Beaches
Praia da Madalena do Mar
A pebble-and-black-sand bay below Madeira's biggest banana plantations.
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The place
Madalena do Mar's shoreline is pebble and dark volcanic sand rather than the imported stuff at Calheta, backed by the largest banana plantations on the island. It's a working fishing village first, beach second, with lifeguards only in the official bathing season and simple beach-bar food close by.
When to come
July-September for lifeguard coverage and the calmest sea.
Worth knowing
- Lifeguards only in bathing season (summer)
- Showers, changing rooms, small playground
- A Poita fish restaurant is a 5-minute walk
- Annual banana festival held in the village