Charter Operator

Magic Dolphin Atividades Maritimas Lda

Nationality: Portuguese
Languages: English, Portuguese,
Experience: 12 years

Verifications

Email Address

Verified

Phone Number

XXX-XXX-X051

Charter Operator
Magic Dolphin Atividades Maritimas Lda

Member since August 2014 Funchal, Portugal

Background: 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.
Techniques: Trolling, bottom fishing, live bait, spinning, popping.

Hey, we're Magic Dolphin Atividades Maritimas Lda

Funchal, Portugal

Background: 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.
Techniques: Trolling, bottom fishing, live bait, spinning, popping.

Reviews

Fishing Reports

My Charter Listings

Madeira Marlin Charters - Balancal

4.8 / 5

(40 reviews)

4.8 / 5

(40 reviews)

Funchal • 33 ft • 6 persons

Instant Confirmation

Trips from US $814

No Reserve - Big Game Fishing

Just added to our fleet

Funchal • 35 ft • 6 persons

Instant Confirmation

Trips from US $1,162

Fishing Reports

White Marlin, Skipjack and Dolphin Fish

Sep 18, 2024 Funchal

A fun morning out, went 0-1 to a white marlin, unfortunately it shook the hook a few minutes in... At least some dinner for our clients who caught this Skipjack and Dorado on some light gear, great fun!

Like father like son ? well done ???

Sep 20, 2022 Funchal

Hatrick but 2-3 .... 240lbs and 265lbs Bigeye Tuna . Lots of them around ???

Customer reviews

Rating summary

4.8 / 5

out of 5 stars from 41 reviews

See details

Boat

4.8 / 5

Crew

4.9 / 5

Experience

4.7 / 5

Photos & videos by reviewers (38)

Fun, easy going and also exciting day out!

No fish today but a lovely trip all the same

+35

Angler rating

5 stars		35
4 stars		2
3 stars		1
2 stars		1
1 star		0

Anglers claimed

Good experience
	91%
Friendly captain
	97%
Recommend this charter
	85%
Appropriate for children
	72%
Satisfied with the boat
	97%
Caught fish
	50%

Appropriate for children
	72%
Satisfied with the boat
	97%
Caught fish
	50%

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Sort by: Featured

Showing:

5 of 41 reviews

Showing 16 - 20 of 41 reviews

Bruce M.

2.0 / 5

Experience:

2.0 / 5

Boat

2.0 / 5

Crew

2.0 / 5

Overall

Misrepresented

VERIFIED Big Game Fishing 4h (AM) on July 23, 2024

Bruce M.

2.0 / 5

Jul 23, 2024

Big Game Fishing 4h (AM)

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... More

The boat we thought we would be on and the captain we thought would be taking us out did not happen. No communication via...

Bruce M. does not recommend Madeira Marlin Charters - Balancal

Mark review as helpful

1 person finds this review helpful

Magic Dolphin Atividades Maritimas Lda (The Charter Operator)

Replied on 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... More

Magic Dolphin Atividades Maritimas Lda (The Charter Operator)

Replied on 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

Charter Operator replied

Daniel C.

Lisbon, Portugal

5.0 / 5

Experience:

5.0 / 5

Boat

5.0 / 5

Crew

5.0 / 5

Overall

Great half day out with the family

VERIFIED Big Game Fishing 4h (AM) on August 8, 2022

Daniel C.

Lisbon, Portugal

5.0 / 5

Aug 8, 2022

Big Game Fishing 4h (AM)

Great half day out with the family

VERIFIED

We had a number of younger children on the trip and the team organised a lovely day doing some fun bottom fishing suitable for all ages. The boat and equipment are top of the line and I hope to go sometime in the future of some big game fishing with them.

We had a number of younger children on the trip and the team organised a lovely day doing some fun bottom fishing suitable...

Daniel C. recommends Madeira Marlin Charters - Balancal

Mark review as helpful

1 person finds this review helpful

Johannes E.

Lisbon, Portugal

5.0 / 5

Experience:

5.0 / 5

Boat

5.0 / 5

Crew

5.0 / 5

Overall

Super Crew !

VERIFIED Big Game Fishing 4h (AM) on September 12, 2023

Johannes E.

Lisbon, Portugal

5.0 / 5

Sep 12, 2023

Big Game Fishing 4h (AM)

Super Crew !

VERIFIED

Best Day with cool Buddy‘s on a good Boat First Time in my Life —— 400 kg ——- 😁😁😁

Johannes E. recommends Madeira Marlin Charters - Balancal

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Johannes E. recommends Madeira Marlin Charters - Balancal

Mark review as helpful

Sophie E.

Helston, United Kingdom

5.0 / 5

Experience:

5.0 / 5

Boat

5.0 / 5

Crew

5.0 / 5

Overall

Great day with some great people

VERIFIED Trip for Sophie on November 24, 2022

Sophie E.

Helston, United Kingdom

5.0 / 5

Nov 24, 2022

Trip for Sophie

Great day with some great people

VERIFIED

Fantastic crew well set up boat, really great day out. Went fishing in November we weren’t expecting to see a lot of game fish but landed two bigeye tuna which was a great result. Thanks to Solomon, Nelson and the crew. Adam

Fantastic crew well set up boat, really great day out. Went fishing in November we weren’t expecting to see a lot of game...

Sophie E. recommends Madeira Marlin Charters - Balancal

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Andrew S.

Pompano Beach, FL

5.0 / 5

Experience:

5.0 / 5

Boat

5.0 / 5

Crew

5.0 / 5

Overall

Wonderful day

VERIFIED Winter Big Game Fishing 4h (AM) on November 11, 2022

Andrew S.

Pompano Beach, FL

5.0 / 5

Nov 11, 2022

Winter Big Game Fishing 4h (AM)

Wonderful day

VERIFIED

5 stars to the crew. They made for a wonderful day and the icing on the cake was they spotted a wounded sea turtle and rescued and dropped off on way back in at the local marine biology center to rehabilitate her. Highly recommended!

5 stars to the crew. They made for a wonderful day and the icing on the cake was they spotted a wounded sea turtle and rescued...

Andrew S. recommends Madeira Marlin Charters - Balancal

Mark review as helpful

...

Settings

Email Address

Phone Number

Charter Operator
Magic Dolphin Atividades Maritimas Lda

Hey, we're Magic Dolphin Atividades Maritimas Lda

My Charter Listings

Madeira Marlin Charters - Balancal

No Reserve - Big Game Fishing

Fishing Reports

Fishing Reports

Customer reviews

Misrepresented

Misrepresented

Great half day out with the family

Great half day out with the family

Super Crew !

Super Crew !

Great day with some great people

Great day with some great people

Wonderful day

Wonderful day

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