Funchal: RIB Whale Watching Cruise and Optional Dolphin Swim

This RIB cruise off Funchal is interesting because you trade the big-boat routine for a fast, small-boat wildlife search along Madeira’s coast and out over the open ocean. You get the thrill of speed, but the real point is what you might find: wild dolphins, whales, and sometimes turtles, as close as boat rules allow.

I love the small-group setup, which keeps the experience feel personal and gives the guides a better chance to spot and interpret behavior. I also like the guide approach, with English and Portuguese narration and a focus on species and local marine life, not just generic sightseeing.

The main drawback to plan for is practical, not dramatic: it can get windy and bumpy on a RIB, and the optional dolphin swim is not guaranteed. You only enter the water if the animals behave in a way that matches local protection rules.

Key points you’ll care about

• Small-boat feel: The trip runs with a small group, so sightings feel more intimate.
• High odds of at least one cetacean: The operator cites a yearly average around 99% for trips with successful cetacean sightings.
• Swim with dolphins is condition-based: The 20€ option is only charged on-site if you are allowed to enter the water.
• Swim time is short: Usually about 1-2 minutes per participant, tied to animal behavior and safety rules.
• You search multiple zones: You spend the longest stretch on the water looking for dolphins and whales, with a photo stop at Cabo Girão.
• Backup plan if no sightings: If no cetacean species are spotted, you’re invited to join another trip free within one year, if space allows.

Why a RIB whale and dolphin cruise out of Funchal is such a good use of time

If you’re in Madeira for a short stay, this is a high-impact activity. Two and a half hours sounds quick, but on the water you’re not just “hoping.” You’re actively scanning from a fast, maneuverable boat that can reach likely areas and adjust when sightings happen.

The best part is that you are not stuck far out in the harbor while everyone else watches from a distance. On a RIB, you feel the work the crew is doing. That includes the guiding and spotting approach, plus strict respect for animal welfare so you can enjoy close views without pushing the animals.

Value-wise, the price also makes sense. The standard trip includes the boat time plus safety equipment, and the guiding is live and bilingual (English and Portuguese). Optional extras are truly optional, like the swim add-on.

The 2.5-hour flow on the water, from safety briefing to wildlife search

Your day starts at a meeting point that can vary depending on the option you choose. In practice, you’ll want to follow the location pin and be ready at the jetty area. One small logistics tip that saves stress: people sometimes circle looking for the exact boarding spot, so give yourself a few extra minutes and wait by the jetty door.

Once you’re aboard, the crew handles the essentials fast and clearly:

• You get a safety briefing
• You put on a lifejacket
• You go out from Funchal’s harbor with constant views of Madeira’s shoreline

Then comes the main act: wildlife searching. You spend a long stretch heading out over the open ocean while keeping the island coastline in view when conditions allow. It is part patience, part timing. The operator notes that, on average, trips have about a 99% chance of at least one cetacean species being seen.

What you might actually see

Expect wild dolphins and whales. The experience also mentions that turtles are possible sometimes. From the types of sightings described by participants, you should be aware of likely dolphin and whale categories such as:

• Atlantic Spotted Dolphins
• Common dolphins (mentioned in the rules for entering the water)
• Pilot whales
• Sperm whales
• Even very young whales, in at least one sighting account

This matters because you should set your expectations for “close as reasonably possible,” not “guaranteed contact.” Boat rules and animal behavior decide the limits.

How the dolphin and whale viewing feels on a small RIB

Seeing cetaceans is one thing. Seeing them from a small RIB is another. With a small group, the crew can keep everyone oriented and reacting together. It also means you can shift attention quickly as animals surface, approach, and move.

I like that the crew treats the viewing as behavior-reading, not just chasing. The idea is to watch how dolphins and whales are using the water, and then adjust your position as needed while staying within animal protection law.

It can also feel surprisingly comfortable for families. One family-focused account noted that kids handled the experience well because the boat is fast and the wildlife viewing is frequent rather than spaced out.

A quick note on motion sickness

If you are worried about sea sickness, this is worth mentioning. One account specifically said that on an RIB, they did not get the usual motion sickness they associate with boats. Your experience can still vary, but if you react to long, slow pitching on bigger vessels, a RIB might feel different. Bring your preferred remedy anyway, just to be safe.

Cabo Girão cliff stop and the scenic payoff near the end

After the core wildlife search time, you head back toward Funchal marina to disembark. Before you’re done, there’s also a Cabo Girão cliff photo stop with sightseeing and scenic drive.

This is a nice contrast to the ocean scanning. Even if you’re fully “in whale mode” by then, the cliff stop helps you switch gears. You’ll get a high viewpoint and a chance to connect what you saw at sea with Madeira’s dramatic coastline.

And once you’re back near Funchal’s south coast area, you should keep your eyes open for cave-like coastal scenery from the water route. One sighting day ended with a particularly scenic return hugging the coast.

The optional swim with dolphins, what it includes and what affects it

The Swim with Dolphins add-on is 20€ per participant. Important detail: you book it as an add-on option, but the crew only charges it on-site if it is possible to enter the water under local protection rules. If you cannot enter, you pay just the standard trip price.

Who can actually go in the water

You only enter if the dolphins are the right type for the rules:

• Common Dolphins
• Atlantic Spotted Dolphins

And entry depends on animal behavior. The crew watches conditions and behavior, then decides whether the swim is allowed.

What you get and how long it lasts

If the swim goes ahead, the boat provides basic snorkeling gear:

• a mask and snorkel

Time in the water is usually brief, about 1-2 minutes per participant. You’ll likely swim or snorkel while attached to the boat (the accounts describe holding a rope attached to the boat). Expect a short, active moment rather than a long swim session.

What the experience feels like

One practical detail that pops up in accounts: you are not standing around waiting. You hold the rope, and the boat movement and animal proximity can create a slightly chaotic, thrilling feel. If you like adrenaline and short intense nature moments, this fits. If you prefer calm, you should be ready for a quick burst.

Meet the crew: guides and captain matter more than you think

The experience is built around guidance. Multiple accounts name guides such as Anna and Mark, and crew members like Paulo/Paolo and Paulo/Marc in different combinations. Regardless of the exact pair you get, the pattern is consistent: the crew is friendly, professional, and focused on explaining what you’re seeing.

I especially like that the crew approach includes ecological awareness. One account described a small act of picking up plastic from the water during the trip. That kind of behavior tends to go with a mindset of responsible wildlife viewing, not just entertainment.

Price and value: why 61 USD feels fair for what you get

The standard price is listed as $61 per person, with about 2.5 hours total on the water. For this kind of wildlife trip, the best value question is not only cost. It is: what percentage of the outing is real ocean time, and do you have a good chance of real sightings?

Here are the value drivers that match what you care about:

• Time on the water: the trip includes at least about 2 hours out searching for wildlife.
• Small-group experience: you are not lost in a crowd, so each sighting feels more meaningful.
• Included safety equipment: lifejackets and the basic setup are part of the tour.
• Live guide and interpretation: English and Portuguese narration adds real understanding.
• Backup if you miss cetaceans: if no cetacean species are spotted, you’re invited to join another trip free within one year, if availability allows.

Then there’s the dolphin swim add-on logic. You are not “paying extra no matter what.” The 20€ charge is only triggered when you can legally enter the water. That protects your wallet and your expectations.

What to pack and how to dress for Madeira RIB weather

This trip hits the ocean fast, so dress for the sea, not the street. The guidance is straightforward:

• Windbreaker
• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Sunscreen
• Jacket

You should take the wind warning seriously. Conditions can change quickly and it can get chilly out on the water, even if Madeira feels warm in town.

Practical move: layer up. A light warm jacket under a windbreaker is often the sweet spot. If you have a hat that stays put in wind, bring it. Also protect your eyes and skin, because sun plus sea glare can be intense.

Who this trip suits best, and who should think twice

This cruise is a strong match for:

• You want wildlife watching in a short time window
• You like fast, active boat rides rather than slow sightseeing
• You want a small-group experience with real interpretation
• You are interested in the possibility of a dolphin swim, but you understand it is not guaranteed

It might be less ideal if:

• You strongly dislike wind or rougher water motion (RIBs can feel bouncy)
• You need guaranteed time in the water for dolphins (the swim depends on animal behavior and rules)
• You are easily stressed by quick boarding logistics, since the meeting point can vary and the jetty access can be a bit confusing for first-timers

How to get the most out of your wildlife search moment

On a wildlife tour, your job is simple: stay ready to look and listen. Keep your eyes on where the crew signals, and don’t lock onto one surface moment. Dolphins and whales can surface, travel, and disappear quickly.

If you do book the dolphin swim option, treat it like a bonus that comes only when conditions allow. You’ll enjoy it more if you focus on the viewing first. When the swim is possible, it will feel like a quick, special window rather than a long expectation.

Also, plan your mindset. Waiting is part of the game. Even with a high sighting average, nature controls the schedule.

Should you book this Funchal RIB whale watching cruise?

I’d book it if you want an active, small-group Madeira experience with strong odds of cetacean sightings and a real shot at a dolphin swim under the right conditions. The 2.5-hour format is efficient, and the included safety equipment plus live guide narration adds value beyond the boat ride itself.

Book with confidence, but do it with realistic expectations. The sea can be windy, the ride can be bumpy, and the swim depends on dolphins showing up in a legally allowed way. If you can accept those conditions, this is the kind of outing that turns a regular Madeira day into a memorable ocean story.

FAQ

How long is the RIB whale watching cruise from Funchal?

The duration is 2.5 hours.

Where do we meet for the tour?

The meeting point can vary depending on the option booked, but it is in the Funchal harbor area near the jetty.

Does the dolphin swim cost extra?

Yes. The swim with dolphins is an add-on option. The price is 20€ per participant, and it is only charged on-site if the crew can enter the water with the animals under local rules.

What happens if you choose the dolphin swim option but dolphins do not meet the rules?

If the animals do not allow water entry under the protection law, you will still do the standard cruise, and you will not be charged the swim add-on.

How long is the swim/snorkel with dolphins?

The time in the water is usually around 1-2 minutes per participant.

What safety gear is included?

The boat trip includes necessary safety equipment, and lifejackets are donned before departure.

What languages is the live guide speaking?

The live tour guide speaks English and Portuguese.

Is there a private tour option?

Yes. A private boat option is available for up to 18 passengers.

What if no dolphins or whales are spotted during the trip?

If no cetacean species are seen, you are invited to join another trip free of charge within one year time, as long as availability allows.