Observation focusMachico Whale & Dolphin Watching Boat Tour
Operated by Scorpio Madeira
- Departure from Machico
- Marine-biologist guide
- Conditional dolphin-swimming opportunity
A specialised wild encounter
Swimming With Dolphins Madeira
Swimming with dolphins in Madeira means entering the Atlantic on nature’s terms. The encounter is wild, brief and conditional, with the crew deciding whether the species, behaviour and sea allow anyone into the water.
Book this tour ↗Recommended tourOptional dolphin-swim RIB · from €54Madeira Divepoint - Xpoint Madeira · 4.7 ★
How to choose
Book the format, accept nature’s answer
In Madeira, in-water experiences depend on wild dolphins and sea conditions. You may book a dedicated swimming tour or an add-on, yet the crew can still keep everyone aboard if the species, behaviour or conditions are unsuitable.
That uncertainty is part of a responsible choice. Our recommended RIB makes the snorkelling option explicit and keeps the base experience centred on a small-group wildlife cruise. Compare it with the dedicated swim tour before deciding.
Compare your options
Dolphin-swim experiences compared
Choose between observation-first cruises, a separately added snorkelling option and a trip designed specifically around the possibility of entering the water.
Observation focusEditor’s pickFunchal RIB Cruise with Optional Dolphin Swim
Operated by Madeira Divepoint - Xpoint Madeira
- Small-group RIB trip
- Whale and dolphin search
- Conditional dolphin-swim add-on
Dedicated swimFunchal Whale Watching & Dolphin Swim Cruise
Operated by Rota dos Cetáceos Whale&Dolphin Watching
- Marine-biologist guidance
- Whale and dolphin search
- Conditional in-water dolphin encounter
Observation alternativeSmall-Group Funchal Wildlife-Watching RIB
Operated by Madeira Divepoint - Xpoint Madeira
- Small-group RIB trip
- Close-to-the-water viewpoint
- Dolphin snorkelling booked separately
Editor's pickOur recommendation
A flexible small-group starting point
The recommended RIB offers a wildlife cruise with a separately available snorkelling option. That makes the pricing and expectation easier to understand than assuming every passenger will enter the water.
- 4.7 ★ traveller rating
- From €54
- Free cancellation
- Madeira Divepoint - Xpoint Madeira
Your time on the water
From safety briefing to a possible water entry
The base trip is a small-group RIB search from Funchal. Dolphin swimming happens only when the add-on is booked and the crew decides the encounter is suitable.
- 01Meet at XpointMadeira
Check in at the departure point selected with your booking option.
- 02Complete the safety briefing
Meet the crew, prepare for the trip and put on a life jacket.
- 03Search from Funchal by RIB
Cruise into open water to look for dolphins, whales and other marine life.
- 04Take in Cabo Girão
The route includes a coastal photo and sightseeing stop by the sea cliff.
- 05Return to XpointMadeira
Finish at the same departure location after at least two hours on the water.
Madeira in motion
Respect comes before proximity
The memorable part is not chasing an encounter. It is trusting the crew to decide when an in-water moment is safe, permitted and appropriate for the animals.
Book now ↗The experience
What a wild dolphin swim may involve
Guests describe entering the water from the RIB while remaining connected to the boat as dolphins moved nearby. The swim may not happen at all when the species, behaviour or sea conditions are unsuitable, so the wildlife cruise must still feel worthwhile to you.
Bring realistic expectations and enough water confidence for a brief ocean entry. The optional-swim RIB provides a mask and snorkel, while equipment and procedures can differ on other experiences.
Included
What the base RIB trip includes
- ✓Boat trip and required safety equipment
- ✓Applicable fees, taxes and fuel charges
Not included
What costs or planning are separate
- —Dolphin swimming, unless booked as an add-on
- —Drinks and snacks
- —Parking
Meeting point
Know where to board
Your meeting point depends on the option booked.Use the option name on your confirmed voucher to select the matching location below.
Meeting instructions
The RIB, private-trip and swim-add-on options use the XpointMadeira departure location shown below. Confirm the option name on your voucher.
OperatorMadeira Divepoint - Xpoint Madeira
Before you go
Prepare for a conditional ocean swim
Book the correct option, understand the crew’s final say and plan for a small-boat trip even if everyone remains onboard.
Swimming depends on the dolphin species, behaviour, sea conditions and the crew’s decision.
Add the swim option to the correct booking if you want the possibility of entering the water.
Confirm which mask, snorkel and flotation equipment comes with your chosen experience.
A missed swim does not necessarily cancel the wildlife-watching cruise.
Prepare for motion and spray on the small RIB.
Important for this trip: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Traveller feedback
How guests describe the optional-swim RIB
Guests praise the crew and close-to-the-water wildlife experience, while their accounts also show why a possible swim should never be treated as certain.
★★★★★
“We were warmly welcomed and well briefed, so we had a sense of security. We saw a pod of dolphins, which was just enchanting. I would do the trip again and again.”
★★★★★
“The guides were super nice. The whole tour was very nice and impressive with lots of information about the species we saw. We saw dolphins, orcas, and sea turtles. We were thrilled.”
★★★★★
“Both guides were friendly and helpful. They knew a lot about the animals and treated them with respect. It was wonderful to see how the dolphins swam around happily. Thank you for the fun morning.”
Helpful answers
Frequently asked questions
Can you really swim with wild dolphins in Madeira?+
Specific licensed experiences may offer a controlled in-water encounter with eligible dolphin species, subject to sea conditions and crew approval.
Is swimming guaranteed?+
No. Wild animals, sea conditions and conservation rules determine whether a water entry is appropriate.
Is the swim included in the base price?+
On the recommended RIB it must be booked as an add-on. Another choice is sold as a dedicated swimming cruise. Read your selected option carefully.
Do I need to be a strong swimmer?+
There is no single swimming standard across all four experiences. Contact the operator through the booking platform if you are unsure about your ability or the equipment used.
What if the swim does not happen?+
Terms can vary. Confirm how the optional charge or booking is handled when a water entry is not possible.
Ready for the Atlantic?
Choose a responsible wild encounter
Book the small-group RIB and add the snorkelling option only if a conditional, crew-led water entry feels right for you.
Book now ↗