Catamaran Day Cruise to Desertas Islands from Funchal

The real attraction here is the rare chance to set foot on the Desertas Islands, a stark, protected group of three islands far from Madeira. You travel by catamaran from Funchal, cross open Atlantic water, and reach a place that resisted permanent settlement because of its dry, difficult conditions. It feels less like a standard sightseeing stop and more like a visit to a remote wildlife sanctuary.

I like two things especially. First, the day gives you several ways to enjoy the sea: watch for dolphins, whales, seabirds, and possibly orcas, then use the provided snorkeling gear or stand-up paddleboard when conditions allow. Second, the Madeiran buffet lunch is included, so you are not left to organize food during a long day offshore.

The catch is the amount of time spent at sea. The crossing can take several hours each way, and wind can make the catamaran ride cold and tiring. The island visit may be shorter and less active than the description suggests, with a small trail and a pebble beach rather than a long hike or easy swimming cove.

Key points to know before booking

• The crossing is the main event: You may spend roughly two and a half hours each way at sea, depending on conditions and the route.
• Wildlife is possible, not promised: Dolphins, whales, seabirds, seals, and even orcas have been seen, but nature decides what appears.
• The Desertas are stark and protected: Expect dry rock, a virgin beach, and a short guided walk rather than a developed island resort.
• Water activities depend on conditions: Snorkeling and stand-up paddleboarding are included, but wind, swell, wildlife protection, and water temperature may limit them.
• Lunch is included: A Madeiran buffet provides useful value on a nine-hour outing.
• This is best for active sea lovers: You need moderate fitness, patience for a long crossing, and comfort with open water.

From Funchal Marina toward the open Atlantic

The day begins at 9:00 a.m. at Praça do Povo, near Avenida do Mar in Funchal. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to make your own way to the marina meeting point. The location is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying elsewhere in Funchal.

Once aboard, the catamaran points away from Madeira and toward the horizon. This is not a quick coastal cruise. The Desertas lie well offshore, so the sea crossing takes a large part of the day. One account puts the outward journey at about two hours and forty minutes, with a similar return trip, although timing can change with wind and sea conditions.

That distance explains both the appeal and the limitation. You get a genuine sense of leaving Madeira behind, but you also need to accept several hours of sitting, standing, watching the water, and coping with spray and wind. Even on a sunny day, the open sea can feel chilly. Bring a warm layer, sunglasses, sunscreen, and something to protect you from spray.

The catamaran offers a better view than a closed cabin for much of the trip. You can scan the water for marine life and watch Madeira recede behind you. Live commentary is provided in English, giving the crossing some context instead of making it a silent transfer.

Wildlife watching on the way to Desertas

The route can turn into a wildlife trip before you ever reach the islands. Dolphins and seabirds are among the possible sightings, and one exceptional outing encountered a small pod of orcas. That is a remarkable bonus, but you should treat it as luck rather than part of the guaranteed program.

The crew may change course briefly when cetaceans appear. That can make the day feel more personal and less rigid, although a short wildlife stop does not turn this into a dedicated whale-watching excursion. If your top priority is marine mammals, compare this cruise with a tour designed specifically around cetacean searches.

You should also keep your expectations sensible. The Atlantic is large, and animals can remain out of sight. The value of this part of the trip is partly the possibility of seeing wildlife and partly the experience of being out on a wide stretch of ocean.

The crossing is also where the biggest comfort complaints arise. Wind can make the ride rough or unpleasant, especially on the way back when you are already tired. If you suffer from motion sickness, prepare carefully and consider whether a full day on open water suits you.

Arriving at the three Desertas Islands

The Desertas Islands are called desert islands for a reason. They are dry, rugged, and sparsely developed, with no expectation of cafés, shops, or a polished visitor center. Their lack of easy settlement helped preserve them as an important refuge for wildlife.

The catamaran reaches the island group and transfers you ashore, generally at a virgin beach. This is the moment that gives the excursion its character. You are not simply looking at the islands from a boat. You get a brief chance to walk on one of these remote shores and see the setting at close range.

Do not picture a broad, sandy beach. The shore can be pebbly, with rounded stones that make walking and bathing uncomfortable. Water entry may be awkward, and swimming is not always offered. In some conditions, the presence of seals also affects where and whether people can enter the water.

The island itself may feel bare. If you expect thick vegetation, historic buildings, or a long coastal walk, you could be disappointed. The appeal is the opposite: stark rock, open sea, protected wildlife, and the feeling of visiting a place with very little human development.

The short trail and island commentary

A short guided trail provides a closer look at the island. The walk is not a demanding hike, and it may take considerably less time than you expect from the phrase full-day island excursion. The route gives you a chance to stretch your legs after the crossing and hear more about the islands from the crew.

This is a good place to adjust your idea of the day. You are not coming for hours of hiking. You are coming for a boat journey with a short shore visit. The walk works best as a compact introduction to the island environment, not as a major walking adventure.

The crew’s live commentary adds value here. The Desertas are more interesting when you understand why they remain sparsely settled and why their animals need protection. The commentary is offered in English, so you should be comfortable following spoken English throughout the trip.

One practical point: the island stop may not follow a fixed pattern every time. A late return to the catamaran can affect the lunch schedule, and shore conditions can change the amount of time available for walking or water activities. A flexible attitude will make the day easier.

Snorkeling, paddleboarding, and swimming limits

Snorkeling equipment and stand-up paddleboards are included. That is a welcome feature because it gives you something active to do after the long crossing. In calm conditions, you can get a closer look at the water and enjoy the islands from a different angle.

Still, do not book this expecting a guaranteed snorkeling session. Wind, swell, water temperature, beach stones, and wildlife protection all matter. Some outings have had no swimming from the boat or shore because seals were present. That is the right decision for the animals, but it can be frustrating if you planned the day around getting in the water.

The same applies to paddleboarding. It is available as part of the experience, but availability does not mean unlimited use or perfect conditions. Bring a swimsuit if you hope to take part, along with a towel and a warm cover-up for afterward.

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. Getting on and off the catamaran, moving around the deck, walking on a pebbly shore, and handling a long day at sea all require some effort. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and families should decide if younger children will cope well with the lengthy crossing.

A Madeiran buffet after the island stop

Lunch is served on board and includes a Madeiran buffet. At about nine hours, an included meal makes a real difference to the price and convenience of the outing. You do not need to search for food on an uninhabited island or carry a full day’s supply.

The meal has been described as tasty and perfectly adequate, though the schedule can be imperfect. If the group returns late from shore, lunch may begin later than planned. On one outing, the boat was already moving again while people were still eating, which made it awkward to reach the dessert.

That is not a reason to avoid the cruise, but it is useful to know. Take your time when serving yourself, keep essentials within reach, and do not expect a leisurely restaurant meal with a long pause between courses. Tell the operator about specific dietary requirements when booking.

The buffet also helps you judge the overall value. You are paying not only for transportation, but for a full day on the water, commentary, equipment, a shore landing, wildlife opportunities, and food. At about $108.37 per person, the price is fair if you value the remote destination and the catamaran experience. It is less appealing if you want extensive time on land or a short, activity-packed boat trip.

Weather can change the entire plan

The Desertas crossing depends on good weather. Strong winds may make the journey uncomfortable, and poor conditions can prevent the catamaran from reaching the islands at all. If that happens, the operator may offer another date or a full refund.

A changed route does not always mean a wasted day. One substituted trip sailed south from Funchal and used the new route to watch cetaceans and seabirds. That kind of adjustment can rescue the experience, especially if the crew communicates clearly and makes good use of the sea time.

Still, you should book with flexibility. The Desertas are the reason to choose this tour, and an alternative route cannot fully replace stepping ashore. Check the forecast before leaving, dress for wind rather than just sunshine, and understand that the sea may set the schedule.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start. Cancellations later than that are not refunded, and changes inside the 24-hour window are not accepted. The operator may also cancel if too few people book.

Who will enjoy this nine-hour catamaran cruise

I would choose this trip if you enjoy long boat rides, remote places, and wildlife watching more than packed sightseeing. The best part is the combination of open-ocean travel and a short visit to a protected island that most people cannot reach casually.

It also suits families with older children who can manage a full day at sea. The included water equipment adds variety, and the chance of seeing dolphins or other marine life gives children something to watch for during the crossing.

You may want another excursion if you dislike wind, get seasick, or need a busy schedule with constant activity. The island is dry and rocky, the beach may be uncomfortable, and the shore visit can be shorter than expected. People seeking a long hike, a soft sandy beach, or guaranteed snorkeling should set their expectations lower.

The maximum group size is 70. That is not an intimate private sailing, but it is still a manageable number for a full-day shared catamaran trip. The quality of the day depends heavily on the crew’s handling of weather, timing, wildlife stops, and shore logistics.

Should you book the Desertas cruise?

Book it if the idea of reaching a remote, protected island excites you and you are happy to trade comfort for access. The strongest reasons are the unusual destination, the possibility of wildlife sightings, the friendly crew, the included buffet, and the chance to snorkel or paddleboard when conditions cooperate.

Skip it if your main goal is a relaxed beach day or a short boat ride. The journey can be windy and cold, the island has little vegetation, and the beach is made of pebbles. At roughly $108 per person, it offers solid value for the right kind of sea-loving visitor, but not for someone who wants maximum time ashore.

My practical advice is simple: wear warm layers, accept that nature controls the schedule, and think of the crossing as part of the experience rather than dead time. If you can do that, this unusual Madeira day trip may be one of the more memorable ways to see how wild the islands still are.

FAQ

Where does the Desertas Islands cruise start?

The cruise starts at Praça do Povo, J3WR+9P, Avenida do Mar 4, Funchal, Portugal. The meeting point is near public transportation.

What time does the cruise begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately nine hours and ends back at the original meeting point in Funchal.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must reach the Funchal meeting point independently.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Madeiran buffet lunch is served on board.

Are snorkeling equipment and paddleboards provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and stand-up paddleboards are included, although weather, sea conditions, and wildlife protection may affect whether you can use them.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. Live commentary is provided on board in English.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you may be offered another date or a full refund. Free cancellation is also available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.