Desertas Islands Full-Day Catamaran Trip from Funchal

The best part of this trip is reaching a protected island chain that you can visit only by sea. After roughly three hours on the catamaran, you land on Deserta Grande, walk to the conservation center, and see volcanic scenery that feels far removed from Madeira’s towns. I especially like the chance to combine wildlife watching with a swim in clear water, and I like that lunch and drinks are included rather than added to the day’s cost.

The main catch is the long crossing. You spend about three hours going out and three hours returning, so this is as much an open-ocean boat trip as an island visit. The boat’s hard bench seating can become uncomfortable, and getting from the tender onto the rocky beach is awkward if you have mobility problems.

Key points to know before booking

• The crossing takes about three hours each way, with scenic views and possible sightings of dolphins, pilot whales, or other marine life.
• Deserta Grande is the only island where you disembark, and the walk focuses on the conservation center rather than a long island hike.
• Monk seals are protected here, not guaranteed to be seen. The visit explains the conservation work instead.
• Lunch, drinks, a toilet, and a snack bar are included on the catamaran.
• Swimming, snorkeling, and stand-up paddleboarding are available during the island stop, depending on conditions.
• Bring proper water shoes, not flip-flops, for the slippery stones and tender transfer.

Why the Desertas Islands make a worthwhile day trip

Madeira is famous for steep mountains, levada walks, and flower-filled towns. The Desertas Islands offer a very different view of the region. This chain of volcanic islands and small islets lies southeast of Madeira, surrounded by protected marine waters.

The reserve covers 12,586 hectares and includes Ilhéu Chão, Deserta Grande, Bugio, nearby islets, and the sea around them. It has been protected for more than 25 years, with special attention given to the endangered Mediterranean monk seal.

That conservation story gives the trip more purpose than a simple boat ride. You are not visiting a developed resort island with cafés and souvenir shops. You are seeing a carefully controlled natural area, with access limited to the sea and to a small part of Deserta Grande.

I like this kind of outing because the scenery does not need much decoration. Volcanic cliffs, rough shorelines, and the open water do most of the work. You also have a chance to see marine life without treating the trip as a guaranteed wildlife show. Dolphins and whales have been spotted, but sightings depend on nature and luck.

Leaving Funchal Marina for the open sea

You meet the crew at the VMT Madeira Kiosk in Funchal Marina. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to make your own way to the marina and arrive ready for the safety briefing.

The day begins with a catamaran cruise along Madeira’s south coast. The route gives you time to enjoy the island from the water, but the real crossing is long. One useful way to think about this tour is as a full day at sea with an island landing, not as a quick transfer followed by hours on shore.

That distinction matters. If you want a short boat excursion, this will feel too long. If you enjoy being on the water and are happy to let the scenery unfold slowly, the crossing is part of the attraction.

The crew speaks English and Portuguese. Safety instructions come before departure, and the catamaran has a toilet plus a bar serving snacks and beverages. Bring a windbreaker even on a sunny day. The wind can feel cold during the crossing, particularly when you are sitting still on deck.

Wildlife can turn the crossing into the day’s biggest surprise. Dolphins have been seen alongside the boat, and sightings have included pilot whales, bottlenose dolphins, and even killer whales. None of that can be promised, but it is worth keeping your eyes on the water rather than treating the ride as dead time.

Three hours to the Desertas Islands

The journey to the reserve takes roughly three hours. That is a serious stretch of time, and comfort becomes important.

The catamaran offers a stable platform compared with a small speedboat, but the bench-style seats are firm. You can move around to take in the views, yet you should not expect cushioned lounge seating throughout the day. A windbreaker or warm layer helps, and a small personal bag is more practical than a large pack.

Large bags and luggage are not allowed. Pack only what you need for the day: sunscreen, water shoes, swimwear, a towel, dry clothes, and a light jacket. Sunscreen matters even when the wind makes the air feel cool.

The reward for the slow crossing is the approach to the reserve. The islands rise from the sea as stark volcanic formations, with a more rugged appearance than Madeira’s settled southern coast. The scenery is best appreciated from the boat, where you can see the cliffs and islets in relation to the wide marine reserve around them.

Landing on Deserta Grande

Deserta Grande is the only island in the reserve where visitors can disembark. You do not simply walk from a marina onto a paved quay. The final transfer is by a smaller tender into clear water and onto a volcanic beach.

This is where footwear becomes important. The rocks can be slippery, and getting out of the tender takes care. Flip-flops are a poor choice. Wear secure beach shoes, Crocs, or another pair of shoes that can get wet and grip uneven stones.

The landing may be difficult for anyone with mobility impairments. The activity is specifically not suitable for people with mobility difficulties, and that warning should be taken seriously. Even a fit person can find the tender transfer and wet rocks less graceful than expected.

Once ashore, you have time for the island visit, swimming, and water activities. The beach is volcanic rather than a soft, developed resort beach, so keep your expectations practical. The appeal is the setting and the clear water, not beach facilities.

The conservation center and the monk seal story

The guided walk leads to the conservation center, where you learn about efforts to protect the monk seal and the island’s native plants and animals.

This is an important point about the experience: the tour explains monk seal conservation, but it does not promise a monk seal sighting. In fact, you may leave without seeing one. That is not a failure of the reserve. Monk seals are wild and protected, and keeping visitor access controlled is part of the point.

Some people expect a longer hike around Deserta Grande and are surprised by the limited walking. The route is more of a guided visit near the guard’s house and conservation facilities than a broad trek across the island. One practical issue is that larger groups can make it hard to hear every explanation, so staying near the guide is wise.

The information adds meaning to the volcanic scenery. You are not simply looking at an empty island. You are seeing a habitat managed to protect species that could not cope well with heavy tourism.

At the same time, do not book this trip mainly to see monk seals. Book it for the reserve, the volcanic formations, the conservation visit, and the chance of marine wildlife during the crossing. That expectation will make the day more satisfying.

Swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding in clear water

The island stop includes time for a swim in clear water, and depending on conditions you can also snorkel or try stand-up paddleboarding. This is the most active part of the day and a welcome break after the long ride.

Bring your swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and a change of clothes. A windbreaker is still useful for the boat, while dry clothing makes the return trip more comfortable.

The water entry is not a polished pool or a sandy resort setup. The rocky volcanic shore and tender transfer require care. Water shoes help with both. If you are unsteady on rocks or dislike getting in and out of small boats, you may prefer to enjoy the scenery from the catamaran instead.

The swimming stop also gives you a chance to experience the reserve at water level. Looking back toward the volcanic shore from the sea is a different view from the one you get during the guided walk. Snorkeling and paddleboarding add variety, although the exact amount of time for each activity can depend on the day’s conditions and schedule.

Lunch on board, with useful flexibility

Lunch is served on the catamaran and drinks are included. The meal is described as a plentiful buffet, with enough variety to suit different tastes. Vegetarian and vegan meals have been provided, but you should state your dietary needs when booking rather than assume the crew will know.

Eating on board makes practical sense. There are no island restaurants, and bringing the group back to the catamaran keeps the reserve visit controlled. It also turns the return crossing into a more comfortable pause after swimming and walking.

The meal is one of the stronger value points in the $106 price. You are paying for a nine-hour boat outing, but that cost also covers the catamaran, lunch, drinks, the guided visit, and access to the swimming equipment and activities offered during the stop.

For Madeira, that is a fair price if you value the full-day format and the protected-island access. It is less compelling if you mainly want a short swim or a quick coastal cruise. In that case, a shorter boat trip would use your time and money more efficiently.

The return crossing to Funchal

After the island visit, you board the catamaran for the trip back to Funchal. Expect another roughly three hours on the water, with more coastal views and another chance to spot dolphins or whales.

This return leg is where the tour can feel tiring. You have already spent hours sitting, walking, swimming, and standing in the wind. The boat has a toilet and bar, which helps, but the hard seating remains a consideration.

I would plan the return as a slow finish rather than expect more scheduled sightseeing. Take in the changing views, keep your warm layer close, and use the time to rest. The journey gives you a long look at Madeira’s southern coast from offshore, but it is not packed with activities every minute.

Bad weather can affect the schedule. The operator may cancel after confirmation if conditions are unsafe or if there are not enough passengers, offering an alternative or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible.

Who will enjoy this trip most

This is a good match for you if you enjoy:

• Long boat rides with scenic and wildlife-watching possibilities
• Protected natural areas rather than developed attractions
• Volcanic coastlines and unusual island scenery
• A guided conservation visit
• Swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding
• Full-day outings that combine several activities

It is a weaker match if you want extensive hiking, guaranteed monk seal sightings, soft beach access, or a short and easy boat trip.

Families and active couples may find the mix of scenery, wildlife, lunch, and swimming appealing. You should think carefully about the tender transfer if anyone in your group has limited mobility. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the slippery landing rocks make that more than a formality.

What to pack for the nine-hour day

Keep your packing simple and practical:

• Comfortable shoes for the guided walk
• Water shoes or secure footwear for the rocky landing
• A windbreaker for the crossing
• Swimwear, towel, and a change of clothes
• Sunscreen
• A small day bag only

Do not bring luggage or large bags. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and anyone who appears intoxicated can be refused service. If the tour is canceled because of intoxication, no refund is provided.

Should you book the Desertas Islands catamaran trip?

Book this outing if you want to see a protected part of Madeira that most island sightseeing never reaches. The conservation center, volcanic shore, clear water, included lunch, and chance of dolphins or whales make the day feel distinctive.

Go in with realistic expectations. You may not see monk seals, you will not get a long free-ranging hike across the island, and the six hours of total sailing can test your patience and your back. Wear warm layers and proper water shoes, and treat the crossing as a central part of the experience.

At $106 per person, I consider it good value for a full nine-hour day with lunch, drinks, guiding, and access to Deserta Grande. If those elements appeal to you more than speed or comfort, this is one of Madeira’s more unusual day trips.

FAQ

Where does the Desertas Islands trip depart from?

Meet the guide at the VMT Madeira Kiosk in Funchal Marina. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How long does the activity last?

The full activity lasts nine hours. The boat journey takes about three hours each way, with time at Deserta Grande in between.

Which Desertas Island can I visit on foot?

Deserta Grande is the only island where visitors can disembark. The guided visit includes a walk to the conservation center.

Are monk seal sightings guaranteed?

No. The trip explains monk seal conservation efforts, but you may not see monk seals during the visit.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch with drinks is included on the catamaran. Vegetarian and vegan options have been provided, but you should communicate dietary requirements when booking.

What languages are spoken on the tour?

The live guide service is available in English and Portuguese.