The essentials
- From US$62 for a 2.5-hour trip from Funchal with a live guide.[1]
- 2.5 hours, with starting times to check before booking.[1]
- Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund; reserve now and pay later.[1]
- Rated 4.70 from 2,070 reviews on GetYourGuide, with strong guide and transport scores.[1]
- Bottlenose dolphins and short-finned pilot whales are seen all year round; Atlantic spotted dolphins peak March to November.[2][3]
| Speed boat | Luxury catamaran | Sailing trip | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Example tour | Speed Boat Tour[4] | Luxury Catamaran[5] | Sailing Trip[6] |
| From | from US$63[4] | from US$46[5] | from US$47[6] |
| Duration | 2 hours[4] | 3 hours[5] | 3 hours[6] |
| Guide | Portuguese, English[4] | Portuguese, English[5] | English, Portuguese[6] |
Five kilometres off the coast, the ocean depths can reach more than 3,000 metres, and the steep slopes, canyons and plateaus allow deep-water whales to swim close to the island's coastline.
A sensible first whale watch in Funchal
Read before booking
- Reserve now and pay later
- Free cancellation and free rebooking
- Live guide in English, French and Portuguese
- Check availability for starting times
On the water
- Wildlife distance and speed rules
- Sea temperature varies by season
- Swimmers stay attached by a secure rope
- Calmer south coast water
Why Funchal is a good base
Funchal sits on Madeira's south coast, where the trade winds arrive in a weakened form and the sea is usually calmer.[7] That makes it a comfortable place to start a dolphin and whale watching trip. Bottlenose dolphins and short-finned pilot whales are seen all year round off Madeira.[2] In practical terms, this means you do not need to time your visit around a narrow migration window. The marina is easy to reach on foot from many hotels, and the old town's cafés and tiled front doors make a pleasant pre-trip wander.
The underwater world does the rest. Just five kilometres off the coast the ocean can be more than 3,000 metres deep, with steep slopes, canyons and plateaus that bring deep-water whales close to shore.[8] Researchers have confirmed 27 species of cetacean in Madeira's waters, so a short trip from Funchal can produce a memorable sighting.[2] That variety makes every trip different. Looking out from the harbour, the island rises steeply behind the city, a reminder that the same slopes continue underwater.
The south coast's sheltered position also means less time spent fighting waves and more time watching for fins.[7] The tour is based in Funchal, so you can step from the marina straight into the old town afterwards.[1] If you are staying elsewhere on the island, it is still easy to reach the city for a morning departure. Boats come and go beside the promenade, and there are benches where you can sit and watch the light change on the water before boarding.
The tour booked from this site
The trip featured here is called From Funchal: Whale and Dolphin Watching. It costs from US$62 and lasts 2.5 hours.[1] A live guide speaks English, French and Portuguese, and the tour starts in Funchal.[1] You can reserve now and pay later, cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and free rebooking is offered.[1] The vessel keeps a steady, comfortable pace while the crew scans the water, giving you time to settle in and enjoy the open air.
On GetYourGuide, travellers rate the trip 4.70 based on 2,070 reviews.[1] The guide and transportation both score 4.8, and value for money scores 4.6.[1] Strong scores on guiding and transport suggest the people leading the trip matter as much as the boat itself. A good skipper reads the sea, knows the local species and shares just enough detail to make the encounter meaningful.
The 2.5-hour format is a good middle ground for families and first-time visitors.[1] You get a proper cruise without giving up an entire day, and the operator offers flexibility with rebooking and cancellation.[1] With starting times to check, you can fit the trip around the rest of your holiday.[1] This leaves room for a late lunch, a look at the cathedral, or a gentle ride up the hill on a tuk tuk, all in the same day.
Guests lean toward the wake as the RIB moves past Madeira's green volcanic headland.
What you may see
Resident species are the backbone of most trips. Bottlenose dolphins and short-finned pilot whales are encountered all year round, while Atlantic spotted dolphins and occasional blue whales arrive as seasonal visitors.[2] Orcas and humpback whales are rarely seen.[2] That mix means every cruise has its own character. In the open water the light can change quickly, and the crew's quiet attention is part of the atmosphere.
Spotted dolphins are most commonly seen between March and November.[3] In winter, short-beaked common dolphins join the line-up and are at their strongest from December.[9] If you have a species in mind, the season can guide your choice of date. Before you board, the crew usually gives a short briefing on what to look for, and it helps to arrive with your eyes on the horizon.
Some operators use a land-based spotter who relays mileage and landmarks to skippers, which helps boats find animals more efficiently.[10] The whale watching industry on Madeira has a complicated history: it ran from 1941 until 1981, when it voluntarily stopped.[11] Today the focus is on responsible observation rather than hunting. Seeing a dolphin bow-ride beside the boat is a quiet thrill that stays with you long after you are back on shore.
Compare Funchal dolphin and whale watching prices
For anyone comparing Funchal dolphin and whale watching prices, the tour booked from this site starts from US$62.[1] Cheaper catamaran options start from US$40, and a sailing trip starts from US$47.[6][12][13] These from-prices give a quick sense of the range, but the right choice depends on boat style and duration. A faster boat covers more water, while a catamaran offers a steadier platform for photography.
Faster tours cost a little more: a speed boat trip starts from US$63 and takes 2 hours, while a traditional vessel excursion starts from US$56 and lasts 2.5 hours.[4][14] A luxury catamaran trip starts from US$46.[5] With so many options, check availability for starting times before booking.[1] Think about who is travelling with you: children and older guests often prefer the gentler motion of a bigger boat.
Those on a tighter budget can consider a hop-on hop-off bus plus boat combo from US$53, or a dolphin and whale watching catamaran cruise from US$40.[13][15] The tour booked from this site sits in the middle of the price range, with a from-price of US$62.[1] That balance of price and duration makes it an easy first choice, especially if you are not sure which boat style suits you.
from US$62
Book the 2.5-hour tour from Funchal with a live guide, free cancellation and a from-price of US$62.[1]
Rules on the water
Boats in Madeira keep a safe distance: at least 50 meters from whales and dolphins, and 25 meters from sea turtles.[16] They also slow down gradually, with a maximum of 12 knots within 300 meters and 8 knots within 100 meters.[16] This leaves the animals in control of the encounter. On board, the effect is a respectful hush as the boat glides rather than charges.
If you book a trip that includes swimming, the rules are clear too. Swimmers must remain attached to the boat by holding a secure rope, and free swimming away from the boat is not allowed.[17] The calmer south coast water makes this easier to manage.[7] It may feel strange at first, but the rope keeps everyone safe and lets you focus on the dolphins moving around you.
These rules are part of what keeps the experience calm for everyone on board.[16] Respect for the wildlife is also a good sign that you have chosen a thoughtful operator. Knowing the rules before you board lets you relax and enjoy the sighting. A good skipper will answer questions about the island's whaling history, which ran from 1941 until 1981.[11]
When to go
You can plan around the species you most want to see. Bottlenose dolphins and short-finned pilot whales are present all year round.[2] Atlantic spotted dolphins are most commonly encountered between March and November.[3] Short-beaked common dolphins are at their strongest from December.[9] If your dates are flexible, moving a trip by a few weeks can change the mix of species you are likely to meet.
Sea temperature off Funchal ranges from 19°C in winter to 24°C in summer.[18] A light layer is wise on the water, and sun protection helps even when clouds appear. The length of daylight changes through the year, so check availability for starting times when you choose a date.[1] In the cooler months a windproof jacket is your friend; in summer, sunglasses and a hat do most of the work.
No month guarantees a particular sighting, but resident species give you a strong baseline.[2] If you really want Atlantic spotted dolphins, aim for March to November.[3] If you prefer winter, short-beaked common dolphins are at their strongest from December.[9] Either way, the trip is short enough to retry on another day if the sea is quiet.
Booking and practical details
For the tour booked from this site, the price starts from US$62.[1] You can reserve now and pay later, and free cancellation applies up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.[1] Free rebooking is also offered.[1] Having the flexibility to pay later makes it easy to lock in a spot while your plans are still forming.
Availability and starting times should be checked before you go.[1] The trip lasts 2.5 hours, leaving time for gardens, viewpoints or a meal afterwards.[1] Booking ahead in busy months is a good idea, and a flexible reservation makes that easier. When you book, note the meeting point in Funchal and give yourself time to find it without rushing.[1]
Remember that every GetYourGuide listing has different services and inclusions. Check availability to see starting times, and compare the from-price with your own plans.[1] The whale watching tour booked from this site offers free rebooking, which adds useful flexibility.[1] A little comparison goes a long way, and the right trip should match both your budget and the way you like to travel.
Trip lengths compared
Funchal whale watching prices compared
From-prices from GetYourGuide tour listings:[1][4][5][6].
Best times to see dolphins and whales
How to plan your trip
Choose a date
Bottlenose dolphins and short-finned pilot whales are seen all year round.[2] Check availability for starting times.[1]
Reserve with flexibility
Price starts from US$62.[1] You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance.[1]
Meet your guide
The live guide speaks English, French and Portuguese.[1] The meeting point is in Funchal.[1]
Go looking
The trip lasts 2.5 hours.[1] The crew follows distance rules, including 50 meters from whales and dolphins.[16]
Finish with time to spare
A 2.5 hour trip leaves room for lunch, a tuk tuk ride or a levada walk later.[1]
Book your Funchal dolphin and whale watching trip today
from US$63Reserve now & pay later
