Funchal: Guarantee Wild Dolphin&Whale Watching by RIB

Madeira’s small RIB boat gets you close to the ocean without putting you on a large sightseeing vessel. You spend about two hours searching the water for wild dolphins, whales, and the occasional turtle, with Cabo Girão and Funchal’s coast behind you. I like the intimate group size and the reported 99 percent yearly success rate for spotting at least one cetacean species. The trade-off is simple: wild animals set the schedule, and one July trip produced few dolphins.

I especially like two things here: the crew keeps a respectful distance from the animals, and the ride itself has enough speed and motion to feel like an outing rather than a passive cruise. You also have the option of a short dolphin swim, but only for an extra €20 and only when the species, behavior, and local rules allow it. Bring a windbreaker, since the open sea can turn breezy fast.

Key points at a glance

• Small RIB, more personal viewing: The boat carries a small group, giving you a better chance to see the water without a crowd blocking your view.
• A strong but not absolute sighting promise: The operator reports successful sightings of at least one cetacean species on 99 percent of yearly trips, but nature remains unpredictable.
• Two hours on open water: The standard boat time is at least two hours, within a total experience of about 2.5 hours.
• Dolphin swimming is conditional: The €20 add-on is charged only if entering the water is possible, and only Common or Atlantic Spotted Dolphins qualify.
• Cabo Girão adds scenery: The ride includes views toward one of Madeira’s best-known coastal cliffs.
• A lively ride with practical limits: Wind, spray, sea conditions, and motion make this less suitable for anyone wanting a calm, dry boat trip.

What the Funchal RIB trip is really like

This is a wildlife-searching trip, not a guaranteed animal performance. You leave Funchal’s harbor and head along Madeira’s coast, keeping the island in view while the guide and skipper scan the sea. The boat’s speed helps cover ground, but finding wild cetaceans still depends on patience, luck, and the animals’ movements.

The operator reports a yearly average of 99 percent of trips with at least one cetacean sighting. That is an unusually high figure, and it explains why the tour is marketed as a high-probability outing. Still, you should read that number as a strong chance, not a promise for your particular morning or afternoon.

If no cetacean appears during your trip, you can join another trip free within one year, subject to availability. The offer is non-transferable. That policy gives the experience some protection against a quiet day, though you need enough time in Madeira to use it.

The boat ride itself is part of the appeal. Recent feedback describes the fast boat as an activity even before dolphins or whales appear. You should expect a lively ride rather than a slow harbor cruise, with the possibility of spray and strong wind once you are out at sea.

Boarding at Funchal and the safety briefing

The tour begins at Xpoint Madeira, though the exact meeting point can vary with the option you book. At the start, you receive a safety briefing, put on a life jacket, and get ready for the boat ride. Safety equipment is included, as are applicable fees, taxes, and fuel surcharges.

This preparation matters because the RIB is small and open. You will not have the same shelter or interior seating found on a larger vessel. Wear clothes that can handle wind and possible spray, and keep sunglasses and a hat secure.

The company recommends a windbreaker, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. For winter outings, bring a warmer waterproof jacket. Madeira can feel mild on land while the open water feels much cooler, especially at speed.

Parking is not included, so plan for that separately if you are driving. Drinks and snacks are also not included. With a 2.5-hour duration, this is not a long expedition, but you may still want water before boarding.

Cruising past Madeira’s coast

Once clear of Funchal’s harbor, the boat heads toward the open sea. You keep panoramic views of Madeira’s coast as the crew searches for movement, blows, fins, and groups of dolphins. The coastline gives you something to watch during the quiet stretches, which helps keep the search from feeling like a long wait.

The route includes sightseeing toward Cabo Girão, one of Madeira’s most recognizable sea cliffs. The tour does not present Cabo Girão as a separate long stop. Instead, it forms part of the views along the way, so think of it as a scenic addition to the wildlife trip rather than a cliff visit.

I like this combination because it gives the outing two kinds of interest. You have the chance to see animals in the wild, but you also have the coastline and cliff scenery when the sea is empty. The limitation is that the exact route and viewing conditions depend on the day’s weather and wildlife activity.

The guide speaks English or Portuguese. The guide and skipper are important here because a good sighting can be brief. Recent feedback gives particular credit to the guide and skipper for being informative, punctual, and attentive, and one crew member helped a passenger dealing with seasickness. No individual guide names are provided, so you should not book expecting a particular named host.

Searching for dolphins, whales, and turtles

The main goal is to find free-ranging cetaceans. Dolphins are often the most active sighting, while whales and pilot whales, also called grind whales, may appear farther from shore. One recent November outing produced many dolphins and grind whales with babies, while another July trip had only a small number of dolphins.

That contrast tells you how to set expectations. You could spend much of the trip seeing several animals, or you could get a brief sighting and still have a worthwhile fast-boat ride. The company’s repeat-trip policy helps, but only if you are staying on Madeira long enough and another departure has space.

The small boat is useful for this kind of search. A smaller group can make it easier to shift your attention when the guide spots an animal, and you are less likely to feel separated from the water by rows of passengers. It also creates a more direct outing, with the skipper able to move between areas as the search develops.

Respect for the animals is part of the experience. The crew does not promise close contact simply because you paid for a wildlife trip. That is a positive feature, but it also means the best moments may be short and unpredictable. Keep your camera ready, but do not let the camera replace watching the sea.

The €20 dolphin swim option

The swim with dolphins is not included in the $70 standard price. It is a separate €20 add-on, and the charge is made on-site only if entering the water is possible. If conditions do not allow the swim, you pay only the standard trip price.

This is a very limited water experience. If permitted, you enter the water attached to the boat for a short swim or snorkel, usually about one to two minutes per participant. A mask and snorkel are available.

Strict rules apply. The crew may enter the water only if the dolphins are behaving in an approved manner under local animal-protection law. The only eligible species are Common Dolphins and Atlantic Spotted Dolphins. Seeing a whale, turtle, pilot whale, or another dolphin species does not qualify you for the swim.

I would treat this as a possible bonus, not the reason to book. The short duration and strict conditions mean you should be happy with the boat trip alone. You can choose the add-on in advance, but the fee is collected only when the swim can actually happen.

This approach is better for the animals and clearer for you. It avoids charging for a water encounter that cannot legally or safely take place. It also prevents the common mistake of assuming every dolphin sighting leads to a swim.

How much value do you get for $70?

At $70 per person, the tour sits in a reasonable range for a 2.5-hour wildlife outing from Funchal, especially since safety equipment, fuel surcharges, taxes, and other applicable fees are included. You are paying for a small boat, a focused search at sea, and a strong reported chance of seeing at least one cetacean species.

The value depends on what you want from Madeira. If you want a quiet, highly predictable sightseeing cruise, this may feel too exposed and uncertain. If you like active outings and accept that wild animals cannot be scheduled, the price is easier to justify.

The small-group setup is a key part of the value. You are not simply buying transport across the water. You are buying a more personal wildlife search, with less distance between you, the guide, and the sea. A private boat is also available for groups of up to 18 passengers, which could make sense for a family or group of friends splitting the cost.

The private option changes the character of the trip rather than guaranteeing better sightings. It gives your group privacy, but wildlife remains unpredictable. Ask for the exact private pricing and meeting details before booking, since those details are not provided here.

Motion, weather, and seasickness

The most important practical warning is the weather. Wind can build quickly offshore, and the boat’s speed adds to the chill. A warmer waterproof jacket is sensible in winter, while a windbreaker is useful in other seasons.

This is also not the best choice if you are very uncomfortable with boat motion. The trip includes a fast RIB ride, and the search may require time on open water. One passenger received useful help with seasickness, but you should still prepare in advance if you know you are prone to it.

Wear sunscreen even on a cool day. The sea reflects light, and the open boat provides little shade. Secure loose items, especially hats and sunglasses, and bring only what you can manage safely on a moving boat.

The tour can be exciting precisely because it is not overproduced. You feel the speed, the wind, and the uncertainty of the search. That same quality is the drawback for anyone hoping for a smooth, sheltered ride.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would choose this trip if you want a short, active Madeira excursion with real wildlife potential. It suits couples, families with older children, and friends who like being outside and do not need every minute planned around a guaranteed sighting.

It is especially appealing if you value animal-respect rules. The swim option is carefully restricted, and the standard trip is built around watching wild animals rather than feeding or staging them.

You may want another kind of boat outing if you dislike wind, spray, or uncertainty. The experience can produce a memorable collection of dolphin and whale sightings, including calves, but it can also produce fewer animals than you hoped for. That is the honest bargain with wildlife watching.

A private boat may suit your group if privacy matters or if you are organizing a family outing for up to 18 people. For most individuals and couples, the standard small-group boat should provide the better balance of cost and atmosphere.

Booking details worth knowing

The experience lasts about 2.5 hours, with at least two hours spent on the boat before returning to Funchal marina. Starting times depend on availability. English and Portuguese are offered, and a private group option is available.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Madeira plans are still shifting. The meeting point may change depending on the option booked, so check the final instructions carefully.

A separate entrance is used for the activity, but that does not remove the need to arrive prepared for the safety briefing and life-jacket fitting. Build in enough time to reach the specified Xpoint Madeira meeting location.

Should you book this Madeira dolphin tour?

Book it if you want a fast, small-boat wildlife search and you understand that sightings are probable, not guaranteed. The reported 99 percent annual success rate, the repeat-trip offer if no cetacean appears, and the strong feedback about the guide and skipper make this a solid choice for many visitors.

Book the dolphin swim add-on only if you see it as a lucky extra. The swim lasts only a minute or two per person, costs €20, and is allowed only with Common or Atlantic Spotted Dolphins under the right conditions.

Skip it if you want a dry, calm, fully predictable cruise. For everyone else, the combination of open-water excitement, Madeira coast views, and a serious approach to wild animals makes the $70 price fair.

FAQ

How long is the Funchal dolphin and whale tour?

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

How much does the standard boat trip cost?

The listed price is $70 per person. The standard trip includes the boat ride, safety equipment, and applicable fees, taxes, and fuel surcharges.

Are dolphin and whale sightings guaranteed?

No. The operator reports a yearly average of 99 percent of trips with at least one cetacean sighting, but wildlife remains unpredictable. If no cetacean is seen, you may join another trip free within one year, subject to availability.

Is swimming with dolphins included?

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

Which dolphins qualify for the swim?

The swim is allowed only when Common Dolphins or Atlantic Spotted Dolphins are present and their behavior meets local animal-protection rules.

What should I bring?

Bring a windbreaker, sunglasses, a sun hat, and sunscreen. In winter, bring a warmer waterproof jacket because it can become windy at sea.

Is a private boat available?

Yes. A private group can bring up to 18 passengers. The exact private-tour price and meeting details depend on the option selected.