Dolphin - Whale - Turtle - Bird Watching
+7 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Price from
- $57 / person
- Location
- Funchal, Portugal
- Rating
- 4.7 / 5 · 372 reviews
- Languages
- PT, EN
- Group
- Up to 18 people
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Magic Dolphin
- Meeting point
- Please arrive at the Funchal marina 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time. All guests must check in with our friendly staff at our kiosk for a boarding pass. In respect to all of our guests the boat leaves on time. If you miss the boat, you will be not be issued a refund.
Description
Join us for an ocean adventure as we head offshore exploring for whales, dolphins, sea turtles and oceanic birds in their natural environment. Completely rebuilt in 2023 the Sea Safari is powered by two brand new 250hp engines, so you can expect to cover a greater distance than any other boat in Funchal. Double cushioned seats ensure a comfortable adventure with amazing 360° views while you enjoy the best opportunity to see marine wildlife. Our team of spotters on land use powerful binoculars to find the dolphins & whales and then sends the boat directly to them. The boat sits low on the water so you feel very close to the whales and dolphins, but remember, it is wildlife, and the primary goal is to be respectful of their habitat. Listen to informative commentary about the cetaceans of Madeira, as your captain and marine biologist guide make sure you have a great time whilst learning about the marine wildlife, marine environment and ecosystem.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 3:30 PM
- Next available
- Thu, Oct 29
- Adult (ages 12–80)
- $57
- Child (ages 6–11)
- $46
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 28.
Tour Options
Itinerary
This activity is specialized for the wild life lovers. Magic Dolphin Sea Safaris is purpose build boat with 500 Hp engines gives us to easy maneuver to get to the whales and dolphins faster then the any other boats in Marina Funchal. Our spotters on land gives us the direction where the Whales and the Dolphins are before we depart. The quality of this trip is, often you will see 2 or 3 different species in 2 hours. Having 500 HP engines gives us smooth ride with no motion sickness. Only 18 people are allowed for each trip and we have 2 certified guides will give you personalized service to make your experience of a life time. Wild life sighting is guaranteed, if you did not see anything on the first trip we will offer you the second trip completely free of charge.
Cabo Girao
Our priory is to find the wild life Whales and Dolphins. After we have seen Whales and Dolphins on our way back we come closer along the beautiful cost line of Funchal Bay enjoying spectacular scenery of Madeira Island. Our guides will provide you with lots information not only about the wild life but Fauna, Flora and the history of Madeira Island.
Cabo Girao
Camara do Lobos is a small picturesque fishing village where Sir Winston Churchill used to spend his afternoons painting and enjoying the view of the Bay of Camara do Lobos. We go closer to the shore so you can see this beautiful fishing village from Atlantic Ocean.
What's included
Included
Local guide
Local taxes including
Live commentary on board
Not included
Drinks
Food and drinks
Lunch
Hotel pickup
Transportation to/from attractions
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.7
372 reviews
What travelers say
Our summary of the 100 most recent reviews out of 371 (Feb 2023 – Sep 2026), collected by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Most travelers see dolphins, often pilot whales too, and value an onboard marine biologist and a crew that keeps its distance from the animals. Sightings are never guaranteed, and a steady minority spent much of the trip cruising with little to see or hear.
What travelers love
- Marine biologist commentary44 of 100 reviews
Most reviewers single out the guide, usually a marine biologist, for explaining species and behavior and answering questions. Clara is named most often, then Natasha.
- Animals right beside the boat18 of 100 reviews
Many describe pods of dolphins or pilot whales coming alongside or even under the boat, and a few saw sperm whales with calves at very close range.
- Respectful wildlife watching17 of 100 reviews
A recurring point is that the crew follows marine rules: limited boats, short stays near each group and engines eased off so animals approach on their own terms.
- The speedboat ride itself13 of 100 reviews
Plenty enjoyed the fast inflatable as part of the fun, saying it reaches sightings sooner than the big catamarans.
Where it falls short
- Long stretches with little wildlife11 of 100 reviews
About one in ten say they saw one brief group early and then spent most of the outing cruising or hugging the coast with nothing more. Several of these are recent summer trips.
- Quiet crew between sightings5 of 100 reviews
A handful felt commentary dried up once the first animals left, and that birds were hardly discussed despite being in the tour name.
Best for
- Wildlife lovers who care about ethical viewing
- Families with older kids who like speed
- Travelers wanting a biologist's explanations
Maybe not for
- People with back problems or bad seasickness
- Anyone expecting to swim or snorkel
Tips from past travelers
- Sit toward the back of the speedboat, where reviewers say the bouncing is gentler.
- Bring a light waterproof layer, because spray soaks passengers on windy days.
- Ask about the free or discounted rebooking offered when no animals are found.
- Several reviewers say the advertised swim or snorkel stop did not happen, so do not count on it.
How we make this: we read the most recent reviews and sum up what travelers say again and again, good and bad. It is our summary, not a review; the reviews themselves are further down this page. Updated Oct 2026.
How it compares in Funchal
- No. 15 by number of reviews among 585 tours in Funchal
- Starting price $57 is close to the typical $63 for tours of similar length in Funchal
- Price unchanged over the last 26 days
Excurgo comparison of 585 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- 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
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- No high heels allowed on tour
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Dolphin - Whale - Turtle - Bird Watching take?
Dolphin - Whale - Turtle - Bird Watching lasts about 2 hours. The itinerary has 3 stops.
How much does Dolphin - Whale - Turtle - Bird Watching cost?
Prices start at $57 per person for this Funchal experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 2 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Dolphin - Whale - Turtle - Bird Watching run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 3:30 PM.
How much does Dolphin - Whale - Turtle - Bird Watching cost for children?
Children aged 6–11 pay from $46, adults from $57.
Can I cancel Dolphin - Whale - Turtle - Bird Watching for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Please arrive at the Funchal marina 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time. All guests must check in with our friendly staff at our kiosk for a boarding pass. In respect to all of our guests the boat leaves on time. If you miss the boat, you will be not be issued a refund. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Dolphin - Whale - Turtle - Bird Watching offered in?
The experience is available in PT, EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 18 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Dolphin - Whale - Turtle - Bird Watching worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.7 out of 5 across 372 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Magic Dolphin.
Will I definitely see dolphins or whales?
No guarantee, but most reviewers saw dolphins and many saw pilot whales. Roughly one in ten came back disappointed with a single short sighting, and whales, turtles and birds are hit and miss.
How rough is the boat ride?
It is a fast inflatable, and on choppy days passengers get wet and lifted off their seats. Some loved that, while a few warn against it with back pain and mention seasick passengers.
Speedboat or catamaran?
Reviewers who picked the speedboat mostly say it covers more water and gets closer, while one notes the catamaran may give steadier views. The seats on the speedboat are called uncomfortable by a couple of people.
Reviews(372)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
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from$57
4.7(372) Free cancellation