Best Beaches in Madeira: What to Expect and Where to Go

🏊 Lido Funchal

The most accessible swimming option from Funchal city centre — walkable from most hotels in the tourist zone. Sea-filled and freshwater pools, sunbeds, restaurant, changing rooms, and lifeguard cover. Direct sea access via platform.

🌊 Doca do Cavacas

A carved lava rock platform west of Funchal, managed but less formal than the Lido. Seawater pools formed naturally in the volcanic rock, topped up by wave action. Popular with Funchalenses who know the city’s swimming spots well.

🪨 Praia Formosa

The longest beach on the south coast — a long stretch of dark pebble just west of Funchal, free and open. No managed infrastructure, but cafés and restaurants line the promenade directly behind. A good option for an evening walk or a swim without paying for a complex.

🤿 Garajau

Located below the Christ statue at Garajau, accessible by cable car from the road above or on foot. The beach sits within the Garajau Marine Reserve — protected waters that prohibit fishing and limit boat traffic. The result is exceptional snorkelling visibility and more marine life than anywhere else on the south coast.

Dark pebble beach. The cable car makes this one of the few off-centre beaches reachable without a rental car.

⚫ Prainha

A small, sheltered cove east of Funchal and one of the only natural (non-imported) dark sand beaches on the island. It requires a little effort to reach — that’s exactly why it stays quieter. Limited facilities; the appeal is the setting and the fact that it hasn’t been developed.

For a comparison of east coast options against the west, see our guide on west vs east Madeira.

🏖️ Calheta

Madeira’s most popular sandy beach — and the closest the island gets to a classic Mediterranean beach experience. The imported Moroccan sand sits in a calm, protected bay with lifeguard cover, beach bars, watersports rental, and shallow entry. West-facing, which makes it the best sunset-watching beach on the island.

For families with young children, this is the default recommendation. Sand underfoot, calm water, and everything you need within reach. See our family adventures guide for more on the west coast with children.

☀️ Ponta do Sol

🪨 Praia dos Anjos

Ponta do Sol records more sunshine hours than anywhere else on the island. Praia dos Anjos is the small pebble beach below the cliffs — used mainly by locals, minimal facilities, calm atmosphere, and the village directly above with excellent lunch options. Worth a half-day combining beach and village.

🪨 Madalena do Mar

A small pebble beach in a quiet coastal settlement between Ponta do Sol and Calheta. Less visited than either neighbour, which is precisely its appeal. No major facilities but authentic village atmosphere and good swimming when conditions allow. Worth a stop if you’re driving the south coast rather than rushing straight to Calheta.

Known for its wave break, not its swimming. The setting is beautiful, the village is charming, but this is not a place to bring non-swimmers or young children expecting calm water. Come for the atmosphere and the views, not the swim.

🌊 Porto Moniz

The most photographed natural pools in Madeira. Volcanic lava formations create a series of sheltered pools along the coastline — the Atlantic surges outside while the pools themselves stay calm and safe. Two managed complexes with changing rooms and cafés.

Go early or late to avoid the heaviest tour group traffic — Porto Moniz is on almost every island day-trip itinerary and gets congested mid-morning.

🌊 Piscinas antigas

Just beside the Cachalote restaurant, the original older pools are free to access — less manicured than the managed complexes, rawer, and often less crowded. A genuine alternative for anyone happy to forgo changing rooms and sun loungers in exchange for no entry fee and a wilder feel.

🌊 Poças das Lesmas

Natural lava pools carved into the rock at sea level, just east of Seixal village. Free, no facilities, no lifeguard. Less known than Porto Moniz but with a rawer, more dramatic setting — basalt cliffs above, Atlantic directly in front. Popular with locals in summer, almost invisible in tourist content.

Combine with Seixal black sand beach nearby — both are walkable from each other.

⚫ Seixal

A small beach of dark volcanic sand below basalt cliffs — no facilities, no management, and waves that can be significant. Come for the scenery. Check sea conditions before entering the water; this is not a swimming beach in the same sense as Calheta or Porto Moniz.

🏖️ Ribeira do Natal

A small beach at the mouth of a river valley on the north coast, accessible via a narrow road. Seasonal — best visited in summer when conditions are calmer and river flow is lower. Almost entirely absent from tourist itineraries, which keeps it genuinely quiet. No facilities, no lifeguard; bring everything you need. Worth the effort if you’re already exploring the north coast between São Jorge and Santana.

🏖️ Machico

One of Madeira’s two sandy beaches (imported sand, as with Calheta), set within the bay below Machico town. More sheltered than Calheta, with town amenities — cafés, restaurants, shops — directly behind. Less scenically striking, but more authentic; this is where Machico residents actually swim.

The smaller beach on the opposite side of Machico bay. Sheltered, calm, good for children, and unpretentious. If Machico is your base, this is worth knowing about. See our family adventures guide for east coast options with children.

🪨 Pedra da Eira

A sheltered pebble beach near Caniçal, within easy reach of Machico. Calmer and quieter than Machico town beach, with fewer tourists and a more local feel. Good option if you want to swim on the east coast without the summer crowds.

💧 Poço dos Chefes

A natural freshwater pool in a river canyon in the island’s interior. Cold, clear, and reached by a short walk from the road. Popular with locals in summer and almost entirely absent from tourist content — which is why it’s still worth seeking out.