

As an European Biogenetic Reserve, Desertas Islands are a beautiful place for you to experience nature at its best. This sailing trip to Desertas can be long but if you really enjoy sailing and observing sea species, this is one of the best things you can do in Madeira. Be adventurous, go to Desertas!
As an European Biogenetic Reserve, Desertas Islands are a beautiful place for you to experience nature at its best. This sailing trip to Desertas can be long but if you really enjoy sailing and observing sea species, this is one of the best things you can do in Madeira. Be adventurous, go to Desertas!
Desertas Islands are a group of 3 small islands on the southeast of Madeira. This small archipelago is the habitat of the endemic and rare Monk seal, several seabirds and some indigenous flora species. For these reasons it is a protected area and is a European Biogenetic Reserve.
A sea trip to these untouched islands is for those who love to sail and are curious about desert islands with its endemic species. On the way you will get the chance to admire mountainous landscape of Madeira as well as try to spot some dolphins, whales, turtles or seabirds. Arriving at the largest island, the yacht will anchor and you can go ashore on a small floatable boat. Once on land, follow a path around the Natural Park to the warden's house along which you may observe some flora and avifauna of the island.
After the visit to the island and a relaxing swim in Desertas crystal waters, lunch is served onboard. Usually lunch is a Madeira traditional fish dish, black scabbard fish, with salad and potatoes. Following lunch it is time to pick the anchor up and depart towards Funchal enjoying a nap, sunbathe or spotting sea mammals and seabirds along the way.

Enjoy the romantic moments before sunset on a relaxing cruise along the west coast of Funchal, reviving old routes of passenger and cargo vessels while admiring the wonderful view of southwest Madeira Island. Taste Madeira wine and feel the peaceful ambiance surrounding you on a blue and green background.
Enjoy the romantic moments before sunset on a relaxing cruise along the west coast of Funchal, reviving old routes of passenger and cargo vessels while admiring the wonderful view of southwest Madeira Island. Taste Madeira wine and feel the peaceful ambiance surrounding you on a blue and green background.
Departing from Funchal marina, just next to the main pier, your evening cruise heads west to Camara de Lobos, a typical fishing village which Winston Churchill used to paint.
You will have the chance to enjoy the beautiful landscape and feel the cool sea breeze stroking your face and relax. The route that will be followed is the same of the old passenger and cargo vessels known as "Carreireiros" which, on the beginning of the 20th century, regularly linked the villages of the south cost of the island.
A toast, to celebrate your relaxing sea trip and holidays in this amazing island, will be made with the famous Madeira wine, just before the boat turns back. The way back is nearer the coast so you may appreciate the geological formations and the stunning cliffs emerging from the crystalline waters. If you are lucky, maybe you will be visited by some dolphins, turtles, whales or some rare seabirds.

If you want to learn about Madeira Island's natural treasures, don't join a crowded tour, join this full day Birdwatching tour with up to only eight participants. See Madeira's primitive endemic birds, indigenous forest and impressive mountains, all of which are surrounded by the Atlantic ocean.
If you want to learn about Madeira Island's natural treasures, don't join a crowded tour, join this full day Birdwatching tour with up to only eight participants. See Madeira's primitive endemic birds, indigenous forest and impressive mountains, all of which are surrounded by the Atlantic ocean.
First stop will be on a valley surrounded by Madeira's indigenous forest - the Laurel Forest, to search for the Trocaz Pigeon. Next stop is on a high place where the ancient fetid laurels are shelters for Madeira Firecrests and Madeira Chaffinches.
Next you will descend to sea level, for lunch, where you will dine on a nice fish or meat meal. Highly recommended is the tuna fish or the scabbard fish or, if you do not like fish, maybe the grilled steak with mushrooms. After lunch a short scenic walk for a good digestion and, if it is summer, to sea watch some seabirds.
A 30 minute ride to reach the most western part of Madeira, a lovely place to watch Canaries, Berthelot's Pipits, Buzzards, Kestrels and with luck, some migrants.
Last stop will be on the south coast of the island, on a fresh water lagoon near the sea, a beautiful spot for migrant waders, Moorhens and Coots and, if it is summer maybe see the rare Roseate Tern among Common Terns and Yellow-legged Gulls.
If you hope to find as many species as you can in one day this will be the perfect tour for you as you are able to see most of the Madeira species and subspecies. This is not only a Birdwatching tour but also a flora and sightseeing tour as the places visited have very beautiful landscapes and are full of natural history.

This full day tour gives you the opportunity to see artisans at work, a town famous for its cottages and to enjoy picture perfect scenery. Visiting Camacha, Pico do Ariero, Ribeiro Frio, Portela and Santana, this tour will be the highlight of any visit to Madeira.
Camacha is a village famous for being the wickerwork center. Visit the factory and see artisans working and perhaps purchase articles from a wide collection available.
Next you'll visit Pico do Arieiro, which is the second highest summit on the island (1,810 meters high) and offers wonderful views. Discover a natural park and take some time to explore a trout hatchery at Ribeiro Frio.
After visiting the beautiful area of Faial, climb up to Santana, a picturesque village where you will find enchanting cottages with pointed thatched roofs which are today known world wide.
Stop for lunch before visiting Portela (670 meters), a place where you can admire the impressive rock formations of the Eagle's Cliff, and part of the north coast, Pico do Facho.
Return to Funchal visiting the historic seaside town of Machico where the discoverers first disembarked in 1420.

At Encumeada summit (1,007 meters) both sides of the island (north and south) can be seen at the same time (weather permitting). Enjoy a stop for lunch, before continuing to Porto Moniz where you can discover one of the most beautiful points of the north coast - a road built on the rocks by the sea where you can admire the astonishing waterfalls.
Porto Moniz on the northwest coast, is a village well known for its volcanic swimming pools, and Paul da Serra is the only plateau on the island at 1,400 meters high. On the way back to Funchal, you will visit Ponta do Sol.

Observe the endemic species and sub-species of Madeira while delighting yourself with the scenery of the Eastern part of Madeira. On a tour mainly by car with some stops on the hot spots, you will visit at least two different habitats to observe several different species. This is a great tour for the whole family as there are no long walks.
Observe the endemic species and sub-species of Madeira while delighting yourself with the scenery of the Eastern part of Madeira. On a tour mainly by car with some stops on the hot spots, you will visit at least two different habitats to observe several different species. This is a great tour for the whole family as there are no long walks.
Your first stop is at a park where you will be surrounded by the green of the indigenous and exotic species in such a quiet atmosphere that you can identify the birds by their the calls.
You will certainly observe some species flying from one tree to the other or feeding on the ground, such as Goldfinches, Black Birds and Greenfinches. On a view point inside the Park, if the weather permits, you are able to admire the east extreme of the island and on a clear day, Porto Santo Island as well.
The second stop of the tour takes you to an arid area, the habitat of the Berthelot's Pipit. Here you may also find Canaries, Goldfinches, Kestrels and Buzzards. Besides the birds you will be amazed by the landscape of rocky cliffs falling in the sea on one side and on the other side, the contrast view of the north and south of Madeira.
If there is still time you may stop on a third spot, near a water course to observe some Grey Wagtails, Egrets and the Waxbills that live and reproduce freely here.
This is a great tour for the whole family as there are no long walks and the diversity of natural species and landscapes to see is wide. You may even see horses, fallow deers or even red-legged partridges, but unfortunately these are in an enclosed space.

In the protected area of the Natural Park of Madeira, you will walk to Cais do Sardinha. Here you can observe the plants that have adapted to this habitat and can only be seen in this area, as well as the Berthelot's Pipits running fast and posing for your camera.
In the protected area of the Natural Park of Madeira, you will walk to Cais do Sardinha. Here you can observe the plants that have adapted to this habitat and can only be seen in this area, as well as the Berthelot's Pipits running fast and posing for your camera.
This tour takes you to the most eastern part of Madeira Island. Travel by car to the end of the road in Ponta de Sao Lourenco, before entering the Protected Area which belongs to the Natural Park of Madeira. You will probably see some Berthelot's Pipits welcoming you to their arid habitat.
The walk until Cais do Sardinha takes about one and a half hours so you make sure you are wearing comfortable shoes, a warm coat if it is winter or a hat if it is summer. The path is in general easily done but there are some harder parts where the sandy soil is slippery. For these reasons it is not advisable to take children on this tour, nor those afraid of heights.
On the way you can admire the endemic plants that survive in this dry area, mainly bushes with tiny flowers, kestrels, some swifts flying fast above and depending on weather conditions, some vagrants as well. Near the sea you may observe Yellow-legged gulls as you will be near the largest colony in Madeira and some Terns, if in summer.
The house to where the path takes us belongs to the Natural Park of Madeira and it lodges the guards that protect that area. Lunch is not provided so you may want to bring along some snacks. You may also take want to bring your bathing suit in case you fancy going for a short swim before returning to the van.

The perfect way to feel the tranquillity of the sea and enjoy the excitement of dolphin or whale watching as you cruise the Madeira coast. A half-day sea trip is a great way to get to know some of the most beautiful landscapes of the island.
The perfect way to feel the tranquillity of the sea and enjoy the excitement of dolphin or whale watching as you cruise the Madeira coast. A half-day sea trip is a great way to get to know some of the most beautiful landscapes of the island.
Board the boat and keep your eyes on the sea to search for jumping dolphins or some slower whale fins cutting the salted water. If any wildlife is spotted, the boat will carefully get closer to watch these amazing sea mammals. In summer seabirds are commonly seen flying around and turtles seen swimming and diving deep below the surface.
The route has to be taken to Cape Girao, one of the highest capes in the world, falling steeply from 580 meters of altitude to the deep blue sea. Trips running from May to September will make a stop here so you may go for a swim in the clear and calm waters.
The way back to Funchal is along the coast to see the landscape of southwest Madeira where the green mountains spotted with houses contrast against the blue sea. The boat will pass along the bay of Camara de Lobos, a typical fishing village, near some of Madeira beaches and hotels.
If weather conditions are not favorable to go to the west side, your itinerary may change to the east side of Funchal.
Crew members will welcome you aboard and will help with anything you may need. There is a bar service on board with drinks available.

The last stop will be at Camara de Lobos a typical fishing village, with its colorful boats, is one of the sights which Winston Churchill had painted from his terrace when he dedicated himself to painting back in the 1950's. While visiting this charming fishing port, enjoy visiting a private wine cellar to tasting of various Madeira wines.

Taste other delicacies of Madeiran cookery and top it all off with coffee and wine, which is included. Watch a traditional folklore group perform the traditional and typical dances of Madeira.
Then, enjoy the sights of Funchal by night from a belvedere.