Charter operator

Magic Dolphin Atividades Maritimas Lda

Funchal, Portugal

50+ reviews

Madeira Marlin - Balancal is run by Magic Dolphin Atividades Maritimas Lda, specializing in excellent game fishing and incredible customer services. Their captains are experienced, passionate, and will do everything to provide their customers with an incredible fishing experience. Born in the Madeira, Captain Fabio Abreu grew up on the sea, surrounded with boats and fishing. He used to worked many years in Magic Dolphin Catamaran, but his heart was always in fishing. When opportunity came, we did not think twice about putting Fabio in charge of Balancal big game fishing. He is one of the top captains in the area, specializing in pelagics.

Charter

Madeira Fun Fishing

Funchal

Instant Confirmation

Trips from

US $179

Rating

4.8

62 reviews

4.8

Boat & Equipment

4.9

Captain & Crew

4.6

Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (48)

What anglers say

93%

Good experience

98%

Friendly captain

90%

Recommend this charter

76%

Appropriate for children

98%

Satisfied with the boat

42%

Caught fish

All reviews (62)

Showing 46 – 50 of 62 reviews

Arthur Blumer
Repeat angler
Connecticut, US
Member since 2022
2 trips
5.0
Verified
Fishing with Jonathan
Winter Big Game Fishing 7h on March 9, 2022 • 2 adults
Martin Coaley
Repeat angler
United Kingdom
Member since 2023
2 trips
4.3
Verified
Great Boat Great Crew.....no fish
Exclusive Morning Big Game Fishing on September 12, 2024 • 2 adults
Everything was super except the trip itself was uninspiring, a run up the coast then around the fish farm and back....no sign of fish at all
Nick Metcalfe
Repeat angler
United Kingdom
Member since 2022
2 trips
4.7
Verified
Full day with Capt Salamau and mate Nelson
Exclusive Full Day Big Game Fishing on August 6, 2022 • 2 adults
Great day out but no fish unfortunately. Thanks guys
Paul Lynam
United Kingdom
Member since 2019
5.0
Verified
Full day trip with Captain Solomon
Winter Big Game Fishing 7h on April 23, 2019 • 2 adults
Solomon and his mate David looked after me and my ten year old son very well despite my lad being sea sick a couple of times in the heavy swell. No sailfish or tuna but it is early in the season and we caught red snapper for dinner which was superb. I’d happily recommend a day out with the guys.
Reported catch:
Bruce Mathewson
Florida, US
Member since 2024
2.0
Verified
Misrepresented
Exclusive Morning Big Game Fishing on July 23, 2024 • 2 adults
The boat we thought we would be on and the captain we thought would be taking us out did not happen. No communication via this listing was accurate. We ended up on a boat and with a captain for a cost that far exceeded what he would charge us normally. If you want to go with the Freedom, the boat we actually ended up on, book thru the historic Reeds Hotel in Funchal. It will save you hundreds and you will get to deal directly with the boats owner. The actual business that collected the fee was a sightseeing charter boat business who knows nothing about fishing. They seem to just collect $ and put you any subcontracted boat that is not already booked. Upcharge to be a middle man. Live and learn.
Response from Charter operator
July 24, 2024
Dear Mr. Bruce, Unfortunately the "Balancal" had an unexpected engine issue and we were not able to honour this booking ourselves. I spoke to your wife on Sunday 21st, explained the situation and offered to either go with another company or to cancel the trip with a full refund. We only offer alternatives if we have a problem with our boat that we can not fix in time for the trip, most companies would just cancel and not offer any alternative. The intermediary you are recommending to book fishing trips is also just a middle man and is definitely not cheaper than booking through this website, that information is misleading. We do own several dolphin and whale watching businesses you are correct. What perhaps you don't realize is that we have several boats on the water every single day covering vast areas and communicating information on wildlife, in addition to a team of wildlife spotters working from land. This means we can often locate feeding areas, pelagics far more efficiently than other fishing boats. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and we hope to see you again when "Balancal" returns better and stronger. Best regards, Declan