Activities27
In the mountains, on the water and in the air: everything you can do on the island; bookings and prices with each activity.
Canyoning
Canyoning reached Madeira in the 1990s with French enthusiasts; by 2000 about forty canyons had been equipped. The streams rushing down the mountains offer descents for every level, always with a guide who knows the terrain: Ribeiro Bonito, one of the most complete, Ribeiro Frio on the north coast, Ribeira das Cales, Água Negra and its waterfall, Lajeado and its pools, Ribeira da Hortelã, the most popular but difficult, Ribeira Funda and Vimieiro. In forest areas the activity requires a licence, requested on SIMplifica.
Rock climbing
Coastal cliffs and inland walls on very solid basalt: three sites of varied difficulty are open, with a licence requested on SIMplifica, and the sport is growing. Traditional climbers can still open new routes; specialised operators guide beginners and experts alike.
Coasteering
Moving along the shoreline by combining walking, swimming, snorkelling, cave exploration, abseiling and jumps into the water: the regional forestry institute's describes this recent activity as particularly suited to the bays and coves of Ponta de São Lourenço, the protected area at the island's eastern tip, and possible all year round. It adapts to each person's profile and is run by specialised operators; a licence is requested on SIMplifica.
Mountain biking
The island has 13 independent licensed mountain-bike trails and 8 routes homologated by the Portuguese Cycling Federation at the Porto Moniz Cycling Centre, most of them inside the Natural Park: Poiso, the Fonte do Bispo – Prazeres sector (Calheta), Paul da Serra between Bica da Cana and Estanquinhos, and recently the Funchal highlands. The regional tourism board details routes such as Chão das Aboboreiras – Poiso (4.09 km), Pico das Pedras (2.49 km, medium), Down – São Jorge (1.4 km, fast and hard) and Bica da Cana – Lameirinhas. Riding is allowed on every forest track with an a licence from the regional forestry institute, requested on SIMplifica.
Jeep and nature tours
To reach the island's most hidden corners, organised tours: guided jeep excursions, immersion in the Laurissilva, wildlife, flora, history and villages. On forest tracks, off-road vehicles, buggies and quads may only circulate with a licence, requested on SIMplifica.
Camping in forest areas
Camping in public forest areas is regulated and requires a licence issued by the regional forestry institute, requested on SIMplifica: €5 per tent per night, free for residents of the Region on proof of residence. Campers must carry the permit for the Forest Police. No fires outside the provided spots, take your rubbish away, no noise or plant picking. Camping zones are listed on the regional forestry institute's page; the Montado do Pereiro forest park (Poiso) is one of the reference leisure parks.
Whale and dolphin watching
The archipelago's waters, dropping to 3,000 m close to shore, allow cetacean watching all year round — the pilot whale among the resident species, but also sea turtles and, with luck, the monk seal of the Desertas. Trips leave mainly from Funchal marina, Calheta and Machico on catamarans, sailing boats or RIBs, and follow the Region's marine vertebrate observation rules.
Scuba diving
Water at 18–24 °C all year, good visibility and volcanic seabeds: the Garajau Partial Nature Reserve, Portugal's first exclusively marine reserve (1986), is the reference site, with seven spots listed by the regional tourism board; diving there is allowed on booking via SIMplifica, motorised water sports are banned. Two scuttled corvettes form artificial reefs: the Afonso Cerqueira (2018) in the Cabo Girão Marine Park, 400 m off Fajã do Rancho at about 30 m depth, and the General Pereira d'Eça (2016) off Porto Santo, near the Madeirense wreck. The Rocha do Navio site on the north coast also allows amateur diving.
Levada walks
The levadas, irrigation channels carrying water from the northern slopes to the south, can be followed on foot over more than 2,000 km, from sea level to 1,862 m, largely inside the World Heritage Laurisilva. The classified PR trails are managed by the regional forestry institute: since 1 January 2026 every fee-paying trail is booked on the SIMplifica portal in 30-minute slots, €4.50 for the general public and €3 for visitors accompanied by an operator holding a protocol with the regional forestry institute; two trails are promoted as "a path for everyone" (PR 6.8 Levada do Paul II and PR 9.1 Caldeirão Verde). Rabaçal, on the Paul da Serra plateau, is the busiest starting point (PR 6 – 25 Fontes and Risco). Check the official trail status before setting out.
Mountain hiking
Mountains, ocean, forests, waterfalls and viewpoints: Madeira is an island you walk, on an official network of PR trails. The great crossing of the Maciço Montanhoso links Pico do Areeiro (1,818 m, reachable by car) to Pico Ruivo (1,862 m, on foot only). Since 2026, booking on SIMplifica is compulsory: €4.50 for PR 1 up to Pedra Rija, €10.50 for the full crossing, free for residents and children up to 12. Never walk alone, finish before dark, give up in heavy rain, wind or hail.
Trail running
Rugged relief, natural scenery and a mild climate all year round make Madeira an increasingly popular trail-running ground: the Vereda do Chão dos Louros in the northern Laurissilva, the demanding Boaventura trail, the Fanal – Estanquinhos route for beginners, the Galhano trail for experienced runners, the Câmara de Lobos trail (3.18 km) and the Funchal Ecological Park close to the capital. On classified trails the 2026 booking and fee rules apply to runners too.
Nordic walking
Nordic walking, with two poles planted backwards, is gaining followers among mountain-trail lovers; it suits every age and adapts to each person's fitness. Madeira offers routes from sea level to 1,862 m, from the coast to the highest peaks, and more than 2,000 km of levadas open to walkers. There is no single site: the classified PR trails (SIMplifica booking in 2026) and the unclassified levadas are the playground.
Paragliding
The island's steep relief gives ideal conditions to paragliders and hang-gliders: the most popular take-off sites are Pico da Cruz, the Madalena do Mar viewpoint, Porto da Cruz and Prazeres; Cabo Girão is also a paragliding and BASE-jump site. Tandem flights with a professional pilot welcome beginners. Reference spot: the Achada de Santo Antão viewpoint (Arco da Calheta), a south-west coast lookout.
Bird watching
On land and at sea the archipelago lets you watch breeding and migratory species, several of them endemic to Madeira and Macaronesia: the chaffinch, the firecrest and the grey wagtail. Ponta de São Lourenço is an Important Bird Area where Cory's shearwater, the Macaronesian shearwater, the band-rumped storm petrel and the garajau tern breed. Operators run trips for beginners and experts, on land or from Funchal marina.
Golf
Golf reached Madeira in the 1930s: the nine-hole Favellas Santo da Serra opened in 1937. Today the island has two courses: Clube de Golf do Santo da Serra, 27 holes over 9,003 m, and Palheiro Golf above Funchal, 18 holes over 6,000 m, suited to experienced and novice golfers alike. Porto Santo adds an 18-hole, 6,434 m course designed by Severiano Ballesteros. The archipelago hosted the PGA European Tour's Madeira Island Open for several years.
Cable cars
The best known is the Funchal cable car, 3,200 m of cable between the seafront and Monte, often combined with the wicker-toboggan descent; a second cable car links Monte to the Botanical Garden. On the coasts, cable cars serve fajãs that are otherwise hard to reach: Achadas da Cruz (Porto Moniz), Fajã dos Padres (Câmara de Lobos) and Garajau (Caniço). Fares and opening hours are on each place's own sheet.
Monte wicker toboggans
The island's most inimitable emblem: wicker-and-wood sledges created in the 19th century as transport for Monte residents down to Funchal, today steered by the carreiros in white shirts and straw hats, braking with their boots on the steep streets. The run starts at the foot of the Nossa Senhora do Monte church, usually reached by the Funchal cable car. Details and fares on the Carreiros do Monte sheet.
Wine and food tours
Discovering Madeira wine means visiting the historic lodges of Funchal — the Adegas de São Francisco on Avenida Arriaga tell its centuries-old story — and the Museu do Vinho e da Vinha in Arco de São Jorge, on the north coast, set in an experimental vineyard. The Madeira Wine Festival, part of the official events calendar, celebrates the harvest. In Funchal the regional tourism board also lists "gastronomic experiences" around Madeiran cooking. The theme is covered in the "Madeira wine" editorial section.
Boat trips
See Funchal's amphitheatre from the sea, follow the south-west coast from Calheta, or go as far as the Desertas islands and Porto Santo: trips leave from several points of the Region aboard a replica 16th-century ship, a catamaran, a yacht or a sailing boat, usually with a swimming stop in 18–24 °C water. The regional tourism board points to the archipelago's specialised companies.
Snorkelling
The gentle, surface-level variant of diving, suitable for the whole family in clear water at 18–24 °C all year. The most popular sites lie inside nature reserves: Garajau beach, in the marine reserve created in 1986, and Caniçal, on the edge of the Ponta de São Lourenço protected area. In the Garajau reserve, swimming and non-motorised water sports are allowed. Diving schools accompany outings.
Surf and bodyboard
Nicknamed the "Hawaii of the Atlantic", Madeira receives an average 2 m swell and waves that have drawn famous surfers such as Garrett McNamara and Twiggy Baker. Jardim do Mar, a cult spot with tubular waves, Paul do Mar, for advanced surfers, and Achadas da Cruz are the west-coast references; on the north coast, Fajã da Areia made São Vicente famous, while Porto da Cruz's swell and sandy bottom suit beginners. Bodyboarding uses the same spots.
Windsurf and kitesurf
On the south coast, calm sea, small waves and steady wind make Madeira a year-round windsurfing spot: Funchal, Achadas da Cruz, Caniço, Santa Cruz, Machico, Caniçal, Paul do Mar and Porto Santo. Kitesurfing is practised in Funchal bay, at Praia Formosa and in Porto Santo. World champion João Rodrigues, a Madeiran Olympian, started here. Specialised clubs and schools are on hand.
Sea kayaking
With no rivers or lakes, Madeira paddles at sea where the water is calm and clear: Garajau, to discover the marine reserve from the water, and Funchal bay for a different view of the city. A family activity, with equipment and training from specialised schools; in the Garajau reserve only non-motorised water sports are allowed.
Stand up paddle
Standing on a board, paddle in hand, you "walk on water" along cliffs and coves that are otherwise out of reach: a quick sport to learn, for all ages, on the calm, mild waters of the south coast. Schools in Madeira and Porto Santo provide gear and instruction. Calheta's sandy beach, sheltered by its breakwaters, is one of the easiest stretches of water.
Sport fishing
With depths reaching 1,000 m five minutes from the pier, Madeira is a big-game fishing rendezvous: blue marlin and bigeye tuna pass mainly from June to September, and albacore, bluefin tuna, hammerhead shark, barracuda, skipjack and swordfish are also found. Several specialised operators carry on a centuries-old fishing tradition. Funchal marina is the main departure point.
Open-water swimming
Temperature, visibility and marine life make Madeira one of Portugal's best open-water swimming destinations: a lively deep-blue sea on the north coast, a calm, transparent sea on the south coast. The Lido bathing complex, open all year in Funchal, is the base with its seawater pool and ocean access. Praia Formosa, a long pebble-and-sand beach, completes the offer. Respect the flags on supervised beaches.
Sailing
Sailing trips along the coast from the island's marinas: Funchal Marina, in the bay, run by the Clube Naval do Funchal and the Centro de Treino Mar, the Calheta recreational port in the west and Quinta do Lorde Marina in the east, near Ponta de São Lourenço. Each provider below says on its own page that it sails.
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