Catamaran Day Cruise to Desertas Islands from Funchal

The most unusual part of this Madeira day trip is reaching the Desertas Islands, a protected group of three rocky islands that resisted permanent settlement. You leave Funchal by catamaran, cross open Atlantic water, and land on a quiet beach where wildlife matters more than buildings, shops, or polished tourist sights.

I like the chance to see seabirds, dolphins, whales, and possibly seals in a natural setting. I also like the mix of a Madeiran buffet lunch, a short guided walk, snorkeling, and stand-up paddleboarding, all wrapped into one long sea day.

The main catch is the amount of time spent on the boat. Wind can make the outward and return trips cold and rough, and the island visit may be shorter and less active than you expect. This is best for people who enjoy the sea itself, not just the destination.

Key points to know before booking

• The crossing is a major part of the day: You may spend about two hours and forty minutes each way on the catamaran, depending on conditions.
• The Desertas are wild and spare: Expect a rocky island, a pebble beach, and a short trail rather than a developed attraction.
• Wildlife can change the plan: Dolphins, whales, seabirds, and even orcas have been seen, but sightings are never promised.
• Water activities depend on conditions: Snorkeling and stand-up paddleboarding are included, but swimming may be limited near seals or by weather.
• Lunch is served on board: The buffet is Madeiran in style and has received strong praise, though meal timing can shift.
• Pack for wind and sun: The boat ride may feel cold even on a pleasant Funchal morning, so bring layers, sunscreen, and secure footwear.

Why the Desertas Islands are worth the long crossing

Madeira is famous for steep mountains, levada walks, gardens, and cliff views. The Desertas offer something different: open ocean, raw volcanic rock, and a place where human access remains limited.

The islands are called Desertas, or Desert Islands, because their dry, difficult terrain prevented lasting colonisation. Today, their value lies in the wildlife that lives around them. The trip gives you a rare look at a protected corner of the Madeira archipelago without requiring a multi-day expedition.

That rarity is important, but it also sets the right expectation. You are not heading to a second Madeira with restaurants, museums, shaded paths, or a long sandy beach. You are going to a spare natural setting where the boat journey is part of the attraction.

The strongest moments may happen before you reach land. Dolphins and seabirds have appeared along the route, and one outing even encountered a small pod of orcas. Nobody can promise that kind of sighting, but the possibility gives the crossing purpose.

I would book this for the feeling of getting far out into the Atlantic, not for a packed list of land-based sights. If you need constant activity, the long sea hours may test your patience.

Leaving Funchal at 9:00 a.m.

The meeting point is at Praça do Povo, near Avenida do Mar in Funchal. The listed start time is 9:00 a.m., and the trip returns to the same general meeting point after about nine hours.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to make your own way to the marina area. The meeting point is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying in Funchal and do not have a car.

The boat carries up to 70 people. That is not a tiny private sailing trip, so expect a shared excursion with other families and groups. The size does give the crew enough people to create a lively atmosphere, but it can also make boarding, meal service, and access to equipment feel less personal.

Bring your phone with the mobile ticket, but do not rely on it as your only preparation. Wear shoes that can handle a pebble beach and a short trail. Pack a light jacket or fleece, because the wind on the open water can feel sharp even when Funchal is warm.

The catamaran crossing and the Atlantic view

The outward run is the longest single part of the day. One account places the journey to the islands at roughly two hours and forty minutes, followed by a similar return. Actual timing can change with wind, sea conditions, wildlife sightings, and the route chosen by the crew.

A catamaran gives you room to move around and view the water from different sides. You can settle into the ride, watch the horizon, and keep an eye out for marine life. The tradeoff is exposure. A windy crossing can be cold and uncomfortable, especially if you sit outside without a layer.

The crew provides live commentary in English, which adds useful context as the islands come closer. The staff have been praised for being friendly and helpful, and the English-language commentary makes the outing easier for international visitors.

Keep your expectations flexible. A boat may turn away from the planned route if the wind rises. On one affected outing, the crew sailed south from Funchal instead, with time spent watching cetaceans and seabirds. That sort of change can preserve the wildlife focus, but it cannot recreate the island landing.

For me, this is the key decision point. If you see a long catamaran ride as wasted time, choose a shorter Madeira activity. If you enjoy watching the sea and accept that nature sets the schedule, the crossing feels more worthwhile.

Landing on a dry, protected island

The arrival is not a grand port entrance. You disembark onto a virgin beach, described in the available information as a pebble beach and a small cove. The shore can be awkward for swimming, so water shoes would be sensible, though the supplied details do not confirm that they are provided.

The island itself is dry and rocky, with little vegetation. That may sound plain, but it is exactly what gives the Desertas their character. You are seeing a place shaped by isolation, not a landscaped park designed for visitors.

A short trail provides the land portion of the visit. It is not a major hike, and you should not book this expecting several hours of walking. The route comes with explanations about the island and its wildlife, giving the stop more meaning than a simple beach landing.

The amount of time on land may be around two hours, though conditions and the boat schedule affect the exact length. Some people may find that too brief after such a long crossing. I would treat the island stop as a focused nature visit: walk a little, listen to the commentary, look for wildlife, and enjoy the unusual setting.

The Desertas are especially valuable because access is limited. The experience is not about checking off many sights. It is about seeing a protected island that most visitors to Madeira never reach.

Wildlife, seals, and responsible expectations

Wildlife is the most unpredictable part of the outing. Dolphins, whales, seabirds, and orcas have all been seen on the route, but sightings are not guaranteed. The islands are also associated with seals, and seasonal timing affects how likely you are to see them.

That matters for the water activities. Swimming may be restricted when seals are present, both for animal welfare and for safety. One outing did not include swimming from the boat because seals were nearby. That is a good reason to think of snorkeling and paddleboarding as possible activities, not fixed promises.

The same applies to the island visit. You may spend more time watching the water than looking at land wildlife. The crew may adjust the route to look for cetaceans, but a short viewing stop does not guarantee whales or dolphins.

I like this honest nature-first approach, even when it disappoints people who expected a more structured program. The strongest day is likely to be one where you accept the uncertainty. Wildlife watching rewards patience, but the ocean does not follow a timetable.

Snorkeling and stand-up paddleboarding

Snorkeling equipment and stand-up paddleboards are included. That gives you a chance to add activity to what could otherwise be a long sightseeing cruise.

The exact use of the equipment depends on sea conditions, water temperature, wildlife restrictions, and the crew’s judgment. A calm, suitable stop may allow you to snorkel or paddle near the island. Rough water, seals, or a late return to the catamaran can reduce the time available.

Do not assume you will spend a long session in the water. One account describes no swimming from the island or boat because of conditions and the presence of seals. Another describes successful snorkeling and paddleboarding, so the experience can vary sharply from one departure to another.

If water time is important to you, ask about current conditions before setting out, but understand that the final call belongs to the crew. Bring a swimsuit, towel, and sun protection. Also bring a warm layer for the boat, since you may feel chilled after swimming or while crossing open water.

Madeiran buffet lunch on board

Lunch is served on the catamaran as a buffet. The food has been praised as tasty and suitable for a full day at sea, which is useful because the schedule leaves little opportunity to buy food elsewhere.

You should provide any dietary requirements when booking. The information does not specify a full menu, so do not assume every special diet can be handled without notice.

Meal timing may shift if the island landing runs late. On one outing, lunch began after the planned time, and the catamaran started moving while some people were still finishing. That is not ideal if you want a relaxed meal, but it reflects the way a sea excursion can run behind schedule.

I would bring a small snack and plenty of water, even with lunch included. This is not a criticism of the buffet. It is simple planning for a nine-hour day with a long crossing and changing activity times.

Is $108.37 a fair price?

At about $108.37 per person, this is not a cheap sightseeing boat ride. The price includes the catamaran trip, live commentary, snorkeling equipment, stand-up paddleboarding, and buffet lunch. It also gives you access to a destination that is difficult to reach independently.

The value depends on what you want from Madeira. If you mainly want a short swim and a quick boat ride, the cost may feel high. The trip spends many hours at sea, and the island landing can be brief.

If you value remote places, wildlife watching, and the chance to reach the Desertas, the price becomes easier to justify. You are paying for the vessel, crew, food, equipment, and a full-day route that cannot be replaced by a simple drive or walking tour.

The mixed experience comes from the gap between the idea of a full island adventure and the reality of a long crossing to a dry, rocky place. Read the day as a nature cruise with an island landing, not as a beach holiday or hiking tour.

Who should book this nine-hour cruise?

I would recommend it to:

• Families who want a full-day activity with a boat ride, wildlife, lunch, and optional water sports.
• Nature lovers who are comfortable with uncertain sightings and changing conditions.
• People who have already explored Funchal and want to see a less familiar side of Madeira.
• Strong swimmers or active visitors who would enjoy snorkeling and paddleboarding when conditions allow.
• Anyone fascinated by remote islands and protected habitats.

I would hesitate to recommend it to anyone prone to seasickness, anyone who dislikes wind, or anyone expecting a long hike. You should also think twice if your ideal beach has soft sand and easy swimming. The Desertas shore can be stony, and the sea may not be suitable for getting in.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. The stated fitness requirement is moderate, which fits the short walk and water activities, but the boat ride itself may be the bigger challenge for some people.

Booking, cancellation, and practical details

The activity is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. It is often reserved about three weeks ahead, so booking early is sensible if your Madeira dates are fixed.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The trip also needs suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather or low numbers force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

At roughly 70 people maximum, this is a shared group outing rather than an intimate charter. Plan to arrive ready for a long day, with sun protection, warm clothing, swimwear, secure footwear, snacks, and any needed medication.

Should you book the Desertas catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a rare Atlantic outing and can enjoy the journey as much as the destination. The best parts are the open-water views, possible wildlife sightings, friendly crew, Madeiran lunch, and the chance to set foot on a protected island.

Skip it if you want guaranteed snorkeling, a long beach stop, a substantial hike, or a smooth and sheltered boat ride. The Desertas are stark, the crossing can be rough, and weather or wildlife rules may change the plan.

For the right person, this is a memorable day built around uncertainty. Go for the remote island and the sea, pack for wind, and treat every dolphin, seal, seabird, or whale as a bonus rather than a promise.

FAQ

Where does the Desertas Islands cruise begin?

The tour starts at Praça do Povo, at Av. do Mar 4 in Funchal. It begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The excursion lasts approximately nine hours. The boat crossing can take about two hours and forty minutes each way, depending on sea conditions and the route.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The meeting point is near public transportation in Funchal.

What activities are included?

Live commentary, snorkeling equipment, and stand-up paddleboarding are included. Actual water time depends on weather, sea conditions, and wildlife restrictions.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Madeiran buffet lunch is served on board. You should provide dietary requirements when booking.

Can I see dolphins or whales?

You may see dolphins, whales, seabirds, or other marine life, but sightings are not guaranteed. The route can sometimes change to allow wildlife watching.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children must be accompanied by an adult. The stated fitness level is moderate.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather cancels the activity, you are offered a different date or a full refund. A minimum number of participants is also required, and cancellation for that reason brings the same options.