Every morning at Marina do Funchal, hundreds board 80-passenger catamarans, while small groups cast off on private charters. Here is an honest, data-backed guide to the real differences in cost, experience, and wildlife time.
Both depart from Marina do Funchal and head towards Cabo Girão. But what you experience from the moment you step on board could not be more different:
Most people assume that hiring a private boat in Madeira is exclusively for luxury budgets. When you look at the real numbers, the difference is surprisingly narrow once you are more than two people:
Scenario: A family or group of 4:
• 4 tickets on a premium catamaran: ~€240 to €280
• Drinks and snacks at the catamaran cash bar: ~€40
• Total spent on a shared tour: ~€280–€320
• Chifbay 2h Sunset Cruise (4 guests): €400 flat (€100/person)
Includes your own boat, drone 4K footage, open bar, and total privacy.
Quiet, non-intrusive wildlife watching: Dolphins along Madeira’s south coast are wild animals. When large catamarans approach, their twin diesel engines make substantial underwater noise. On Chifbay, our skipper can idle the single Mercury V8 quietly, gliding alongside pods at a respectful pace without 80 people jostling for a photo.
Swimming in uncrowded water: While shared tours stop offshore where passengers queue to jump off a high deck, Chifbay navigates directly into the calm turquoise shallows of Fajã dos Padres. You swim off the low stern platform, paddleboard across the bay, or simply sunbathe on cushioned loungers with a glass of local wine.
Up to 5 guests. We strictly book one party per excursion — you will never be paired with strangers. The boat and both skippers are dedicated exclusively to your group.
Yes! We provide complimentary local wine, poncha, beer, soft drinks and snacks, but you are also welcome to bring any special champagne or food you like. You can also connect your phone via Bluetooth to our premium marine sound system.
All trips cast off from Marina do Funchal, Pontoon C (next to the central statue), just a short stroll from downtown Funchal hotels and the old town.
Madeira's south-west coast is heavily sheltered from the north Atlantic swells by the island's central mountain ridge. Our 2026 Karnic R8S features a modern deep-V hull designed specifically for stable coastal cruising.
You can check live dates and book instantly on our website with credit card via Stripe, or message Hugo & Paco on WhatsApp if you have questions.
Check live dates on our booking calendar. Whole-boat charters from €400 with 4K drone footage included.