Funchal: Guarantee Wild Dolphin&Whale Watching by RIB

Wildlife time, but fast, and close to home.

This RIB ride off Funchal is built for wild dolphins and whales on a small boat, with a guide and skipper who focus on education and animal respect. The trip starts with a safety briefing, then you speed out along Madeira’s coastline for open-ocean searching, so you are not stuck in a long, slow slog. I love that it is a small-group format designed for intimate sightings, and you also get a very practical chance to see cetaceans on nearly every outing. One drawback to plan for: you are at sea in a windy area, so you will want a proper windbreaker and layers.

My second favorite part is how the optional snorkel fits into the wildlife rules. You only get into the water if the animals show behavior that fits local animal-protection laws, and only for certain species, so it stays ethically grounded. If no cetaceans show up, you are invited to join another trip free within a year when space allows. The tradeoff is that wildlife is wildlife, so you have to be okay with patience and the fact that the exact sighting is never guaranteed.

Key things worth knowing before you go

• Small-boat intimacy: A RIB format that keeps sightings close while staying in a controlled, guided setup.
• High odds on paper: The operator reports a yearly average of 99% trips with at least one cetacean species sighting.
• Snorkel is conditional: The 20€ add-on only charges on-site if local rules allow the swim, and only in specific situations.
• Short time in the water: If you do snorkel, the time in the water is typically around 1-2 minutes per participant.
• A real second chance: If no cetaceans are spotted, you can join another trip free within 1 year (subject to availability).
• Madeira scenery included: You cruise past coastline views and also loop near Cabo Girao for scenic stops on the way.

RIB whale watching from Funchal: what you are really buying

You are paying for proximity and momentum. This is not a sightseeing cruise where you watch the horizon from a distance for hours. A small-group RIB gets you out to where cetaceans feed and travel, and then it keeps moving based on what the team spots. That matters, because with wildlife, the difference between seeing something and missing it can be minutes, not hours.

At $70 per person for about 2.5 hours, the value is in the mix: active searching, knowledgeable guiding, and safety equipment included, without extra add-on costs unless you choose the dolphin snorkel. Drinks and snacks are not included, so plan for a quick buy before you go or bring your own if your operator rules allow. Also note parking is not included, which can be a small cost if you are driving yourself.

This is a good fit if you want an authentic Madeira nature experience and you like the feeling of being out on the water. Reviews point to an adrenaline element, the kind you feel when you are moving quickly, with that salt-air spray and the wind in your face.

The 2.5-hour rhythm: how the experience flows

The day runs like a tight nature session, not a long tour with lots of waiting. Expect a simple sequence: meet, prep, go, search, then head back.

1) Meeting and boarding in Funchal

Your meeting point can vary depending on the option you book. Once you arrive, you get ready for boarding and you will hear the safety talk before you head out. I like that the flow is straightforward, because you spend less time guessing and more time focused on the sea.

You will also want to show up dressed for the ocean wind. The basics are listed for a reason: windbreaker, sunglasses, sun hat, and sunscreen. Even in pleasant weather on land, it can get windy quickly out at sea, and in winter months a warmer waterproof jacket makes a big difference.

2) Safety briefing and lifejacket time

Lifejackets are part of the setup. This matters because a RIB is faster and more agile than a big tour boat. The team’s briefing is there to keep everyone comfortable and safe, especially if the sea is moving.

One practical benefit, based on feedback, is that the crew pays attention to how people are feeling. If you tend to get seasick, ask early about what to do during the ride. Reviews specifically call out help for sea sickness, which tells me the guides are used to managing that issue.

3) Leaving the harbor, Madeira coastline views, then out to open water

Once you depart Funchal’s harbor, you cruise along Madeira’s coastline and out toward open ocean. This is not just travel time. It is part of the experience because you are getting panoramic views while the team sets up the search.

Wildlife hunting is a game of patience and luck, and that honesty is important. The operator says they have a yearly average of 99% trips with successful sightings of at least one cetacean species. Even with a high average, you should still go with the mindset that you might need to wait a bit while they scan.

4) Search time: the part that makes or breaks your memory

At sea, the crew is looking for dolphins, whales, and sometimes turtles. The tour is designed to keep you in the right area long enough for a real chance, without turning it into a half-day ordeal.

A key detail: the trip includes at least 2 hours out on the boat as standard time. That is long enough to feel like a true outing, but short enough to keep the energy up on a small RIB.

5) Optional swim with dolphins, only when the rules allow it

If you add the swim/snorkel option, you are paying 20€ per participant, but you do not pay unless it is possible to enter the water. If the animals’ behavior fits local animal-protection law, the team may place you in the water attached to the boat for a short swim or snorkel.

A few constraints matter:

• You have a mask and snorkel available.
• The time in the water is typically around 1-2 minutes per participant.
• You are only allowed by law to enter the water if they spot Common Dolphins or Atlantic Spotted Dolphins.
• The swim depends on real-time animal behavior, not on a schedule.

This is why the snorkel add-on can feel like the best kind of “yes.” You are not forcing the animals to perform. You are joining only when the conditions are right.

6) Heading back to the marina and finishing up

After the open-water time, you return to the Funchal marina to disembark. The tour has two drop-off locations listed, which is part of why the meeting point may vary.

7) Cabo Girao stop for scenic views on the way

One itinerary stop includes Cabo Girao cliff sightseeing for scenic views along the route. Even if your main goal is marine wildlife, it is a nice add-on to close out the experience with a Madeira highlight you can actually look at with your eyes on dry land.

Dolphin and whale sightings: what close-up changes for you

On a bigger boat, you can lose the animals in distance and waves. On a small RIB, when you get a sighting, it tends to feel more immediate and more “here, now.” The operator markets this as intimate sightings, and that matches the logic.

This is also why wildlife-respecting rules around swimming matter. If the animals behave a certain way, you might be able to do the snorkel attachment moment. If not, you still get the core experience, which is seeing wild dolphins and whales while they are behaving naturally.

From the ratings, one theme shows up clearly: people get multiple dolphin sightings and often see animals with babies, and that is exactly the kind of detail that makes wildlife watching feel real. There are also mentions of whale sightings like Grind Whales, and those are the moments you will remember later when you are back on shore, eating something warm.

The crew matters: guide, skipper, and how respect shows

This tour is not just “boat plus ocean.” The crew’s job is to locate wildlife and manage everyone safely while staying within rules that protect animals.

The reviews emphasize three things:

• Punctual, informative guiding that gives you context for what you are looking at.
• A skipper and crew that handle the boat confidently, including people who feel motion in different ways.
• Strong respect for the animals, which shows up in how swimming decisions are made based on behavior and the law.

You do not need to be a marine biologist to enjoy the experience, but you do want a guide who can point out what you are seeing and why it matters. In this setup, the goal is not just to find animals, it is to help you understand them in the moment.

Seasickness and comfort: real talk for the RIB ride

Wind and motion are your two biggest challenges. The operator even flags that sea conditions can get windy quickly. So take that seriously.

Here is how I would prepare for a smoother ride based on what is clearly expected:

• Wear a windbreaker that actually blocks wind. Sunglasses help because spray and brightness can be intense.
• Bring sunscreen and a hat, because the sun can hit hard even when it feels cooler offshore.
• If you are prone to seasickness, consider planning around it before you are already on the water, and mention it to the crew when you board. Their support is specifically noted.

You do not need to be miserable to enjoy this. You just need to dress like you respect the ocean, because the ocean does not care about your itinerary.

Snorkel with dolphins: worth the extra 20€ or skip it?

The snorkel add-on is an attractive idea, but it is also not a guaranteed add-on experience. You pay 20€ on-site only if the team can enter the water legally. Otherwise, you only pay the standard trip price.

So how do you decide?

Choose it if you:

• Want a short, close-up wildlife moment rather than only viewing from the boat.
• Are comfortable with the idea that the “yes” depends on animal behavior.
• Like that the time in water is limited to around 1-2 minutes per participant, which keeps expectations realistic.

Skip it if you:

• Prefer to keep the budget simple.
• Know you are sensitive to motion and just want the wildlife scouting and cruising.

Either way, the standard boat trip is still the main event. The snorkel is a bonus that only happens when the conditions line up.

Private group option: when privacy beats the sea spray

There is a private tour option, and it can hold up to 18 passengers on your own boat. That is useful for family trips, friend groups, or anyone who wants to coordinate who goes where and when.

Private can also make it easier to manage seasickness concerns. In a shared group, you might wait your turn to ask questions. In a private setup, the guide and skipper can focus more on your group’s needs right away.

If you are traveling as a larger group and want an experience that feels more tailored, private is a strong consideration.

Should you book this wild dolphin and whale watching RIB?

Book it if you want an active marine wildlife trip in Madeira that trades long hours for real searching and close viewing. The best reason is the style of operation: small-group boat time, a crew that works the search, and a documented high success rate based on their yearly average. You also get a nice extra scenic moment at Cabo Girao, so you are not just paying for the ocean.

I would think twice only if:

• Wind and choppy water are a hard no for you, and you are unlikely to dress for that.
• You need the snorkel experience itself to be guaranteed, because it is conditional on animal behavior and legal rules.

If you go in with the right mindset, you are set up for what Madeira is famous for: wild nature that does not perform on command. You show up, you wait a bit, and if the animals are in the area, you get a truly memorable close-up encounter.

FAQ

How long is the RIB dolphin and whale watching trip?

The tour duration is about 2.5 hours, with at least 2 hours out on the boat on standard timing.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is listed as $70 per person.

What is included in the ticket price?

You get the boat trip with necessary safety equipment, plus applicable fees, taxes, and fuel surcharges.

Is snorkeling with dolphins included?

No. Snorkeling or swimming with dolphins is an add-on option booked separately. It costs 20€ per participant on-site only if it is possible to enter the water under the local animal-protection rules.

What should I bring for the trip?

Bring a windbreaker, sunglasses, a sun hat, and sunscreen. Weather at sea can get windy quickly, and winter months may need a warmer waterproof jacket.

What happens if no dolphins or whales are spotted?

If no cetacean species are sighted during your trip, you can join another trip free of charge within 1 year time, as long as availability allows (and it is not transferable).