Funchal: Guarantee Wild Dolphin&Whale Watching by RIB

Wild dolphins off Madeira make the day feel alive. This small-group RIB tour gives you close, ocean-level wildlife viewing, plus panoramic coastline time right as you leave Funchal.

I especially like the practical setup before you head out, safety briefing included, plus lifejacket donning and real instruction from the guide. They also aim for a high-success outing, with a yearly average of 99% trips finding at least one cetacean species.

The one drawback to plan around is that sightings are never guaranteed, and the optional swim with dolphins depends on animal behavior and local rules, so you may not get in-water time.

Key Highlights Worth Knowing Before You Go

• Small boat, intimate viewing: You get closer to wildlife than you would from a big ferry.
• High likelihood of sightings: There’s a reported yearly average of 99% for spotting at least one cetacean species.
• A real pre-departure briefing: Safety comes first, with lifejackets and guidance before you ride out.
• Swim add-on follows local protection rules: Only certain dolphin types and only if animals act in a way that allows it.
• Extra chance if nothing is spotted: If no cetaceans are seen, you can join another trip free within a year (availability and non-transferable).
• Cabo Girao scenic stop: You get a landscape break for photos and views during the outing.

Why a Madeira RIB Boat Feels So Much Closer

This is the kind of tour that makes you feel like the ocean is part of the plan, not just the route to the plan. A small-group RIB from Funchal is quick, responsive, and designed for searching, so you spend more time looking and less time waiting.

And because it’s a smaller boat, your chance of actually seeing behavior, not just a distant spout, feels better. You’re watching dolphins and whales in their world, from close range, with enough space for everyone to do what they came for, look carefully and stay present.

That closeness is also why you should expect it to feel a bit more intense than a slow sightseeing cruise. It can get windy at sea, and the ride can be lively. If you like action, you’ll probably love it. If you prefer calm, bring the right layers and hang on.

From Funchal Harbor to Open Ocean: What the 2.5 Hours Really Feel Like

Your day starts with boarding and a safety briefing, followed by lifejackets. It’s not a long lecture, but it’s the kind of prep that helps everyone understand how the boat operates and what to do once you’re out searching.

Then you head out from the harbor toward the open ocean, keeping the Madeira coastline in view. Right away, you get those classic seascape angles that make Funchal feel dramatic from the water, with cliffs and headlands sliding past as the boat turns.

The middle part of the trip is all about patience. Wildlife searching can be luck, but it also comes from experience in where and how to look. You’ll likely spend time scanning the water for movement, then closing distance when something appears.

One nice detail is the reported success rate. They state a yearly average of 99% trips with successful sightings of at least one cetacean species. That doesn’t mean every outing is identical, but it does suggest the operation has learned where to work the conditions.

After at least about 2 hours out on the water, you return to the Funchal marina to disembark. Timing can feel efficient because the route includes both wildlife searching and scenic stops rather than turning into one long, repetitive stretch of cruising.

Wildlife Watching on a Small Boat, With Real Respect Built In

Watching dolphins and whales is exciting. It’s also sensitive. What makes this tour feel worth the money is that the operation is clear about how they handle interactions.

The tour is designed to keep distance and avoid pushing animals. You’re not chasing them like a show. Instead, the boat searches, positions, and watches. When animals come close, it’s natural curiosity and sea timing, not a guarantee.

This matters for your experience in a practical way. If you care about seeing animals in healthier conditions, you’ll appreciate the approach more than the flash. It also tends to produce better sightings, because you’re more likely to observe normal behavior rather than a stressed reaction.

If you choose the optional water time, the rules are even more explicit. They can only place you in the water if local animal protection laws allow it based on how the animals are behaving during your trip.

The Swim With Dolphins Add-On: Worth It When the Ocean Says Yes

The swim with dolphins option is an add-on, priced at 20€ per participant. Here’s the key point for value: you only get charged on-site if you’re actually allowed to enter the water with the dolphins. If conditions don’t allow it, the trip stays at the standard price.

They also say they can only enter the water if they spot Common Dolphins or Atlantic Spotted Dolphins. Even then, it depends on animal behavior meeting the local legal protection criteria.

If you do get in-water time, it’s short, usually around 1-2 minutes per participant. The short duration isn’t a small detail. It’s part of how the interaction is handled responsibly, with less time that could disturb animals.

You’ll have a mask and snorkel available. The setup includes being attached to the boat for the swim/snorkel. So you’re not drifting off into open ocean, and you’re not improvising equipment.

Is it worth considering? If you love the idea of water-level wildlife, it can be a big highlight. But you should treat it like a bonus, not the main event. The tour’s core is the small-boat wildlife search, and that’s what will carry your day even if you miss the swim moment.

Where Cabo Girao Fits In (And Why You Still Get Value)

You get a scenic stop at Cabo Girao, with sightseeing and scenic views on the way. This is a smart rhythm for a wildlife tour, because it gives you a break from boat scanning while still keeping the day tied to Madeira’s dramatic coastline.

In practical terms, it’s also a mental reset. Wildlife searching can make time feel stretched, because you’re waiting for signs. A viewpoint stop helps you recharge and take photos without the constant watch-the-water pressure.

The trade-off is simple: if your only goal is dolphins and whales, you might wish the extra time stayed on the water. Still, the scenic payoff at Cabo Girao fits well with a half-day style outing, because you leave with both ocean wildlife and Madeira views, even on slower sightings days.

Price and Value: How the $70 Ticket Adds Up

At about $70 per person for the standard RIB trip, you’re paying for a focused wildlife experience rather than a general cruise. The value comes from three things: the small group, the search effort, and what you get bundled.

Included in the ticket:

• Boat trip with the necessary safety equipment
• Applicable fees, taxes, and fuel surcharges
• Live guide in English and Portuguese

Not included:

• Drinks and snacks
• Parking

So you’ll want to plan for hydration and a quick snack before or after, especially if you tend to get hungry before you’re back on shore.

When you compare options, the small-group format is a big part of the price logic. A larger ferry can move more people, but it doesn’t usually give the same intimacy of wildlife viewing. Here, the boat is built for searching, and the tour is positioned as a more personal ocean encounter.

There’s also a smart value angle if nothing is spotted. They say that if no cetacean species are seen during your trip, you can join another trip free of charge within one year, subject to availability (and non-transferable). That can turn a bad-feeling outing into a second chance, which is rare and reassuring for a sea-based activity.

Comfort at Sea: What to Bring So the Wind Does Not Win

This tour operates on the ocean, so comfort matters. They specifically recommend a windbreaker, sunglasses, sun hat, and sunscreen. That’s exactly the set you want on Madeira, where sun and sea wind can team up.

Also think about temperature shifts. Conditions can turn windy quickly, and in winter months you may want something warmer and waterproof. A windbreaker is good, but a shell that blocks water spray is even better.

If you’re prone to motion sickness, you’ll be glad you planned ahead. One review notes that the guide helped with sea sickness, which suggests they’re attentive to how you’re feeling once you’re out. Still, don’t rely on luck. Pack what helps you, and keep your gaze steady on the horizon when you can.

Practical tip: bring layers you can actually manage on a boat. You don’t want heavy clothing that limits movement or becomes annoying once you’re seated and scanning the water.

Who Should Book This RIB Dolphin and Whale Tour

This tour is a good match if you want a short, active outing that centers on wildlife rather than check-the-box sightseeing. At 2.5 hours, it fits easily into most Madeira plans without eating your entire day.

You’ll likely be happiest if you:

• Love animals and don’t mind that nature is unpredictable
• Prefer an intimate boat over crowds
• Like the idea of a high chance of sightings, not a guaranteed spectacle
• Can handle wind and a lively ride

It may be less ideal if you need calm water as a must-have, or if you’re emotionally locked into the idea of swimming. The swim add-on is possible, but it is not promised. The ocean and animal behavior get the final say, and the operation follows the rules.

If you’re traveling with family or friends and want privacy, there’s a private tour option. You can bring up to 18 passengers on your own boat, which can be a strong value if you’re splitting the cost across a group.

Final Decision: Should You Book This Tour?

If you’re choosing between a general cruise and an experience built around actual wildlife searching, this RIB format makes a lot of sense. You’re buying closeness, the chance of real dolphin and whale encounters, and a team that clearly cares about how animals are treated.

Book it if you can handle wind, you’re open to luck, and you want a straightforward Madeira ocean experience that also includes a Cabo Girao viewpoint. Skip it only if you are very risk-averse about sea conditions or if your trip would feel like a failure without the swim add-on, because that part depends on what the animals do that day.

Given the reported high success rate and the option to try again if no cetaceans are seen, I’d treat this as a solid bet for the time you’re investing, as long as you go in with the right mindset: watch, wait, and be ready for the ocean to show you something good.

FAQ

How long is the RIB dolphin and whale watching tour?

The standard duration is 2.5 hours.

Where does the tour start and end?

You depart from Funchal and return to the marina of Funchal to disembark. The exact meeting point can vary depending on the option booked.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $70 per person for the standard trip.

Is snorkeling or swimming with dolphins included?

No. The swim/snorkel with dolphins is an optional add-on that you must book separately.

If I book the swim with dolphins add-on, will I always be allowed in the water?

No. Entry depends on animal behavior and local animal protection rules. If you are able to enter the water, the 20€ add-on is charged on-site. If not, you only pay the standard trip price.

How long is the swim/snorkel with dolphins if it happens?

In most cases, the time in the water is around 1-2 minutes per participant.

What types of dolphins allow water entry under the rules?

They state that they are only allowed to enter the water if they spot Common Dolphins or Atlantic Spotted Dolphins.

Is private boating available?

Yes. A private tour is available, and you may bring up to 18 passengers.

What if no dolphins or whales are seen on my trip?

If no cetacean species are spotted during your trip, they invite you to join another trip free of charge within 1 year time, subject to availability and not transferable.

What should I bring for the trip?

Bring a windbreaker, sunglasses, sun hat, and sunscreen. Weather can get windy fast, so appropriate clothing helps, especially in winter months.