Discovering Madeira: boat trip ideas to explore the island

The Madeira archipelago, made up of the islands of Madeira, Porto Santo, and the Desertas, is located just north of the Canary Islands. Organising a boat trip is a great way to discover all that Madeira has to offer. Its reliable winds and great year-round weather conditions make Madeira an amazing sailing destination.

The islands were claimed by Portuguese sailors in 1419. Today, the island is well-developed, and you can easily access it from Portugal and other European countries.

Madeira also has a rich flora and fauna, notably a prehistoric laurel forest that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s the perfect destination for a holiday between land and sea.

Colourful boats in the port of the fishing village Camara de Lobos. — The fishing village of Câmara de Lobos

What is the weather like in Madeira?

Temperatures in Madeira are mild all year round. The rainy season comes between October and January, and the rest of the year is sunny and warm. Perfect for a sailing holiday, the main wind is the North-East wind.

Things to do in Madeira

There is lots to do on Madeira island in terms of cultural and outdoor activities.

→ Stroll around the capital, Funchal

Founded in the 15th century, Funchal is the capital of Madeira. There are many museums about the island’s history. And the colourful Mercado dos Lavradores is the place to go to stock up on Madeira cake, wine and other local delicacies.

Visitors enjoy tobogganing down the streets of the town, a mode of transport originally used by the people of Monte to travel down to Funchal. For football fans, a museum has been dedicated to Cristiano Ronaldo, who is originally from Madeira.

People walking along a sunny cobbled street of Funchal, Madeira's capital, that is lined with colourful buildings. — Streets of Funchal

→ Swimming in Porto Moniz

The natural pools of Porto Moniz are located on the North tip of the island. They have been formed over thousands of years by the cooling of lava. The water comes and goes with the tides, constantly regenerating the pool waters. It is a favourite destination among visitors and locals alike.

The water temperature of these lava rock pools can go up to 25°C in the summer months.

→ Cabo Girão cliffwalk

Another great attraction is Cabo Girão, Europe’s highest promontory. It’s a great place to enjoy panoramic views of the island and of Funchal. It’s also a starting point for paragliding and many hikes.

You can get there by bus from Funchal.

View of the verdant cliff and the sea from the cabo girao promontory, with Funchal in the distance. — View from the Cabo Girão cliffwalk

→ Diving in the Garajau Partial Nature Reserve

Located around Santa Cruz, the nature reserve is home to a vast array of wildlife. Thanks to clear waters, you can observe the park’s biodiversity at depths of more than 20m. There are many diving centres along the coast, welcoming both professional and amateur divers.

For keen divers and snorkelling fans, discover the best snorkelling spots around the world on the Click&Boat blog.

→ Walking along the levadas

One particular feature of Madeira is the irrigation canal system, called levadas. The Portuguese built it in the 16th Century to carry water from the northwest of the island towards the southeastern agricultural regions.

Today, walking routes have been built along these levadas, with over 1,400 km of canals and trails. The most famous trail is the ‘Levada of the 25 fountains’: it is around 10km long and its narrow paths will lead you through the laurel forest and along spectacular waterfalls and pools.

Hiking trail following the levadas irrigation system through Madeira's laurel forest. — Trail along a Madeira *levada*

→ Madeira wine tasting

Madeira’s speciality is Madeira wine, a fortified wine originally sold to sailors crossing the Atlantic. Today, you can visit the different wineries scattered across the island to enjoy some local wine tasting.

Madeira from the sea: boat trip ideas

Going out to sea is a fun way to explore Madeira and the other islands.

Boat at anchor in a wide bay sheltered by cliffs on Madeira island. — The Madeira coastline

→ Whale watching

For those interested in marine wildlife, you can spend an afternoon outside of Funchal to watch dolphins and whales in their natural habitat.

The best season to watch whales is between spring and autumn. However, the good weather means you could see dolphins and whales all year-round.

If you want to enjoy your trip at your own pace, chartering a boat is a good option. Rent a boat with a skipper to benefit from local knowledge and to find the best spots.

→ Exploring the coastline

You can also take a boat trip further along the Southern coast, along Câmara de Lobos, a small fishing town nestled among the hills, or Ponta de Sol, a sheltered spot perfect to watch the sunset.

Sun setting behind mountain peaks and over the sea, seen from a cliff on Madeira. — Sunset over Madeira

→ Sailing around the archipelago

If you are looking for a longer adventure, it’s easy to sail over to the other islands of the Madeira archipelago.

The Ilhas Desertas are just south of the main island. These uninhabited islands are perfect for a quieter escape. Chão da Doca, a sheltered spot surrounded by rocky cliffs, is suitable for anchoring. From there, you can enjoy some snorkelling around the many caves. It’s important to ask the Natural Parks Department for a permit before going there, as these islands are a protected site with various conservation programmes in place.

From there, you can sail up to Porto Santo and its renowned beaches. The Quinta do Lorde marina is situated halfway, and you can access top-notch diving sites from there.