Madeira is home to breathtaking beaches and natural pools, offering a unique blend of volcanic landscapes and crystal-clear waters. From golden sandy shores to dramatic lava rock pools, each spot has its own charm. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing swim, a scenic sunbathing spot, or a natural seawater pool carved into the coastline, Madeira has it all. Discover the island’s best seaside escapes and hidden gems.
Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools
Considered the crown jewel of Porto Moniz, these volcanic pools are one of Madeira’s most iconic attractions. Formed over millennia by cooling lava, their natural design allows crystal-clear seawater to constantly refresh the pools. With 3,800m² of swimming area and excellent facilities including changing rooms, a children’s pool, playground, and first aid post, they’re perfect for families. The 3,210m² solarium area offers ample space to relax while enjoying dramatic views of waves crashing against volcanic rock.
Seixal Beach
This striking black sand beach on Madeira’s north coast presents a vivid contrast between dark volcanic sand, crystal-clear Atlantic waters, and lush green mountains. Naturally formed just a few years ago near Seixal’s Harbor and Nautical Club, it offers good access and amenities including showers, a support bar, and kayak rentals.
Popular year-round for water sports like bodyboarding, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding, the beach serves as an excellent gateway to Porto Moniz and nearby Laurissilva forest hiking trails. In 2022, Praia do Porto do Seixal was distinguished as the 3rd best beach in Europe by European Best Destinations (EBD), a European Commission entity, highlighted for its “beauty of volcanic sand, crystal clear waters and incredible cliffs”.
Porto Santo Beach
Porto Santo Beach stretches for 9 kilometers along Porto Santo island’s southern coast, offering a golden paradise that contrasts dramatically with Madeira’s volcanic shores. This therapeutic beach is renowned for its fine sand composed of calcium carbonate and marine organisms, believed to alleviate rheumatic and orthopedic conditions.
The beach’s crystal-clear turquoise waters maintain pleasant temperatures year-round, perfect for swimming and water sports. With excellent facilities including restaurants, bars, sun loungers, and water equipment rentals, it caters to all visitor needs. Several sections have earned Blue Flag status for their exceptional quality and accessibility. Whether seeking health benefits, relaxation, or adventure, Porto Santo Beach provides an idyllic escape with its 9km of uninterrupted golden coastline and spectacular sunset views across the Atlantic.
Clube Naval do Seixal’s Swimming Pools
Clube Naval do Seixal’s Swimming Pools offer a stunning bathing experience in a natural volcanic setting. These free-access pools perfectly complement the surrounding landscape, where lush green mountains meet the crystal-clear Atlantic.
The complex provides essential amenities for a comfortable visit, including sanitary facilities, showers, a terrace bar, and a sunbathing area with loungers. For adventure seekers, kayak and diving equipment rentals are available, allowing visitors to explore the rich marine life of the Madeiran archipelago. The pools’ location creates a striking contrast between the vibrant blue waters and the verdant mountains typical of Madeira’s north coast, making it an almost mandatory stop when exploring this part of the island
Praia dos Anjos
Praia dos Anjos is a charming hidden gem nestled between Ponta do Sol and Madalena do Mar on Madeira’s sunny west coast. This intimate beach features a distinctive mix of basalt pebbles and black volcanic sand, creating a striking contrast against the crystal-clear Atlantic waters. Located in the parish of Canhas, it offers privileged sunset views that transform the sky into a canvas of vibrant colors as day turns to evening. During bathing season, visitors enjoy amenities including a welcoming bar with terrace, clean bathrooms, and sun umbrellas for comfortable relaxation.
The beach is accessible via Caminho dos Anjos and a wooden staircase that leads directly to the shore. Wooden decks provide easier and safer sea access, making swimming more accessible for all visitors. Nearby, travelers can witness the famous Cascata dos Anjos, an emblematic waterfall that pours directly from a steep rocky face along the ER 101 road. For those seeking a peaceful alternative to Madeira’s more frequented beaches, Praia dos Anjos offers a tranquil retreat where natural beauty and modest comforts combine for an authentic island experience.
Cais do Sardinha
Cais do Sardinha offers a unique swimming experience at Madeira’s easternmost point, where crystal-clear waters meet dramatic volcanic landscapes. Located at the end of the Ponta de São Lourenço trail (PR 8), this hidden gem rewards hikers with a refreshing dip after the 3km journey through the peninsula’s semi-arid terrain. The translucent waters provide excellent visibility for spotting marine life, including colorful fish and occasionally octopus or the rare Mediterranean monk seal.
Beyond swimming, visitors can enjoy lunch at Casa do Sardinha Natur Spot Café (reservation recommended) or explore the area by kayak. For those preferring to skip the hike, boat transfers operate from Marina Quinta do Lorde, taking approximately 20 minutes each way. The panoramic views encompass both the Desertas Islands and Porto Santo on clear days, making Cais do Sardinha not just a swimming spot but a complete nature experience in one of Madeira’s most protected and pristine environments.
Garajau Beach
Garajau Beach offers a tranquil escape on Madeira’s south coast, nestled beneath dramatic cliffs and accessible via a scenic cable car ride. This small pebble beach is part of the Garajau Marine Reserve, established in 1986 to protect the area’s rich biodiversity, where fishing is prohibited.
The crystal-clear waters make it a paradise for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts, with the opportunity to spot diverse marine life including parrotfish, groupers, moray eels, and even giant oceanic manta rays. The beach provides excellent facilities including sun loungers, umbrellas, toilets, changing rooms, showers, and a restaurant/bar with terrace overlooking the sea. Visitors can reach Garajau Beach via the Teleferico de Cristo Rei cable car.
Doca do Cavacas Natural Pools
Doca do Cavacas offers a unique bathing experience in volcanic pools on Madeira’s south coast. Located between Lido and Praia Formosa along Funchal’s Seafront Promenade, this small complex provides the rare opportunity to swim in natural formations while enjoying spectacular views of Cabo Girão and Formosa Beach.
The pools feature varying depths, with some areas allowing open ocean swimming around floating platforms. Marine life abounds, making it ideal for snorkeling enthusiasts. With excellent facilities including changing rooms, showers, sunbed rentals, and a restaurant, Doca do Cavacas combines natural wonder with urban convenience. While potentially crowded on sunny days, it remains a perfect addition to any Funchal itinerary—just minutes from the city center.
Cachalote Natural Swimming Pools
The Cachalote Natural Swimming Pools offer a more authentic alternative to Porto Moniz’s main pools. Located at the town entrance, these free-access volcanic formations showcase nature’s raw beauty with their distinctive rock outlines and crystal-clear Atlantic waters. While lacking extensive facilities, they do provide an outdoor shower and lifeguard supervision during bathing season. The pools’ untouched setting delivers a pure swimming experience in a completely natural environment.
Their proximity to attractions like Madeira Aquarium and Centro de Ciência Viva makes them an excellent addition to any north coast itinerary. For travelers seeking a less crowded, budget-friendly option with stunning coastal views, the Cachalote pools offer an unforgettable glimpse of Madeira’s volcanic heritage and the powerful Atlantic Ocean. Open year-round, these pools provide a refreshing escape and a perfect spot to admire the rugged beauty of Madeira’s northern coastline.
Ponta do Sol Beach
Ponta do Sol Beach is a charming 160-meter pebble beach nestled in a small cove on Madeira’s sunny south coast. Known for its abundant sunshine, it offers excellent facilities including changing rooms, accessible bathrooms, a snack bar, and even a summer library. A palm-lined promenade connects the beach to the town’s historic jetty, creating a seamless blend of natural beauty and small-town charm.
What truly sets Ponta do Sol apart is its breathtaking sunsets. As day turns to evening, the sky transforms into a canvas of vibrant colors, reflecting off the calm waters. This makes Ponta do Sol Beach not just a great spot for swimming and relaxation, but also one of the island’s premier locations for watching the sun dip into the Atlantic.
Complexo Balnear do Lido
Funchal’s most famous bathing complex has nearly a century of history and stands as an intrinsic part of Madeiran identity. Located along the Maritime Public Promenade beside beautiful gardens, it features two saltwater pools (one for children) and a generous sunbathing area. Open year-round with lifeguard supervision, it offers comprehensive facilities including elevators, ramps, and amphibious chairs for visitors with reduced mobility. The multi-level structure provides various perspectives and views over the vast Atlantic. Consistently awarded the Blue Flag for excellence, Lido combines safety, comfort, and stunning ocean vistas.
Poço dos Chefes
This hidden freshwater gem in Curral das Freiras (Nun’s Valley) offers a unique swimming experience away from the salty ocean. Local residents built a dam that created this deep natural reservoir perfect for swimming and diving amid stunning mountain scenery. Popular with local youth during summer months, it provides a peaceful, authentic Madeiran experience far from tourist crowds. The reservoir is accessible by car with free roadside parking or via a short walk from the village.
Poça das Lesmas
These sheltered volcanic pools near Seixal’s Jamaica Beach offer a striking contrast between dark volcanic rock formations and turquoise Atlantic waters. Recently upgraded with lifeguard service, bathroom facilities, showers, and a support bar, these pools provide a safe swimming environment while maintaining their natural charm. Visitors should remain cautious of sudden large waves in exposed areas. The pools’ secluded setting against a backdrop of dramatic cliffs creates an unforgettable bathing experience.
Praia da Ribeira do Natal
Praia da Ribeira do Natal is a hidden gem on Madeira’s eastern coast near Caniçal. This peaceful pebble beach sits in a stunning cove where green mountains meet crystal-clear waters that have earned official recognition for their exceptional quality.
The beach offers everything you need for a perfect day by the sea – comfortable sun loungers, fixed parasols for shade, lifeguard service during swimming season, a convenient bar for refreshments, and easy parking. A lovely promenade surrounds the cove, perfect for a scenic stroll or morning jog with ocean views.
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