Half Day Madeira Island Cruise With Lunch

In a word, outstanding. We stayed out longer to make sure all goals were met: see some wildlife (whales, dolphins) . Boat had plenty of room, covered or open. Pick up van brought guests to within ten feet of the boat, yes ten FEET from the boat. Dual restrooms were clean and large enough. I paid a mere 70 euros for a four hour trip. The meal was hot and tasty, soft drinks, wine, chicken and tuna and more and desert! Very helpful crew.

A fantastic boat trip with Living Seas, offering beautiful views of Madeira’s coastline and a wonderful swim stop in crystal-clear, warm water. Lunch was delicious and plentiful, while Jorge and his crew were friendly, welcoming and attentive throughout. Highly recommended

A nice day out. Would have preferred a longer trip around more of the island, but it was fun. And we got to see some whales close up.

We thoroughly enjoined the trip! The boat offers a great alternative to the majority of tours conducted on high speed powerboats. Everyone was middle aged and older—all nationalities—and everyone got along. The lunch was delicious and the swim spot was perfect!

This was a lovely trip. We booked it only because our other fullday trip was cancelled and this company was the only one that still went ahead with a longer trip that day. But this was probablymuch nicer than the first trip planned. The people were very nice and welcoming. We were a smaller group and the trip went ahead as planned including a lovely home cooked lunch. The bonus was that eventhough the boat was not as pretty as we had been looking for in the first place, the dolphins loved it! 8 of them swam in front of it and even when we left after 10 minutes, 2 dolphins followed us at full speed. This was a unique experience for us and also we were glad that the correct code of conduct with dolphins was kept. Also the snorkeling was nice. It was at a spot without much other tourist boats and more peaceful therefor. Lunch was great and included a yummy pudding and coffee. The only down side was that we returned 50 minutes before time. We had left 10 minutes earlier in the morning, but this was not really nice. We have noticed that on other trips too with other companies, like its a tourist trip they do everyday and as soon as the 'highlights' are all done, the aim is to get back quicker and get off early. It feels a bit of a shame on what otherwise was a lovely trip. Hence not full 5 stars.

Excellent tour. Nice boat with a fantastic lunch. Gorgeous views of the island from the boat. Fun swimming stop.

Wonderful experience. An absolutely beautiful day out on the water you get to enjoy the nature in the ocean and amazing scenery of Island. Lunch and drinks are provided, which make it a great experience.

An easy pick up from our hotel. We saw lots of marine life (flying fish, dolphins and a bride's whale) and there were plenty of opportunities for photos. The swim stop was also good but the snorkels provided weren't the greatest. If you are fussy you would be better to take your own snorkel. Lunch was fantastic - a choice of pork, tuna or chicken with potatoes, salad, rice and bread. Mousse for dessert with an excellent coffee afterwards. Drinks available throughout the cruise - wine, beer, water and soft drinks. The crew were all helpful and attentive.

This was an amazing experience. The staff were phenomenal. The views and dolphins capped off a wonderful experience.

This is the third time we have taken this trip and each time has been simply amazing! Whilst we did not get to see dolphins on this trip, we were fortunate enough to see Sperm whales which was incredible! A big mention must also go to the crew who were fantastic throughout the day, making sure we were well informed of the things we were seeing, as well as ensuring that we always had a drink. Also, the food provided was beautiful and just what was needed after a swim in the gorgeous ocean! We would 100% recommend this trip to anyone wanting a relaxing boat cruise in Madeira. Thank you so much.

Everything was great. The crew was very accommodating and kind. The food was fresh and tasty, the boat was very clean including bathroom.

Great to see the Island from the Oceanside. Nice views and picturesque places. A great set of lads onboard, they made us all feel very welcome. Spotted a whale when heading outwards and plenty of fish in the shallower waters. Plenty to eat and drink, food cooked onboard which was very tasty. You can also go for a swim if you like, don't forget your bathers and suncream. I definitely caught the sun, it gets hotter than you think. A nice gentle day out.

We all thoroughly enjoyed our day. The whole experience was amazing and so well organised. Fabulous lunch, helpful and friendly staff, what more can I say! Very highly recommended 😎

Great experience, there were about 38 on the boat but everyone had their own space. The crew did their best to actively seek out wildlife, we saw 2 types of dolphin (2 up really close) and a turtle until it dived. Good drinks selection with coffee available after lunch and food was really tasty. We stopped for a sea swim for 20 - 30 mins before lunch ... overall an exceelent day

The experience was wonderful! We had an amazing time. We saw dolphins and a whale. We did everything in the description. The staff was great. The food was delicious and we loved the white wine. We went with my 80 year old mother and two kids 10 and 12 and we all enjoyed the experience and highly recommend it.

Second time we have done this trip & it was even better than the last time. Our crew were attentive & took their time to ensure we got to see several pods of dolphins and best of all whales. Food & drink all great.

Everything about this was 10 out of 10. Wonderful, relaxing trip on a comfortable boat. Service on board was amazing. Nothing too much trouble. Really delicious lunch on board. Pick up and drop off worked really well too. And to top it off we saw a whale and a pod of bottle nose dolphins! Cannot recommend this trip enough.

Excellent service from beginning to end. The staff, who I believe are all family, were all very friendly and knowledgeable. We saw a Brydes whale and a pod of dolphins on the way out to the swin stop. The food was great and they kept the drinks flowing throughout the trip. Lovely costal views there and back. I'd highly recommend this trip.

We really enjoyed the boat trip. The crew were all very friendly and helpful and provided drinks whenever wanted as well as a delicious lunch while we were stopped near the shore. We were given good commentary/information and would do it again. Although we didn’t see dolphins or whales this time it was all in all very enjoyable and good value.

We saw pilot whales and got a good feeling for the island hugging the coastline and learning about various features. The staff were all very friendly and helpful keeping us topped up with drinks all the way. The food was very good offering a range of choices. The swimming spot was lovely and access on and off the boat was very easy. A great day out.

Nice people, good food, not the fanciest boat but fit for purpose. Very enjoyable day out and would certainly do it again

Excellent experience. Some often than I’ve ever seen at one time in my life. The food was amazing. The family that ran the boat was very friendly.

Super friendly staff. Very informative and great food. We saw Sperm Whales but unfortunately no Dolphins.

Fabulous time with fabulous staff. The lunch was really tasty and there was plenty of choice including the drinks where they didn’t stop flowing. Highly recommend just remember your sun cream!

The trip was advertised as a “whale watching trip”. First and foremost, the staff and people that we came into contact could not have been friendlier or nicer. Pick up and drop off at our hotel was easy any straightforward. The boat was well fitted out and comfortable. Our trip consisted of heading out a few miles to look for whales or dolphins. I completely understand that there is no way that seeing any wildlife can be guaranteed but we did see a pod of dolphins and even saw a couple break the surface, which was really impressive. We then headed towards land, where there was a lunch stop for an hour, and an opportunity to go swimming. I must have either seen a different advertisement, or missed it on the advertisement that I saw when I booked. Only four or five people seemed to have turned up ready to go for a swim so whilst I can’t make any assumptions, it would seem that others were thinking the same way as me. We then returned to Funchal by skirting the coast, where there were some specular views, accompanied by a commentary. I was hoping to head back out to try and see whales or dolphins. I was very much under the impression that the trip was centred around whale/dolphin watching, and not a sightseeing trip by boat. It was a good trip, I enjoyed it, I recommend it and would probably book again, but maybe the emphasis on the advert could be taken away from watching for marine life, and more accurately reflect what actually happens. As stated, the people we came into contact were absolutely great and cannot fault them, and the lunch was fresh and tasty, as were the complimentary/included drinks. I do feel a little let down, but as I was expecting a greater degree of looking for marine life.

A enjoyable day for our family of nine. Found a small pod of dolphins within 10 minutes of leaving the harbour. Great opportunity to get pictures and videos but found the crew to be respectful and leave after a short while. The tour was lovely with the guides pointing out key points of the island. Stopped in a bay for lunch and a swim. Food was very good and freshly prepared and all inclusive drinks on board. Staff were very attentive and friendly. Overall a lovely trip and worth the money

The staff were very friendly and extremely attentive, before the trip I was able to change pick up location to my hotel with no problems (ours was not shown as an option on Tripadvisor). The food was really good, tasty and plenty of it.

Highly rated with prompt start and welcome aboard by friendly and informative crew. Safety checks and advice followed. Seats and tables were a little uncomfortable. However the bow deck with comfortable seating and bean bags was fantastic if a little limited on space. Although dolphin, whale and turtle sighting were understandably not guaranteed, we were thrilled by the abundance and close experience of the two pods of dolphins we encountered. Ecologically responsible limited time with the dolphins with loads of photo opportunities. Unlimited drinks throughout the cruise and the lunch was excellently prepared with a good choice of fish, meats, salad and bread. Lunch followed optional swimming close to coast with mask and snorkel provided. Very safe. Returned to Funchal hugging coastline with great knowledgeable commentary. A whale, turtle or flying fish would've been an unexpected added bonus.

It was an enjoyable day especially we got to see the dolphin. The food was tasty and special welcome from all the staff.

Great from start to finish. Came off cruise ship straight onto this trip. Well organised. Saw lots of dolphins. Nice lunch. Nice day for it

The crew on the boat were very friendly! We saw dolphins and they swam next to the boat for a while so we got to see them really close. I would definitely recommend Living sea if you want to make a boat trip in Madeira. The trip lasts about 5 hours, you get dolphins, swimming food and some info about the coast of Madeira, so you get value for your money in my opinion.

The tour operator were great. They agreed to pick us up from our hotel despite it not being on the list of "official" pick up places. Easy to communicate with and we were well looked after. The trip out to see was rewarded with the wonderful experience of dolphins jumping and putting on a bit of a display and swimming directly under the boat. It was a fantastic experience. Didn't see any whales but was told that only about three days this year have they not seen anything at all. The lunch provided was excellent and plentiful and the non-stop free drinks were more than welcome on such a hot day. During lunch a few people went swimming/snorkeling much to their delight. The crew were very friendly and overall the experience was great. Would certainly recommend and very good value for money.

The tour was good organized, staff was very helpful, servis was good, Food was fresh, warm and tasty! I would recommend it to my friends!!

Lovely trip, well organised and friendly crew. Lucky to see dolphins and enjoyed a nice lunch, drinks flowing too. Would 100% recommend

Great trip for a relaxing morning / afternoon. The group consisted of 1 couple and 2 friends, aged 27-62. We booked this trip for my 30th birthday in the middle of our maderian holiday. Staff very friendly and helpful. We got to see dolphins and even 2 baby ones which was amazing and the food was fantastic with constant flowing drinks service of beer, wine and soft drinks. The only reason it has 4 stars instead of 5 was because we had been on a sunset boat trip a few days prior and we got to see the dolphins abit more up close and personal and had live music so was a little more our vibe with abit more atmosphere but non of the less this trip is still great. Thank you for a great day.

The tour was both fun and informative, and Christophe was an excellent guide. We packed a great number of experiences into a single tour, and Christophe kept us moving and gave clear explanations.

A fun trip if a bit crowded on board. We saw whales and dolphins and enjoyed the swimming and quality lunch. Drink was plentiful and information given en route useful. Would recommend it highly if you don’t want a more personal ( but probably more expensive) experience. It worked for us.

They pick you up and drop you off which is really great. The boat is very well equipped with indoor and outdoor spaces and easy to walk around. Food was excellent and drinks were always available with a very attentive crew. Spotted dolphins, turtle and whale spouts. Leisure pace and good spot for lunch and swimming. Only thing that could have made it better would be more narrative of the shoreline. Highly recommend!

Absolutely loved this trip! Excellent value for money - free flowing drinks and amazing food. We saw dolphins and turtles and learned a lot about the island!

Excellent all round. Great boat,food,staff,drinks just faultless. Saw so many dolphins and a couple of turtles too! Highly recommended, thanks George and team!

I cannot begin to tell you how much our friends and I enjoyed this trip. We were very well looked after by George and his family. They took us out to see whales 🐳 and we were fortunate enough to see some, along with flying fish and crabs.🦀. Great commentary along the way about the amazing scenery. The icing on the cake was a stop for a swim in the ocean followed by an amazing 2 course lunch, cooked and prepared fresh on the boat. Excellent value and an unforgettable experience.

I cannot begin to tell you how much my friends and I enjoyed this trip. The business is run by father and sons. The boat itself is of a high quality and is very clean and well cared for. The first part of the trip was dolphin watching and we were not disappointed and saw several of these beautiful creatures near to the ship. The boat then tracks along the coast and stops in a cove for those who want to brave a swim off the boat. A superb lunch is also provided with a choice of fish, and meat dishes. There were potatoes, rice and salad also so a vegetarian would not go hungry. Complimentary soft drinks, wine and beer are also served throughout the trip, with coffee and dessert served after the meal. The family were incredibly hospitable, friendly and polite. This is a must do if you are in the area.

It was a great honor to be on this ship with such an excellent crew who made such an effort to let me see the dolphins and turtles; as well as an attraction for children at the helm with the captain; the food tasted heavenly and on the deck with a beautiful view of the cliff; Greetings to the crew from Poland and thank you very much, OBRIGADO!

Great trip and pre trip communication wery good. On board crew were friendly, food good. Got to see Pilot Whales and Dolphins.

Trip was amaizing! The staff were really polite, professional and friendly. The food was good and a variety of drinks were available. We saw the dolphins very close, it was incredible.

Amazing experience, very helpfull and friendly crew, superb views of the island and doplhins. strongly recomend

Hotel pick up and drop off. Lovely boat, not too overcrowded. Friendly staff & plenty of food & drink. Saw pilot whales & dolphins. Lovely stop to have lunch. Great time out. Highly recommend.

Great tour, very well cared for and good food and drink. The commentary could have been better, but would happily go again in the hope of dolphin or whale spotting.

A great family business. We were picked up from out hotel and taken straight to the port to board the boat. There is plenty of comfortable seating on the 2 decks some of which is in the shade. We cruised out to sea until the crew spotted dolphins which were the Atlantic spotted species and spent time watching them. We then cruised back to the coast and anchored in a sheltered spot where we could swim. The lunch provided was really good, tuna, pork or chicken with rice, potatoes and salad. There was unlimited beer, wine or soft drinks on offer too.