Reserva Natural Parcial do Garajau

Madeira's first marine reserve, created in 1986 on the initiative of a group of divers alarmed by the impoverishment of the seabed: 376 ha along about six miles of coast south-east of Funchal, between Ponta do Lazareto and Ponta da Oliveira, from the high-tide line to the 50 m isobath (never less than 600 m from the shore). Fishing banned, navigation restricted, habitats representative for in-situ conservation; its calm, clear waters make it the island's reference dive site, with dusky groupers and giant manta rays. Land access by the Cais do Lazareto or Garajau beach (cable car); above, Ponta do Garajau (Natural Monument), the 1927 Cristo Rei and the Pináculo viewpoint, a Natura 2000 area important for Cory's shearwaters and terns. Regional forestry institute environmental-education visit programme for groups.