Activities on Madeira
The sea, the canyons, the bike trails and the sky: what each activity is like on the island, when to go, the rules, where on the map and who runs it.
Open the activities on the 3D islandOn the water
Surfing
Point and reef breaks along a steep coast, best from October to MarchScuba diving
A marine reserve off Garajau, ships sunk as reefs, and 40 m of visibility off Porto SantoSnorkelling
A mask, a snorkel and fins in the clear water of two nature reservesWhale and dolphin watching
28 species of whales and dolphins in deep water close to the coastBoat trips
Catamarans, yachts and a replica of Columbus’s ship, along the coast or out to the DesertasSea kayaking
Paddling the calm south coast, the Garajau reserve and Seixal’s black sandOpen-water swimming
Sea routes from 300 m to 3 km, with their distance, time and difficultyMore on the water
Stand-up paddle, windsurfing, kitesurfing, dinghy sailing and big-game fishing
On land and in the air
Canyoning
Abseiling down waterfalls in mountain streams, with a licence and a guideMountain biking
Enduro trails from the high plateaus towards the sea, licensed by IFCNTrail running
From a vertical kilometre to a 50 km loop, on the island’s mountain pathsGolf
Three courses: Palheiro and Santo da Serra on Madeira, and Ballesteros’s on Porto SantoParagliding
Flights over the mountains and sea cliffs, in tandem with a pilot for beginnersMore on land
Climbing, coasteering, bird watching, horse riding and 4x4 tours