Funchal: Guarantee Wild Dolphin&Whale Watching by RIB

Madeira’s wildlife tour begins with open water. This 2.5-hour RIB trip from Funchal combines a fast, intimate ride with a strong chance of seeing wild dolphins or whales along Madeira’s coast. I like the small-group boat and the broad sea views, though wildlife is never fully predictable.

I also like the operator’s clear animal-protection rules. The optional dolphin swim costs €20 only if it actually happens, and the crew can enter the water only with Common Dolphins or Atlantic Spotted Dolphins behaving appropriately.

The main trade-off is simple: you may spend much of the trip searching. The company reports successful cetacean sightings on 99% of yearly trips, but one July booking recorded few dolphins. Bring a windbreaker, because the open sea can turn breezy fast.

Key points to know before booking

• Small RIB, close wildlife viewing: The boat keeps the group relatively intimate, giving you a better view than a large sightseeing vessel.
• About two hours at sea: The standard outing lasts 2.5 hours, including boarding, safety instructions, wildlife searching, and the return to Funchal.
• Dolphin swim is conditional: The €20 option is charged only if the swim is possible, and the water time is usually just one or two minutes per person.
• Cabo Girão appears along the route: You get scenic views of Madeira’s cliffs and coastline while heading toward the wildlife areas.
• A no-sighting backup exists: If no cetacean appears, you can join another trip within one year, subject to availability.
• Private boats take up to 18 people: This can work well for a family or a group of friends who want the boat to themselves.

Why this Funchal wildlife trip is different

Many whale and dolphin outings use larger catamarans or sightseeing boats. This one uses a small rigid inflatable boat, usually called a RIB. That changes the feel of the outing. You sit closer to the water, the boat can move quickly between reports of wildlife, and the ride feels more active than a slow harbor cruise.

I would choose this format if you want the search itself to be part of the fun. The boat leaves Funchal’s harbor and heads toward open water, with Madeira’s coastline in view. You are not simply transported to a viewing spot. You spend time scanning the sea, following the guide’s instructions, and waiting for a fin, blow, or splash.

The small boat also has a limit. It offers less space to move around than a large vessel, and the ride can feel lively when the sea is choppy. If you want a calm, sheltered outing, a larger boat may suit you better. If you enjoy speed and a little sea spray, the RIB is the more exciting choice.

The experience is led in English or Portuguese. A guide and skipper work together, with the guide helping passengers understand what they are seeing and the skipper positioning the boat. One recent booking specifically praised the combination of guide and skipper, while another noted that the guide gave useful help with seasickness. That is worth knowing if you are unsure how you will handle the open sea.

Boarding at Funchal and the first safety briefing

The meeting point is with Xpoint Madeira in Funchal, though the exact point can vary according to the option booked. The first stage involves boarding, a safety briefing, and putting on a life jacket. All necessary safety equipment is included.

This preparation is brief but important. A RIB is not the same as sitting on a protected ferry deck. You need to listen carefully to instructions about where to sit and how to move around. Sun hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a windbreaker belong in your day bag.

The operator lists the standard duration as 2.5 hours, with at least two hours spent out on the boat. That gives the crew a useful amount of time to search rather than rushing straight back after a short wildlife check.

There are two possible starting and ending points listed for the activity, so I would confirm the exact meeting place before setting out. Parking is not included. Drinks and snacks are also not included, so plan ahead rather than expecting a café-style boat service.

Along Madeira’s coast toward Cabo Girão

Once you leave the marina, the ride includes wide views of Madeira’s coast. Cabo Girão, one of the island’s best-known cliff viewpoints, appears as part of the scenery along the way. The route is not only about finding animals. The coastal views give you something worthwhile to watch during quiet stretches.

That matters because wildlife watching involves patience. Even with a high reported success rate, you cannot order a dolphin appearance like a timed attraction. The boat may slow down, change direction, or spend time scanning an area before the crew decides to move on.

The coastline also gives you a useful sense of Madeira from the sea. Cliffs and slopes look different from the water, and the RIB’s low position makes the shoreline feel more immediate. I would keep your camera ready, but protect it from spray and avoid spending the whole ride looking through a screen.

The fast boat ride is part of the appeal. A recent booking described the active search itself as a great activity, even before counting the animals. That is the right attitude for this trip. If you only care about a guaranteed close-up, no wild-animal tour can promise that. If you enjoy the chase, the ride has value even during a quiet spell.

Searching for dolphins, whales, and turtles

The main search covers wild dolphins and whales, with turtles appearing occasionally. The company reports a yearly average of 99% of trips with at least one cetacean species sighting. That is an impressive figure, but it should be read as a long-term average rather than a promise for your exact departure.

The recent feedback supports the strong wildlife potential. One November outing produced sightings of many dolphins and pilot whales with babies. Several other bookings described large numbers of dolphins, including young animals. These details suggest that the best moments can include more than a quick fin breaking the surface.

At the same time, one July outing had few dolphins. That lower result is not a flaw in the boat or crew. It is the basic uncertainty of finding free-ranging animals in a large area of ocean. I would book this activity for the chance to see wildlife, not for a fixed number of species or a guaranteed close approach.

The crew’s attitude toward the animals is another important point. A recent booking praised the respect shown to the dolphins and whales. That makes a real difference. Good wildlife watching depends on giving animals space and avoiding behavior that turns a sighting into a chase.

You may see dolphins traveling beside or near the boat, whales surfacing farther away, or nothing for a period before the scene changes quickly. Keep your eyes on the water and listen to the guide. The person on board may spot movement before you do.

The optional swim with dolphins

The dolphin swim is not part of the standard €70 trip. It is a separate €20 add-on, and the charge is made on site only if entering the water proves possible. If the conditions are not right, you pay only for the regular boat trip.

That arrangement is fairer than paying in advance for an activity the crew may not legally be allowed to offer. Local animal-protection rules control the decision. The crew may enter the water only when Common Dolphins or Atlantic Spotted Dolphins are present and their behavior makes the swim appropriate.

Even then, the water time is short. In most cases, each participant gets about one or two minutes in the water. You are attached to the boat for a brief swim or snorkel, and a mask and snorkel are available.

I would treat this as a possible bonus, not the main reason to book. The swim may not happen, and it is not offered with every dolphin species. It is also not a long free-swimming session. Still, the pay-only-if-possible policy keeps the add-on practical, and the rules show that the animals’ behavior comes first.

If swimming with dolphins is your top priority, read the conditions carefully and keep your expectations modest. If your main aim is a responsible wildlife trip with a chance of seeing dolphins and whales, the standard outing makes sense on its own.

What the €70 price really buys you

At $70 per person, the tour sits in a reasonable range for a 2.5-hour marine wildlife outing, especially since the price includes the boat ride, safety equipment, taxes, fees, and fuel surcharges. You are paying for the boat, crew, time at sea, and the chance to search a broad area of Madeira’s coast.

The value is strongest for people who prefer a small boat to a crowded sightseeing vessel. A close, active ride can feel more personal, and the small group makes it easier to hear the guide and see what is happening.

The price does not include snacks, drinks, parking, or the optional dolphin swim. Those are small but useful details to include in your budget. The standard fare also does not buy a guaranteed whale or dolphin encounter, even though the stated yearly sighting rate is very high.

There is one valuable safety net. If the trip produces no cetacean sighting at all, the company offers another trip free within one year, subject to availability. The replacement is not transferable, so it is most useful if you plan to remain in Madeira or expect to return.

You can also book a private boat for up to 18 passengers. The private option may make financial sense for a large family or friend group, especially if privacy matters more than the lowest individual fare. For solo visitors or couples, the shared small-group trip is likely the more sensible choice.

Weather, clothing, and comfort on the RIB

Madeira can feel warm in town while the sea feels cool and windy. The operator specifically advises checking the forecast and bringing a windbreaker or warmer waterproof jacket in winter. I would follow that advice even on a sunny day.

Pack sunglasses, a sun hat, and sunscreen. You will be exposed to the sun for much of the outing, and the glare off the water can be strong. Since drinks are not supplied, carry water if permitted by the operator and avoid arriving without something to drink.

Sea conditions affect comfort. The RIB format is exciting, but it is not the gentlest boat choice. If you are prone to seasickness, sit where the crew recommends, watch the horizon when possible, and tell the guide early. A guide has already helped a passenger manage seasickness, which is a useful sign that the crew takes comfort seriously.

I would avoid wearing anything you cannot risk getting splashed. Bring only what you need, secure loose items, and use a waterproof phone pouch if you plan to take pictures.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend this tour to you if you:

• Like active boat rides rather than slow scenic cruises
• Want a small-group experience
• Care about seeing wild animals in their natural setting
• Enjoy scenic views even when wildlife takes time to appear
• Are comfortable with the possibility of wind, spray, and motion
• Want the option of a brief dolphin swim without paying for it unless it happens

Families and groups of friends can consider the private boat, which holds up to 18 passengers. The small-group format also suits couples and solo visitors who want a more intimate outing.

I would think twice if you need a guaranteed close encounter, dislike open-water motion, or want a long swim with dolphins. The wildlife is free to move away, the optional swim is tightly controlled, and the time in the water is very short.

The rating of 4.8 from 28 bookings fits the overall picture: strong satisfaction with the crew, the active ride, and the animal sightings, with the usual caveat that nature can deliver a quieter day.

Should you book the Funchal RIB tour?

I would book it if you want an energetic, small-boat search for dolphins and whales, and you can accept that wild animals set the schedule. The reported 99% yearly sighting rate, the chance of seeing dolphins with young, and the free repeat-trip policy after a no-sighting outing make the offer reassuring.

Choose the optional dolphin swim only as a possible extra. Its short duration and strict rules are important, but the pay-only-if-possible setup makes it a low-risk addition.

For the best experience, bring warm protection, expect some wind, and arrive ready to look for wildlife rather than demand it on cue. That combination gives you the best value from the €70 fare and leaves room for the trip to surprise you.

FAQ

How long is the Funchal dolphin and whale tour?

The full activity lasts 2.5 hours. At least two hours are spent out on the boat, with the remaining time covering boarding, the safety briefing, and disembarkation.

What wildlife might I see?

The trip searches for wild dolphins and whales, and turtles may sometimes appear. The company reports a yearly average of successful sightings of at least one cetacean species on 99% of trips.

Is swimming with dolphins included?

No. Swimming or snorkeling with dolphins is a separate €20 add-on. The fee is charged on site only if entering the water is possible.

How long do I swim with the dolphins?

The water time is usually around one to two minutes per participant. A mask and snorkel are available, and you remain attached to the boat.

When is the dolphin swim allowed?

The crew may enter the water only with Common Dolphins or Atlantic Spotted Dolphins, and only when the animals are behaving in a way permitted by local animal-protection law.

What should I bring?

Bring a windbreaker or warmer waterproof jacket, sunglasses, a sun hat, and sunscreen. Check the weather before the trip, since conditions at sea can become windy quickly.