Wild sea meetings happen fast. This Madeiran whale and dolphin outing is a 2-hour speedboat chase where you cover water quickly and keep your distance from the animals.

What I like most is the mix of small groups (up to 18) plus guides who actually know their stuff and explain what you are seeing, from marine biologist Camila to Fernanda. The experience also has a clear animal-welfare approach, and if conditions line up, you may even get time in the water with the dolphins.

One thing to keep in mind: it is weather-dependent, and the sea can feel bumpy. Also, whales are never guaranteed, and swimming depends on animal behavior and sea conditions.

Key highlights before you go

• RIB speedboat for quick searching across Madeira’s edge, so you spend more time on the water and less time waiting
• Up to 18 people for a less crowded feel and easier viewing from all sides of the boat
• Marine biologist-led spotting with lots of species talk, plus real respect for animal boundaries
• Snorkeling gear included (mask and snorkel) for when you can safely use it
• Chance to swim with dolphins only if animal behavior and sea conditions are right
• Backup if no whales or dolphins show via another free tour or a weather-related voucher

Meet at Funchal’s new marina, then get into the search mode

The tour starts at the new marina of Funchal, and that matters because you are not fighting your way through old-town lanes with cameras and sunscreen. You meet your guide right by the speedboat, in front of door 4, the last one on the left when you are facing the sea.

Plan to arrive 20 minutes before departure. That buffer helps you park without stress, find the correct boat fast, and get suited up before you rush onto the RIB. For parking, use the Almirante Reis parking lot, not the Marina Park, since that one is private.

Once you are aboard, the vibe shifts immediately from “vacation mode” to “spotting mode.” A smaller speedboat means everyone tends to lean and look, and you will notice the whole boat works like one big lookout team. If you like your tours active, not passive, this is your kind of outing.

The two hours that really matter: speed, scanning, and Madeira’s open water

This is a 2-hour cruise that runs out from Funchal and focuses on dolphin and whale watching around Madeira. You are not stuck along one shoreline. Instead, you cover more area quickly on a RIB with powerful engines, which boosts your odds of encountering multiple groups during the same outing.

You will likely spend most of your time doing three things in a loop:

1) watch the surface for surfacing blows or backs

2) adjust your gaze along the direction the guide points

3) listen, because the guide is calling out what to look for and what you are probably seeing

That is where the guides earn their keep. I love the way the marine biologist leads like Camila and Fernanda connect the sightings to real behavior, like how dolphins feed, move in pods, and react to boats. On top of that, you get a sense of what the team is tracking and why the tour follows animal-welfare rules created in consultation with World Animal Protection.

Also, you cannot beat the setting. The water around Madeira can look almost too clear, and when the boat is moving, you get a constantly changing view of the island edge, the coast line curves, and the open sea stretching out.

Who you can meet: dolphins are the most likely, whales are the bonus

Here is the practical truth. The tour is built around a very high chance of seeing whales or dolphins, and dolphins are the frequent headline. Many people come away talking about pods of common dolphins, spotted dolphins, bottle-nose dolphins, and pilot whales, depending on what is in the area that day.

Whales are more of the wildcard. When you do get them, it can feel like the whole boat goes silent for a second. But you should go in knowing the animals decide the schedule.

If you are hoping for the best odds, choose a time when you are not rushed for the rest of your day. You are not just sitting there waiting for luck. The crew actively searches and adjusts the route when they spot marine life.

Swimming with dolphins: when it happens, it is the real story

If conditions allow and the dolphins show the right behavior, you might get the chance to enter the water with dolphins. The species mentioned for potential in-water time are common dolphins or spotted dolphins.

This is not a “everybody jumps in on demand” setup. It is controlled. People go in only when it is safe for you and not stressful for the animals, and that is exactly what I appreciate about this tour’s approach.

A few details you may see when swimming is offered:

• you go in with snorkeling equipment (mask and snorkel are included)
• people can be split into small groups (for example, some reports describe four at a time)
• you may hold onto a rope attached to the side of the boat while the boat remains moving, so the dolphins do not lose interest
• the time in the water is short, often around several minutes, because the goal is animal comfort, not turning it into a long swim session

Also, sometimes swimming does not happen even when dolphins are present. Sea state matters, and animal behavior matters too. If you do not get into the water, you are still on a moving safari boat watching marine life up close, and the guides continue spotting for the rest of the tour.

What is included, what is not, and how to pack smart

The tour includes snorkeling gear, specifically a mask and snorkel. That is a nice add-on because you do not have to hunt down equipment in Funchal before you go. If conditions are calm enough for people to swim or snorkel, having the gear ready is a big convenience.

Food is not included, but there is a café where you can buy something before or after. I recommend eating lightly beforehand if you tend to feel queasy at sea. This trip is generally described as fun and adrenaline-filled, and for some people it can get bumpy in wind and waves.

What to bring is straightforward:

• swimwear
• a towel
• sunscreen
• a jacket

I also suggest a rain layer if you get easily soaked. Even when the sun is out, the speedboat ride can throw water at you. Some folks reported getting wet all the way through, then drying off on the way back.

Speedboat versus catamaran: why this ride feels more personal

A speedboat RIB changes the feel of whale and dolphin watching. First, the group size is small, with a stated maximum of only 18 persons, which is a totally different experience than the big catamaran scene.

Second, the boat can cover distance fast. That is not just for fun. It is a real practical advantage for spotting, because cetaceans move. When you can reposition quickly, you have more chances to find multiple groups during the same 2-hour window.

Third, the seating and viewing tends to be easier. You can see the ocean on all sides without constantly turning your head to chase a view. Some reports specifically praised the ability to see from the whole boat, not just one direction.

One note for your body: while the operator describes the RIB as helping reduce motion sickness, real weather is real. You might still feel it if you are sensitive, and one report mentioned a seasickness bag was provided. If you know you get sick in boats, bring your usual remedy and keep your expectations flexible.

Guides, research, and that respectful animal-welfare vibe

The biggest reason people return or recommend this tour is not just “we saw dolphins.” It is the way the guides run the encounter.

Guides like Camila, Fernanda, and others are consistently described as Marine biologists who explain what you are seeing and why it matters. A marine biologist background shows up in the details. You hear species cues, behavior patterns, and practical tips for spotting.

Even better, several reports mention that the trip supports scientific research and conservation, and that you are not only there for photos. You are helping the team do work that improves how marine life is understood and protected.

And the animal-welfare approach is not vague. The crew follows rules about not chasing the animals and letting them come to you if they choose. That means your best experiences happen when the dolphins are curious, not when the boat pushes.

Photos at sea, plus your own snapshots from a phone

If you care about capturing the moment, you will enjoy the photo options. Some guides are said to take amazing photos and offer them for purchase at the end. You can also take your own photos nonstop with your phone, especially when the boat lines up with dolphins surfacing near the surface.

My practical advice: keep your phone in a waterproof pouch or a zip bag. Water spray is not a theory on a speedboat ride. It happens.

For video, try short clips instead of long recording. Dolphins and whales can change position quickly, and shorter takes help you keep your shots stable.

Making the most of your chances: your best prep moves

You do not control where dolphins swim, but you control how ready you are.

Here is what helps most:

• Arrive early so you start relaxed, not scrambling for door 4
• Bring sunscreen and a jacket, because sea wind plus sun can flip comfort fast
• If you want the in-water option, follow the crew instructions quickly when they say it is time
• Watch the guide’s spotting signals, because they point out what to look for and where to focus
• Stay flexible about whales. Dolphins may be the steady bet, whales are the “wow if it happens” factor

Also, if you are traveling with kids, note that it is not suitable for children under 10. And it is not suitable for pregnant women.

So is it worth the $58 price?

At $58 per person for 2 hours, the price is not crazy for Madeira, especially because you get snorkeling gear included and you are on a smaller, more maneuverable boat than the mega-tour setups.

The real value question is what you want from the day:

• If you want a quick, active marine encounter with a strong welfare-first crew, this is good value.
• If your only “success” is whales or a guaranteed dolphin swim, no tour can promise that. You are paying for a high-likelihood outing, plus a respectful method, plus backup options if whales and dolphins are not spotted.

The reviews are very strong, with an overall rating of 4.6 based on a large number of ratings, and the praise clusters around organization, respectful behavior toward animals, and the guide experience. That combination is what makes me feel like the money is going to the right place: the crew, the boat, and the mission, not just the spectacle.

Should you book this Funchal whales and dolphins tour?

Book it if you want:

• a small-group speedboat experience from Funchal
• a guide team that talks and teaches while staying respectful toward animals
• a chance to swim with dolphins when conditions allow
• snorkeling gear handled for you

Skip it or rethink if:

• you cannot handle bumpy, wind-driven rides
• you are under 10, or you are pregnant
• you need a guaranteed whale sighting or guaranteed swimming time

If you go in with the right mindset, this tour delivers. You get a fast, focused 2-hour window on the open ocean, plus a good chance at dolphins and sometimes whales, all with a welfare-first approach and marine biologist explanations that actually make the sightings click.