Top Madeira Outdoor Activities

Bask in the sun and sea of Madeira, one of the world’s tallest oceanside cliffs, on this catamaran excursion from the Funchal Marina. After boarding, find a nice spot on the deck or one of the four trampoline nets for spotting whales and dolphins. Your crew highlights landmarks and wildlife plus you have a choice of a morning or afternoon departure time.

Head deep into the canyons of Madeira on this small-group canyoning adventure. Discover the beautiful geologic and natural characteristics of the island, one of the best canyoning areas in the world, at the Ecological Park of Funchal. Receive a thorough safety briefing before strapping into the provided gear and dive into this 15-meter canyon, perfect for all ages and beginner skill levels.

Make the most of your time in Madeira and cover the entire island in just two days on this small-group excursion. Set out for two full-day tours to see top landmarks including Girao Cape, the Porto Moniz natural pools, the fishing village of Camara de Lobos, and the Arieiro and Ruivo summits. Experience nature, history, and tradition on this comprehensive tour.

Try some scuba diving in the blue waters of Madeira when you’re on a visit to the area. This package includes all your equipment, your instructor’s guidance, safety briefings and instruction, practice in the pool or shallow water, and then one dive of up to 40ft (12 m) and with the entire activity taking around 2.5 hours.

Nature enthusiasts will love this dolphin- and whale-watching cruise from Funchal. Board your catamaran and kick back as you sail along Madeira’s south coast. Your crew guides you to the areas where whales and dolphins are most often seen. If the sea conditions are good in summer, take a dip in the waters beneath the Cabo Girão sea cliffs. Choose a morning or afternoon departure to suit your schedule.

Begin your day above the clouds with a breathtaking sunrise at Pico do Areeiro, Madeira’s third-highest peak. As the sky turns shades of gold and violet, you’ll witness one of the island’s most unforgettable views. After sunrise, follow a stunning section of the PR1 trail toward the iconic “Stairway to Heaven” — a dramatic ridge walk with epic photo opportunities. Then, continue your adventure on the PR3 – Vereda do Burro, a quieter trail that leads you through wide mountain scenery, peaceful paths, and open skies. The full hike takes around 5 hours and offers the perfect balance of beauty, challenge, and serenity. At the end, relax with a coffee or local treat before your comfortable return. Includes hotel pickup and drop-off, with early and late start times available. Whether you’re chasing sunrises or unforgettable hikes, this is a true Madeira highlight. We will inform you the exact pickup time the day before, and keep you updated via WhatsApp.

Have the special opportunity to watch the sunrise from Madeira’s highest point on this small-group excursion. Following early-morning hotel pickup from your Funchal accommodation, travel via comfortable vehicle to Pico Ruivo. After disembarking, start your 1.5-mile (2.5-kilometer) hike in the dark; as you approach the peak, you will watch the sunrise begin.

The south coast of Madeira is a popular spot to watch whales and dolphins in their natural environment. This small-group yacht cruise offers a more personalized experience, with a chance to customize the tour to your group’s preferences, stopping to swim or snorkel along the coast, and looking out for bottlenose dolphins, sperm whales, and Bryde's whales.

Pico do Arieiro is the third-highest peak in Madeira, and offers spectacular views—especially at sunset. Enjoy an easier way to visit, and give yourself the best chance of admiring the postcard-worthy sunset, on this half-day tour. With round-trip transit from several areas, including Funchal, getting there is made simple. As a bonus, you can choose to extend the experience with a self-led hike to the Stairway to Heaven viewpoint.

Enjoy the freedom and flexibility of a self-guided hike with the convenience of having transportation included with this hassle-free transport package. After a Funchal or Canico pickup, a driver takes you to Pico do Arieiro. Here, you can start a hike to Pico Ruivo, where a driver waits for you to drop you off back at your accommodation.

Madeira's most striking corners often sit at the end of rural mountain tracks that are tricky for visitors to navigate. This private full-day tour reaches them effortlessly, going off-road to volcanic natural pools at Porto Moniz and Seixal and into wilderness spots most visitors never see. Refuel partway with a light lunch included on the trail and customize the route to suit your group.

Any tourist can explore Madeira on foot, but what about all the parts that you can’t get to without the help of a guide and rappelling equipment? Don’t miss out with this waterfall tour, which includes seven exciting rappels and some optional jumps into crystal clear pools. On top of that, your guide is also busy taking photos of the experience, helping you capture the memories.

Madeira is blessed with spectacular scenery, and this guided hiking tour is the perfect way to discover it. Instead of studying a map—let an official mountain guide lead the way and show you a safe route between Pico do Areeiro and Pico Ruivo. Along the way, take in views of beautiful valleys, and learn about local flora and fauna—such as the endangered Freira da Madeira bird.

Watch the sunset from one of Madeira’s most beautiful locations, Pico do Areiro, on this half-day excursion from Funchal. Join a small group and climb aboard your 4x4 vehicle to the summit of Areiro, Madeira’s third-highest peak. Then, watch as the sky turns from blue to different hues of orange and pink as the sun begins to set; don’t forget to bring your camera to capture the moment.

With this private 4WD tour, you can discover dispersed island attractions, without the hassle of renting your own car. Instead, let your own personal driver take you around and show you the island’s secrets—with stops at waterfalls, volcanic swimming pools, panoramic viewpoints, a black sandy beach, and traditional villages too.

Ride a hybrid-electric catamarn off the coast of Madeira on this half-day wildlife-spotting trip from Funchal. Hold tight and watch for dolphins and whales as your super-fast craft bounces through the waves in search of dolphins and whales. Take a set on one of the two levels with trampoline nets located at the bow of the boat. Your tour includes a guide, live onboard commentary, and a bar.

Being able to see the sunrise with your friends and family will make your day spectacular. A short walk to the observation site will bring to your memories countless colors, smells and even flavors until you reach the end of the day and get to know the mountains and trails like a real place. After sunrise we will pass through some of the most emblematic places on our island. RNAAT - 656/2020

Uncover the natural splendor surrounding Funchal on this full-day northern wonders Jeep trip. Stay from Funchal’s well-trodden paths in a fully-equipped Jeep to see the awe-inspiring plateaus at Paul da Serra. Admire the natural Porto Moniz pools, formed by volcanic activity long ago, as well as the renowned São Vicente vineyards and Cabo Girao.

The Valley of the Nuns (Curral da Freiras) might be one of the coolest places you can visit in all of Portugal—and this tour makes it easy to explore the area. Not only is it a village built on the crater of an extinct volcano, but it was once a place where nuns would hide when pirates attacked the city of Funchal. Plus, during this tour, you’ll stop by the fishing village, Câmara de Lobos, and try a traditional Madeira drink.

Hike through the spectral landscapes of the UNESCO-listed Queimadas Forest Park, Madeira, on an enriching 5-hour excursion from Funchal. Accompanied by an expert guide, stroll at a leisurely pace through landscapes reminiscent of fairytales; see thatched-roof cottages, ancient trees and exotic bird species as you explore. Gaze at the emerald green lagoon beneath the famous Caldeirão Waterfall before taking the same route back to the start point.

Have only a short stay planned in Madeira? Make the most of your time, and discover some of the island’s most spectacular sights, on this private, half-day tour. Meet your driver in the morning at your preferred location, hop aboard your private vehicle, and set off. While the itinerary can be customized to fit your interests, you can discover sights like the Cabo Girao sea cliff, Miradouro da Portela viewpoint, and much more.

Madeira's mountains are a must-see but navigating them without local know-how can be tricky. This small-group hike pairs you with a mountain guide, taking you along the PR3 trail to Pico do Areeiro, the island's third-highest peak. Cross the Stairway to Heaven ridge and pause at clifftop viewpoints over the valleys before reaching to the summit.

Island Explorer Madeira 4x4 aims to make Madeira Island known by sharing cultural curiosities with fun. The objective is to offer a playful adventure, through tours through the most emblematic points of our island, also including off roading that only an all-terrain vehicle can provide. The maximum capacity of the tour is 6 people. Travel time already included in the total duration.