Funchal whale watching with kids, boat by boat

Age limits, boat by boat

The first filter is the age rule on each listing. Two operators set a firm minimum, and for the other boats it pays to check the listing before you book.

• VipDolphins, no children under 3
• Blue Safari, children from age 6 who are at least 130 cm (4 ft 3 in) tall
• Magic Dolphin, listed as wheelchair accessible, with child rates on its Viator listing
• Xpoint, with a private boat option for a group of up to 18
• Gaviao, not suitable for travelers with mobility impairments

Blue Safari's limit comes from the ride itself. Its high-speed boat jolts enough that the listing also rules out pregnant travelers and anyone with back problems, so it is a trip for older children who like a bit of speed.

How long children can last on a boat

Two to three hours suits most children who are old enough to enjoy the animals. On VipDolphins the run out to sea takes about 45 minutes, and that stretch is where boredom creeps in if nothing has been spotted yet.

Blue Safari's 2-hour trip is the shortest, which helps with restless children, but its age limit rules out the youngest. VipDolphins and Gaviao both run for 3 hours with a swim stop in the middle, which breaks the day into chapters a child can follow.

Give children a job on the way out. A cheap pair of binoculars and the task of spotting the first blow or fin keeps them at the rail and watching the water, which also happens to help with queasy stomachs.

Magic Dolphin runs 2.5–3 hours, with a swim break on the 3-hour trips when the weather allows. In July and August its 9 am sailing skips the swim, so choose a later boat if your children are keen to get in.

Toilets and shade on board

The catamarans have the practical edge. Magic Dolphin has two toilets and seats for everyone, and VipDolphins has toilets plus indoor and outdoor seating, so a tired child can get out of the sun for a while.

The fast boats are open to the weather. On Xpoint's RIB there is little shade and a fair amount of spray. Some children love the spray and others hate it within ten minutes, so bring a hat that ties on and a spare top.

VipDolphins from ~$88 includes local snacks and soft drinks along with the open bar for adults. On Magic Dolphin you buy food at the bar, and on Blue Safari there is none, so pack something for the hungry moment halfway out.

The swim stop, the part many kids remember

For a lot of children the swim near Cabo Girão is the highlight, even on a day with plenty of dolphins. VipDolphins and Gaviao both provide snorkel gear, while Magic Dolphin asks you to bring your own.

Expect sea temperatures of roughly 18–24 °C (64–75 °F) depending on the month, cool enough to make small swimmers shiver. Pack a towel and a dry layer for afterwards. The Cabo Girão guide describes the stop and the cliffs above it.

Xpoint's optional dolphin swim is a different thing, where you hold on to a line from the boat for a short spell in the water. It happens only when the law and the dolphins allow, and the dolphin swim guide covers how it works.

Seasickness in small children

Children can turn queasy quickly, and a sick child on a bouncing boat makes for a long two hours. A bigger catamaran rolls less than a RIB, and sitting low near the middle of the deck helps.

If your child gets carsick, ask a pharmacist before the trip about what suits their age. The seasickness guide goes through which boats move the most and what to pack for each one.

Wheelchairs and grandparents

Magic Dolphin and VipDolphins are both listed as wheelchair accessible, which also helps grandparents who are unsteady on their feet. Gaviao's yacht is not suitable for mobility impairments, and Blue Safari rules them out too.

Strollers are a question for the operator, since the listings say nothing about them. Gaviao asks everyone to go without shoes on board, which most children treat as part of the adventure.

Bigger families and mixed ages

A family group of up to 18 can book Xpoint's private boat, which puts the pace in your hands and keeps strangers out of the photos. It is still a RIB, so the ride is lively and shade is scarce.

Teenagers and younger children often want different trips. A family that splits the vote can pick a catamaran with a swim stop, which gives older children the water and younger ones a seat in the shade.

Child rates exist on some listings, including Magic Dolphin's on Viator, so check the price for each age before you pay. The full spread of fares is in what a Funchal whale watching trip costs.

Prepare children for a day without whales. Dolphins are the likeliest sight, and the species guide shows what else may surface, but no trip is guaranteed. When the whales stay away covers the retry offers.