Beaches
Praia do Porto do Seixal
Black volcanic sand under green cliffs — Madeira's answer to a Hawaiian beach.
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The place
This is one of the only real sand beaches on the north coast, and the sand is black, ground down from the same lava that built the pools next door. Steep green cliffs wrap around it, which is why every comparison to Hawaii gets made. It's small and can vanish at high tide, so plan around the water.
When to come
Afternoon sun for the black-sand contrast; check tide times since the sand strip narrows fast as the tide comes in.
Worth knowing
- Steps down from roadside parking; steep in places
- Sand gets very hot underfoot in summer midday sun
- Currents can be strong — heed any posted flags
- Parking is limited and shared with the pools/village