A fast boat. Serious animal respect. This Madeira cruise is built around close-up wildlife offshore, with a cetacean-spotting team and commentary from a marine biologist on board.
I like the practical approach: you’re not just passed around to whatever shows up. They actively search for dolphins and whales, then send the Sea Safari to where the animals are. I also like that the boat is designed for visibility—360° views from comfy, double-cushioned seating.
One drawback to keep in mind: it’s a speedboat. If the sea is bumpy, expect a rougher ride and wet spray.
In This Review
- Quick hits before you go
- The Sea Safari makes a difference: speed, closeness, and views
- Where it starts at Magic Dolphin (and why arriving early matters)
- On the water: how the marine biologist and spotters run the hunt
- What you can actually see offshore: dolphins, whales, sea turtles, birds
- The two-hour flow: coast views, offshore searching, then wildlife time
- Seats, safety, and the wet reality of a speedboat
- Small group advantage: better animal time, less crowd noise
- Price and value: how $58 stacks up in Funchal
- What to bring (based on the real wet-spray experience)
- Who this cruise suits best (and who should skip it)
- So should you book the Magic Dolphin dolphin and whale cruise?
- FAQ
- How long is the dolphin and whale watching cruise?
- Where do I meet the tour?
- Do I need hotel pickup?
- What’s included in the price?
- What languages are the guides?
- What wildlife are you looking for?
- Is it guaranteed that you’ll see dolphins or whales?
- What if I see neither dolphins nor whales?
- How many people are on the boat?
Quick hits before you go
- Rebuilt Sea Safari (2023): two new 250hp engines mean more distance than many other Funchal boats
- Small group: only 18 guests on board, so you get time to see what’s happening
- Marine biologist commentary: you learn what you’re seeing, not just where it is
- Wildlife-first behavior: the boat is low and quick to reach sightings, but it’s still about respectful distance
- Two-hour format: enough time offshore to matter, without turning the day into a half-day project
- Sightings guarantee for mammals: either dolphins or whales are guaranteed; if neither shows, you can return for €10
The Sea Safari makes a difference: speed, closeness, and views
In Funchal, whale watching can range from big ships to smaller craft. This one leans into the small-boat advantage. The Sea Safari is powered by two brand-new 250hp engines (installed on a rebuilt boat in 2023), and the result is simple: they can cover more water and reach sightings faster.
That matters because cetaceans move. If dolphins or whales are trending toward a new feeding area, speed helps you spend more time near the action and less time searching. And because the boat sits low on the water, you usually feel much closer—without turning the outing into a chase.
Then there’s the viewing setup. The boat is set up for 360° views, so you’re not stuck staring over one rail. You can track surfacing patterns and movement in any direction, which is a big deal when dolphins appear for a few seconds at a time.
You can also read our reviews of more boat tours in Madeira
Where it starts at Magic Dolphin (and why arriving early matters)
Your tour begins at Magic Dolphin. It’s not complicated, but timing is strict. Plan to arrive 30 minutes early and check in at the local partner kiosk to get your boarding cards. Boarding starts 15 minutes before departure.
This is the part that can make or break your day. The boat leaves on time, and late arrivals can’t be refunded. If you’re coming from Funchal’s center on foot, I’d rather be early with a coffee than arrive at the dock breathless.
On the water: how the marine biologist and spotters run the hunt
Here’s the core of the experience: it’s not random. There’s a team of cetacean spotters using binoculars from land to find dolphins and whales. Once they get a fix, they guide the Sea Safari directly toward the sighting.
On board, you get live commentary from the team, led by a marine biologist guide plus the captain and crew. The tone stays practical. You’re learning about Madeira’s cetaceans and the marine ecosystem while you watch behavior—not just species names.
You’ll also notice how the operation balances excitement with restraint. The boat is fast and designed to reach animals quickly, but the emphasis is on being respectful of habitat. That’s why you’ll likely hear guidance on how to observe without crowding the animals.
What you can actually see offshore: dolphins, whales, sea turtles, birds
The trip is focused on encountering whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and oceanic birds in their natural environment. The expectation is that this is a wildlife search, not a zoo-style guarantee that every specific animal will show up.
That said, the key promise is about the mammals: sightings of either dolphins or whales are guaranteed. So you’re covered for the main headline experience even if one group doesn’t appear on your day.
From the sightings patterns reported here, you may see different dolphin types (bottlenose, pilot, spotted, and other species depending on conditions). Whales can include sperm whales and pilot-whale encounters have shown up on trips as well. Sea turtles and seabirds are also part of the mix.
One more detail that helps: because of the boat’s speed and the active spotting system, you’re more likely to catch animals during the moments they surface, feed, or move past the boat rather than only seeing distant blows.
The two-hour flow: coast views, offshore searching, then wildlife time
Most departures are about two hours, which is a sweet spot for this kind of outing. Long enough to get offshore and enjoy multiple sighting windows. Short enough that you’re not mentally checked out halfway.
A typical flow feels like this:
- Start at Magic Dolphin, then head out quickly along Madeira’s coastline
- Move offshore where the spotters’ information turns into real-time navigation
- Wildlife viewing time with commentary while dolphins/whales (and sometimes turtles and birds) come into view
- Return to Funchal with a final round of spotting or scenic coastline moments before you dock
One practical thing: how long you spend with a sighting can shift. If the team spots whales nearby just as you’re turning back, it can mean a bit of extra time out there. That’s a good sign—you’re not rushed away the second you reach a checkpoint.
You can also read our reviews of more whale watching tours in Madeira
Seats, safety, and the wet reality of a speedboat
Let’s talk comfort and “sea day” reality.
Included items start with life vests. The boat seats are described as double-cushioned, and many people feel comfortable in the setup—especially compared with older-style rigid seating. Views are excellent because the boat is built for looking all around.
But it’s still a speedboat, and it moves fast. Expect spray. Your belongings may get wet, so think waterproof. People have specifically noted that they end up soaked on the return in rougher conditions, even when they’re wearing ponchos.
If you take one packing lesson from this tour, it’s this: wear something you won’t mind getting splashed and bring a plan for what you’ll wear afterward. Even if you stay mostly dry, the salt spray can make everything feel damp by the end.
Motion-sickness is another honest consideration. Some riders report feeling sea sick when conditions get bumpy. The common-sense move is to prepare if you’re prone to it—bring any motion-sickness medication you normally use, and consider eating lightly before you go.
Small group advantage: better animal time, less crowd noise
With only 18 guests on board (plus the captain and marine biologist guide), this cruise avoids the big-ship vibe. You can actually watch what matters. There’s less shuffling at the rail, and people have room to reposition when a pod moves.
It also changes how close observation feels. Larger vessels may keep more distance for operational reasons, but here the speedboat setup can allow the captain to reach sightings more efficiently. Some reports specifically mention the advantage of getting close enough that the animals feel present in the moment, not just distant on the horizon.
That closeness only works because it’s balanced with the wildlife-first approach. The goal isn’t to hover; it’s to observe while letting animals control their movement.
Price and value: how $58 stacks up in Funchal
At $58 per person, the price isn’t low, but it also isn’t out of line for a high-energy wildlife cruise—especially one that includes a marine biologist guide and a smaller boat capacity.
Here’s where value comes from:
- Active spotting and faster pursuit: you’re buying a system, not just a ride
- Small group time: 18 guests means more personal space and better sight lines
- Mammal sightings guarantee: dolphins or whales are guaranteed
- Return option if both mammals don’t show: if you see neither dolphins nor whales, you can book again for €10 per person
Also, since food and drinks are not included, you’re deciding whether you want to buy snacks onboard or keep it simple. For value, it’s smart to plan to handle your own drinks rather than counting on the tour for that part.
If you’re hoping for a guaranteed whale every time, no boat can promise that. But this tour’s guarantee structure focuses on the main experience: at least dolphins or whales.
What to bring (based on the real wet-spray experience)
You can keep this simple, but bring smart items:
- A waterproof jacket or poncho-ready outer layer (many people say they get very wet)
- Something easy to dry for the ride back
- Sun protection (it’s Madeira—light hits hard)
- A waterproof phone pouch or consider a waterproof action camera
If you love photos, people also mention bringing an action camera like a GoPro-style setup with a waterproof plan so you can capture surfacing moments. The key is making sure it’s truly waterproof, because spray and splashes happen on a fast boat.
Who this cruise suits best (and who should skip it)
This is an energetic outing on a speedboat, so it’s best for:
- People who want fast-paced wildlife viewing
- Anyone interested in learning from a marine biologist, not just spotting animals
- Travelers who feel good about getting a bit wet and moving around for sight lines
It’s not suitable for:
- People with back problems
- People with heart problems
- Children under 6
- Pregnant women
If you’re in any of those categories, it’s worth choosing a calmer alternative. This isn’t the tour for a gentle, laid-back ocean cruise.
So should you book the Magic Dolphin dolphin and whale cruise?
Book it if you want a small-group, fast speedboat with serious spotting support and marine biology commentary. The combination of active land spotters, a rebuilt high-power boat, and a mammals sightings guarantee makes this one of the more reliable ways to spend two hours on the Madeira water.
Skip it if you’re sensitive to bumpy rides or you’re in a group for whom speedboat conditions could be risky. And if you hate getting wet, plan for that reality. Waterproof clothing isn’t optional here—it’s part of the experience.
FAQ
How long is the dolphin and whale watching cruise?
The tour duration is 2 hours.
Where do I meet the tour?
You meet at Magic Dolphin.
Do I need hotel pickup?
No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.
What’s included in the price?
Round-trip cruise, a marine biologist guide, the captain and crew, and life vests.
What languages are the guides?
The live tour guide is available in English and Portuguese.
What wildlife are you looking for?
The trip is dedicated to encountering whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and oceanic birds.
Is it guaranteed that you’ll see dolphins or whales?
Sightings of either dolphins or whales are guaranteed.
What if I see neither dolphins nor whales?
If you see neither dolphins nor whales, you can book again for a reduced ticket price of €10 per person.
How many people are on the boat?
The boat holds 18 guests (with the captain and marine biologist guide).
