Funchal: RIB Whale Watching Cruise and Optional Dolphin Swim

Madeira’s dolphins and whales are the main event here, but the small RIB makes the search feel close to the sea. You leave Funchal with the cliffs behind you, scan the water for fins and blows, and may find dolphins, pilot whales, sperm whales, turtles, or several species on one outing. Guides including Anna, Paulo and Mark explain the animals and Madeira as you go.

I like the use of land-based spotters, which helps the crew find wildlife without simply racing around at random. I also like the clear animal-welfare rules: the optional swim is allowed only with Common Dolphins or Atlantic Spotted Dolphins, and only when their behavior makes it suitable. The drawback is simple: the swim is brief, often just one to two minutes per person, and the RIB can be bumpy and windy.

Key points before you book

• Small boat, close-to-the-water views: A RIB carries a smaller group than a catamaran, so you get a more direct view of the sea and wildlife.
• Land spotters help the search: The crew works with people watching from shore to locate possible dolphin and whale activity.
• The dolphin swim is tightly controlled: It costs €20 only if entering the water is possible, and it is limited to permitted species and suitable animal behavior.
• Expect a fast, sometimes bumpy ride: The speed makes it easier to reach sighting areas, but the ride can be rough on open water.
• Cabo Girão adds a scenic finish: The return route includes views toward Madeira’s famous sea cliff and south coast.
• No-cetacean guarantee: If you see no dolphin, whale, or other cetacean, you can join another trip within one year, subject to availability.

A close-up wildlife trip from Funchal

This is not a slow harbor cruise. The RIB heads out of Funchal toward open water, keeping Madeira’s steep coastline in view while the crew searches for marine life. Because you sit low and close to the water, a dolphin surfacing beside the boat feels immediate. You are not looking down from a high deck.

The boat trip usually lasts about 2.5 hours, with at least two hours spent out on the water. That matters because wildlife watching takes patience. You may find a pod quickly, or you may spend stretches scanning empty water before the captain changes course.

The company reports a yearly average of 99 percent of trips with at least one cetacean sighting. That is a strong figure, but it is not a promise for your particular morning or afternoon. Wild animals set the schedule. The free return-trip offer helps reduce the risk, though it is useful only if you will be back in Madeira within a year and another departure has space.

Why the RIB changes the experience

A rigid inflatable boat gives you two things: speed and proximity. The crew can move quickly toward a reported sighting, and you are near the water once you arrive. That combination helped one outing reach dolphins in several locations, while other trips found pilot whales, sperm whales, bottlenose dolphins, and Atlantic Spotted Dolphins.

The tradeoff is comfort. A RIB has no sheltered indoor cabin described for this activity, so wind hits you directly. The ride back can be especially bumpy, even when the sea looks calm near Funchal. One useful feature is the route along the coast on the return, which can soften the long ride with views of cliffs, caves, and the south coast.

I would choose this boat over a larger catamaran if your priority is a lively ride and a small group. A catamaran may suit you better if you prefer room to move and a calmer, less exposed platform. Here, the ride itself is part of the attraction.

Boarding at Funchal’s marina

The outing starts at Xpoint Madeira, though the exact meeting point can vary with the option you book. You receive a safety briefing, put on a life jacket, and board before heading away from the marina.

Give yourself time to find the jetty entrance. The boarding point has been tricky for some people to spot, and a few passengers have wandered around the quay looking for the correct door. Follow the map pin closely and wait by the jetty entrance if you are unsure. A clear sign would make this step easier.

The crew speaks English and Portuguese. Guides such as Anna, Paulo and Mark have been praised for explaining both marine life and the island, which adds value during the quiet periods between sightings. You are not left with nothing to do when the sea is empty.

Searching for dolphins and whales

Once the boat reaches open water, the search begins. The crew uses shore-based spotters as well as its own eyes. This is an efficient approach: instead of covering the entire horizon without a plan, the captain can head toward areas where activity has been noticed.

You might see dolphins riding the wake or moving across the surface in a pod. Atlantic Spotted Dolphins and Common Dolphins are especially important if you have paid for the swim option, since local rules allow entry into the water only with those species. Other cetaceans can still make an excellent trip, but they do not qualify for swimming.

The trip can produce a varied list of sightings. Recent outings have included two types of dolphins, pilot whales, sperm whales, bottlenose dolphins, and sea turtles. Some groups have seen several species at close range. You should still bring realistic expectations: sightings are wildlife encounters, not a staged show, and the boat cannot force an animal to surface beside you.

The guides’ behavior matters here. The crew has been careful about keeping a sensible distance and watching the animals’ welfare. On one outing, the team stopped to remove a piece of plastic from the sea. That detail says something useful about the tone of the activity: the focus is not only on getting the closest photograph.

The optional dolphin swim, with strict limits

You can add the swim option for €20 per participant. The fee is charged on site only if the crew is able to enter the water with the dolphins. If conditions are unsuitable, you pay only for the standard boat trip.

Do not picture a long snorkeling session. If approved, each participant normally spends around one to two minutes in the water. You wear a mask and snorkel and hold a rope attached to the boat while the boat moves slowly or remains positioned for the encounter. The short format allows more people a turn and follows the local rules described for the activity.

The crew can enter the water only if it sees Common Dolphins or Atlantic Spotted Dolphins behaving in an appropriate manner. Seeing whales, turtles, or another dolphin species does not automatically mean you can swim. The animal’s behavior and the legal conditions decide the matter.

This is worth knowing before you pay for the add-on. It is a chance for a very short water-level view, not a guaranteed swim or a free-form snorkeling stop. One participant described holding the rope while being pulled along as physically demanding, so you should be comfortable gripping the line and moving in the water. Even when swimming is not possible, the boat trip continues and can still include strong sightings.

Cabo Girão and the return along Madeira’s coast

The itinerary includes a photo stop and sightseeing near Cabo Girão, one of Madeira’s best-known sea cliffs. The view gives you a different sense of the island after time spent facing the open ocean. From the water, the steep coast rises sharply above you, and the return route can include views of caves and other coastal features.

This is not a separate land visit to the cliff, so do not book the boat expecting time on a viewing platform. It is a scenic stop or passing view from the sea, folded into the wildlife outing. The value is the change of pace: after scanning for fins and blows, you get a clear look at Madeira itself.

Comfort, clothing, and the sea conditions

Bring a windbreaker, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and a jacket. A warmer waterproof jacket is sensible in winter or whenever the forecast looks unsettled. Wind can rise quickly offshore, even when Funchal feels warm at the dock.

The low seating and open design bring you close to the water, but they also expose you to spray and movement. The ride may feel exciting to one person and tiring to another. If you are prone to motion sickness, the RIB’s movement may be easier than the rolling motion of a larger boat for some people, but you should still prepare carefully because the trip takes more than two hours.

Wear clothing you can move in and do not bring anything you cannot secure. The supplied information does not promise a dry ride, so plan for the possibility of spray. Drinks and snacks are not included. Parking is also not included, so arrange that separately if you are driving into Funchal.

Small groups, private boats, and family fit

The standard trip uses a small group, one of its strongest features. A smaller boat gives you a better chance of seeing over the side and hearing the guide without a large crowd between you and the water. It also keeps the outing more personal when the boat stops near wildlife.

Families can enjoy it, and children have taken part successfully, but the ride is active rather than gentle. You should decide based on your child’s comfort with wind, spray, a life jacket, and a bumpy boat. The optional swim adds another physical demand because participants hold the boat rope in moving water.

A private boat is available for groups of up to 18 passengers. That makes sense for a family gathering or a group of friends that wants the boat to itself. The private option gives you privacy, but it does not remove the basic limits of weather, wild animals, or the short swim rules.

What the $61 price includes

At $61 per person, the standard fare includes the boat trip, required safety equipment, fees, taxes, and fuel surcharges. You are paying for a small-boat wildlife outing rather than a simple coastal transfer, and the shore-spotter system adds practical value because it helps the crew spend more time in likely sighting areas.

The dolphin swim is separate. The €20 charge applies only if the crew can legally and safely enter the water. Snacks and drinks are extra, and parking is not included.

For the right person, the price is fair. You get a 2.5-hour experience, a guide in English or Portuguese, a fast boat, wildlife searching, and coastal views. I would not choose it solely because of the swim, since that part may not happen and is short even when approved. Book it for the whole combination: dolphins and whales, Madeira from the sea, and the RIB ride.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the starting time and meeting point for your chosen option before setting out.

Who should book this RIB cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want an active sea trip, prefer a small group, and care more about close water-level views than a sheltered ride. It also suits anyone who enjoys learning about marine life while moving between possible sightings.

It is a good pick for families with children who can manage a lively boat ride, and for friends who want a private boat of up to 18 people. The private option is especially useful if you want the outing to feel like your group’s own coastal trip.

I would think twice if you want a guaranteed swim, a long snorkeling session, or a smooth boat ride. The swim depends on species and animal behavior, and the return can be rough. If you are willing to treat the swim as a bonus rather than the main reason to book, the trip offers much better value.

My booking verdict

Book this Funchal RIB cruise if you want a fast, close-to-the-water search for dolphins and whales, with guides who take animal welfare seriously. The land spotters, small group, and strong reported sighting record make it a sensible choice for wildlife fans.

Choose it with the right expectations: animals are wild, the sea can be windy, and the dolphin swim may last only a few minutes or may not happen at all. Bring warm layers, allow time to find the jetty, and consider the €20 option only if you are happy to pay it conditionally and accept the local rules.

FAQ

How long does the Funchal RIB whale-watching trip last?

The activity lasts 2.5 hours. The boat remains out at sea for no less than two hours before returning to Funchal marina.

How much does the standard boat trip cost?

The listed price is $61 per person. The standard fare includes the boat trip, safety equipment, applicable fees, taxes, and fuel surcharges.

Is swimming with dolphins included?

No. Dolphin swimming is an optional add-on. It costs €20 per participant only if entering the water is possible.

When is the dolphin swim allowed?

The crew may enter the water only when it spots Common Dolphins or Atlantic Spotted Dolphins and their behavior meets local animal protection rules.

How long do participants spend in the water?

The water time is usually around one to two minutes per participant. You use a mask and snorkel and hold a rope attached to the boat.

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include dolphins, whales, and sometimes turtles. Trips have included Atlantic Spotted Dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, pilot whales, sperm whales, and other cetacean species.

What should I bring?

Bring a windbreaker, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and a jacket. A warmer waterproof jacket is advised during winter or when sea conditions may turn windy.

What happens if no cetaceans are seen?

You will be invited to join another trip free of charge within one year, subject to availability. The replacement trip is non-transferable.