Beaches
Praia da Maiata
Black-sand surf beach outside Porto da Cruz; no lifeguard, strong currents.
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The place
Maiata is the wave magnet of Madeira's north coast, a black volcanic-sand cove just outside Porto da Cruz that surf schools and specialty sites rate among the island's best breaks. There are no facilities and no lifeguard, so it stays uncrowded even in season, but currents and shore break deserve real respect.
When to come
Autumn and winter for the best surf swell; calmer in summer for a swim.
Worth knowing
- No lifeguard or facilities on site
- About a 20-minute walk, or a rough drive, from Porto da Cruz center
- Popular with local surf schools