From Funchal: Whales and Dolphin Adventure Tour

Seeing a pod of dolphins race beside a small speedboat is the main draw here, but the setting matters just as much. You leave Funchal’s marina and head along Madeira’s open-water edge, with a marine guide explaining what you see and why the crew will never force an encounter. Camila, Fernanda, and Natasha are among the guides praised for their lively talks and care for the animals.

I like the small 18-person boat, which gives you a clear view on every side instead of a crowded catamaran deck. I also like the chance to contribute to marine research and the free repeat trip if no cetaceans appear. The catch is simple: this is wild nature, not a guaranteed show, and the ride can be very bumpy.

Key points at a glance

• Small-group speedboat: The custom RIB carries a maximum of 18 people, far fewer than large catamarans.
• A strong chance of wildlife: The operator advertises a 99 percent chance of seeing whales or dolphins, but sightings, species, and viewing time still vary.
• Swimming is conditional: You may enter the water only with common or spotted dolphins, and only when their behavior and sea conditions make it suitable.
• Marine-biologist guides: Guides including Camila, Fernanda, Natasha, and Agata have provided species facts, answered questions, and supported research work.
• Prepare to get wet: Spray and wave impact can soak you, so bring a jacket or raincoat, swimwear, towel, and sunscreen.
• Wildlife comes first: The crew observes animal-welfare rules and does not chase dolphins or whales that move away.

Why this Funchal boat trip feels different

Madeira has plenty of sea excursions, but this one is built around speed and a small passenger count. The boat can move quickly between sightings, giving the crew a better chance of reaching several groups during the two-hour outing. You also avoid the common problem on a large catamaran of running from one side to the other when someone spots a fin.

The boat holds no more than 18 people. That is a real advantage if you want to hear the guide, ask questions, and keep your eyes on the whole sea. You can usually choose a useful viewing position without being hemmed in by a hundred other people.

The tradeoff is comfort. A speedboat is fun because it moves quickly across the waves, but it is not a gentle cruise. Several outings have been described as very bumpy, and one person noted that the ride can leave your backside sore. The operator says the boat design helps reduce motion sickness, yet sea conditions still matter. If you are prone to seasickness, bring whatever remedy you normally use and take the warning seriously.

Leaving from Funchal’s new marina

You meet at Blue Safari Madeira, at the new marina in Funchal. Find the speedboat in front of door 4, the last door on the left when you are looking toward the sea. The meeting time is 20 minutes before departure, which gives the crew time to organize the group and get everyone aboard.

If you drive, use the Almirante Reis parking lot. The 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 lead you to the boat, and the operator also provides a short direction video if the marina layout seems confusing.

Once aboard, expect a quick safety and trip briefing before heading out. The exact route changes with sea conditions and reports of animal activity. The crew communicates with people on shore, then steers toward likely sightings rather than following a fixed sightseeing circuit.

That makes the trip feel more like a search than a standard cruise. Sometimes dolphins appear soon after leaving the marina. On other departures, the crew spends much longer scanning the water before finding a pod. You need to accept both possibilities as part of the experience.

Two hours among Madeira’s Atlantic wildlife

The core activity is a two-hour boat cruise along the waters around Madeira. The view changes quickly as Funchal recedes and you look back toward the island from the sea. The water is often clear, and the speedboat gives you a lively ride as it covers ground.

Your guide will help you watch for blows, dorsal fins, splashes, and movement across the surface. Depending on the day, you might see bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, spotted dolphins, pilot whales, sperm whales, or another whale species. Some outings have also produced sightings of turtles, flying fish, Portuguese man-of-war, and groups of dolphins feeding on flying fish.

The variety is part of the appeal. A dolphin sighting can mean a few animals surfacing briefly, or a large pod traveling beside the boat. One particularly memorable outing included a pod of roughly 150 dolphins and a Bryde’s whale. Other trips have found pilot whales, sperm whales, or two whale sightings but no dolphins.

Do not measure the trip only by the number of species. A small group of dolphins appearing close to the boat can be more rewarding than a long list of distant animals. The guides explain what you are seeing and why the boat may slow down, change direction, or hold back.

Respectful wildlife watching

The best part of this tour is its clear emphasis on animal welfare. The crew follows rules developed with World Animal Protection, and the guides explain that these are wild animals with their own choices. If dolphins are not curious or begin to move away, the boat does not chase them.

That approach may mean less dramatic action at times. You could see dolphins for only a few minutes, or watch them at a distance rather than having them ride directly beside the boat. That is the right tradeoff for a responsible wildlife trip.

The guides also add useful context. Camila, Natasha, Fernanda, Agata, and others have been praised for explaining dolphin and whale behavior in an engaging way. Some guides are marine biologists, and the company connects the trip with scientific research and conservation work. If you enjoy learning as much as watching, this gives the outing more substance than a simple boat ride.

Keep your phone ready, but do not spend the whole trip looking through its screen. A dolphin may surface on the opposite side of the boat, and the small vessel makes it possible to turn quickly. Guides may take photographs during the trip, with images available for purchase afterward, while you remain free to take your own pictures.

Swimming with dolphins, only when the conditions are right

The possible swim is an exciting extra, but it should never be treated as the main promise. You may enter the water only if the animals are common or spotted dolphins, their behavior is suitable, and the sea is calm enough.

The crew may organize the swim in small groups. One detailed account describes four people entering at a time, holding a rope attached to the side of the moving boat while the dolphins decide how close to come. The swim can last only a few minutes, and the animals may leave before everyone gets a long look.

This rule protects both you and the dolphins. You will not swim with whales, and you may not swim at all if the sea is rough, the dolphins have young with them, or the animals show signs that contact would cause stress. Several outings could not offer a swim because of strong waves, even when dolphins were present.

Bring swimwear and a towel if you hope to enter the water. An underwater camera could help you record the moment, but do not expect perfect photographs. In clear water, you might see dolphins below the surface, yet the encounter can be brief and unpredictable.

The sensible attitude is to view swimming as a rare bonus. The boat trip and wildlife watching remain the main product.

What the guides add to the experience

The guide can make or break a wildlife tour, and this company puts real attention into the role. Guides such as Camila and Natasha have been praised for their marine biology background, while Fernanda, Vlad, Agata, and others have been described as warm, funny, and easy to talk with.

You can expect information about the species you encounter, their behavior, and the conditions that affect a sighting. The best guides keep talking when useful, then let the group focus when animals appear. This balance matters because a long lecture is not helpful when everyone is scanning the water.

The captain matters too. Skilled boat handling helps the crew approach without crowding the animals and move safely when the sea becomes rough. Guides and captains work together, with shore communication helping them respond to fresh information.

The tour operates in English and Portuguese. If you have questions about dolphins, whales, conservation, or the swim rules, this is a good setting to ask them.

The price and what you receive for $58

At $58 per person, the tour is not the cheapest way to get on the water in Madeira, but the price makes sense if you value a small group and a fast boat. You are paying for a two-hour search with a maximum of 18 people, rather than a basic coastal cruise with a large crowd.

The speedboat is the main value point. It covers more distance than a slower vessel and gives you a better chance of reaching animal groups. You also get close views when conditions allow, though close never means touching or forcing contact.

Snorkeling equipment, specifically a mask and snorkel, is included for the possible dolphin swim. Food is not included. There is a café where you can buy something, so eat beforehand or plan a snack after returning to the marina.

The company offers a free repeat trip if no whales or dolphins are seen. If weather prevents another outing, you receive a free trip voucher valid for two years. That policy softens the risk, though it does not help much if you have only one morning left in Madeira.

Weather, clothing, and comfort tips

Weather can change quickly around Madeira, and the trip may be postponed or canceled when sea conditions are poor. One booking had to be moved twice before the boat finally went out and found six sperm whales. Build some flexibility into your schedule if seeing wildlife is important to you.

Bring a waterproof jacket or raincoat. The speedboat can throw spray over the sides, and the combination of wind and wave impact may leave you soaked. A jacket is more useful than relying on a clear forecast.

Pack:

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Jacket or raincoat

The tour is not suitable for children under 10 or pregnant women. The operator does not describe the ride as a gentle one, so anyone with back, balance, or motion-sickness concerns should think carefully before booking.

The boat ride itself is part of the fun for many people. You get speed, open water, and wide views of Madeira. But if you want a quiet, stable platform, a catamaran may suit you better.

How to plan your day around the tour

The trip lasts two hours, but allow extra time for arriving early, boarding, and returning to the marina. Meet 20 minutes before departure and avoid scheduling another fixed activity immediately afterward.

Morning conditions may be calmer, but the best departure time depends on the weather and animal movements. Do not choose a time solely because it fits neatly between meals. Choose a slot that leaves room for a delay or a weather change.

If you are staying in Funchal, the marina is convenient to reach. Drivers should use Almirante Reis parking rather than the private Marina Park. If you are unsure where door 4 is, watch the direction video before leaving your accommodation instead of trying to work it out at the last minute.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Check the available start times when booking because the schedule is not fixed here.

Who should book this Madeira whale tour?

I would choose this trip if you want an active wildlife outing, prefer a small group, and enjoy the thrill of a fast boat. It suits couples, friends, and families with children aged 10 and older who can handle a bumpy ride.

It is also a strong choice if responsible wildlife watching matters to you. The crew’s refusal to chase animals, the research connection, and the strict rules around swimming all point to a better way to see dolphins in the wild.

I would hesitate if you need a guaranteed whale sighting, dislike spray, or have only a narrow schedule. The advertised 99 percent chance is encouraging, but no operator can control wild animals. You may see several pods, whales, turtles, and flying fish, or only a few dolphins near the end.

Should you book the Blue Safari Madeira speedboat?

Book it if you want the best chance of covering ground in a small group and you are happy to let nature set the schedule. The guides, especially marine-biologist guides such as Camila, Fernanda, and Natasha, add real value, and the conservation focus makes the trip feel responsible rather than rushed.

Book with realistic expectations. The swim may not happen, whales may stay away, and the sea can be rough. If you can accept those limits, $58 is a fair price for two hours of open-water wildlife watching, a capable crew, and the possibility of seeing Madeira’s dolphins and whales close to their own home.

FAQ

How long is the whale and dolphin tour?

The boat trip lasts two hours, including the cruise from and back to Blue Safari Madeira in Funchal.

Where does the tour leave from?

It departs from the new marina of Funchal. Meet at the speedboat in front of door 4, the last door on the left when looking toward the sea.

How early should I arrive?

You should meet the guide 20 minutes before the scheduled departure.

How many people can fit on the boat?

The speedboat takes a maximum of 18 people.

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include dolphins, pilot whales, sperm whales, other whales, turtles, flying fish, and Portuguese man-of-war. Sightings vary because the animals are wild.

Is seeing a whale or dolphin guaranteed?

The operator advertises a 99 percent chance of seeing whales or dolphins, but wildlife sightings cannot be fully guaranteed. If you see no whales or dolphins, you are offered another free tour, or a voucher valid for two years if weather prevents a repeat trip.

Can I swim with the dolphins?

You may be offered the chance to enter the water only with common or spotted dolphins, and only when their behavior and sea conditions make it appropriate. Swimming is not guaranteed.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

A mask and snorkel are included for the possible swim.

Is food included?

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

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a jacket. A raincoat is especially useful because spray from the speedboat can make you wet.

Who cannot take this tour?

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

What languages are available?

Live guiding is available in English and Portuguese.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.