
Whale & Dolphin Watching boat trip
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 103 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Whale & Dolphin Watching boat trip worth booking?
Whale & Dolphin Watching boat trip is a 2.5-hour experience in Funchal, Portugal, from $64 per person. It scores 70 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 103 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 70 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (103)
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- From
- $64 per person
Whale and dolphin watching boat trip from Machico city in Madeira Island on the most wild part of the Island. Possible to swim with dolphins under certain conditions with comum and spotted dolphins only. Marine Biologist
What you get
About this experience
Whale and dolphin watching boat trip from Machico city in Madeira Island on the most wild part of the Island. Possible to swim with dolphins under certain conditions with comum and spotted dolphins only. Marine Biologist specialized on Cetaceans on board during all the trips. We talk about wild life where we do not have any control but we do all we know and experience to find them but when we do not succeed, we just give a second change to go out with us without any extra charge. On this matter we know your investment is always a good investment.
What's included
Included
- Professional rain coat and Life Vest is included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Funchal
Meeting time 15 minutes prior to trip departure.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Meeting time 15 minutes prior to trip departure.
Options you can book
Afternoon trip
WW tours
Whale & Dolphin Whatching Duration: 2 hours Speed Boat - Scorpaena
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- pt, en, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 14 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Scorpio Madeira Wild Life
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 92 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
92 verified traveler reviews for Whale & Dolphin Watching boat trip. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Amazing experience
Amazing experience seeing spotted dolphins, pilot whales, sea birds and flying fish <3 And a lovely stop for swimming!
via Tripadvisor
Amazing tour
The trip was amazing. We saw pilot whales and then swam in the ocean. Everything is very protective and respectful of nature. Maggie, our guide was also amazing, told a lot of interesting stories about Madeira ocean wildlife. Highly recommend this tour!
via Tripadvisor
Once in a life time experience!
Once in a life time experience! The ride itself was worth it, the tour guide is 100% into it. On the top we could see a dolphine super pod (over 1000 animals).
via Tripadvisor
Matt Rogers
I choose this tour as a guinea pig for myself and my brother's Air B and B business. I can honestly say that if you looking for a dolphin watch tour that will get you within touching distance (And of course it goes without saying that you never feed or touch wild animals in their natural habitat) you need look no further. the boat is a zodiac so you will get wet. But it is Madiera after all, what else did you come for. The host will provide a poncho to keep you dry and advise anyone who has bacm issues to sit at the back of the boat. I choose to sit at the VERY front of the boat and had the time of my life.
via Tripadvisor
Amazing experience
Fantastic tour, our guide was amazing and shared loads of information with us. We were very lucky and saw dolphins and whales very close to our boat. Once in a lifetime experience highly recommend. Staff were super friendly and the boat ride was a lot of fun 🐬🐋💚
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 36
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 70
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Whale & Dolphin Watching boat trip: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Funchal.
How much does Whale & Dolphin Watching boat trip cost?
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Prices start at $64 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Funchal usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Whale & Dolphin Watching boat trip take?
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Plan for about 2.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Funchal is not rushed.
Is Whale & Dolphin Watching boat trip worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 70 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 103 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Funchal, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Whale & Dolphin Watching boat trip?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Whale & Dolphin Watching boat trip suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Whale & Dolphin Watching boat trip?
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Around 36 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Funchal can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Funchal and add a light layer if any part of the 2.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Whale & Dolphin Watching boat trip start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Funchal within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Funchal?
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On Outty we rank every Funchal experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Jeep Tour Amazing West to Natural Pools -Full-Day, Porto Moniz, Seixal, Fanal Forest, Cliff Skywalk in Open Roof 4X4, West Tour-Fanal Forest & Porto Moniz Natural Pools Small Groups. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Funchal?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Funchal?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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