Funchal: Whale Watching and Swimming with Dolphins Cruise

Wild dolphins can turn an ordinary boat trip into a memorable morning. I like this cruise for its marine biologist guides and the chance to see whales and dolphins in their natural setting, not in a show pool. I also like the small-boat setup, with two boats carrying 18 people and one carrying 36.

The main catch is simple: swimming with dolphins is not guaranteed. You may see several whale and dolphin species but still remain on board if the animals present are not among those permitted for swimming. The boat can also be noisy, which makes the guide harder to hear at times.

Key Points Before You Book

• Lookouts help locate wildlife: Land-based spotters guide the boats toward whale and dolphin activity.
• Marine biologists lead the trip: You receive information about animal behavior, habitats, and marine life.
• The boats are small and fast: Two boats hold 18 people, while a third carries 36, giving the trip a more personal feel than a large ferry.
• Swimming depends on the species: You may enter the water with dolphins and possibly turtles, but the swimming portion can be canceled.
• A second trip is promised if nothing appears: If you see no whales or dolphins at all, you are offered another trip free.
• The outing lasts 2.5 hours: Allow extra time before departure for the 10-minute safety briefing and check-in at Store 35.

Starting at Store 35 in Funchal

Your meeting point is Store 35 at Rota dos Cetáceos, the tour company’s location in Funchal. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to the marina area.

The trip begins with a short safety briefing of about 10 minutes. This is where you receive your life vest and get basic instructions for the boat and the possible swimming session. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that you do not mind wearing around sea spray.

I would arrive with enough time to find Store 35 without rushing. The tour itself is only 2.5 hours, so a delayed arrival can take a noticeable bite out of your time on the water. You can check available starting times when booking, since departure schedules are not fixed in the details provided.

The company offers guides in Portuguese, English, and French. That is useful for an international group, though the quality of communication can depend on where you sit and how loud the boat is once the engines are running.

The Semi-Rigid Boat Ride

After the briefing, you board a fast, semi-rigid boat and head away from Funchal. This is not a slow sightseeing cruise with a quiet cabin and a covered lounge. It is a more direct ride over open water, with the speed helping the crew reach wildlife areas along Madeira’s coast.

The smaller boats hold 18 people, which is a strong point. You get a better chance of seeing around the people in front of you, and the experience feels less like being loaded onto a floating bus. The larger boat carries 36, still a modest group by excursion standards, but naturally less intimate than the smaller vessels.

The tradeoff is comfort. A fast boat can make the return ride exciting, especially when it meets the waves, but the same motion may feel rough if you are sensitive to seasickness. The provided information does not list seasickness medication or special seating, so plan around your own comfort. Keep your clothing practical, and expect the possibility of spray.

The engine noise also matters. One piece of feedback described the guide as difficult to hear on board, with the sound of the boat getting in the way. If learning about marine life is a major reason you are booking, try to stay close to the guide and listen carefully during quieter stretches.

Finding Whales and Dolphins Off Madeira

The search takes place in open water off Madeira, where the crew uses local experience and reports from lookouts on land. Those spotters watch the sea from shore and direct the boats toward areas where whales or dolphins have been seen.

That system gives the trip a real sense of purpose. You are not simply following a fixed route and hoping something appears beside the boat. The crew is actively searching, then adjusting the course when information comes in.

Wildlife sightings are never fully predictable. On a good outing, you might see more than one species and several separate groups. One recent outing recorded two species of cetaceans and four groups, while another saw whales and dolphins and praised the captain’s handling of the boat.

Still, this is nature, not a timed performance. A long search without a sighting is possible. The company’s policy helps here: if you do not see any whales or dolphins, you are offered a second trip free. That is a useful safeguard, though it does not solve every scheduling problem. You need to have another suitable time available during your stay.

The promise applies to seeing whales and dolphins, not to swimming. That distinction is important. You can have a successful whale-watching trip and still not enter the water.

The Marine Biologist Commentary

The guides are marine biologists who explain the animals’ habits, environment, and behavior along the way. This adds real value to the trip. A fin appearing briefly in the distance means more when you understand what species you may be seeing and why it is in Madeira’s waters.

I especially like this part for first-time whale watchers. The guide can help you focus on the right section of sea, explain what to look for, and put the sighting into context. You are not left guessing if a distant splash is a whale, a dolphin, or simply a wave.

The quality of the commentary may vary with conditions. The boat is fast and can be loud, and one passenger found the biologist hard to understand. The guides speak Portuguese, English, and French, but multilingual service does not guarantee that every explanation will be easy to catch from every seat.

A short film is shown before departure, according to one account. It seems to provide some useful preparation, especially if the boat noise later makes conversation difficult. Treat the film as an introduction, not as a full lesson.

The company’s marine focus is one of its best features. If you care about seeing animals responsibly and learning something along the way, this is more appealing than a simple speedboat ride.

Swimming With Dolphins and Possibly Turtles

The swimming option is the part that attracts most people, but you should treat it as a chance rather than a promise. When conditions and animal species allow it, you may jump into the sea and swim with dolphins and other marine life. Turtles are also included among the possible encounters.

There are limits. The crew cannot simply put everyone in the water whenever dolphins appear. The species must be one of the two types permitted for swimming. One outing saw two cetacean species but could not offer the swim because neither qualified. The extra amount paid for that part was refunded without trouble in that case.

This is a point in the company’s favor. The swimming element is subject to wildlife rules, and canceling it when the conditions are not right is the responsible choice. It may feel disappointing if swimming was the main reason you booked, but chasing that promise at the expense of the animals would be worse.

The details do not specify how long you stay in the water, how many swimmers enter at once, or whether snorkeling equipment is supplied. The only listed equipment is the cruise and a life vest. You should not assume that masks, fins, towels, or other swim gear are included.

If you are mainly interested in wildlife watching, the uncertain swim is less of a problem. If you are paying for the experience specifically to get in the water, read the terms carefully and understand that a partial refund may replace the swim rather than a second swimming attempt.

What the Ride Is Like Without a Swim

A canceled swim does not automatically mean a poor trip. You may still see whales, dolphins, or several species from the boat, sometimes at close range. One outing recorded four groups of two cetacean species and still earned strong praise for the captain and guide, even though the swim did not take place.

At the same time, the price can feel high if you spend the whole 2.5 hours only looking from the boat and see little activity. One person described the boat-only experience as expensive after the swimming part was unavailable. That is fair criticism, especially at $94 per person.

The company’s response can affect how the day feels. A partial refund for the canceled swim is a reasonable remedy, but you should confirm the amount and process before leaving if swimming was not possible. Also ask about the free second trip if you see no whales or dolphins at all. That is a different situation from seeing wildlife but being unable to swim.

Is $94 a Fair Price?

At $94, this is not a budget boat outing. The price needs to cover the vessel, crew, marine biologist guides, shore-based lookouts, and the wildlife-search operation. It also includes a chance to swim with dolphins, which makes the fare more understandable than a standard coastal cruise.

The value is strongest when you care about both the education and the wildlife search. A successful outing with several species, a good captain, and time in the water can make the price feel justified. The 4.5 rating from 111 ratings suggests that the overall experience works well for many people.

The value is weaker if you expect a guaranteed swim or a quiet, polished lecture at sea. The swimming can be unavailable for sound wildlife-protection reasons, and the engine noise may reduce the quality of the commentary.

I would compare the price with your priorities. If you want a serious search for wild animals and are happy to count a boat sighting as a successful result, $94 is defensible. If your main goal is swimming, you need to accept that the most important part is conditional.

Group Size, Guides, and Boat Comfort

The fleet gives you two useful choices in practice, even if the exact boat is not guaranteed. The 18-seat boats are the better option for personal space and clearer views. The 36-seat boat still keeps the group fairly small, but it will feel busier when everyone turns toward the same dolphin pod.

A strong captain can make a big difference. Feedback specifically praised the captain’s handling and the lively ride through the waves on the return to Funchal. That is good news if you enjoy a little speed and motion.

Not everyone will find the ride relaxing. The fast boat and open-water movement are part of the appeal, but they may not suit you if you want a gentle cruise. The trip is best approached as an active wildlife outing, not a restful harbor tour.

The crew experience can also be uneven. One account described the guides as distant and unmotivated, while other outings praised the captain and marine biologist. I would keep expectations practical: the best part of the trip is the sea and wildlife, with the human side depending on the specific crew and conditions that day.

Who Will Enjoy This Madeira Cruise?

I would recommend it most to:

• You want to see wild dolphins and whales rather than animals in captivity.
• You enjoy fast boat rides and open-water trips.
• You value explanations from marine biologists.
• You can accept that nature may not follow the schedule.
• You are happy with a boat sighting even if swimming is canceled.
• You are staying in Funchal and can reach Store 35 on your own.

Families and older passengers should think about the boat motion and the lack of detailed comfort information before booking. The tour may suit active children, but the data provided does not state a minimum age or specific child policy, so ask the company directly.

This is also a good fit for a flexible day in Madeira. If you book the final available morning before flying home, the free second-trip promise may not help you if the sea produces no sightings. Leave room in your schedule if seeing whales and dolphins is especially important.

Practical Tips for a Better Trip

Wear comfortable shoes and comfortable clothes, as requested by the company. Practical clothing matters more here than dressing for a polished yacht cruise.

Keep your expectations focused on wildlife, not on a guaranteed dolphin swim. That single adjustment will make the trip easier to judge fairly.

Listen carefully during the briefing and commentary. The boat can be loud, so standing or sitting near the guide may help you catch more of the explanations.

If swimming is canceled, ask clearly about the partial refund. If no whales or dolphins are seen, ask about the free second outing. The two situations have different remedies.

Finally, keep your schedule flexible. The company offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and allows you to reserve now and pay later, which can help if your Madeira plans are still shifting.

Should You Book It?

Book this cruise if you want a small-group search for wild whales and dolphins, with marine biologists and a real chance of entering the water. The shore-based lookouts, smaller boats, and free second-trip promise make it more than a simple ride along the coast.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed swim, dislike fast boats, or want a quiet lecture with perfect sound. At $94, the price is fair only if you value the wildlife search itself and can accept that nature, and the swimming rules, may change the plan.

For the best chance of feeling good about the cost, book when you have time to return if there is no sighting, and treat the swim as a welcome extra rather than the whole reason to go.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching cruise start?

Meet at Store 35 at Rota dos Cetáceos, Whale and Dolphin Watching and Swimming with Dolphins, in Funchal.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts 2.5 hours. A safety briefing takes about 10 minutes before the boat trip.

How much does the cruise cost?

The listed price is $94 per person.

Are hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must reach the meeting point yourself.

What languages are available?

The live guides speak Portuguese, English, and French.

Is swimming with dolphins guaranteed?

No. Swimming depends on the animals present and the species permitted for swimming. You may also have the chance to swim with turtles and other marine life.

What happens if no whales or dolphins are seen?

You are offered a second trip free if you do not see any whales or dolphins.

What should you bring?

Bring comfortable shoes and comfortable clothes. A life vest is included.