Price index
Madeira Boat Tour Prices 2026
Honest anchor pricing across every category. Numbers are gathered from operator websites + recent client trips, refreshed quarterly. Prices are per adult unless marked per group.
By Pedro Andrade, licensed skipper · Last updated
| Category | Range | Anchor | Inclusions | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunset cruise | €30-60 | MadeiraBoat 2h30 sunset | Welcome drink + light snack | Cheapest entry. Book mid-week for €5-10 less. |
| Swim & snorkel (Cabo Girão) | €35-55 | €45 adult / €30 child (Madeira Ocean Tours, 3h) | Snorkel gear + swim stop | Best price-quality ratio. Family-friendly. |
| Wildlife (dolphins/whales) | €40-65 | €45-50 catamaran, €55-65 RIB | Marine biologist on board | Pay €10-15 more for sighting guarantee operators. |
| Pirate ship | €35-50 | Santa Maria de Colombo 3h | Wine + honey cake tasting | Family with kids 5-12 — themed experience. |
| Desertas day trip | €85-130 | €99 (Bonita da Madeira) | Lunch + welcome drink + swim stop | Premium operators €115-130. Worth the upgrade in peak season. |
| Porto Santo day trip | €57-105 | €57 ferry cruise (Porto Santo Line) | Ferry both ways | +€20-30 for guided island tour add-on. |
| Private charter (per group) | €300-500/group | €300 small boat → €500 yacht (Cristal Sea Madeira) | Half-day, customisable route | Splits 4-8 ways = €40-100/person. |
| Fishing charter | €80-150 (shared) / €600+ (private) | See sibling site madeirafishingtours.com | Rod + bait + licence | Big-game (marlin) is May-October only. |
What changes the price
- Boat type: RIB > sailing > catamaran > motor cruiser. RIBs cost 20-40% more for the same itinerary.
- Group size: private charters split fixed-cost. Splitting 4 ways vs 2 ways changes per-person price by 50%.
- Inclusions: "with lunch" runs €15-25 more. Welcome drink usually included; full bar usually not.
- Season: Jul-Aug is peak — book 5+ days ahead. Apr-May + Sep-Oct often the same operators 10-15% cheaper.
- Booking channel: direct operator usually €5-10 cheaper than GetYourGuide/Viator. Aggregators are worth it for cancellation flexibility.
Hidden costs to budget
- Funchal Marina parking — €2-4/hour, max ~€15/day. Free street parking 10-min walk away.
- Tips for crew — not mandatory but appreciated. €5-10 per person on multi-hour trips is standard.
- Snorkel mask hygiene — operators provide gear; bring your own snorkel mouthpiece if sensitive.
- Seasickness medication — €4-7 at any pharmacy. Read the seasickness guide.
Pick your tour
- ▸ Boat tour comparator — filter all categories by price + duration
- ▸ All categories
- ▸ Species calendar for wildlife tour timing