Funchal: Whale Watching and Swimming with Dolphins Cruise

Madeira’s open water is the star here. You ride out from Funchal in a fast, semi-rigid boat, then search for wild whales and dolphins with help from shore-based lookouts and a marine-biologist team. I like the small 18-seat boats, which make the outing feel less like a floating crowd, and I like that you see animals in their own environment rather than in a marine park.

I also appreciate the second-trip promise if no whales or dolphins appear at all. That gives the €94 price a little more protection. The catch is important: swimming with dolphins is not guaranteed, and it is allowed only with certain species and under the right conditions. Some departures see several kinds of whales and dolphins but never enter the water.

Key points at a glance

• Wildlife in open water: Search for whales and dolphins off Madeira rather than watching trained animals.
• Marine-biologist guides: Hear about animal habits, behavior, and the sea environment in Portuguese, English, or French.
• Three boat sizes: Two boats carry 18 people each, while a larger boat carries 36.
• Swimming depends on the animals: You may enter the water with dolphins and turtles, but only when conditions and permitted species allow.
• A fast, lively ride: The return across the waves can be great fun, though the boat is not designed for a quiet, gentle cruise.
• Wildlife guarantee: If you see no whales or dolphins, you are offered a second trip free.

Setting out from Store 35 in Funchal

You meet the crew at Store 35, home of Rota dos Cetáceos Whale & Dolphin Watching and Swimming with Dolphins. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to the meeting point.

The outing lasts about two and a half hours from departure to return. That is a useful length for a morning or afternoon plan, especially if you are fitting this around Funchal sightseeing. It is long enough to get well offshore, but short enough that it does not consume your whole day.

Before boarding, you receive a safety briefing of about 10 minutes. This is when you should listen carefully, not just nod along while thinking about dolphins. You will be on a fast boat in open sea, so the instructions matter. Comfortable clothes and comfortable shoes are recommended, and the life vest is provided.

The fleet is a real advantage. Two semi-rigid boats have 18 seats each, while another holds 36 people. Your exact boat depends on the departure, but the smaller boats offer a more personal feel. A group of 18 also makes it easier to see around other passengers and hear the guide when the engines are quiet.

The boat ride is part of the experience

This is not a slow harbor cruise. The semi-rigid boat is built for speed and for covering water, which matters when you are trying to find animals spread across a wide area. It also means you should expect movement, wind, spray, and a fairly lively ride.

The boat’s speed is useful because whales and dolphins may be far from the marina. It also adds a dose of fun on the return trip, when the captain may make the crossing over the waves feel like a small sea adventure. That same energy can be tiring if you prefer a calm, cushioned boat ride.

One practical point: the boat can be noisy. A guide may explain the animals and their behavior, but engine sound and wind can make spoken information hard to catch, especially if you are seated away from the guide. I would pay close attention to the short introduction at the start and ask questions when the boat slows.

The boat design gives you a close-to-the-water view, which is excellent for spotting fins and spray. It does not give you the shelter or stability of a large sightseeing vessel. Wear clothes you do not mind getting splashed, even though the stated packing advice is simply comfortable clothing and shoes.

Searching for whales and dolphins off Madeira

Once clear of Funchal, the crew begins scanning the sea. The search is helped by lookouts on land, who guide the boats toward reported animal locations. This system is one of the most useful parts of the trip because the crew is not relying only on chance from a single boat.

Still, wild animals set the schedule. You may see one species, several groups, or nothing on a particular outing. On a strong departure, you could see two kinds of cetaceans and several separate groups. One particularly successful trip recorded two species and four groups, although swimming was not possible.

That example tells you how to judge the activity. The wildlife search itself can be very good even when the swimming portion does not happen. If you consider swimming the main reason for booking, you need to accept that it is an added possibility, not the core guarantee.

The crew’s marine-biologist background adds value beyond the sighting itself. You are not simply pointed toward a fin and left to guess what you saw. The guide explains animal habits and their environment, helping you understand why a pod behaves as it does and why the boat may keep a respectful distance.

The quality of the spoken commentary may vary with the boat and sea conditions. Some people find the biologist’s explanations detailed and useful. Others may have trouble hearing because of the engine, or find the guide’s delivery less clear. Sitting where you can see and hear the guide is worth a little planning.

Swimming with dolphins is a conditional bonus

The most exciting part of the advertised experience is the chance to enter the water with dolphins and turtles. This is not a normal swim stop where the crew takes you to a fixed location. It depends on which animals are found, whether the animals are among the species with which swimming is permitted, and whether conditions are suitable.

That distinction matters. You could watch whales and dolphins from the boat and still remain on board. One departure saw two species but could not offer swimming because neither was an approved species for entering the water. In that situation, the boat ride and wildlife watching still take place, but the swimming value disappears.

The company has refunded the extra amount connected with swimming when that part could not happen. However, the stated free second-trip policy applies when you do not see any whales or dolphins, not simply when swimming is unavailable. Do not treat the wildlife guarantee as a swim guarantee.

If dolphins approach and the crew gives permission to enter, you get a rare chance to share open water with wild animals. That is very different from a controlled dolphin encounter. You need to follow the guide’s instructions closely and accept that the animals decide how near they come and how long they stay.

The possibility of swimming with turtles is also included in the description. The supplied details do not promise a turtle sighting, so consider it another possible encounter rather than a scheduled stop. Bring realistic expectations and you will enjoy the opportunity more if it appears.

What the guides add, and where the format has limits

The tour is led in Portuguese, English, and French. That is helpful for mixed-language groups, and the marine-biologist format gives the outing an educational side without turning it into a classroom.

The best version of this trip is easy to picture: a good captain finds the animals, the guide gives clear explanations, and the boat reaches several groups without feeling packed. Strong feedback has praised the captain’s handling and the guide’s detailed information about marine mammals.

But you should know that the experience is not identical on every boat. Some passengers have found the guide difficult to hear or understand, while others felt there was little commentary once the boat was moving. The engine, wind, and seating position all affect how much you take in.

The short pre-trip film or introduction can help fill the gap. Listen closely before departure, then ask the guide to repeat anything important once the boat is stopped or moving slowly. If wildlife facts are a major reason you are booking, this small effort can make the trip much more rewarding.

The reception at the shop also appears to be a weak point on some departures. Most of your time is spent on the water, so an unfriendly check-in should not define the whole outing, but a warm welcome and clear explanation of the swim rules would improve the experience.

Is $94 a fair price?

At $94 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend two and a half hours in Madeira. You are paying for the boat, the crew, marine-biologist guidance, shore-based wildlife spotting, and the possibility of entering the water with dolphins or turtles.

The price makes better sense if you value the full package. You get a fast open-water ride, a chance to see multiple species, and a wildlife guarantee if the sea produces no whales or dolphins at all. You also avoid the artificial setting of an aquarium or trained-animal show.

The value is weaker if your only goal is to swim with dolphins. That part may not happen, even on a successful wildlife trip, and there is no stated guarantee that swimming will be offered. In that case, you could pay a high price for a boat ride and animal watching from the deck.

The small boats help justify the cost. An 18-seat departure gives you more room to watch and usually feels more personal than a large sightseeing vessel. The 36-seat boat is still a modest group by excursion standards, but it may feel busier when everyone moves to one side for a sighting.

Reserve-and-pay-later booking keeps your money free until closer to the activity, and cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Those terms reduce the risk when your Funchal schedule is still changing. They do not remove the risk of rough conditions or animals failing to appear.

Who should book this Madeira cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you enjoy wildlife, do not need a guaranteed checklist of animals, and like a boat ride with some speed. It suits couples, families with older children, and anyone who wants a short sea excursion that combines nature and local interpretation.

It is especially good for people who care about seeing animals in the wild. The marine-biologist element, lookout system, and search for several species give the trip more purpose than a simple ride along the coast.

You should think twice if you get seasick, dislike wind and spray, or want a quiet boat with constant commentary. You should also be cautious if swimming with dolphins is the single reason you are booking. The rules of the sea and the animals come first.

Bring comfortable shoes and clothes, pay attention during the safety briefing, and sit where you can hear the guide. If you are hoping to swim, ask clearly before departure how the crew handles that part and what happens if the right species are not found.

Making the most of your 2.5 hours

Keep your schedule flexible around the cruise. The activity is listed as two and a half hours, but wildlife is not a timed stage performance. If the crew finds animals, the focus will be on observing them properly rather than rushing back to the marina.

Use the opening briefing to understand the safety rules and the swimming conditions. The life vest is included, but other personal items are not listed, so bring only what you need and keep anything valuable secure.

Expect the boat to be loud at times. If the guide begins speaking while the engines are running, watch for pauses when the boat slows and use those moments to listen. You will get more from the marine biology side of the trip this way.

Most of all, separate the two promises in your mind. The main outing is a search for wild whales and dolphins. Swimming is an exciting possibility layered on top. That simple distinction will keep a good wildlife trip from feeling disappointing just because the water portion did not happen.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a lively, small-group search for Madeira’s marine life and you are happy to let nature set the terms. The strongest reasons to choose it are the fast boat, the 18-seat options, the marine-biologist input, the shore lookouts, and the free second trip if no whales or dolphins appear.

Skip it if you need guaranteed swimming, a quiet ride, or a fully predictable schedule. At $94, the tour earns its price when you treat the wildlife watching as the main event and the dolphin swim as a rare bonus. That is the fairest way to approach it.

FAQ

Where does the whale and dolphin cruise start?

Meet at Store 35 at Rota dos Cetáceos Whale & Dolphin Watching and Swimming with Dolphins in Funchal.

How long does the activity last?

The cruise lasts 2.5 hours, including the time spent searching for whales and dolphins and returning to the meeting point.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must reach the meeting point yourself.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide service is available in Portuguese, English, and French.

Are life vests provided?

Yes. A life vest is included in the activity.

Can I swim with dolphins?

You may get the chance to swim with dolphins and turtles, but swimming is not guaranteed. It depends on the animals found, the permitted species, and conditions at sea.

What happens if no whales or dolphins are seen?

If you do not see any whales or dolphins, you are offered a second trip free.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes and comfortable clothes.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.