Funchal: Whale Watching and Swimming With Dolphins Cruise

Funchal, the capital of Madeira, offers an unforgettable adventure for nature enthusiasts. The Whale Watching and Swimming With Dolphins Cruise provides a thrilling 2.5-hour experience, allowing participants to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. With a small group size and the guidance of a knowledgeable marine biologist, this excursion promises an intimate encounter you won’t soon forget. Whether you’re looking to witness the gentle giants of the sea or swim alongside playful dolphins, this cruise in Funchal is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Key Points

• This 2.5-hour whale watching and swimming with dolphins cruise in Funchal, Madeira, is priced at $87.23 per person and available in Portuguese, English, and French.
• The small-group experience is limited to 36 passengers across two boats and includes hotel pickup and drop-off, with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
• The tour begins with a 10-minute safety briefing, followed by a whale watching experience with a marine biologist providing insights about the animals and environment.
• Participants have the opportunity to swim with dolphins and turtles during the cruise, led by a marine biologist and with a focus on observing natural behaviors.
• The tour has received a 5/5 rating based on customer feedback, highlighting positive encounters with marine life, insightful commentary, and the personalized small-group setting.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Activity Overview

The activity offers a whale watching and swimming with dolphins cruise in Funchal, Madeira. Priced from $87.23 per person, the 2.5-hour tour is available in Portuguese, English, and French.

Set out on a 2.5-hour whale watching and dolphin swimming cruise in Funchal, Madeira, offered in Portuguese, English, and French for $87.23 per person.

It features a safety briefing, 2.5 hours of whale watching, and the chance to swim with dolphins and turtles. The small-group experience is limited to 36 passengers across two boats.

Convenient hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and there’s free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.

Customers have rated the tour 5/5 based on 2 reviews, highlighting positive experiences and recommending the activity.

Itinerary Details

The tour begins at the Rota dos Cetáceos – Whale & Dolphin Watching and Swimming with Dolphins in Funchal.

After a 10-minute safety briefing, the 2.5-hour whale watching experience starts. During this time, participants can look for whales and dolphins off the coast of Madeira. A marine biologist will be on hand to provide information about the animals and their environment.

The tour returns to the starting location. This small group tour is operated with a fleet of 2 boats, each with 18 seats. The experience is offered in Portuguese, English, and French.

Safety Briefing

Before embarking on the whale watching and dolphin swimming cruise, participants receive a 10-minute safety briefing. This briefing covers essential information to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience:

| Safety Protocols | Proper Conduct |

| — | — |

| Proper use of life vests | Staying within designated areas |

| Emergency procedures | Listening to crew instructions |

The safety briefing emphasizes the importance of following these guidelines to protect both participants and marine life. With the necessary precautions in place, travelers can focus on the excitement of the upcoming adventure.

Whale Watching Experience

After the safety briefing, participants embark on the whale watching cruise.

Over the next 2.5 hours, they’ll scan the seas for whales and dolphins off the coast of Madeira. A marine biologist is on board to provide insights about the marine wildlife and their environment.

Participants scan the seas off Madeira for 2.5 hours, with a marine biologist providing insights about the marine wildlife and environment.

The small group experiences this from a fleet of two 18-seat boats, offering an intimate encounter with the cetaceans.

While swimming with dolphins and turtles is a possibility, the focus is primarily on observing the whales and dolphins in their natural habitat during the whale watching portion of the excursion.

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Dolphin Swimming Opportunity

Along With the whale watching experience, participants have the opportunity to swim with dolphins and turtles during the excursion. The cruise offers a small group setting, with a fleet of two boats, each accommodating up to 18 passengers. This allows for a more intimate and personalized encounter with the marine life.

| Dolphin Swimming | Turtle Viewing |

| — | — |

| Swim alongside wild dolphins | Look for turtles in their natural habitat |

| Observe their natural behaviors | Witness their graceful movements in the water |

The dolphin swimming and turtle viewing activities are led by a marine biologist, who provides valuable insights into the creatures’ environments and behaviors.

Small Group Exploration

The small group cruise offers an intimate and personalized experience for participants.

With a fleet of two boats, each carrying only 18 passengers, guests can expect a close-up encounter with the marine life.

The small group size allows for:

• Increased opportunities to spot and observe whales and dolphins

• More personalized attention from the marine biologist guide

• Enhanced ability to swim with the dolphins and turtles

• Easier navigation and maneuverability within the waters around Madeira

This small-scale adventure provides an exclusive and immersive wildlife viewing experience unlike the typical crowded boat tours.

Inclusions and Meeting Point

The cruise includes a life vest for each participant, as well as hotel pickup and drop-off services.

The meeting point is at Store 35, Rota dos Cetáceos – Whale & Dolphin Watching and Swimming with Dolphins. Guests will receive a 10-minute safety briefing before embarking on the 2.5-hour whale watching and dolphin swimming experience.

The tour begins at Store 35, Rota dos Cetáceos, where guests receive a safety briefing before a 2.5-hour whale and dolphin experience.

The tour takes place on a small group excursion with a fleet of two boats, each accommodating 18 passengers.

With both Portuguese and English-speaking guides, the tour provides an intimate and informative opportunity to observe wildlife in Funchal’s coastal waters.

Customer Feedback

Overwhelmingly positive customer feedback underscores the tour’s appeal, with participants awarding it an impressive 5/5 rating across 2 reviews.

Travelers highlighted:

• Exhilarating encounters with dolphins and whales off the Madeira coast

• Insightful commentary from the on-board marine biologist

• Fulfilling opportunity to swim with dolphins and turtles

• Small-group setting that enabled an intimate, personalized experience

While one reviewer noted the inability to swim, the tour’s consistently glowing reviews suggest it delivers an exceptional whale watching and dolphin swimming adventure that customers enthusiastically recommend.

Since You Asked

What Is the Minimum Age Requirement for This Tour?

The minimum age requirement for this tour is not specified in the provided information. The activity overview and itinerary details do not mention any age restrictions for participants.

Is There an Option to Extend the Duration of the Cruise?

There is no option to extend the duration of the cruise. The tour is a 2.5-hour whale watching and swimming with dolphins experience, and there’s no information provided about the ability to customize or extend the length of the activity.

Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks on the Boat?

Passengers can bring their own food and drinks on the boat. However, it’s recommended to check with the tour operator beforehand as some may have restrictions or provisions available on board.

Do I Need to Bring Any Special Equipment for Swimming With Dolphins?

No, you don’t need to bring any special equipment for swimming with dolphins. The activity provider will provide life vests and any necessary gear. Just bring your swimsuit and towel, and they’ll handle the rest.

Is There a Guided Tour or Commentary Available During the Cruise?

Yes, there is a guided tour and commentary available during the cruise. The experience includes a marine biologist who provides information about the whales, dolphins, and their environment throughout the whale watching and swimming portion of the tour.

The Sum Up

The Funchal Whale Watching and Swimming with Dolphins Cruise offers an exhilarating 2.5-hour adventure to observe marine life in its natural habitat. With a small group size, personalized attention from a marine biologist, and the chance to swim alongside dolphins, this tour provides an immersive and unforgettable experience. Convenient hotel pickup and drop-off, along with flexible cancellation, make it a hassle-free choice for those seeking to explore Funchal’s wonders.

You can check availability for your dates here: