Funchal: RIB Whale Watching Cruise and Optional Dolphin Swim

A fast RIB gets you close to the water, close enough to watch dolphins cut across the surface and whales rise nearby, while Madeira’s cliffs roll past behind you. The crew uses land-based spotters to help locate marine life, then spends at least two hours at sea looking for it.

I like the small-group setup, which gives you a better view than a crowded boat. I also like the crew’s clear respect for wildlife, including the strict limits on swimming with dolphins. The tradeoff is simple: a RIB can be bumpy, windy, and less forgiving than a large catamaran.

The optional swim is also less free-form than the name might suggest. If local rules allow it, you hold a rope attached to the boat for about one or two minutes, and only Common Dolphins or Atlantic Spotted Dolphins qualify.

Key points to know before you book

• Small RIB, close-to-the-water views: A compact boat makes it easier to see dolphins and whales without a crowd blocking your view.
• Land-based spotters help the search: The crew works with observers on shore to locate animals more efficiently.
• The ride is part of the fun: Expect a fast, lively return along Madeira’s south coast, with possible bumps on the waves.
• The dolphin swim is tightly controlled: It happens only when animal behavior and Portuguese protection rules allow it.
• Sightings are strongly expected, not guaranteed: The operator reports a yearly average of 99 percent of trips seeing at least one cetacean species.
• Bring serious sun and wind protection: A windbreaker, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a warmer waterproof jacket in winter are sensible choices.

A small RIB is the right choice for a closer look

This is a whale-watching trip for people who want a more active ride than a broad, slow catamaran. The RIB sits close to the surface, so you have a low viewing angle and a good chance of seeing fins, backs, and blows without peering over a high rail.

The boat also moves quickly between possible sighting areas. That matters in Madeira, where marine life may be spread across a wide patch of water. Reviews describe close encounters with Atlantic Spotted Dolphins, Bottlenose Dolphins, Pilot Whales, and Sperm Whales. Turtles also appear from time to time.

You should keep your expectations sensible. Wild animals do not follow a schedule, and a successful trip may mean one species appearing briefly rather than a full show. Still, the operator reports a 99 percent yearly average for seeing at least one cetacean species, and the crew offers a free return trip within one year if no cetacean is seen at all, subject to space and availability.

That is a useful safety net, though it will not help much if you are visiting Madeira for only a few days.

Leaving Funchal with a safety briefing

The trip begins at Xpoint Madeira near Funchal’s marina. The exact meeting point can vary by booking option, so check your confirmation carefully. Finding the jetty entrance has caused some confusion, and simple signage may not always be enough. Follow the map pin and allow time to locate the boarding door rather than arriving at the last second.

Before setting out, you receive a safety briefing and put on a life jacket. The boat carries the required safety equipment, and English and Portuguese are available for the tour.

The opening minutes are pleasant even before you find an animal. As you leave the harbor, Madeira’s south coast rises behind you, giving you a broad view of the island’s cliffs and shoreline. You are not simply transported to a wildlife zone, then returned. The coastal scenery forms part of the trip.

The RIB has no enclosed cabin in the usual sense, so dress for the open sea. A windbreaker is useful even on a warm day. For winter trips, bring a warmer waterproof jacket. Sun hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen are essential, but secure your hat well because the boat can move quickly.

Searching the Atlantic for dolphins, whales, and turtles

The main part of the trip is a moving search. The crew looks for signs of marine life and works with land-based spotters who can point boats toward likely locations. Once animals are found, the skipper approaches with care and keeps the boat at a responsible distance.

This approach is important. A fast boat helps you cover ground, but speed alone does not make a good wildlife trip. The crew’s decisions around the animals matter more. Several accounts describe the guides as careful about animal welfare, and one crew even stopped to remove a piece of plastic from the sea.

You may see several species in one outing, or you may spend time waiting between sightings. Recent trips have included two types of dolphins, Pilot Whales, Sperm Whales, and Atlantic Spotted Dolphins. One outing produced dolphins in three locations. Another included a sea turtle. None of this can be promised for your date, but it gives you a fair sense of the possible range.

The guides add context about the animals and Madeira itself. Names that appear often include Anna, Paulo, Mark, Ana, and Marc, though the exact crew can vary. The best guides do more than point and shout. They explain what you are looking at and help you understand why the boat changes position or waits quietly.

At only 2.5 hours, the trip is long enough to feel substantial without taking up an entire day. The boat spends at least two hours at sea, which leaves time for the wildlife search and a coastal run back toward Funchal.

What the close-to-water view really feels like

The low RIB position is one of the main reasons to choose this outing. When dolphins approach, you are near the surface rather than looking down from a high deck. That can make the animals easier to follow, especially when they surface beside the boat.

The same design creates the main comfort issue. The RIB can bounce across the waves, particularly on the return journey. One account describes the ride back as very bumpy but quick, with excellent views of the south coast and caves. Another describes the trip as an exciting speedboat ride.

If you enjoy motion, this is part of the appeal. If you want a calm, quiet cruise, a larger vessel may suit you better. The smaller boat can also make conversation easier, but you will still be exposed to wind, spray, and sun.

Sea sickness is not predictable, but one useful point is that some people find a RIB easier than a conventional boat because it moves quickly and spends less time rolling slowly in open water. Do not treat that as a guarantee. If you are sensitive to motion, eat lightly and bring whatever remedy you normally use.

The optional dolphin swim is brief and highly regulated

The dolphin swim costs an additional €20 per person, but the charge is made on site only if entering the water is actually possible. If the conditions are not right, you pay only for the standard boat trip.

That arrangement is fair, but you should understand what you are buying. You do not jump freely into the ocean to swim alongside dolphins. Portuguese animal protection rules control the activity, and the crew can enter the water only when the dolphins are behaving in a suitable way.

Only Common Dolphins or Atlantic Spotted Dolphins qualify. Pilot Whales, Sperm Whales, and other species do not.

If allowed, you wear a mask and snorkel and hold a rope attached to the boat. Each participant is generally in the water for about one or two minutes. The boat continues to provide the reference point, so this is a short, controlled look rather than a long snorkeling session.

That may sound limited, but the restriction protects the animals and keeps the encounter from becoming chaotic. It also means you should book the add-on because you like the idea of a possible brief swim, not because you expect a guaranteed personal encounter.

One account describes the swim as physically demanding because you must hold the rope while the boat pulls you through the water. Calm sea conditions make a big difference. On a day when everyone can enter the water, the experience can be special. On another day, you may enjoy the boat trip just as much without swimming.

Cabo Girao and the return along Madeira’s coast

The route includes a sightseeing stop around Cabo Girao, one of the most dramatic sections of Madeira’s south coast. From the water, you get a different view of the high cliff than you would from a road excursion.

The exact timing depends on wildlife conditions. The animals come first, so the skipper may spend more time searching and less time pausing at the coastal viewpoint. That is the right priority for a whale-watching trip.

The return journey can be fast and lively. As the RIB follows the coast back toward Funchal, you may see cliffs, caves, and the island’s steep shoreline from the sea. Several people have especially enjoyed this part because it turns the ride home into another scenic outing rather than a simple transfer.

Expect a different feel from the outward journey. After sitting still while watching wildlife, the skipper may open up the throttle for the run back. Hold on, keep loose items secure, and do not expect a smooth glide.

Is $61 a fair price?

At $61 per person, the trip is reasonably priced for a 2.5-hour small-boat wildlife outing in Madeira. The cost includes the boat, safety equipment, fuel surcharges, taxes, and other applicable fees. You pay extra for drinks, snacks, parking, and the optional dolphin swim.

The value comes from several parts working together: a small group, a fast RIB, at least two hours at sea, wildlife spotters, and guides who explain the species and the island. A crowded boat might cost less in some cases, but it can give you a poorer view and a less personal experience.

The price is especially good if you see several species. But you should not measure the value only by the number of animals photographed. The coast views and the boat ride still make up a meaningful part of the outing.

The private option changes the calculation. A private RIB can carry up to 18 people, which may make sense for a family group or a circle of friends splitting the cost. It gives you privacy, but you should compare the private price directly before assuming it is a bargain.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would choose this outing if you want an active wildlife trip, prefer a small boat, and like the idea of a fast ride between sighting areas. It is also a good fit if you want a shorter activity that leaves most of the day open for Funchal.

Families can enjoy it, and the boat has worked well for groups with children. Still, children need to be comfortable with wind, spray, life jackets, and a bumpy ride. The supplied information does not give a minimum age, so ask the operator before booking for young children.

This is not the best match if you want a quiet cruise with plenty of shade, a guaranteed whale sighting, or a long snorkeling session. It is also not ideal if you dislike sudden movement or find it difficult to hold on during a fast return.

For wildlife photographers, the small boat and lower viewpoint are useful. But you should bring equipment you can secure, and do not expect animals to pose in one place. A waterproof phone pouch is a sensible extra, though the operator only specifically requires sun and wind protection.

Practical details worth getting right

The experience offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Starting times vary, so check availability when choosing your date.

The meeting point may differ depending on the option you select. This is the one part of the logistics I would handle carefully. Use the supplied map pin, look for the jetty entrance, and arrive early enough to ask for help if the waterfront is busy.

Wear layered clothing. Madeira can feel warm in town while the sea feels cool and windy. Bring a windbreaker, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and a jacket. Snacks and drinks are not included, and parking is not included either.

The standard tour is guided in English or Portuguese. Private groups are available, which can be useful if you want the boat to yourselves or are organizing a group of up to 18 people.

Should you book the Funchal RIB whale-watching trip?

Book it if you want close-to-the-water wildlife viewing, a lively ride, and a crew that treats the animals with care. The combination of spotters, a small boat, and a strong sighting record makes this one of the more appealing ways to search Madeira’s waters.

Choose the optional swim only if you understand its limits. It may happen, it may last only a minute or two per person, and it is allowed only with the right dolphin species and behavior.

Skip it in favor of a larger boat if comfort matters more than speed. But if you can handle wind and bumps, $61 buys a well-rounded half-day experience: dolphins and whales, Madeira’s cliffs, Cabo Girao, and a memorable run back to Funchal.

FAQ

How long is the Funchal RIB whale-watching trip?

The advertised duration is 2.5 hours. The boat spends no less than two hours at sea before returning to Funchal’s marina.

How much does the trip cost?

The standard price is $61 per person. The dolphin swim is an optional €20 add-on, charged on site only if entering the water is possible.

Is seeing dolphins or whales guaranteed?

No wildlife sighting can be guaranteed, but the operator reports a yearly average of 99 percent of trips seeing at least one cetacean species. If no cetacean is seen, you are invited to join another trip free within one year, subject to availability and the stated conditions.

Can I swim with the dolphins?

Possibly. The swim is allowed only when the animals are behaving appropriately under local protection rules, and only Common Dolphins or Atlantic Spotted Dolphins qualify. The swim usually lasts about one or two minutes per participant, with you holding a rope attached to the boat.

What should I wear and bring?

Bring a windbreaker, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and a jacket. The sea can become windy quickly, and a warmer waterproof jacket is advised during winter.

Is a private boat available?

Yes. A private group can bring up to 18 passengers on its own boat. The exact meeting point may vary according to the option booked.