Whales off Madeira are a short speed ride away. This 2-hour Madeira whale watching tour from Blue Safari Madeira uses land-based spotters and a custom-made boat to boost your odds of spotting whales and dolphins off Funchal.

I love the close-to-the-water feel of a small group and the fact that the guides bring real marine know-how, like Camila, while keeping the rules strict about no feeding and no chasing.

One catch: you’re out on open water at some speed, so it is not suitable for kids under 6, pregnant travelers, or anyone with back problems.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Care About

• Small boat, up to 12 passengers so everyone has a good chance to spot animals
• Land spotters improve timing and help you find pods faster
• Ethical viewing only with no feeding or chasing—animals stay wild
• A strong success rate plus a guarantee (98% report successful sightings, plus another ticket if none)
• Real research support so your tour helps marine study, not just entertainment
• Bonus wildlife possible including turtles, sea birds, and other sea surprises

Madeira Whale Watching From Funchal: Why This Experience Works

Madeira’s waters can feel oddly personal. You’re not just looking at a distant animal on a horizon—you’re scanning for fin and spray while a team on the water and a team on land work together. That setup matters here, because whales and dolphins don’t perform on schedule. The smarter the search, the more likely you see something you’ll remember for years.

This tour is built around a custom-made boat designed specifically for whale watching, carrying up to 12 people. That small headcount changes the whole vibe. I like tours where you’re not fighting for a viewing angle or hearing someone block your line of sight every time the boat turns.

Two other things I really like: the ethical rules and the people running it. The guides and crew emphasize natural behavior—no feeding, no chasing, no cornering. And the tour includes naturalists or marine biologists, plus land-based professional spotters, which helps you turn spotting into something more than luck.

Meeting Blue Safari Madeira: The Funchal Marina Shortcut

The tour departs from the new marina of Funchal, with you meeting your guide right by the speed boat at Blue Safari Madeira. The instructions are clear: meet in front of door 4, the last one on the left when you’re looking at the sea.

Plan to arrive 20 minutes before departure. That buffer helps you find the exact spot calmly—because on a marina, a few minutes can feel like a lot.

Parking tip: you can park at the Almirante Reis parking lot, which is just a few minutes from where you’ll depart. Avoid the Marina Park lot, since it’s private. If you rely on your phone, use the Google Maps point provided for the closest match to the meeting area.

How the 2-Hour Cruise Unfolds Off the Coast

This is a tight, 2-hour experience, so every minute counts. Here’s the practical rhythm of what you’ll do.

Stop 1: Blue Safari Madeira at the new marina (starting point).

You meet the guide at the boat, get safety info, and get your life jacket. This matters because the tour is high-speed by design, and the crew wants everyone ready for fast turns and open-water scanning.

Stop 2: Out on the water near Funchal (the main viewing time).

This is where you’ll spend your time cruising and searching for cetaceans with the help of land-based spotters. You’re not just riding around. The whole point is to reach the right area at the right moment.

While you look for whales and dolphins, you may also spot other marine life such as turtles and sea birds. The guide will explain what you’re seeing as you go, including differences between species and what behavior might mean. If you’re someone who likes science facts without the lecture tone, this is usually where the experience shines.

Stop 3: Return to Blue Safari Madeira and back to the meeting point.

After the viewing time, you head back to port. The tour ends where you started, so you can easily continue the rest of your Madeira day—whether that means lunch, a levada walk, or just sitting somewhere with a cold drink and staring at the sea like it owes you money.

The Species Chances: What You Might See in Madeira’s Waters

Madeira has a reputation for a high concentration of cetaceans, and this tour builds its plan around that. You may encounter species like:

• Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis)
• Spotted Dolphin (Stenella frontalis)
• Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatu)
• Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
• Pilot Whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus)
• Bryde’s Whale (Balaenoptera edeni)

Also keep your eyes open for additional wildlife. Turtles show up sometimes, and sea birds can often act like a breadcrumb trail for where marine life is active.

A useful mindset: whales and dolphins aren’t guaranteed on any ocean tour. What is strong here is the combination of trained spotters, an operation focused on ethical viewing, and a 98% success rate for sightings. And if you get skunked, there’s a real safety net: you’ll receive another ticket for free.

Ethical Whale Watching: No Feeding, No Chasing, Real Research Support

If you care about animal welfare, this part matters.

The tour is explicit about ethical viewing. There’s no feeding and no chasing. That means you’re not pressuring the animals into proximity. Instead, you observe them as they move through their natural habitat. In practice, this usually leads to better, more relaxed behavior from the animals—and a more satisfying experience for you, because you’re not watching a staged encounter.

Another big plus: the tour supports marine research with every trip. That isn’t just marketing fluff. The operation uses data to help identify, study, and protect dolphins and whales, which adds weight to why you’re out there. You’re not only paying for a thrill—you’re contributing to ongoing work.

Land Spotters and the Art of Finding Pods

Here’s what you should understand before you go: in whale watching, the boat is only half the equation. The other half is information.

This tour includes land-based professional spotters. That means someone on shore is tracking sightings and helping guide the boat to where animals are likely to be. The effect is simple: fewer minutes wandering aimlessly, more time searching with purpose.

In the real world, that can be the difference between seeing nothing and seeing a pod at the right moment. Even if conditions change, a good information system helps the crew adjust quickly.

Comfort on a Speed Boat: What to Expect (and How to Prepare)

You’re on a high-speed boat designed for whale watching, and it carries up to 12 passengers. That small size is great for sightlines, but it also means the ride can feel more energetic than larger, slower boats.

Bring practical expectations:

• Life jackets are provided.
• You’ll likely make quick turns while scanning for animals.
• The ocean surface can be choppy depending on conditions.

Because the tour is not suitable for people with back problems and it’s not suitable for pregnant women, I’d take that seriously as a sign that this is an active ride—not a gentle sightseeing cruise.

If you’re prone to motion sickness, consider packing what works for you. The tour duration is only two hours, so the goal is to feel good enough to stay alert for spouts, fins, and sudden surfacing.

Also note: food and drinks aren’t included, so plan a snack or water before you arrive (or after you return).

Price and Value: Why $55 Can Make Sense Here

At $55 per person, this tour can feel like a bargain compared to long all-day whale cruises. And it’s not just the price—it’s what’s included in that ticket.

You get:

• a boat cruise (2 hours),
• guidance from naturalists or marine biologists,
• an expert crew,
• land-based professional spotters,
• and life jackets.

You’re paying for coordinated searching plus ethical viewing, not just a ride out to sea. The guarantee is also part of the value equation: if there’s no whale or dolphin sighting, you’ll receive another ticket for free. That matters if you’re visiting Madeira for a short time and you really want a whale-watching experience on your schedule.

So the math is pretty simple: this tour is built to be efficient, focused, and likely to deliver results.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Want Another Plan)

This is an excellent match if:

• you want a small group and better viewing angles,
• you like animals in their natural environment,
• you care about ethical rules (no feeding, no chasing),
• you want marine life info from guides who do this for a living.

It’s less of a match if:

• you’re bringing children under 6,
• you’re pregnant,
• you have back problems,
• or you’re looking for a slow, cushy ride with minimal movement.

If you want a whale watching experience that feels part science, part adventure, this hits that sweet spot.

Should You Book This Madeira Whale or Dolphin Guarantee Tour?

I’d book it if your priority is a focused, well-run Madeira whale watching outing from Funchal—especially because of the land spotters, the small group size, and the ethical approach. The combination is what makes this more reliable than random ocean sightseeing.

Book with confidence if:

• you want a real chance at sightings (the tour reports a 98% success rate),
• you appreciate marine biologist-style explanations,
• you’d rather do a respectful wildlife encounter than chase animals for photos.

I’d think twice if:

• you’re sensitive to motion or struggle with open-water rides,
• or you fall into the groups the tour lists as not suitable.

Bottom line: if you’re in Madeira and whales or dolphins are on your list, this tour is a strong call—fast, small, and organized around finding animals without disturbing them.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the whale and dolphin watching tour in Madeira?

The tour duration is 2 hours.

Where do you meet for the tour in Funchal?

You meet at Blue Safari Madeira at the new marina of Funchal, directly at the speed boat in front of door 4 (the last one on the left looking at the sea).

What is the price per person?

The price is $55 per person.

Are whales and dolphins guaranteed?

There is a guarantee: if there is no whale or dolphin sighting, you will receive another ticket for free.

What marine animals could you see besides whales and dolphins?

You may also see turtles, sea birds, and other wildlife.

Is food or drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

What languages are available for the live guide?

The live tour guide is available in English.

Who is the tour not suitable for?

It is not suitable for children under 6 years, pregnant women, and people with back problems.