Portugal · MADEIRA TOURS
Madeira is vertical, and every good day out involves either a levada or a boat. The 15 below cover the walks, the 4WD runs to the north coast and the whale watching off Funchal, priced and honest about the drives involved.
From Funchal Marina, you’ll sail offshore on Magic Dolphin’s 2022 hybrid-electric catamaran, guided in English or Portuguese. Look for dolphins, whales, turtles, and seabirds, then pause near Cabo Girão for a swim before cruising back along Madeira’s cliffs.
“I didn't think I would see the dolphins that close, it was a magical moment, I would highly recommend!”
Spend eight hours crossing Madeira’s west and north coast in an open-roof Land Rover. Swim in Porto Moniz’s lava pools, visit Seixal and Fanal Forest, cross Paúl da Serra, and enjoy a short off-road run. English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, and German guides are available.
“Our driver was lovely and very knowledgeable about the island. He made sure all of us were having a good time throughout the day and really looked after us. We saw so much of the island, it was really good value for money. Would 100% recommend.”
From Funchal Marina, you’ll spend three hours scanning Madeira’s coast for dolphins, whales, turtles, and flying fish aboard the spacious Seaborn Catamaran. A live guide speaks English and Portuguese, and summer trips usually include a swim stop beneath Cabo Girão. Drinks and snacks cost extra.
“It was amazing! We got to see dolphins and then we got to swim the water was perfect amd the guides very a very fun and nice bunch! I didnt get their names but it was one of the 3pms tour 👌🏾🥳”
Travel from Funchal in a small-group open-top 4x4 with a multilingual guide such as Diego, Jorge, Pedro, or Ruan. Visit Fanal Forest, Paul da Serra, Seixal, São Vicente, and Porto Moniz, with time for swimming and an optional lunch.
“guide was so pleasant and informative and gave a great explanation of all the sights. friendly and pleasant guide well worth the only. a lovely day”
Spend about eight hours touring Madeira’s west in an open-roof 4x4 with a local guide. You’ll visit Porto Moniz, Seixal, Fanal Forest, São Vicente, Veu da Noiva waterfall, Paul da Serra viewpoints, and Cabo Girão. Guides vary, with Tony, Eddie, Graham, José, and Miguel among those praised for their driving and island knowledge.
“A great way to explore the island and especially with a guide as knowledgeable as Tony. What a charachter - he had us laughing all the time and he was a very experienced driver who knew even the smallest and most difficult to drive roads. The places we stopped for a drink and lunch were great - food was was tremendous. The weather wasn't great but it didn't dampen our spirits - a brilliant trip!”
Spend eight hours crossing Madeira’s mountain plateau and rugged north coast by air-conditioned minibus. Guides such as Marco, Bruno, and Luciane combine local stories with careful driving. Expect short scenic walks, Cabo Girão, Porto Moniz, Seixal, São Vicente, and a one-hour lunch stop.
“Absolutely perfect! Marco is the best guide! We will repeat!!”
Spend eight hours exploring Madeira’s east with a multilingual guide such as Marco, Bruno, Patrícia, or Nuno. Ride a comfortable minibus from Funchal to mountain viewpoints, Ribeiro Frio, Santana, Ponta de São Lourenço, and Machico. Lunch is extra, and Pico do Arieiro may be replaced if weather closes the road.
“We did the Best of the East Tour East yesterday and had an absolutely wonderful experience. Our guide Patrícia was truly amazing — incredibly knowledgeable, warm, and passionate about Madeira. She shared so much interesting information throughout the day, not only about the places we visited, but also about the island’s history, culture, and nature. Everything was explained in a clear and engaging way, and there was plenty of room for questions and conversation. The trip was well organized, relaxed, and genuinely fun. Thanks to Patrícia, it felt like a very personal and enriching experience rather than just a standard tour. Highly recommended — we had a fantastic day and…”
Meet at the University of Madeira’s Jesuits’ College for a small-group walk through Funchal. You’ll see City Hall, the Farmers’ Market, Santa Maria Street, churches, fortifications and a traditional wine lodge, with guides such as Annabelle, Elias and Elea bringing the city’s past to life.
“Our guide was very well prepared and gave us a lot of useful information about Funchal. She is a volunteer from France and we were very impressed with her knowledge and the clarity with which she conveyed historical and current facts about the city. She was one of the best local guides we have ever had.”
Take a shared early-morning transfer from Funchal or Caniço to Pico do Arieiro, watch the sunrise, then hike independently toward Pico Ruivo or along an alternative PR3 route. Drivers such as Nuno, Pedro, Diogo, and Henrique explain the trail and arrange pickup after roughly five hours.
“It was great trip. Henrique was a great guide . He gave us all the information we need and much more. He was always on time. I can recommend this trip even thou it is very busy place.”
Sail from Funchal’s New Marina aboard the Atlantic Pearl, a comfortable catamaran with covered seating, hammocks, bathrooms, and a bar. Your English or Portuguese-speaking crew searches for dolphins and whales, then stops beneath Cabo Girão for swimming before the coastal return.
“Terrific , good access to the boat, good seating. Great staff and we were lucky and saw both sperm whales and dolphins.”
Spend eight hours crossing west Madeira by minibus, from Câmara de Lobos and Cabo Girão to Fanal Forest, Porto Moniz, São Vicente, and Serra de Água. Guides such as Luca, Alex, Roy, and Albino add history and local tips. Bring a jacket, swimwear, and patience for a busy schedule.
“It was great!! Very affordable pricing and our tour guide, Luca was awesome. Showed us some gorgeous views, spoke very detailed on the history and answered any questions with ease. So grateful for this experience and our guide!”
Sail from Funchal aboard a spacious luxury catamaran with a small group, crew such as Liv, David, Bruno, and Maggie, and a welcome glass of sparkling wine. Look for whales, dolphins, and turtles, then swim beneath Cabo Girão with local snacks and unlimited drinks included.
“Wonderful morning out on the water. Top notch service from this Crew. Highly recommend”
Spend eight hours crossing Madeira’s west and north coast in a small-group Jeep with a local English-speaking guide such as Paulo, Pedro, or Renato. You’ll visit Cabo Girão, Trompica, Véu da Noiva, Seixal, Porto Moniz, Fanal Forest, and Ponta do Sol, with time for swimming and lunch.
“We had a great guide. Paulo told us a lot of interesting things about the island, and we saw many interesting and beautiful places. I highly recommend him!”
Join guides such as Sara or Ruby for an eight-hour levada walk from Funchal to Rabaçal Valley. Expect waterfalls, endemic plants, steep steps, a wet 800-meter tunnel, hotel pickup, and a moderate hike best suited to walkers with sturdy shoes and good knees.
“An excellent trip if you want to explore the Risco and 25 Fonts levada trails with an experienced guide. The terrain is mixed - expect stepped downhill terrain (which can be slippery when raining), uphill stretches (moderate intensity) and flat stretches, including an 800m tunnel section. Wear sturdy shoes and pack a raincoat. Our guide Sara was friendly and passionate about sharing her knowledge with the group. We gained lots of valuable insights and Highly recommend.”
Travel from Funchal across western Madeira with a multilingual guide such as Carlos, Daniel, Tony, or Gama. Visit fishing villages, Cabo Girão, Fanal Forest, Ribeira da Janela, Porto Moniz, Seixal, and São Vicente, with time for lunch and a possible swim in volcanic pools.
“It was amazing. Carlos is so kind and funny. He really knows a lot about everything. Even though it rained a lot, we got to see everything.”
Pick a coast, a cellar or a cliff.
