10 places
Beaches and sea pools
Black sand, pebbles and pools built from lava. Where to swim, where not to, and what each one is really like.
Sandy Beach Calheta Beach
Calheta · Southwest
The only golden sand beach on the south coast. The sand was imported from Morocco when the marina was built in 2007. It doesn't exist naturally in Madeira. The breakwater creates calm, shallow water rarely exceeding 1.5 m depth. Water reaches 23–24°C in August. Facilities on site: changing rooms, bar, sunbeds. Don't miss Casa das Mudas contemporary art museum carved into the cliff above, free on Sundays. The marina next door has several seafood restaurants. Warning: outside the breakwater, the Atlantic current is strong. Stay inside the bay.
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Volcanic Pools Porto Moniz Natural Pools
Porto Moniz · Northwest
Lava rock pools filled with Atlantic seawater, refreshed naturally with every wave. Two separate complexes: the municipal pools (€3 entry, free for children up to three, changing rooms, bar, sunbeds) and the free natural pools just west (no facilities, but arguably more beautiful). Water temperature 19–21°C in summer. On days with swell above 2 m, pools close. Check the forecast before the 1h30 drive. The village has seafood restaurants known for fresh limpets. Warning: water shoes essential: rocks are extremely slippery.
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Black Sand Seixal Black Sand Beach
Seixal · North Coast
Black volcanic sand, a freshwater waterfall falling onto the beach year-round, and a tunnel carved through the cliff as the only entrance. Faces north so receives Atlantic swell. On calm days water is clear, on rough days swimming is dangerous. Water temperature 18–20°C in summer. Parking is very limited (~15 spaces). Arrive before 9am in summer. No changing rooms, bar, or toilets on site. Combine with Porto Moniz Natural Pools, 15 min further west. Warning: do not swim on days with swell above 1.5 m.
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Pebble Cove Praia do Portinho
Jardim do Mar · Far West
The small boulder beach by the harbour wall at Jardim do Mar, at the far south-west corner of the island. Smooth grey stones rather than sand, a sea that is clear on calm days and loud on the rest, and a village behind it of narrow lanes, banana terraces and a seafront promenade. Jardim do Mar is one of Madeira's surf villages, so on a big swell the show is on the water rather than in it. Go late in the day: the cliffs face west and the sunset lands straight on the beach. Swim only when the sea is flat.
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Sandy Beach Machico Beach
Machico · East
A sheltered sandy bay in Madeira's second-largest town. The golden sand is imported, brought over from North Africa. Naturally sheltered by surrounding hills, making it one of the calmest swimming spots on the island. Water reaches 22–23°C in summer. Just 5 minutes from the airport, a great first or last stop. The 15th-century Santiago Fortress is right next to the beach, free to enter. The old town has plenty of local restaurants and cafés.
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Snorkel Garajau Marine Reserve
Caniço · Southeast
A protected marine reserve since 1986, with a submerged Christ the King statue at 14 m depth. Sea turtles are a common sighting. Visibility regularly exceeds 15–20 metres on calm days. Barracuda, moray eels, rays, and octopus are common. Beach reached by cable car (a few euros; 10:00 to 20:00 in summer, to 18:00 in winter) or steep stairs (10 min). Bring your own snorkel gear: rental on site is poor quality. Water consistently 19–21°C. A lycra suit makes a big difference. Best visibility in the morning. Warning: protected reserve: no fishing or collecting marine life, and wardens patrol regularly.
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Black Sand Prainha Beach
Caniçal · Far East
One of the few natural sand beaches in Madeira, and the best known on the east. This sand formed here from local volcanic basalt erosion, unlike other dark beaches where sand arrives by currents. Small protected cove, rarely crowded, no facilities whatsoever. Faces south-southeast so gets good sun from morning to mid-afternoon. The path down is steep and rocky. No flip-flops. Combine with the Ponta de São Lourenço peninsula hike (PR8), trailhead 5 min by car. Very close to the airport: low-flying planes on approach add an unexpected soundtrack.
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Volcanic Pools Seixal Natural Pools
Seixal · North Coast
Volcanic pools on the north coast, two minutes from Seixal beach, known locally as the Poças das Lesmas. Basalt has made basins of every depth, from ankle-deep to two metres. Since 2024 they have lifeguards in season, toilets, showers and a small bar, and entry costs €2.50. Water shoes are still essential. Best combined with Seixal beach and the drive on to Porto Moniz on the same day. Warning: on rough days the waves wash over the outer rocks. Stay back from the ocean-facing edge.
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Pebble Beach Porto da Cruz Beach
Porto da Cruz · Northeast
A north coast pebble beach with Penha d'Águia cliff rising 590 m behind it. Next door: Engenho do Norte, the last functioning sugar cane distillery in Madeira, producing artisan rum since 1927. The beach has a free sea pool built into the rocks, much better for swimming than the open ocean here. The village is authentic and off the main tourist circuit. Visit the distillery (free entry) and buy a bottle of 3-year aged rum (€15–20) direct from the producer. Several village restaurants serve fresh fish with cliff views. Warning: open ocean swimming dangerous due to north coast swells. Use the sea pool.
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Volcanic Pools Ponta do Sol Seafront
Ponta do Sol · South
Known as one of the sunniest villages on the island: two headlands block the clouds rolling in from the north. On overcast days in Funchal, Ponta do Sol often has clear skies. Small volcanic rock pools (free) and a pebble beach that catches afternoon sun perfectly. The levada walk to Lugar de Baixo (~4 km flat) starts from the seafront. John Dos Passos, the American novelist, had family roots here, and there is a small museum in the village. The village has lovely cafés with ocean-view terraces.
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