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 $180

Rating

4.8

61 reviews

4.8

Boat & Equipment

4.9

Captain & Crew

4.6

Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (46)

What anglers say

93%

Good experience

98%

Friendly captain

90%

Recommend this charter

76%

Appropriate for children

98%

Satisfied with the boat

43%

Caught fish

All reviews (61)

Showing 16 – 20 of 61 reviews

Victorien Thirion
France
Member since 2025
5.0
Verified
November fishing trip
Shared Bottom Fishing Half Day on November 10, 2025 • 2 adults
tres bonne partie de peche. equipage tres sympa
Reported catch:
Response from Charter operator
November 10, 2025
We are happy that you enjoyed the trip!
Jörg Diewald
Germany
Member since 2023
4.7
Verified
Nice trip today, but no fish at all.
Exclusive Morning Big Game Fishing on August 10, 2026 • 2 adults • 1 child
I understand the advertising of the fishing trips, but it’s absolutely low season right now and what have expected to get this information somewhere. The boat and crew is great. I don’t like the advertising for Madeira fishing in August.
Response from Charter operator
August 11, 2026
Thank you for your feedback. We're glad to hear you enjoyed the boat and had a great experience with our crew. We understand your disappointment, but unfortunately this is the nature of fishing. While we always do everything we can to find the fish, we can never guarantee landing a big fish on any given trip, regardless of the time of year. We do appreciate your feedback regarding the information on seasonality and will take it into consideration. Best wishes, Balancal Big Game Fishing
Maxence La Rocca
France
Member since 2026
5.0
Verified
Fishing with Declan Dogac
Shared Bottom Fishing Half Day on April 6, 2026 • 2 adults
Response from Charter operator
April 6, 2026
Thank you for the nice review!
Lars O Waltersson
Repeat angler
Sweden
Member since 2024
2 trips
5.0
Verified
January fishing trip
Shared Big Game Fishing on January 6, 2026 • 2 adults
Response from Charter operator
January 6, 2026
Glad you enjoyed the trip. All the best, Declan
Eric Springman
Repeat angler
Pennsylvania, US
Member since 2023
7 trips
5.0
Verified
Great half day afternoon w Capt Solomão & mate Nelson
Exclusive Morning Big Game Fishing on August 18, 2023 • 1 adult
First of all, Funchal is one of the most beautiful places I've ever fished. To find pelagics this close to shore is amazing. Bait is in the water by the time you are out of the harbor. I fish a lot, but mostly in-shore or near shore in Florida, where you have to motor a long way for this kind of fishing. Great instruction from Nelson and excellent teamwork. The day didnt bring us the cloud cover we'd hoped for, but the crew adapted. Soon enough Nelson spotted a swirl and called out to Captain, who immediately steered the bait into the path of a sizable Mahi. Again, great teamwork from the crew in landing the fish. Another exciting moment when we has a spearfish have a go at the bait 3 times, leaping at it... but unfortunately missing. That's fishing. Can't wait to see the video! All around great day on the water, fun fishing and easy conversation with Nelson along the way. Highly recommended.
Reported catch: