From Funchal: Whales and Dolphin Adventure Tour

Madeira’s best wildlife encounters can happen only minutes after leaving Funchal. This two-hour speedboat trip searches the open sea for dolphins and whales, with marine guides such as Camila and Fernanda explaining what you see and why the crew will not chase animals that choose to move away.

I like the small group of up to 18 people, which gives everyone a clear view of the water. I also like the chance to enter the sea with common or spotted dolphins, but only when the animals are suitable and conditions are safe. The ride can be bumpy, and swimming is never promised, so this is not the right pick if you need a calm, predictable boat trip.

What makes this Madeira boat trip worth considering

• Small RIB boat: You get open views on every side instead of competing with a large crowd for a rail position.
• Fast search area: Powerful engines let the crew cover more sea during the two-hour outing.
• Marine-life guides: Guides including Camila, Fernanda, Natasha, Agata, and others explain animal behavior and help keep the experience respectful.
• Possible dolphin swim: You may enter the water with common or spotted dolphins if the species, animal behavior, and sea conditions allow it.
• Wildlife backup: If no whales or dolphins appear, you are offered another free trip, or a voucher valid for two years if weather prevents a return trip.
• Simple Funchal access: Meet at the new marina, in front of door 4, 20 minutes before departure.

Leaving Funchal on a fast, compact boat

You meet Blue Safari Madeira at Funchal’s new marina, directly at the speedboat in front of door 4. Look toward the sea and use the last door on the left. The operator advises parking at the Almirante Reis parking lot, not Marina Park, which is private.

Arrive 20 minutes before departure. That buffer matters because the marina can be confusing if you are walking in from the city, and the boat will not wait while you search for the right door. A short directions video is available from the operator if you want to check the route before leaving your hotel.

The boat carries no more than 18 people. That is a major part of the appeal. On a large catamaran, you may need to hurry from one side to the other when an animal appears. Here, you can usually keep watching the same patch of water without a crowd blocking your view.

The tradeoff is comfort. This is a speedboat built to move quickly, not a floating lounge. Several outings were described as bumpy, especially in wind or larger waves. One person felt seasick, and another warned that your seat may feel sore after the ride. The crew has provided sick bags, but you should still be honest with yourself about how you handle fast boats.

Searching Madeira’s open water for whales and dolphins

Once you leave the marina, the crew heads along the edge of Madeira and scans the sea. The boat’s strong engines help it cover more ground than a slower vessel, which can improve your chances of finding several animal groups during the limited two-hour window.

The advertised chance of seeing cetaceans is 99 percent, but no wildlife encounter can be controlled. You may see bottlenose dolphins, spotted dolphins, common dolphins, pilot whales, sperm whales, or other species. Sightings have also included sea turtles, flying fish, Portuguese man-o-war, and a Bryde’s whale.

The range of possible sightings is part of the fun. A trip might produce a large pod of bottlenose dolphins with young animals, several groups of pilot whales, or a whale surfacing close to the boat. It might also produce only a few dolphins near the end of the outing. That difference is not a failure of the crew. Wild animals set the schedule.

Your guide will explain how to watch without putting pressure on the animals. The crew works under animal welfare rules created with World Animal Protection. If a group moves away, the boat does not simply pursue it until the animals give in. That approach may mean fewer dramatic encounters on some days, but it gives the trip a more responsible basis.

Marine guides are one of the strongest parts of the experience. Camila is a marine biologist who has explained both animal behavior and the research work connected with the tours. Fernanda, Natasha, Agata, and other guides have also been praised for clear explanations, warmth, and enthusiasm. You are not just pointed toward a fin and left to guess what you saw.

The chance to swim with dolphins

Swimming is the most exciting possibility, but you should treat it as an extra, not the main product. If the boat finds common or spotted dolphins, and the animals are behaving in a suitable way, the sea is calm enough, and the crew decides it is appropriate, you may be invited into the water.

The entry is carefully managed. One account describes people entering in groups of four, holding a rope attached to the boat while it moves slowly. That keeps the group together and lets the dolphins choose whether to approach. The swim may last only a few minutes, but it can be remarkable when dolphins pass nearby in clear water.

You cannot swim with every species. Pilot whales and other whales are observed from the boat. Even with the right dolphin species, the crew may decide not to allow a swim if the sea is rough or the animals have young with them. A group with babies, for example, may not be suitable for extra human contact.

This is where expectations matter most. Some outings have included swimming with spotted dolphins, while others have offered only sightings. The fact that you saw the right species does not guarantee a swim. There is no partial refund for missing the swim, and the activity remains worthwhile only if you are happy with wildlife watching from the boat.

Bring a swimsuit and towel, but also bring a jacket. On a small RIB, spray from the waves can reach you even on a sunny day. A waterproof phone case is sensible if you plan to take photographs, though you should keep your phone secure while the boat is moving.

A closer look at the two-hour itinerary

The trip begins and ends at Blue Safari Madeira’s meeting point in Funchal. There are no separate land stops. The entire outing is spent on the water, first getting clear of the marina, then searching for animals, and finally returning to the same place.

The open-water section is both the strength and the uncertainty. You get wide views of Madeira’s coast and the sea around the island. The boat can change course quickly when the crew receives information about a sighting or notices activity ahead.

Your guide may point out more than the headline animals. Flying fish have appeared during dolphin encounters, and a turtle or Portuguese man-o-war can turn a quiet stretch of water into something worth watching. You may spend part of the trip scanning the surface, so patience helps.

Do not expect a staged show with animals appearing at set times. You might find dolphins within minutes of leaving Funchal, or the crew might search for much longer before finding a pod. One trip reached dolphins quickly, while another had to wait until near the end. The guarantee gives you some protection if nothing appears, but it does not change the wild nature of the outing.

What the $58 price includes

At $58 per person, the experience is priced above some basic sightseeing cruises but offers a different format. You are paying for a small group, a fast boat, specialist guiding, and the chance to search a wider area rather than sit on a large vessel near the coast.

The price includes use of a mask and snorkel. It does not include food, and no meal is served on board. There is a café where you can buy something, so eat before departure or plan to purchase food there. Do not count on the boat as a place to have lunch.

Value depends on what you want. If your priority is a quiet ride, a covered seat, and guaranteed wildlife, this is a risky choice because the sea can be rough and sightings cannot be ordered. If your priority is a close, active search with a small group, the price is easier to justify.

The wildlife guarantee adds useful protection. If you see no dolphins or whales, you are offered another free tour. If weather makes another outing unavailable, you receive a free trip voucher valid for two years. This does not guarantee the swim, and it does not promise a particular species, but it reduces the sting of a completely empty trip.

How to prepare for the ride

Wear swimwear under practical clothing and bring a towel, sunscreen, and jacket. A rain jacket is particularly useful because the spray from a small speedboat can soak you even when rain is not falling.

You should also plan around the weather. Conditions can change quickly around Madeira, and the operator may postpone a trip when the sea is unsuitable. One group had its departure moved more than once before finally going out and seeing sperm whales. If your schedule is tight, book early enough to leave room for a weather change.

The tour is not suitable for children under 10 or pregnant women. It is offered in English and Portuguese. Live guiding matters here because animal sightings can be brief, and clear instructions are important if a swim becomes possible.

Do not assume the claim that a speedboat causes no motion sickness will apply to you. The small craft can move sharply over waves, and several accounts describe a lively ride. If you are sensitive, consider your usual response to boats before booking and avoid arriving hungry.

Who will enjoy this experience most

I would choose this tour if you want the thrill of an active wildlife search rather than a passive coastal cruise. It suits couples, families with children aged 10 and older, and anyone who likes the idea of being close to the sea with a marine guide nearby.

It is also a good choice if animal welfare matters to you. The crew’s stated approach is to observe rather than force an encounter, and guides explain why an animal may be left alone. That can mean less action on a particular trip, but it is the right tradeoff for a responsible wildlife outing.

You may prefer a different boat trip if you need a smooth ride, guaranteed swimming, or a fixed schedule with no chance of postponement. The activity is weather-dependent, and the swim depends on several conditions coming together. Book it for the possibility of a special encounter, not as a promise.

Should you book the Blue Safari Madeira tour?

I would book it if you can accept two facts: wildlife is unpredictable, and the RIB can be rough. The small group, fast search boat, strong guiding, and chance to swim with suitable dolphins make this one of Madeira’s more active sea experiences.

The best plan is to schedule it early in your stay. That gives you room to use the free return option if the boat finds nothing or weather interrupts the outing. Bring a jacket, arrive early at door 4, and keep your expectations focused on seeing wild animals respectfully, not on collecting a guaranteed swim.

With a 4.6 rating from 1,235 bookings and repeated praise for guides such as Camila, Fernanda, and Natasha, the strongest case is the combination of personal guiding and a small boat. At $58, it is good value for an adventurous two hours, provided you are comfortable with spray, bumps, and the possibility that nature gives you dolphins instead of whales, or only a brief glimpse of either.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

It departs from the new marina of Funchal. Meet the guide at the speedboat in front of door 4, the last door on the left when you are facing the sea.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 20 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

How long is the tour?

The boat trip lasts two hours, including the search for dolphins and whales and the return to Funchal.

How many people can join the speedboat?

The boat accepts a maximum of 18 people.

What languages are available?

Live guiding is available in English and Portuguese.

Can I swim with the dolphins?

You may be allowed to enter the water with common or spotted dolphins if the animals’ behavior and sea conditions make it appropriate. Swimming is not guaranteed.

What equipment is included?

A mask and snorkel are included for use during the activity.

Is food included?

No food is served on the tour. A café is available where you can purchase food.

What happens if no whales or dolphins are seen?

You are offered another free tour. If weather conditions make another trip unavailable, you receive a free trip voucher valid for two years.