The 5 Best Boat Tours and Cruises in Madeira

Madeira is an island of lush vegetation, delicious food, cheerful people and water activities galore, so when we think about what to see and do in Funchal, its capital, we immediately think of the sea. And what better way to enjoy it than by boat?

Whether on a yacht or catamaran, in this post you'll discover the best boat trips in Madeira, prices, duration and all the information you need to join in the best experiences.

This tour offers the perfect combination of attractions for adventurers who love nature. The tour begins with a briefing at the selected operator's facilities and often passes by Cabo Girão.

The staff on these tours provide assistance at sea and on land to increase the chances of encountering cetaceans during the trip.

On board comfortable semi-rigid boats, you will be accompanied by a group of between 8 and 20 people to enjoy the company of dolphins, sea turtles, whales and many other marine species in a sustainable way, respecting their natural habitat.

Details of interest

• Price: From £55
• Duration: between 2.5 and 3 hours.
• What the tour usually includes: This tour is usually accompanied by an experienced marine biologist who guides the adventurous visitors. The experience is as enjoyable as it is educational.
• Means of transport: boat or motorboat.
• Pros: Apart from the tour activities, you have the opportunity to dive in Funchal surrounded by dolphins. Just let us know when you book the tour for an additional fee ranging from £20-40, depending on the operator. The staff will keep an eye out for dolphins so that you are ready to join them under the sea. You can also opt out of the activity at no extra cost. Although the thrill of swimming with dolphins is a highly recommended experience, this last-minute change of plans is synonymous with guaranteed satisfaction.
• Cons: Groups are usually large, with up to 20 people, however, the size of these boats allows all members of the tour to enjoy the surroundings in comfort.

Choose between travelling by private boat or in a group; catamaran cruises offer both options. Let yourself be carried away by the cool breeze of the Madeira coast aboard a catamaran.

Among the boat trips, this is the tour I recommend for things to see and do in Madeira with children, as it is comfortable and stable, ideal for little ones and those who are sensitive to motion at sea.

Hop aboard a catamaran with experts, relax and enjoy. On this type of boat, the sailing is accompanied by good music and a variety of cocktails.

Enjoy a snack while you contemplate the hidden jewel of the Atlantic with its peaks and cliffs in the Cabo Girao Nature Reserve or another spot such as Ponta de São Lourenço.

Don't worry about the cetaceans, when you least expect it, they'll be all around you. Get ready to swim in the pristine waters of Madeira. Enjoy your holiday!

Details of interest

• Price: from £35 for group trips and, from £59, you can enjoy this experience in a more intimate setting with private cruises.
• Duration: from 3 hours onwards.
• What the tour may include: whale, dolphin or other marine mammal watching in private or in groups of up to 15 people, a more stable boat, drinks, snacks and a relaxing tour of Funchal.
• Transport: Catamaran. Check out this video to get a taste of the experience.
• Pros: offers customisable options, ideal for sharing with family or friends.
• Cons: trips are usually very close to the coast. Catamarans are not designed for deep water, which is partly why they are so stable.

If you dream of travelling by boat and saying, "They'll always remember this day as the day they almost caught Captain Jack Sparrow," in the style of Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean, this cruise is for you.

In Funchal, you have the option of travelling back in time on pirate ships or sailing on a replica of one of Christopher Columbus' ships.

Yes, in Funchal you can take a cruise on Columbus's caravel Santa María, one of the Genoese admiral's flagship ships, this time to sail along the coast of Madeira. Groups of up to 15 people travel through Camara de Lobos Bay until they reach Cabo Girão.

Interesting details

• Price: from £35.9
• Duration: 3 hours
• What the tour usually includes: In addition to the boat trip, most tours include a tasting of local wines, the distinctive Madeira honey cake or some other snack.
• Transport: traditional boat worthy of a film, take a look here.
• What to expect from the tour. Discover the colossal marine world that surrounds this island. Throughout the trip, you may see dolphins, sea turtles and whales. Between stops, you have the opportunity to dive into the ocean while practising some of Madeira's essential activities: snorkelling, canyoning and diving.
• Pros: Both the pirate ship and the replica of the Santa Maria recreate the vessels of yesteryear, from their interiors to their external appearance. The trip is enjoyable, the staff are friendly and there is a bar on board. The price is also reasonable.
• Cons: Children are welcome, and there is usually a special half-price rate for children between the ages of 4 and 12, but this type of cruise is recommended for adults. The atmosphere and the movement of the boat, powered by sails and an additional motor, can be uncomfortable for younger children. I recommend this experience for ages 15 and up.

Set sail with your friends or family — or even on your own if you're looking for a solo getaway — aboard a yacht and discover Madeira at your own pace.

Private cruises around the Madeira archipelago were traditionally considered expensive, but mass tourism, easier access and the emergence of various service providers have brought prices down considerably. Now this is one of the cheapest, most beautiful and best-preserved islands in the Atlantic.

Book half-board or full-board service and choose between snorkelling, diving, relaxing on the deck of the yacht, throwing your own private party or meditating at sea between Ponta do Sol, Seixal or the spot of your choice.

Details of interest

• Price: Prices vary, but a group of up to 6 people can estimate their costs from £380 upwards.
• Duration: From 4 hours.
• What the tour may include: Often includes a selection of local wines, fresh juices, soft drinks and local beers. Participants will also have their diving equipment ready for the adventure, as well as blankets, towels and VIP assistance from the yacht captain.
• Means of transport: yacht.
• Pros: the confidence of being in the hands of professionals who are 100% dedicated to looking after you. Small groups are usually the best option and these tours allow up to 6 people. You decide where you want to go, within Funchal, of course.
• Cons: When it comes to budget, this option may seem more expensive, but the privacy you gain for a few extra pounds is worth every penny.

Sometimes you need to treat yourself and celebrate in good company surrounded by natural beauty, and that's exactly what a charter boat trip in Madeira offers. Cruise through the volcanic caves of São Vicente, Baía d'Abra, Ponta do Sol or enjoy the natural pools in the volcanic caves of São Vicente.

You can celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, New Year's Eve, stag or hen parties or simply the fact that you exist. Tell us about your event and contact your operator. Madeira is waiting for you and your friends.

Details of interest

• Price: Prices vary, but a group of up to 10 people can estimate their costs from €1,200 upwards.
• Duration: From 2 hours.
• What the tour may include: Often includes soft drinks, mineral water, a selection of Madeira wines, a selection of appetisers, towels, snorkelling equipment, expert local advice and anything else agreed in advance. These are customisable tours and the selected operators are happy to work with you to ensure you have the event of a lifetime or enjoy the peace and quiet you've been longing for.
• Means of transport: yacht
• Pros: The confidence of celebrating your special occasion just the way you want. Friendliness and fun are part of the local culture, so you decide how and when you want to celebrate in Funchal.
• Cons: Events must be coordinated in advance. You need to plan ahead so that everything happens exactly as you have imagined, and the same applies when you customise your boat tour. So, you need some time to consider and plan the details to your liking.

Whale, dolphin, turtle and cetacean watching is the main attraction of this type of activity in Madeira, but there is more to see on the island.

Explore the coastline, visit the natural pools (check with your operator which ones the tour passes by), relax in the sun, try Madeira wine, discover the local culture...

It is no surprise that this archipelago has been named one ofthe best tourist destinations in the world to explore.

• All operators guarantee dolphin and whale sightings, but the number varies considerably between seasons. A trip between July and September increases the chances of seeing a greater variety of marine life.
• Arrive at the meeting point 30 minutes in advance. Each operator provides a short briefing before boarding their boats, some even add interesting talks about all the marine species present in Madeira, so don't miss the opportunity to learn from the experts.
• Wear flat shoes or beach sandals. It may sound obvious, but sometimes style gets the better of us and we prioritise a photo shoot in the sea over wearing appropriate footwear. High heels are not allowed.

Other recommendations

• Combine the best Jeep tours in Madeira from Funchal with your boat trip. This will allow you to discover interesting facts about the island, such as Ribeiro Frio, Pico do Arieiro and the Desertas Islands, for example.
• The best tours of Madeira from Funchal have one thing in common: the port of Nova Marina in Funchal. This is where the activities begin and end. You can plan your boat trip in the morning and a wine tasting in the afternoon without incurring additional costs.

• Cabo Girão. Home to Madeira's most popular viewpoint. The views are breathtaking.
• Desertas Islands. Best known for its câmara de Lobos, this is a tourist attraction with abundant wildlife, including a colony of sea lions in their natural habitat.
• Baia d'Abra. Located at Ponta de S. Lourenço, it is the easternmost peninsula of the archipelago. It forms part of the island's cultural heritage. This is where the skull of João Gonçalves Zarco arrived when they discovered the island that bears the same name as the ship.
• The volcanic caves of São Vicente, the lava pools of Porto Moniz and the observation platform. These are beauties not to be missed in Madeira.
• Seixal. A natural beach with black sand. This type of place is rare on the island and is impressive with its lush cliffs on either side. It is one of the best beaches in Madeira.
• Ponta do Sol. An area with picturesque streets and dreamy beaches.
• Calhau da Lapa cliffs, waterfalls, crystal clear waters and a nature reserve perfect for diving and hiking. Want to spend the night in an old cave facing the sea? This is the place for you.

It is always advisable to keep an eye on the Portuguese Meteorological Institute's forecasts. However, the climate on the coast of Madeira is generally mild.

There is a wet season from late October to late April and a dry season from May to early October. Between spring and summer, you can enjoy magnificent scenery aboard any of the cruises of your choice in Funchal.

If you are looking for the best time to see dolphins and whales in Madeira, book your trip to the island between July and September. You may even see some minke whales, better known as blue whales.

• Although you can get around the island on foot, you will need a boat, yacht or catamaran to explore the ocean. If you choose to skip the guided boat tours, you will miss out on the heart of Madeira. Remember, many can take you there, but few can guide you, so I suggest you hire an expert.
• Did you forget about whale and dolphin watching? Arrive in Funchal with that plan in mind, and even if the wine, safaris, good food and hiking keep you in the city, the beaches of Madeira will call you.
• The difference between doing the activities on your own and taking a guided tour is really not that significant. It's worth spending a few extra pounds to get to know this archipelago completely, soak up its customs and enjoy the natural wealth of the archipelago in harmony with the environment.