Review: Funchal Sunset Dolphin & Whale Rib Boat Tour

So, you’re thinking of taking a rib boat trip from Funchal to watch dolphins and whales as the sun dips below the horizon? Very, very cool idea! This trip, often promoted as “Funchal Sunset Over Water By Rib Boat Opt Dolphinwhale,” offers, arguably, an experience unlike any other, blending the excitement of a speedy boat ride with, hopefully, the tranquility of observing marine life. Yet, as with anything, what it’s really like, and knowing what to expect, could make all the difference in ensuring you have a blast. We took the plunge, and I’m going to give you a completely candid, hopefully useful, rundown of, arguably, our time out on the water.

What to Expect on a Funchal Sunset Rib Boat Tour

Basically, the tour starts at the Funchal marina. As a matter of fact, before you get on board, the crew usually provides a safety briefing – you know, where they explain where the life jackets are and what to do in case, you know, things get a little choppy. They’ll often touch on what kind of marine life you might see, too, so too it’s worth paying attention. Then you pile onto the rib boat. These boats are rather small, holding, maybe, around twelve to twenty people, so it’s typically a somewhat cozy setup. In a way, that actually enhances the experience since it seems pretty personal, yet if you aren’t fond of crowds it could get a little close.

The boat heads out at a rapid clip, skipping across the waves. It might be really exciting; it could be a bit bumpy, especially if the sea happens to be, arguably, a bit rough that day. Speaking of days, keep in mind these trips usually last around three hours, which in some respects is sufficient to get far enough out to see some whales and catch, apparently, the sunset.

And there is a great goal with these trips, and that would be: spotting dolphins and whales. Now, wildlife sightings are never really guaranteed, so managing your expectations just a little is always a great move. You could possibly see common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, maybe even pilot whales, depending, you know, on the season and their migratory patterns. Sometimes, the crew might use a hydrophone to listen for whale sounds, which is very neat if they locate some.

The absolute main event is seeing the sunset from the ocean, and with a bit of luck, the colors could be utterly breathtaking. Now that’s dependent, as with everything, on the weather conditions, but a nice sunset reflecting on the water seems really impressive. You’ll then, as you are headed back to the marina, begin feeling just a bit chilly as the sun goes down, so layering up might be smart.

What We Enjoyed

There’s something undeniably very cool about being out on the water as the sun’s getting lower, and we saw a pod of dolphins that put on a spectacular show, jumping and playing around the boat. It felt genuinely just incredible. The guides were pretty experienced, too. I mean, they seemed knowledgeable about the marine life and clearly enthusiastic. They answered all of our questions patiently and really appeared invested in making sure everyone had a pretty remarkable experience. In fact, they handled, more or less, some slightly choppy waters with competence, which was, arguably, reassuring. The rib boat, honestly, itself adds to the thrill; it’s so too much more exciting than a large catamaran, yet possibly less stable, and it does amplify every single bump and splash, right?

Potential Drawbacks

Look, the ocean does its own thing and marine life doesn’t perform to schedule. Therefore, sightings are not promised, and if seeing marine wildlife is your top priority, then it’s almost worth considering a longer tour or a trip specifically dedicated to finding certain species. Rib boats might be, basically, thrilling, yet they may also be very bumpy. So, people with back problems or other physical sensitivities might want to take this into consideration, or possibly choose a larger, steadier vessel, as well. The weather could be changeable and sea breezes after dark feel pretty nippy, so to avoid feeling very cold layering up appropriately matters. The seats can get, like your sofa at home, very uncomfortable after a couple of hours, which might make it hard for some people.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Trip

• Dress in layers: It may become, as a matter of fact, much cooler out on the water, specifically after sunset. Bring a jacket, so too a windproof one.
• Wear sunscreen: Even, arguably, on a cloudy day, the sun might be powerful out at sea.
• Take seasickness prevention if necessary: Should you usually experience motion sickness, so too it’s smart to take preventative medication before the tour begins.
• Bring binoculars: They, in fact, can, you know, enhance your viewing experience if the dolphins or whales appear to be quite distant.
• Charge your camera: A great many photo opportunities will present themselves. You don’t want your camera battery to die before, as a matter of fact, the sun is beginning to set.
• Listen to the crew: They could, possibly, offer interesting facts and are rather great at spotting wildlife.

Is the Funchal Sunset Rib Boat Tour Worth It?

Alright, let’s get, arguably, to the main point. When you happen to be aware of the possible limitations – the bumpiness, maybe, no definite animal sightings – and so too come prepared, this tour might be really fun. For us, honestly, the thrill of the ride, and so too seeing the dolphins, just about offset any discomforts. Should you possess a spirit of adventure and really enjoy getting out on the water, and if a spectacular sunset sounds great, then, yeah, it’s seemingly money well spent. Then again, should you want a rather calmer experience or basically require animal sightings, maybe think about other options.

Have you had your fill of excitement on the seas and now have more questions? These might help you on your quest:

FAQ About Funchal Sunset Rib Boat Tours

Is there an age restriction?

Each tour firm can have a set of rules about who can join the trip. A little kid could be too young for such a bumpy ride, so I’d suggest talking to the people running it before you sign up.

Will I definitely see dolphins or whales?

Sadly, no company can be sure you’ll see some sea life on your trip. Even when the conditions are right and dolphins do show up it could be the best view, you know? These creatures could show up real close, but they can swim off anytime they like. Most companies let you try again another day free of charge, yet I would check the fine print before assuming that is their plan.

Can I bring food and drinks?

A number of places do offer beverages (maybe just water) to guests on their ship. Bringing your own things to munch on is probably ok, but double check with them before eating your full meals while cruising.