A steady stomach on a Funchal whale boat
The swell off Madeira catches out plenty of visitors who never feel ill on a ferry. Some boats on this site move far more than others, and the packing list changes from one to the next. This guide covers both, with nothing more medical than a pointer to the pharmacist.
Why the sea off Funchal moves
Madeira sits alone in the open Atlantic, with Lisbon nearly 1,000 km (620 miles) to the north-east, so the swell reaching its south coast has crossed a lot of ocean. The south side is the sheltered one, yet a long, slow roll is normal even on a sunny day.
That roll upsets stomachs far more than speed does. Most people feel fine while the boat is moving with purpose, and the trouble tends to start when it slows down to watch the animals.
Which boats move the most
Small fast boats bounce. Xpoint's RIB and Blue Safari's high-speed boat ride over the swell rather than through it, so you feel each wave in your back and knees, and spray comes over the side.
A stopped boat rolls. One Blue Safari reviewer says the queasy part came while the boat sat beside the whales with its engine off, not on the run out. That moment comes on every boat, though a bigger hull rolls more slowly.
Big catamarans are the steadiest, since two hulls spread the weight, and Magic Dolphin's two-deck boat is the largest of our five. VipDolphins also sails a catamaran, but its listing says the trip does not suit people prone to seasickness, so take that at its word.
A sailing yacht heels when the sail is up, leaning to one side as it picks up the wind. Some guests find that steady lean easier than a motorboat's chop, and others do not. Gaviao raises the sail only when there is enough wind.
Blue Safari's listing rules out people with back problems and pregnant travelers, which tells you how hard the ride can jolt. The full trade-off between hull shapes is in our boat comparison.
Before you board
- If you know you get seasick, ask a pharmacist about travel-sickness tablets well before the trip
- Eat a light meal beforehand rather than nothing or a heavy breakfast
- Choose a morning departure if you can, since the sea is often calmer early in the day (not always)
- Pick a bigger boat if your stomach worries you more than the price
- Arrive in good time, because rushing to the marina on a hot day does not help
On the water
Look at the horizon. Watching a fixed line helps your eyes agree with what your balance is telling you, while staring down at a phone screen does the opposite.
Sit low and near the middle of the boat, where the movement is smallest. The bow lifts and drops the most, and the upper deck of a catamaran sways more than the lower one.
Fresh air helps more than a stuffy cabin. If you start to feel unwell, tell the crew, who see it on most trips and know where to put you, and on the catamarans the toilets are never far away.
Children feel it too, sometimes faster than adults. The guide to whale watching with kids in Funchal covers which boats suit younger travelers and how long each trip lasts.
A big, steady catamaran for wobbly stomachs
Magic Dolphin's hybrid-electric catamaran is the largest of our five, from ~$39. It has two decks and two toilets plus seating for everyone. It runs 2.5–3 hours, switches to quiet electric engines near the animals, and is rated 4.6 from 11,100+ reviews on GetYourGuide.
What to bring on any boat
A light bag covers most of it. The list below fits every trip on this site, and the notes after it deal with each boat's own rules.
- A windbreaker, since several listings warn that it gets breezy at sea even on a warm day
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- A sun hat that ties on or fits tightly
- Swimwear and a towel if your trip has a swim stop
- Binoculars, for blows on the horizon
- A dry bag or zip bag for your phone on the RIB
Boat by boat
On Magic Dolphin, from ~$39, wear flat shoes, since the listing rules out high heels. Bring your own snorkel for the swim break, which happens on 3-hour trips when the weather allows. Drinks and snacks are for sale at the bars.
Gaviao does not allow shoes on board its yacht, so wear something easy to slip off at the marina. Snorkel gear for the Cabo Girão stop is provided, and so are drinks.
Xpoint's listing asks you to bring a windbreaker, and in winter a warmer waterproof jacket makes sense on the open RIB. You sit close to the water there, so assume your bag will get splashed.
VipDolphins includes snorkels and goggles for its swim stop at Cabo Girão. Snacks and an open bar come with the fare as well, so you need little beyond swimwear and sun cover. The Cabo Girão guide explains which trips stop to swim there.
Blue Safari has no swim stop and serves no food or drinks, so pack water. At 2 hours it is the shortest of the five, which suits anyone who would rather not stay out long.
Weather and the time of year
Winter brings more wind and bigger swells, and those are the days when trips get cancelled. Operators reschedule or refund when the sea is too rough, and Gaviao offers another day or a full refund.
The air is mild all year, roughly 17–19 °C (63–66 °F) on winter days and 22–26 °C (72–79 °F) in summer, but it feels cooler once the boat picks up speed. Our guide to the best months for whales off Madeira compares the seasons.
If the sea turns you back, a second try is easier when you booked early in your stay. The page on when the whales stay away covers what each operator offers after a blank day.