From Funchal: Whales and Dolphin Adventure Tour

Dolphins have a way of stealing your attention. On Madeira, this speedboat outing from Funchal pairs quick searching with close, respectful viewing, guided by marine biologist leads such as Camila and Fernanda. You cover the edge of the island’s crystal-clear water fast, looking for whales and dolphins in the wild.

What I like most is the small, hands-on feel: the boat caps at only 18 people, so you actually get to see what’s happening around you. I also really appreciate the care-focused approach that follows animal welfare rules developed with World Animal Protection, meaning they don’t treat wildlife like a drive-through.

One thing to keep in mind: this tour is weather-dependent. If the sea is rough or the dolphins don’t show the right behavior, you may end up watching from the boat rather than going in the water.

Key Things I’d Pin to Your Map First

• 99% chance of seeing cetaceans (and the speedboat helps you reach more areas fast)
• Max 18 people for a more personal, less chaotic feel than larger catamaran tours
• Respect-first animal guidelines created with World Animal Protection input
• Optional dolphin swim only if conditions allow (common dolphins or spotted dolphins)
• Snorkeling equipment included (mask & snorkel), even if swimming depends on the day
• More than just whales and dolphins on some departures you may spot turtles, Portuguese man-o-war, and flying fish

Speedboat From Funchal: Why This Format Works

This is the kind of tour that makes sense for Madeira’s coastline. You start in Funchal, then you head out quickly on a custom-made speedboat so you can scan more water in a shorter time. The payoff is simple: you’re not stuck waiting while a large group drifts in one spot.

The boat choice matters. A faster RIB/speedboat can reach distant areas quickly and keep looking when sightings are brief. It also gives you a full view of the ocean around you—one reason the experience feels lively even when you’re still searching.

And unlike some big-boat rides where everyone points in the same direction, the smaller size helps you actually track the animals. Dolphins show up fast and then move on. If you’re squeezed into a crowd, you lose that moment. Here, it’s easier to keep your eyes on the water.

What You’re Actually Doing for 2 Hours

The whole tour is about 2 hours on the water, built around one goal: seeing whales or dolphins naturally in their habitat.

The cruise part

Once you’re out around Madeira, you’ll do dolphin watching and whale watching. You’re not touring landmarks. You’re out there scanning, repositioning, and reacting to what the sea gives you that day.

In good conditions, you can also get those extra “wow” moments that make you forget you’re counting minutes. Guides and captains often keep the search moving, and on some days you’ll catch more than one species or a pod with babies.

The optional swim part (when it’s offered)

If conditions allow—meaning sea conditions are good and the dolphins’ behavior fits the plan—you might be able to enter the water with dolphins. The species mentioned for this option are common dolphins or spotted dolphins.

When it happens, it’s usually short and structured rather than an open-ended free-for-all. One detail that stood out in traveler notes: only a small number of people go in at a time (often groups of four), and you hold onto a rope attached to the side of the boat while the boat is still moving. That setup is meant to keep the interaction gentle and reduce stress on the dolphins.

Meeting Blue Safari Madeira at the New Marina

Getting to the boat is straightforward, but don’t treat it casually. You’ll meet your guide directly at the speedboat at the new marina of Funchal.

Here are the specifics that will save you time:

• Meet your guide at the speed boat in front of door 4, the last one on the left looking at the sea.
• Show up 20 minutes before departure.
• Parking: you can park at the Almirante Reis parking lot (not the private Marina Park).

If you want less guesswork, the operator provides a short video with directions. Use it. In a marina, small navigation errors turn into big stress.

Your Guide and Captain: What Makes the Trip Feel Personal

This tour runs with a live English or Portuguese guide, and the guiding style is part of the value. In notes from recent departures, you’ll see marine biologist guides such as Camila, Fernanda, Florine, and Natasha. You may also meet captains like Mark, Marco, Ruben, or Vlad (sometimes paired with a marine biologist guide).

What you’re looking for is consistent behavior:

• Clear explanations about what you’re seeing
• Rules that keep distance and don’t chase animals
• Help when it comes to getting your best view (and sometimes photos)

A few notes also mention photo support from the guide. You can take your own photos the whole time, and in some cases the guide took photos you can purchase at the end.

Wildlife Viewing: What You Can Spot (and Why It’s Not Guaranteed)

The tour is marketed with a 99% chance of seeing whales or dolphins, but the wild part is real. Your actual sightings depend on two things you can’t fully control:

• Animal behavior
• Sea conditions

That said, Madeira can produce a strong mix. Recent sightings include:

• Dolphins: bottlenose (sometimes with babies), pilot dolphins, spotted dolphins, and common dolphins
• Whales: pilot whales, and occasionally rarer surprises like Bryde whale reports and sperm whale sightings
• Extras: turtles, Portuguese man-o-war (a floating organism), and flying fish

Even when whales aren’t spotted, dolphins can come close. Some departures also include brief underwater glimpses when dolphins surface nearby.

Going In the Water With Dolphins: The Best-Case Scenario

If you’re hoping for the dolphin swim, plan for two outcomes: getting it, or not getting it.

When it’s offered, it’s tied to:

• the dolphins being the right kind of curious
• good water conditions
• the animals not appearing stressed or bothered

And even when swimming is possible, it won’t be a long, crowded party in the sea. Traveler notes describe short sessions and careful group timing, which is exactly what you want if the goal is animal welfare.

One smart tip from experience on days like this: sit where the crew suggests if you’re trying to maximize your chances of seeing dolphins below the surface. Some notes specifically call out that the best seats can be at the front of the boat.

Snorkeling Gear: What’s Included and When You’ll Use It

Snorkeling mask and snorkel are included. Even if dolphin swimming isn’t possible, the gear can be useful for time in the water when conditions allow.

One thing to understand: the tour is not purely a snorkeling excursion. It’s a cetacean-watching trip first. So the water time is occasional and depends on the day’s conditions and the animals.

Bring your own comfort items (a rash guard, if you like) because the included mask/snorkel won’t fix wind, sun, or chill.

Comfort, Waves, and How to Avoid a Miserable Ride

A speedboat ride is fun, but it can be bumpy. The tour description suggests it may help people who get motion sickness, and some travelers report little trouble. Still, other notes mention being soaked by waves and feeling seasick on rougher days (with a bag provided).

So here’s my practical take: pack for a ride that can feel like a workout.

• Bring a jacket and something that can block spray
• Consider a rain coat if you hate getting wet
• Bring a towel so drying off on the way back is actually possible

If you’re sensitive to motion sickness, I’d treat this as a realistic possibility, not a myth. The sea around Madeira changes fast.

Price and Value: Is $58 Worth It?

For 2 hours, $58 per person sounds simple. The real question is value compared with what you’re paying for:

You’re paying for:

• a smaller group experience (max 18)
• a speedboat that can cover more ground and improve your odds of multiple encounters
• live guiding from a marine biologist team
• snorkel equipment included
• animal-welfare-focused viewing rather than frantic chasing

If you were only paying for whale-and-dolphin luck, any tour would be a gamble. But the structure here is designed to reduce that gamble: faster repositioning, smaller crowds, and attentive guidance all increase your time spent scanning the right places.

Also, there are backup options if cetaceans don’t show up. If no whales or dolphins are spotted during your tour, you’ll be offered another free tour, and if weather makes another attempt impossible, you receive a free trip voucher valid for two years.

So yes, it’s not a cheap add-on. But it’s also not paying for a huge bus-and-ferry experience. It’s paying for a high-effort, wildlife-focused boat day.

Who Should Book This Tour

This is a good fit if you:

• want a close, active ocean experience rather than a slow, crowded cruise
• like the idea of learning while you watch, with marine biologist-style guidance
• prefer smaller groups and quicker searching
• are okay with the sea being the boss (weather-dependent days happen)

It’s not a good fit if you:

• have a child under 10
• are pregnant

Tips to Improve Your Odds and Your Enjoyment

These are small choices that make a noticeable difference on a boat.

• Arrive early: meet 20 minutes before departure so you can get settled calmly.
• Dress for spray: even on sunny days, speedboats throw water. A towel and dry layer matter.
• Bring sunscreen and keep water exposure in mind—Madeira sun can be strong.
• Bring a jacket even if you think it’ll be warm. Wind on open water changes fast.
• If swimming is offered: listen to the guide about timing and rope hold. This isn’t just for dolphins’ comfort—it helps everyone stay safe and relaxed.
• Have your phone ready: one guide took amazing photos for some groups, but you’ll still want your own video and stills when dolphins pop up.

Should You Book This Whale and Dolphin Adventure From Funchal?

I’d book it if you want your Madeira sea day to feel purposeful and alive. The big reasons to choose this one are the small group size, the speedboat search strategy, and the respect-first animal approach guided by marine biologist teams.

Skip it only if you know you can’t handle open-water boat motion or you’re in the tour’s not-suitable categories. Otherwise, it’s a strong value for a wildlife-focused experience that can include dolphin swimming on the right day.

If you’re flexible with weather and you’re okay with the wild being unpredictable, this is the kind of tour that can turn into your favorite memory from Funchal.

FAQ

How long is the Whales and Dolphin Adventure tour?

It lasts 2 hours.

Where does the tour depart from in Funchal?

It departs from the new marina of Funchal. Meet your guide directly at the speed boat in front of door 4.

What time should I arrive for the meeting point?

The meeting time is 20 minutes before departure.

Is the tour guaranteed to see whales or dolphins?

The tour states a 99% chance of seeing whales or dolphins, but it is weather- and animal-behavior-dependent.

Can I swim with the dolphins?

If conditions allow (good sea conditions and appropriate dolphin behavior), you may be able to enter the water with common dolphins or spotted dolphins.

What’s included in the price?

Snorkeling equipment is included (mask & snorkel).

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a jacket.