Charter Operator

Magic Dolphin Atividades Maritimas Lda

Nationality: Portuguese
Languages: English, Portuguese,
Experience: 13 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 Fun Fishing

4.8 / 5

(42 reviews)

4.8 / 5

(42 reviews)

Recent reports

Funchal • 33 ft • 6 persons

Instant Confirmation

Trips from US $175

No Reserve – Big Game Fishing

Funchal • 35 ft • 6 persons

Trips from US $1,169

Fishing Reports

10kg Amberjack in Funchal!

Jan 6, 2026 Funchal

We were trolling for wahoo and had a nice surprise, a large Amberjack!

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 43 reviews

See details

Boat

4.8 / 5

Crew

4.9 / 5

Experience

4.7 / 5

Photos & videos by reviewers (39)

Fun, easy going and also exciting day out!

+36

Angler rating

5 stars		36
4 stars		2
3 stars		1
2 stars		1
1 star		0

Anglers claimed

Good experience
	91%
Friendly captain
	97%
Recommend this charter
	84%
Appropriate for children
	70%
Satisfied with the boat
	97%
Caught fish
	51%

Appropriate for children
	70%
Satisfied with the boat
	97%
Caught fish
	51%

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Showing:

5 of 43 reviews

Showing 31 - 35 of 43 reviews

Paul L.

Funchal, Portugal

5.0 / 5

Experience:

5.0 / 5

Boat

5.0 / 5

Crew

5.0 / 5

Overall

Full day trip with Captain Solomon

VERIFIED Winter Big Game Fishing 7h on April 23, 2019

Paul L.

Funchal, Portugal

5.0 / 5

Apr 23, 2019

Winter Big Game Fishing 7h

Full day trip with Captain Solomon

VERIFIED

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.

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...

Paul L. recommends Madeira Fun Fishing

Mark review as helpful

John A.

The captain canceled

VERIFIED Trip was supposed to happen on April 26, 2025

John A.

Apr 26, 2025

The captain canceled

VERIFIED

The charter operator canceled 28 days prior to the trip date. This is an automated posting.

Mark review as helpful

Bruce M.

2.0 / 5

Experience:

2.0 / 5

Boat

2.0 / 5

Crew

2.0 / 5

Overall

Misrepresented

VERIFIED Exclusive Morning Big Game Fishing on July 23, 2024

Bruce M.

2.0 / 5

Jul 23, 2024

Exclusive Morning Big Game Fishing

Misrepresented

VERIFIED

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 Fun Fishing

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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

Guenter K.

Baden Bei Wien, Austria

5.0 / 5

Experience:

5.0 / 5

Boat

5.0 / 5

Crew

5.0 / 5

Overall

Madeira fishing is OK.

VERIFIED Exclusive Morning Big Game Fishing on August 31, 2018

Guenter K.

Baden Bei Wien, Austria

5.0 / 5

Aug 31, 2018

Exclusive Morning Big Game Fishing

Madeira fishing is OK.

VERIFIED

Captain and crew were very friendly. Snacks and drinks were OK. So it was a real good fishing trip. We did trolling for four hours. But we didn’t have any bite. Thats what fishing is like. Thanks to the fishing team of balancal. See you again next year. Regards, Günter

Captain and crew were very friendly. Snacks and drinks were OK. So it was a real good fishing trip. We did trolling for four...

Guenter K. recommends Madeira Fun Fishing

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1 person finds this review helpful

Todd G.

Machico, Portugal

5.0 / 5

Experience:

5.0 / 5

Boat

5.0 / 5

Crew

5.0 / 5

Overall

Half day with Capt Salomao

VERIFIED Exclusive Morning Big Game Fishing on August 14, 2018

Todd G.

Machico, Portugal

5.0 / 5

Aug 14, 2018

Exclusive Morning Big Game Fishing

Half day with Capt Salomao

VERIFIED

Capt Salomao, Nelson and Anibal were amazing. Worked very hard for our fish. Made sure we had the best time. We did catch a lot of smaller fish that we kept but they tried to put us on to Mahi Mahi. When I return this is the only crew I will go with.

Capt Salomao, Nelson and Anibal were amazing. Worked very hard for our fish. Made sure we had the best time. We did catch a...

Todd G. recommends Madeira Fun Fishing

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1 person finds this review helpful

Magic Dolphin Atividades Maritimas Lda (The Charter Operator)

Replied on August 14, 2018

Thank you, so much Mr. Gordon for choosing our fishing team to fish with you! We are very happy to know that you have very much enjoyed your Half day Charter. In fact, all we need is to make sure that all our clients are happy with our services. Please don’t hesitate to contact us should you need any kind of assistance. Kindest regards, Lígia

Magic Dolphin Atividades Maritimas Lda (The Charter Operator)

Replied on August 14, 2018

Charter Operator replied

...

Settings

Email Address

Phone Number

Charter Operator
Magic Dolphin Atividades Maritimas Lda

Hey, we're Magic Dolphin Atividades Maritimas Lda

My Charter Listings

Madeira Fun Fishing

No Reserve – Big Game Fishing

Fishing Reports

Fishing Reports

Customer reviews

Full day trip with Captain Solomon

Full day trip with Captain Solomon

The captain canceled

The captain canceled

Misrepresented

Misrepresented

Madeira fishing is OK.

Madeira fishing is OK.

Half day with Capt Salomao

Half day with Capt Salomao

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