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Company details

  1. Whale watching tour agency
  2. Boat Hire Service
  3. Boat tour agency
  4. Tourist attraction

Written by the company

We propose yachting experience from Funchal on our luxurious catamarans. Our company is the first and only Dolphin & Whale Watching Tour Operator in Funchal offering a high quality service at a very affordable price. Avoid the long queues and overcrowded boats of our competitors by booking your Madeiran Whale Watching experience with VipDolphins.


Contact info

4.6

Excellent

TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

19 reviews

5-star
4-star
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1-star

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Gratis experience

What a wonderwel experience!
Very nice and clean boat. Lot of space. The crew does really everything to make the trip a lovely experience. Unlimited drinks, nice snacks. They really think of everything, like towel after the swim, a plastic bag for wet swimmingclothing.
So friendly, give you a lot of information about sealife.
We will definitely will book this trip again next time we are at Madeira. This excursion is really worth the money!

29 September 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Went on a Trip with vipdolphins and…

Went on a Trip with vipdolphins and cannot stop saying what pleasure it was. The crew is extremely knowledgeable, attentive and helpful and make the boat trip one of, if not, the best boat trips I have ever experienced. Should we return to Madeira booking another trip with them will be top of my list of things to do.

14 September 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

This is what dreams are made of

Shaping the experiences that makes me dream of. We booked a guided tour on a boat, for dolphin sighting and enjoying Madeira views and special spots, and they delivered much more and better. The service was simply excellent, Luis - Katrina and Chico were highly professionals with the kind of human touch. Great explanations of everything, what was going to happen, how and when, what to expect and why. Their attention to every detail was great, the delicatessen, the food and drinks, the pictures, their knowledge of the sea and its nature was great. So it was a matter of enjoying every moment, everything! Highly recommended for top quality experiences and lot of fun.

3 May 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Perfect from beginning to the end

Perfect from beginning to the end. Not only talking about the experience on the day, but the website was convenient to use, I received confirmation emails and calendar events, I could pay via google wallet, the day before I received a reminder message - all these sound very basic, but many companies fail at that, so the booking experience already was very professional. As we were running late they called us to make sure we're coming, not just leave without us.

The experience itself with onbiard crew Luis, Maggy and Pedro was also great. We did see 3 species (2 dolphines and a ham.erhead shark) which was of course the highlight but also talking to the friendly staff and hearing their stories made it even more memorable. I also loved the fact that the food and drinks offered allowed us to try many local specialities. Oh, and also there were even photos taken that get sent out to you quite shortly after. I could not fault a single thing and it's always a pure joy to have such experiences led by knowledgeable, professional and friendly people who genuinely enjoy what they are doing. Thank you 😊

28 April 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful trip

Wonderful trip! The boy crew made it so special for us and really took time to make us comfortable, make sure we had everything we needed, and share all their knowledge. We saw a large pod of pilot whales and a few dolphins. Very magical!

12 April 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

A perfect Trip from the start till the end

It was a beautiful Trip to the sea of madeira with food, nice drinks, a perfect service of the team , a lot of space at the beautiful boat and the best with whales we habe seen. A perfect afternoon in Funchal at Our last day of the holiday trip.
A perfect end.....
But we will come back to the Island and of course to VipDolphins!!

23 March 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

A most amazing experience

This was the most amazing experience. I was on my first solo trip as a 65 year old, and the small number of guests is what appealed to me.
Being a small group (just 14 but a maximum of only 17 anyway), the whole trip was just fab. We saw a big pod of bottle nose dolphins, right by us.
Drinks were continually flowing, the snacks were delicious, and more than ample, the crew very engaging.
The catamaran itself was beautiful
Definitely worth the small extra in cost compared to other providers for such a great trip
If I visit Madeira again, I will definitely book this trip again

7 February 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Our experience with VIP Dolphins

Our experience with VIP Dolphins was absolutely outstanding! The three-hour boat tour started right on time, showcasing the company’s punctuality and professionalism. The crew was exceptionally friendly, warm, and always ready to assist, making us feel welcome from the very beginning.

One of the highlights of the trip was the excellent onboard catering. We were treated to a fantastic selection of drinks, including prosecco, a variety of cocktails, and coffee. Additionally, we got to taste delicious local pastries and even fish croquettes – a wonderful way to experience the flavors of Madeira while enjoying the open sea.

Throughout the journey, the crew provided engaging and informative commentary about marine life and the stunning coastal landmarks visible from the boat. They also shared great recommendations for places to visit on the island, making the experience not just enjoyable but also enriching.

The boat itself was impeccably clean and well-equipped, offering a comfortable and spacious environment. Since the tour was limited to a small group, everyone had plenty of room and an unobstructed view of the ocean. This made the experience even more special and intimate.

We were incredibly lucky to spot two groups of pilot whales during our trip. What truly impressed us was the crew’s commitment to ethical wildlife watching – they carefully followed strict guidelines to ensure that the animals were not disturbed or endangered.

Additionally, the tour included a short swimming break, giving us the chance to enjoy the crystal-clear waters of Madeira. Another fantastic perk was that professional photos were included in the price, allowing us to take home beautiful memories of this amazing adventure.

Overall, this tour was one of the absolute highlights of our trip to Madeira. VIP Dolphins delivered an unforgettable experience, and we highly recommend them to anyone looking for a top-notch whale and dolphin watching adventure!

4 February 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

What a great morning spent on the boat

What a great morning spent on the boat. The fact that the maximum number is limited to 17 people makes this trip so exceptional. The free drinks and food offered were much appreciated. The team were attentive, informative, and very pleasant. There is plenty of a room on the boat. If we ever return to Madeira, then this definitely is the company we would go out to sea with again.

24 January 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Had an amazing boat trip

Had an amazing boat trip, saw a large pod of pilot whales! The crew were friendly, fun & knowledgeable with lots of drinks and snacks throughout the trip. The catamaran was very clean and smooth with plenty of space for everyone. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

16 January 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

This trip was the highlight of our holidays!

This trip was the highlight of our holiday!
The crew were amazing, very friendly, genuine, attentive and so informative. We went on a morning trip and were lucky enough to see a big group of sperm whales and bottlenose's dolphins. We had the best day. Highly recommended!

12 November 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

fantastic day!

me and my family had a fantastic experience on the boat! The kids were absolutely thrilled to see dolphins up close. The small group size made it feel personal, and the crew was attentive, making sure everyone was comfortable. The little appetizers and open bar, with something for every taste, added a lovely touch to the whole experience. Highly recommend this for anyone visiting!

29 October 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

This tour was the highlight of our trip!

Attentive crew and wonderful snacks, the guides were very knowledgeable about the species and very dinamic!
We saw a group of pilot whales, and jumping spotted dolphins.
This tour was definitinely the highlight of our trip to Madeira.
Will surely comeback next year!

8 October 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Amazing experience

Amazing experience. The staff was excellent, we travelled with Captain Nico, Magela and Francisco, they were friendly and very professional. During the trip they always advised the best spot to stay in the catamaran, telling us the situation of the sea and when we were approaching the animals in the ocean. During the experience we tried the typical food of Madeira and the typical wine, but you also have other options if you want to try something else to drink! You can drink whatever you like and the staff will be very professional and kind. I’m very happy of how the whale watching was done as the team respects the animals and they peace not disturbing them with the noise of the engine or going to close, and that’s just amazing as the animals naturally come closer to the boat without chasing them. I will surely choose this company again, and again a special thank you to Captain Nico, Magela and Francisco, a really good and experienced team!

5 November 2024
Unprompted review
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