From Funchal: Whales and Dolphin Adventure Tour

Madeira’s coastline has a way of feeling like it is still wild, and this tour makes you see why. You blast out from Funchal on a small speedboat to scan for whales and dolphins, with a crew that keeps things close to the animals and focused on real sightings.

I love the small-group setup. You are capped at only 18 people, so you see the water from all sides, and the guides can actually pay attention to what the animals are doing. I also like that the ride is built around speed and range, so you cover more ocean and improve your odds.

One thing to plan for: this is weather-dependent, and swimming with dolphins is only possible when animal behavior and sea conditions line up. If the sea gets rough or the dolphins decide to move on, you might end up with watching only.

Why This Madeira Speedboat Tour Feels Different

• Small group on a fast RIB-style boat (max 18), so your view does not get blocked and the vibe stays personal.
• Close scanning from many angles. A smaller boat means you can look left, right, and straight down without constantly shifting.
• A guide with marine-science credibility. I kept hearing names like Camila, Fernanda, Natasha, and Florine tied to careful animal info and strong spotting skills.
• Respect-first wildlife rules, created in consultation with World Animal Protection, so they do not chase.
• Possible dolphin swim with common or spotted dolphins, when conditions allow and the animals are receptive.
• If sightings are slow, you get a fallback plan, like a free alternative tour or a voucher when weather prevents sailing.

Blue Safari Madeira: Finding the boat and what you start with

Your day starts at Blue Safari Madeira at the new marina of Funchal. The key detail is where you meet the boat: stand in front of door 4, which is the last door on the left when you are facing the sea. Arrive 20 minutes early, because this is where gear gets checked and you get matched to the right boat.

Parking is straightforward if you use the Almirante Reis parking lot, not the private marina lot. If you want less stress, use your phone navigation and follow the Google Maps point they provide, because the marina can be a maze if you arrive right on time.

When you get aboard, expect a quick orientation from the live crew. In the best moments, the boat ride itself turns into the warm-up: you feel the speed, you see the water at eye level, and the guide starts explaining what you might be looking for, plus what the animals typically do in these waters.

What matters before you even leave the dock

This tour is only about 2 hours, so you do not want to waste time figuring stuff out. Bring what you need for getting wet fast, and dress like you will be on the ocean, not at a café with a view.

Pack:

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Jacket (the sea breeze can cool you down)

If you get even mild motion sensitivity, I suggest you take it seriously. Reviews mention rougher waves at times, and a rain coat is a smart move because you can end up soaked.

The 2-hour speedboat run: how the crew finds whales and dolphins

This is not a slow cruise where you cross your fingers at the end of the horizon. The point of a speedboat is range, and the crew uses that range to locate cetaceans faster and check multiple areas around Madeira’s edge.

Once out of the marina, you settle into a pattern: scan the surface, watch for sudden changes in bird activity or water movement, and listen to the guide’s callouts. The fast engines let the boat reposition quickly, which matters because dolphins and whales can be here, then gone, in a short window.

You will also notice the difference in how you see. On larger boats, people fight for sightlines. Here, the boat is smaller and the deck is more open, so you can keep your attention on the animals without constantly craning your neck around strangers.

Why the small boat helps your chances

The most practical advantage of this tour is the balance between scouting power and manageable crowd size. With up to 18 people, you are not packed in like a commuter train. That makes it easier for the guides to keep track of what everyone is seeing, and it makes the whole experience feel more like you are out with a team than a group assignment.

Also, the guides talk about the animals while you are moving. That helps you notice details, like:

• how dolphins surface and travel
• how pods react when something is in the water
• how whales may show up briefly, then disappear

Even when the sighting is quick, you are not just getting a flash photo. You are learning what you are watching.

What the guides do beyond spotting: respecting the animals

One of the biggest reasons this tour gets such consistent praise is the tone of the crew. You are not just chasing wildlife for a thrill. You are visiting living creatures that have rules of their own.

The tour operates under animal welfare guidelines developed with World Animal Protection. In real life, that translates into a respectful approach: they do not chase animals or try to force contact. The goal is to let the cetaceans choose the interaction.

Guides like Camila, Fernanda, Natasha, Florine, and others mentioned in the crew lineup are especially good at turning wildlife viewing into something you can understand. You get marine facts during the hunt, not a lecture that starts after the animals are gone.

The scientific angle you can feel on board

There is also a conservation and research component. Several guides describe how the trip supports scientific work they and their colleagues are conducting. Whether you care about science deeply or only a little, it adds meaning to the whole outing, because you are not just consuming nature. You are participating in respectful observation.

Entering the water with dolphins: the best-case scenario and the guardrails

This is the part people remember. If conditions allow, you may be offered the chance to enter the water when the dolphins are present, typically with common dolphins or spotted dolphins.

But here is the key word: offered, not guaranteed. The tour is explicit that the animals’ behavior and sea conditions have to be right. That is not a marketing escape hatch. It is how they keep the experience ethical and safe.

When the dolphin swim does happen, you usually go in groups, and people get specific instructions on how to behave in the water so the dolphins stay interested. One strong practical tip from past outings: only a small number of people enter at a time, so you want the front-of-boat positioning if you can. It improves your overall viewing and can improve your odds of being part of the group that gets the water time.

If you do not get in the water

If you miss the swim, it is usually due to one of the expected factors:

• the sea is too rough
• the dolphins are not in the right mood or situation
• the boat cannot safely manage the moment

And if that happens, you still get the speedboat portion. The ride is part of the value, because you are watching cetaceans from a position that feels unusually close and immediate.

One more practical note: snorkeling equipment (mask and snorkel) is included, but ocean movement can affect whether snorkeling or swimming happens. Bring the towel anyway, because even the watching portion can involve spray.

The view you cannot fake: Madeira’s edge and the ocean details

There is a reason people keep mentioning the water itself. The coast of Madeira gives you that bright, clear ocean look where you can see how deep the water is getting as you move. Even when the animals are not surfacing, you can still enjoy the trip as an ocean experience.

On the way out and back, you will likely notice other ocean life too. Past outings include surprises like flying fish and sea creatures spotted from the boat. Sometimes you might even catch a whale glimpse, which is why the captain and guide keep scanning even after dolphins appear.

Small wins that add up during a short 2-hour window

In a 2-hour tour, you do not have time to be bored. If dolphins are around, you get repeated chances to see them change direction, surface, and move through the water. If whales show up, it may be brief, but the guide will help you understand what you are looking at.

Photography is also part of the fun. Some guides take amazing photos and share that you can purchase them at the end, while you are also free to take as many pictures as you want on your phone.

Comfort, motion, and what to wear when the sea is doing its thing

This tour leans fun and a bit adrenaline-heavy. Speedboats cut across water fast, and when wind picks up you can feel it. The good news: the tour is designed to avoid motion sickness where possible, and the boat is built for stability.

The practical truth: some rides get bumpy. In real terms, that means you should pack for being wet. A rain jacket or rain coat can help a lot. Reviews also mention people being soaked through, then drying off on the ride back, so plan for that cycle.

What you should bring, in the order you care about it

If you only bring a few items, prioritize:

1. Swimwear
2. Towel
3. Sunscreen
4. Jacket or rain coat

Also, use basic common sense for the sea: secure personal items and keep phones and cameras ready, but not loose.

If you are pregnant or you are traveling with children under 10, this tour is not suited, so look for an alternative experience on Madeira’s water that matches your needs.

Price and value: is $58 for 2 hours worth it

At $58 per person for about 2 hours, you are paying for three things: speed, small-group attention, and a crew that actually watches wildlife carefully.

Compared with larger catamarans that can hold far more people, the small boat matters because:

• your sightlines stay open
• the guide can manage the group better
• the boat can reposition quickly when animals show up

You are also getting snorkeling gear included. That does not guarantee you will snorkel or enter the water, but it removes a cost and a hassle if conditions allow.

Then there is the “value safety net” built into the experience. If no whales or dolphins are spotted, you are offered another free tour, or a voucher valid for two years when weather prevents sailing. That reduces the risk of paying for a trip that turns into a scenic cruise.

All together, the price makes sense if you want a hands-on wildlife search, not a passive shoreline view.

How the ride fits into your Madeira plan

This tour is great when you want a break from hiking and exploring roads. It is a half-of-a-day decision in spirit, even though it is only 2 hours, because you start and end at the marina.

It also works as your “wildlife chance” day. If your schedule allows, pick a time when the sea is likely calmer, but do not overthink it. Madeira weather can shift quickly, and the operator adjusts based on animal behavior and sea conditions.

If you care about maximizing the chance of a dolphin swim, aim for the conditions most likely to cooperate and go in with the mindset that you are here for the animals, not a guaranteed interaction.

Should you book this whale and dolphin adventure from Funchal?

Book it if you want:

• Small-group wildlife viewing with real guidance
• A fast speedboat search around Madeira’s coast
• The chance to swim with dolphins when conditions allow
• A tour shaped by animal welfare rules and a conservation mindset

Skip it if:

• You cannot handle bumpy water or you need a calmer, more sheltered experience
• You are traveling with children under 10 or you are pregnant
• You are only happy with a guaranteed dolphin swim (because it depends on animal behavior and sea conditions)

For most people, this is one of the best ways to do Madeira marine life in a short time: you get speed, close viewing, and a crew that treats the ocean like it is alive, because it is.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the tour?

The tour departs from the new marina of Funchal. Meet your guide directly at the speed boat in front of door 4, the last one on the left looking at the sea. The meeting time is 20 minutes before departure.

How long is the whale and dolphin adventure tour?

The tour lasts 2 hours.

What is included in the price?

Snorkeling equipment is included, specifically the mask and snorkel.

Is food included on the tour?

No food is served on this tour. There is a café where you can purchase food.

Can I swim with dolphins during the tour?

If conditions allow, you may be offered the possibility to enter the water with dolphins, typically common dolphins or spotted dolphins. It is not guaranteed.

Is the tour weather dependent?

Yes. The tour operates based on weather and sea conditions, which can change quickly.

Is this tour suitable for all ages and for pregnant travelers?

No. It is not suitable for children under 10 and it is not suitable for pregnant women.