All Inclusive Whale and Dolphin Watching Luxury Tour

Whale wishes come with a champagne start. This 3-hour Madeira cruise blends wildlife watching with serious comfort, plus a stop at Cabo Girão, one of the most dramatic sea cliffs around.

I like two things a lot: the small-group vibe (many sailings seem capped around 17 people) and the fact that all drinks and snacks are included, so you can focus on the ocean instead of the menu. The main tradeoff is the sea can get choppy, so if you get motion sick, plan for that.

Quick hits on this Madeira whale and dolphin cruise

• Luxury catamaran comfort, with both indoor and outdoor seating and room to change spots for better views
• All-inclusive drinks, including alcohol, plus a welcome glass of sparkling wine
• Real wildlife search time, with the crew scanning for dolphins, whales, and turtles in the wild
• Cabo Girão stop with water time, including a swim and snorkeling setup provided onboard
• Service-first crew, with guides such as Liv, David, Bruno, Nic, Maggi, Margarita, Nico, Clare, Sousa, and Chico showing up in guest notes
• Better odds of a calm trip, thanks to restricted passenger numbers compared with crowded boats

Meeting at Funchal and stepping onto a smooth ride

Your tour starts at Kiosk VipDolphins in Funchal, located between Praça do Povo and the Ocean. You’ll find it faster if you search VipDolphins on Google Maps and follow the signs to the new marina dock area.

From the first moments onboard, the experience sets a relaxing tone. There’s a welcome glass of sparkling wine before you head out, and you’re not wasting time in a long cattle-line boarding setup thanks to a separate entrance. Toilets are onboard too, separated for women and men, which matters on a 3-hour outing when you want to spend your time watching, not queuing.

How the 3 hours work, and why timing feels generous

This is a tight, efficient half-day style trip. You’ll spend most of the time moving out on the water, searching for animals, and then returning with a big view payoff along the coast.

The schedule is built like this:

• You get onboard and sail out at a relaxed pace.
• There’s a wildlife-focused stretch where the crew actively looks for dolphins, whales, and turtles.
• You then get a dedicated 30-minute stop near Cabo Girão for swimming and photos.
• After that, you ease back toward Funchal with more coastal scenery.

Why this helps you: you’re not trapped sitting in one place for hours. Multiple guests highlight that you can move around and pick the best spot as the boat turns for views.

Wildlife search: dolphins, whales, and turtles in their real home

This is the point of the trip. The crew does more than point in one direction. They’re scanning, adjusting course, and staying alert for what’s in the water right now.

Based on the species guests report seeing on their sailings, you might spot:

• pilot whales (including pods)
• sperm whales (on some trips)
• dolphins such as bottle nose dolphins, Atlantic spotted dolphins, and bull-headed dolphins
• sea turtles, sometimes spotted as well

A key detail is how the guides handle proximity. Guests repeatedly mention the crew being careful around marine life and respecting wildlife rules, which keeps the vibe both exciting and responsible. One guest even notes the crew removed a plastic bag from the ocean to help protect turtles and fish, which tells you they’re watching for more than just big animals.

Real talk drawback: wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. Some people leave with dolphin or whale sightings, and others are unlucky. The good news is that even when animals are quiet that day, the boat ride and the scenery still make the experience feel complete.

Cabo Girão: 586 meters of sea cliff plus a swim stop

The itinerary’s best scenery moment is Cabo Girão, the famous seaside cliff at 586 meters. It’s also described as the world’s second highest sea cliff, so yes, the views are the kind that make you stop talking for a minute.

Here’s what you do during the 30-minute stop:

• a photo stop of the cliff and coastline
• a break to enjoy drinks and local snacks
• the chance to swim in crystal-clear water
• snorkeling gear provided onboard, with snorkeling and swimming as optional extras

Why this stop is so good: watching from the deck is one thing. Getting in the water beneath those cliffs is another. Guests highlight that the water can feel surprisingly warm, and the setting is often stunning in a simple, straightforward way.

What to consider: if the sea is rough, the boat ride to and from the cliff can feel bouncy. One guest recommends bringing sea-sickness tablets if you’re sensitive. That’s not a complaint about the crew, it’s just physics. Pack accordingly.

Drinks and Madeira snacks: what all-inclusive really means

The biggest quality-of-life win is that the trip is truly all-inclusive. Unlimited drinks, including alcohol, are part of the deal, plus a welcome sparkling wine. You’ll also get local snacks during the cruise.

From the guest notes, the vibe is consistently: food and drinks keep moving around the boat, not just one round near the start. People mention a lot of variety in drinks and Madeira-style bites. Some also call out treats like cinnamon coffee and pastel de nata.

This matters for value. At $93 per person for a 3-hour outing, you’re paying a premium compared with the cheapest whale cruises. But you’re also paying for:

• a luxury catamaran instead of a crowded boat
• snacks and drinks that are not an extra bill later
• time for swimming and snorkeling without needing your own gear hunt

If you’re the type who hates stopping mid-trip to order something, this package style is exactly what you want.

The VIP feel comes from small numbers and attentive crew

The crew is a big part of why people rate this so highly. Several named staff members show up again and again in guest stories, including Liv, David, Bruno (skipper), Nic (captain), Maggi, Margarita, Nico, Clare, Sousa, and Chico.

What you should watch for while onboard:

• frequent checking in on comfort, especially in choppy conditions
• calm, consistent guidance when scanning for animals
• a service style where drinks and snacks reach you instead of you chasing them
• photo support on some sailings, described as professional and shared afterward as a folder

And one detail I’d highlight if you care about comfort: multiple guests say they keep passenger numbers limited, which reduces crowd noise and gives everyone space to shift seats for better angles.

Who this tour is best for

This is a strong fit if you:

• want a comfortable boat and an open bar, without budgeting every drink
• care about wildlife watching but also want a relaxed pace
• prefer a smaller group over loud, packed tours
• like the idea of mixing animal spotting with a swim and optional snorkeling

It’s also not a fit for everyone. It’s not suitable for children under 3 years. And if you have severe seasickness issues, you should plan carefully, since parts of the trip can get rough out on open water.

Should you book this Madeira whale and dolphin luxury cruise?

Book it if you want a whale-and-dolphin trip that feels like a treat from start to finish. The included drinks, the luxury catamaran setup, and the Cabo Girão swim stop make it more than a generic wildlife search.

Don’t book it expecting guaranteed whales and dolphins. Some sailings do deliver impressive animal encounters, including pilot whales, sperm whales, and multiple dolphin types. But the ocean is the ocean, and some days are quieter.

My bottom line: if $93 feels fair for you, and you’re excited by the combo of wildlife plus Cabo Girão swimming, this is a smart splurge. You’re paying mainly for comfort and included extras, and the small-group feel helps the day stay calm and enjoyable.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the tour?

Meet at Kiosk VipDolphins, located between Praça do Povo and the Ocean in Funchal. Search VipDolphins on Google Maps to find it.

How long is the All Inclusive Whale and Dolphin Watching Luxury Tour?

The tour duration is 3 hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What’s included with the drinks and food?

The tour includes all drinks, including alcohol, plus a welcome glass of sparkling wine and local snacks.

Do I need to bring snorkeling gear?

No. Snorkels and goggles are provided for free.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel and get a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.