Canyoning in Madeira: Complete Guide (Beginner to Advanced)
Updated February 2026 · Beyond Madeira
🎯 Quick Answer
- What it is: Rappelling down waterfalls, sliding into natural pools, scrambling through volcanic canyon systems — with a certified guide
- Who it’s for: From age 7 (beginner, €70) to experienced adventurers (advanced, €150)
- No experience needed for beginner and intermediate levels — first-timers welcome
- All equipment provided: helmet, wetsuit, harness, canyon shoes — fitted on site
- Pickup included from Funchal, Câmara de Lobos, and Curral das Freiras
- All standard experiences: pay on the day
📑 In This Guide
What Is Canyoning?
Canyoning — also called canyoneering — is the activity of descending natural river canyons using a combination of rappelling (abseiling down waterfalls on a rope), sliding down natural rock chutes, swimming through canyon pools, and scrambling over wet volcanic rock. In Madeira, the terrain makes it genuinely spectacular: deep basalt gorges carved by centuries of rainfall, waterfalls with crystal-clear pools at the base, and sections of the laurisilva UNESCO forest that are completely inaccessible any other way.
It’s wetter, more physically immersive, and more technically varied than a levada walk — and for many visitors, it becomes the highlight of the trip. You don’t need any prior experience for beginner or intermediate levels. The guide demonstrates every technique before you attempt it.
Is Canyoning Right for You?
Are comfortable getting wet and cold · Have basic physical fitness · Enjoy active outdoor experiences · Are travelling with kids aged 7+ · Want to see parts of Madeira inaccessible on foot · Are curious but have zero technical experience
Are over 60 (beginner) or over 65 (intermediate) · Have heart conditions or epilepsy · Weigh under 15kg (age minimum is 7 but weight matters) · Are pregnant · Have significant mobility limitations
What to Expect — A Canyoning Experience Step by Step
Pickup from Funchal, Câmara de Lobos, or Curral das Freiras. Transfer to the canyon entry point — the exact location is shared after booking. At the start, the guide fits your equipment (helmet, wetsuit, harness, canyon shoes) and runs a safety briefing covering every technique you’ll use. Then you enter the canyon.
A typical beginner experience involves rappels down waterfalls up to 10 metres, natural slides into pools, and optional jumps up to 5 metres — nothing is compulsory. The guide leads, demonstrates each section, and manages the rope. The group is small. The whole experience runs approximately 4 hours including transport.
At intermediate level, the rappels reach 18 metres and the terrain is more technical — steeper walls, longer descents, more sustained canyon immersion. The advanced level introduces multi-pitch rappels, narrow passages, and waterfalls up to 60 metres.
The Five Canyoning Experiences in Madeira
The entry point. Waterfalls up to 10 metres, natural rock slides, mountain pools, and optional jumps up to 5 metres. Every element is demonstrated before you attempt it; nothing is compulsory. Pickup included from Funchal, Câmara de Lobos, and Curral das Freiras.
- Rappels on waterfalls up to 10m
- Natural slides and mountain pools
- Optional jumps up to 5m
- Guide in English and Spanish
- Payment: on the day
Eight rappels, waterfalls up to 18 metres, steeper terrain, more sustained canyon immersion. The same price covers two distinct seasonal routes — the guide selects based on current conditions and time of year.
Summer route — Nuns Valley (Curral das Freiras)
The canyon runs through one of Madeira’s most dramatic enclosed valleys — sheer basalt walls, the historic village visible above, warmer water. The setting is unlike anywhere else on the island.
Winter route — Ribeiro Frio
Through the heart of the laurisilva UNESCO forest. Winter rainfall means waterfalls run fuller and louder — a more dramatic, more immersive experience in one of the most ancient forests in the world.
- 8 rappels, waterfalls up to 18m
- Two seasonal routes — same price
- Natural slides and rock jump options
- Guide in English and Spanish
- Payment: on the day
A private family canyoning experience — guide, group, and pace adapted entirely to your family. Not available through the standard booking system; contact Beyond Madeira directly via WhatsApp to arrange.
Multi-pitch rappels, narrow canyon passages, waterfalls up to 60 metres, and a finish at the north coast sea. This is not a first-timer experience — prior technical outdoor experience is assumed. If you have to ask whether you’re ready for this one, start with intermediate first.
- Waterfalls up to 60m — technical multi-pitch rappels
- Narrow canyon passages
- Finishes at the Atlantic on the north coast
- Prior experience required
- WhatsApp booking only
All Five Experiences — At a Glance
| Experience | Level | Price | Min. age | Rappels | Book via |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner Canyoning | Level 1 | €70/person | 7 yrs (15kg min) | Up to 10m | Online |
| Intermediate — Nuns Valley | Level 2 | €80/person | 10 yrs | 8 rappels, up to 18m | Online |
| Intermediate — Ribeiro Frio | Level 2 | €80/person | 10 yrs | 8 rappels, up to 18m | Online |
| Family Pack | Beginner | Contact us | 7 yrs | Beginner level | |
| Advanced — Ribeira Funda | Advanced | €150/person | Experience req. | Up to 60m |
What’s Included (All Standard Experiences)
What to Wear and Bring
Wear
- Swimsuit — worn under your clothes, not separately; you’ll change into the wetsuit on site
- Comfortable clothes to travel in — you won’t need them in the canyon
- Hair tie if you have long hair — essential under a helmet
Bring
- Towel — not provided
- Change of clothes for after
- Water bottle — stay hydrated before and after
- Small snack for a 4-hour experience if you need one
- Waterproof bag or leave valuables at accommodation — phones go in a waterproof pouch or stay in the vehicle
Safety, Guides, and Health Restrictions
All experiences are led by certified guides with training in rope technique, first aid, and canyon rescue. Every technical element — rappels, slides, jumps — is demonstrated by the guide before participants attempt it. Nothing is compulsory; you can always opt out of any section.
Health restrictions — read before booking
These exist for genuine safety reasons, not bureaucracy. Check them honestly before you book, especially if travelling with older family members.
| Restriction | Beginner | Intermediate |
|---|---|---|
| Age maximum | Not suitable over 60 | Not suitable over 65 |
| Minimum weight | 15kg | — |
| Heart conditions | Not suitable | Not suitable |
| Epilepsy | Not suitable | Not suitable |
| Pregnancy | Not suitable | Not suitable |
| Basic physical fitness | General mobility | Required |
If you’re unsure whether a health condition applies to your situation, contact Beyond Madeira before booking — we’ll check with the operator directly.
Best Season for Canyoning in Madeira
Canyoning is available year-round in Madeira. The terrain and the experience change with the season — neither is objectively better, just different.
Warmer water temperatures — more comfortable for beginners and families. The Nuns Valley intermediate route runs in this season. Longer days, more light in the canyon.
Waterfalls run fuller and more dramatic after rainfall. The Ribeiro Frio laurisilva route is at its best in winter. Wetsuits make cold water manageable. The canyon feels more alive.
Conditions are assessed daily. If weather or water levels make an experience unsafe, the operator will reschedule — this is rare but it happens. For a full picture of what Madeira’s seasons look like, see our Madeira weather by month guide.
🌊 Book Your Canyoning Experience
All standard experiences include pickup, certified guides, full equipment, photos and videos, and insurance. Pay on the day. Cancellation free up to 24 hours before.
Beginner Canyoning — €70 → Intermediate Canyoning — €80 → Browse All Adventure Experiences →Beyond Madeira curates these experiences from selected local partners and does not operate them directly. All bookings include free access to an interactive offline map of Madeira.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need experience to go canyoning in Madeira?
No — beginner and intermediate experiences are designed for first-timers. The guide demonstrates every technique before you attempt it. The only experience that requires prior technical background is the advanced Ribeira Funda.
What is the minimum age for canyoning in Madeira?
Age 7 for beginner experiences, with a minimum weight of 15kg. Age 10 for intermediate experiences. Children must meet both the age and weight requirements — check before booking.
Is canyoning safe for beginners?
Yes, with a certified guide and proper equipment. Every technical element is demonstrated before you attempt it. Health restrictions exist for genuine safety reasons — check these before booking if any apply to your group.
What should I wear and bring?
Wear a swimsuit under your clothes and bring a towel, a change of clothes, and water. All technical equipment — wetsuit, helmet, harness, canyon shoes — is provided and fitted on site.
What is the difference between the summer and winter intermediate routes?
Summer: Nuns Valley (Curral das Freiras) — dramatic enclosed valley, basalt walls, warmer water. Winter: Ribeiro Frio — laurisilva UNESCO forest, fuller waterfalls, more immersive. Both are intermediate level, 8 rappels, €80/person.
How long does a canyoning experience last?
Plan for a half-day including transport. The canyon section itself is approximately 4 hours. Confirm the exact timing with the operator at booking.
How do I book the Family Pack or the advanced Ribeira Funda?
Both are booked via WhatsApp — not through the standard online system. Contact Beyond Madeira directly to arrange dates, group size, and logistics.
What is included in the price?
Certified guides, full technical equipment (helmet, wetsuit, harness, canyon shoes), photos and videos, insurance, and pickup from Funchal, Câmara de Lobos, or Curral das Freiras. All standard experiences are pay on the day.
Still planning? If you’re travelling with children, see our family adventures guide for what works by age group across the island. For avoiding the most common mistakes first-time visitors make, see 3 things first-time visitors get wrong in Madeira.
Beginner Canyoning — €70 → · Intermediate Canyoning — €80 → · All adventure experiences →
