the water only with common dolphins or Atlantic spotted dolphins. Whales and other dolphin species do not qualify for this activity.

If the swim goes ahead, you wear a mask and snorkel and hold a rope attached to the boat. Each participant is generally in the water for about one to two minutes. This is not a long snorkeling session or a free swim alongside a pod. You are pulled gently along with the moving boat while watching the dolphins nearby.

That setup may surprise you. One account describes the physical effort of holding the rope while being towed, but also says the experience was worth it. Another describes everyone having a chance to enter the water during calm conditions. The activity is designed to limit disturbance to the dolphins, not to create an extended personal encounter.

I would treat the swim as a welcome extra, not the main reason to book. You might see dolphins from the boat but not meet the conditions for entering the water. Even without swimming, the cruise still provides the wildlife search, fast ride, and coastal scenery.

Cabo Girão and the Scenic Return

The route includes a photo stop and sightseeing near Cabo Girão, one of Madeira’s best-known cliff areas. From the sea, the cliff gives you a strong sense of the island’s steep south coast. The view is especially useful if you are also visiting the island by road, because the angle from the water is completely different.

The return to Funchal can be quick and lively. Some departures hug the coast, passing views of caves and shoreline rock formations. The boat may also pick up speed, which turns the final stretch into a bumpy but entertaining ride.

If you are prone to motion sickness, the RIB may work better for you than a larger boat in some conditions, since it does not move in the same way as a conventional vessel. Still, no small boat is immune to rough water. I would not book this expecting a smooth ride.

The tour lasts about 2.5 hours, with at least two hours normally spent out on the water. That is a good length for a half-day plan. You get enough time for a serious wildlife search without giving up an entire day of sightseeing in Funchal.

How the $61 Price Compares With the Experience

At $61 per person, the cruise offers more than a basic harbor outing. The price includes the boat trip, safety equipment, applicable fees, taxes, and fuel surcharges. You are paying for a small boat, a fast search area, crew guidance, and a reasonable amount of time offshore.

The value improves if you care about the boat itself. The RIB is fast and exciting, and several departures have described the ride as one of the highlights. If you want only a quiet view of the coast, a larger sightseeing boat may feel more comfortable.

The optional swim needs careful thought. The extra €20 is not automatically charged. You pay it only if the crew can legally and safely place you in the water. That is fairer than paying upfront for an activity that may not happen, but you should not assume the swim will be included in your day.

Drinks and snacks are not included, and parking is not included. Bring your own water and a small snack if needed, but keep personal items secure because the boat is open and the ride may be rough.

A private boat is available for groups of up to 18 people. The private option costs more than the shared rate, but it may make sense for a family celebration or group of friends who want privacy. For solo visitors, couples, or small families, the regular shared trip is likely the better value.

What to Wear and Bring for the Open Sea

Madeira can feel mild at the harbor and much cooler once the boat reaches open water. Wind can rise quickly, particularly during the winter months. Bring a windbreaker, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and a warmer waterproof jacket if the forecast looks unsettled.

A jacket is worth packing even on a sunny day. The RIB’s speed creates its own wind, and spray may reach the passengers. Dress for comfort rather than appearance.

You should also check the weather before leaving. The crew may adjust the experience to suit conditions, but the supplied guidance is clear: clothing needs to match the sea, not just the temperature on land.

Who Will Enjoy This Tour Most

I would choose this cruise if you want three things in one outing: wild marine life, a fast ride, and views of Madeira from the water. It suits families with older children, couples, and anyone who prefers a small group to a large excursion boat.

Children have enjoyed the ride on past departures, but the movement may be too much for very young passengers or anyone who dislikes bouncing over waves. The small boat also offers less shelter than a catamaran.

The experience is a good match for people who care about responsible wildlife watching. The swim restrictions are strict, and the crew’s approach is built around the animals’ behavior. If your priority is a guaranteed close encounter or a long time in the water, this is not the right choice.

It also works well for photographers, though you will need to react quickly. Dolphins and whales do not wait for a perfectly framed picture, and a moving RIB is not a steady platform. Put the phone or camera away when the ride gets rough.

Booking Details Worth Knowing

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps you from paying immediately. Starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule before building the rest of your Funchal day around the cruise.

The meeting point can vary according to the option booked. Parking is not included, and the boarding area may have limited signage, so allow time to find the jetty.

A separate entrance is available for boarding, and the activity is offered in English and Portuguese. Private groups can be arranged, with room for up to 18 passengers on a private boat.

Should You Book the Funchal RIB Whale-Watching Cruise?

Book it if you want an active, close-to-the-water wildlife trip and accept that nature sets the schedule. The small group, land-based spotters, quick RIB, and strong record of sightings make the $61 fare a solid choice for many visitors.

Keep your expectations sensible about the dolphin swim. It may happen only with common or Atlantic spotted dolphins, it lasts just a minute or two per person, and the rope-towed format is more controlled than leisurely.

I would skip it if you want a quiet, stable cruise, guaranteed swimming, or a full meal and drinks onboard. For everyone else, this is a lively way to see Madeira from offshore, with a crew that treats the animals and the sea with care.

FAQ

How long is the Funchal RIB whale-watching cruise?

The experience lasts 2.5 hours. At least two hours are normally spent out on the boat before returning to Funchal marina.

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include common dolphins, Atlantic spotted dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, pilot whales, sperm whales, and sea turtles.

Is swimming with dolphins included in the $61 price?

No. Swimming is an optional €20 add-on. The charge is made on site only if entering the water with the dolphins is possible.

How long do I swim with the dolphins?

The time in the water is usually around one to two minutes per participant. You hold a rope attached to the boat while watching the dolphins.

Which dolphins are allowed for the swim?

The crew may enter the water only when common dolphins or Atlantic spotted dolphins are present and their behavior meets local animal protection requirements.

What should I bring?

Bring a windbreaker, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and a jacket. A warmer waterproof jacket is useful during winter or in windy weather.

What happens if no cetaceans are seen?

You may be invited to join another trip free of charge within one year, subject to availability. The replacement trip is non-transferable.