Funchal: RIB Whale Watching Cruise and Optional Dolphin Swim

Fast sea mornings beat paperwork.

This Funchal RIB cruise is built for wild-life encounters at close range, with small-group energy and a captain who keeps the boat moving to chase the right spots. I love how the guides explain what you are seeing in plain terms, and I also love the fact that the experience is designed around animal welfare, not thrill-chasing.

The second thing I really liked is the chance to add a swim with dolphins option, but only when the animals and local rules line up. It is not a guarantee, and that matters, because it keeps the whole thing respectful and realistic.

One consideration: the ride is quick, and the sea can get windy, so you will want a windbreaker and a warm layer if you are going in cooler months. Also, even when snorkeling is offered, time in the water is short and you may have to hold onto the boat rope while dolphins pass by.

Key things I’d plan around

• Small-group RIB format that gets you out to likely sightings quickly without feeling crowded
• Multi-location searching along Madeira’s coast, rather than just one long drift
• Strict animal-welfare rules for entering the water during the swim option
• Mask-and-snorkel provided when the dolphin swim is allowed
• Cabo Girao photo stop to balance ocean time with a dramatic viewpoint break
• A fallback if no cetaceans are seen, with a free return trip within a year (availability-dependent)

Boarding in Funchal: Jetty Details That Save Time

Your tour starts in Funchal’s harbor with a safety briefing and lifejacket fit. The whole point is to get you ready fast, then get you on the move. This is a RIB, so expect an energetic ride rather than a slow, cushy cruise.

Meeting point can vary by what you book, so I’d use the provided pin and give yourself a few extra minutes. One practical tip from real-world experience: the boarding area can be a little confusing at first, so just wait near the jetty door the team points you to, and you will be directed onboard.

Once you’re out, the coastline of Madeira becomes your moving backdrop. You are not staring at screens waiting for a miracle. You are actually traveling the coast, scanning ahead, and getting the feel for the island’s sea cliffs and coves.

Chasing Dolphins and Whales Around Madeira’s Coast

Here is the deal with wildlife cruises: patience helps, and luck matters. The crew searches for wild dolphins, whales, and sometimes turtles, and they make multiple attempts across the outing rather than crossing fingers at one point.

What makes this one feel especially intentional is how they talk about odds and procedure. They mention a very high yearly average, about 99% of trips with sightings of at least one cetacean species. That is not a promise that you will see everything, but it tells you the team is not winging it.

I also like the way the guides focus on species ID, behavior, and what you should do while watching. When you can tell dolphins from whales at a distance, the whole trip feels smarter, not random. On days when animals come close, you get those moments where the boat feels like a front-row seat, without being intrusive.

Small-boat intimacy is real here. With a smaller RIB, you often get a better sense of distance and direction, and you spend less time stuck waiting for everyone to rearrange on a huge deck. The tradeoff is that you feel the sea more, and it can be bumpy in the return run.

What you might see

Based on the species mentioned for this tour, you could run into:

• Common dolphins and Atlantic spotted dolphins (the ones tied to the swim-with-dolphins rules)
• Pilot whales and sperm whales (commonly reported sightings)
• Occasional sea turtles

If you want one strategy, keep your eyes up and be ready to shift your attention quickly. The best sightings happen when everyone is alert, not when people are busy filming the wrong direction.

Cabo Girao Photo Stop: A View Break That Helps

After at least 2 hours out on the water, you head back toward Funchal. On the way, you get a stop at Cabo Girao, one of Madeira’s most dramatic viewpoints.

This is more than a quick tourist photo. It helps you reset your body after time on the RIB, and it gives you a sense of scale for where the boat has been traveling. Cabo Girao also makes a good souvenir moment because the cliffs and coastal patterns look different from above than from the sea.

The overall outing still stays around 2.5 hours total, so this stop does not turn the cruise into a long day. It is more like a smart palate cleanser, and you get scenic drive time along the way.

The Optional Dolphin Swim: Rules, Gear, and Real Expectations

This is the add-on that most people remember, but it is also the one with the most conditions. You can choose the swim with dolphins option, listed as a 20€ add-on per participant. The key detail: that fee is only charged on-site if it is actually possible to enter the water under local animal protection law.

So you should think of the swim as conditional, not guaranteed.

When you can enter the water

The team is only allowed to place you in the water if they spot specific dolphin types, specifically Common Dolphins or Atlantic Spotted Dolphins, and if the animals are behaving in a way that meets local rules. That means the crew might see dolphins and still not be allowed to do a swim, depending on behavior and conditions.

How the swim works

If the swim is allowed, you go in attached to the boat for a short snorkel moment. You get a mask and snorkel. The time in the water is usually around 1 to 2 minutes per participant.

Yes, it is short. But that short window is exactly why the experience is controlled. You are not expected to do a long self-guided swim. You are there for a brief, respectful encounter, guided by the rules and the crew’s timing.

What it feels like in practice

You will likely need to hold onto the rope connected to the boat while dolphins move around. That sounds simple, but it changes your whole focus: you stay stable, you watch, and you let the dolphins come to you rather than trying to chase them.

If you are the type who hates being rushed, the swim might feel intense. If you are the type who loves short, high-impact nature moments, you will probably love it.

Boat Life: What Makes This RIB Better Than a Big Cruise

A RIB is not subtle. It is fast, it is close, and it is a little more hands-on than slower boats. I think that is why people choose this style for whale and dolphin watching, because the excitement comes from motion plus visibility.

One thing I really appreciate: the crew emphasizes animal welfare and marine awareness. There are even moments described where the team stops to fish plastic out of the water, which is a small but telling sign that they are paying attention to the ocean beyond the show.

Also, this is a guide-and-captain setup, not just a driver. The guides handle spotting help, species explanations, and making sure you know what to do. That matters because wildlife viewing turns into a better experience when you know what you are looking at.

For your comfort, though, plan for practical reality:

• You might get wind fast out on the water
• The return ride can feel rougher than the outward cruise

That is why clothing matters, more than you might think.

What to bring so you are not miserable

Bring a windbreaker and a jacket, plus sunglasses, sun hat, and sunscreen. Madeira weather can change quickly at sea, and it is easier to stay comfortable than to cut your viewing time short because you feel cold or blown around.

If you run warm easily, you still want a layer. Wind plus spray can turn a sunny start into an uncomfortable mid-tour moment.

Price and Value: How $61 Fits This Experience

The standard price is listed as $61 per person, with the dolphin swim add-on at 20€ if permitted on-site. On paper, that is a straightforward cost. In real value terms, you are paying for three things: time on the water, specialized searching, and a small-boat viewing experience.

You are not just buying a ticket to sit somewhere. You are buying active wildlife searching over multiple locations, plus a trained guide onboard. And if you end up doing the swim, that add-on fee becomes part of an experience that is controlled by animal-welfare rules, not something anyone can force.

There is also a useful safety net. If no cetacean species are spotted during your trip, the operator invites you to join another trip for free within one year, subject to availability and not transferable. That does not erase disappointment, but it reduces the chance you lose all value if nature is quiet that day.

Who it is best for

This tour is ideal if you:

• Want close viewing in a small-group boat
• Like guided spotting and simple species talk
• Can handle a fast ride and windy conditions
• Want a shot at the dolphin swim, but understand it is conditional

It is less ideal if you want a long, calm, ultra-comfy cruise where the sea hardly affects you. Here, the boat is part of the experience.

Private Groups and Family-Friendly Options

If you are traveling with a family or a crew of friends, there is a private tour option. For a private boat, up to 18 passengers can join.

That is a smart choice when you want less waiting, more control over your pace, and a more together feeling for the group. It also helps when you are traveling with kids, since you can set expectations and keep everyone focused on wildlife rather than hopping between strangers.

Even on standard departures, the group size is kept small, which is repeatedly part of why people feel they get that intimate, closer-to-the-action feeling.

Should You Book This Funchal RIB Whale Watching Cruise?

I’d book it if your top priority is a small-boat, wildlife-first Madeira experience from Funchal, and you are happy to dress for wind and movement. The combination of fast RIB travel, guided spotting, and multi-location searching is a strong formula for maximizing your chances.

I would not count on the swim with dolphins as a sure thing, but I like that the rules are strict and the fee only applies when entry is allowed. That approach makes the add-on feel more responsible than the usual grab-and-go animal tourism.

If you are choosing between a calm day trip and a more active one, pick the one that matches your style. This is the active option, and when it clicks, it is one of those trips where the ocean does the talking.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the RIB whale watching cruise from Funchal?

The total duration is about 2.5 hours.

Is the dolphin swim included in the standard ticket price?

No. Swim with dolphins is an add-on. It costs 20€ per participant, and the charge is only made on-site if it is possible to enter the water under the rules.

What kinds of dolphins allow the swim option?

The team can place you in the water only if they spot Common Dolphins or Atlantic Spotted Dolphins, and if animal protection rules allow.

Is snorkeling gear provided for the swim?

Yes. If the swim is permitted, the team provides a mask and snorkel.

What happens if the cruise sees no cetaceans?

If no cetacean species are spotted during your trip, you are invited to join another trip for free within 1 year time, based on availability and with non-transferable terms.

What is included in the ticket price?

The ticket includes the boat trip with the necessary safety equipment, plus applicable fees, taxes, and fuel surcharges.

What should I wear or bring for the cruise?

Bring a windbreaker, sunglasses, sun hat, sunscreen, and a jacket. Sea weather can get windy quickly, so dress for wind and cooler conditions.