Desertas Islands Full-Day Catamaran Trip from Funchal

The best part of this trip is the rare chance to set foot on Deserta Grande, one of Madeira’s protected Desertas Islands. You sail across open water, land near a volcanic beach, and walk to a conservation center linked to the protection of the endangered monk seal. I especially like the mix of wild scenery and practical conservation work, plus the chance to swim, snorkel, or paddle in clear water. The catch is the long crossing: about three hours each way, with hard bench seating on the catamaran.

I also like that lunch, drinks, and the boat ride are included in the $106 price, so the day is simple to budget. Dolphins and whales sometimes appear along the route, adding a thrilling bonus. Bring warm layers, though. The wind can feel cold at sea, and getting from the tender onto slippery rocks can be awkward.

Key points at a glance

• Three hours each way: The crossing is a major part of the experience, not just transportation.
• Deserta Grande is the only island landing: You visit a volcanic beach and walk to the conservation center.
• Monk seals are the conservation focus: You learn about protection work, but sightings are not promised.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Dietary needs, including vegetarian and vegan meals, can be catered for.
• Swimming time matters: Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and shoes that can get wet.
• Wildlife sightings are possible: Dolphins, pilot whales, and even killer whales have been seen, but nature keeps its own schedule.

Why the Desertas Islands trip is special

Madeira is famous for steep mountains, levada walks, and dramatic coastal views. This excursion shows you a quieter side of the archipelago, far from the roads and towns. The Desertas Islands are made up of Ilhéu Chão, Deserta Grande, Bugio, and nearby islets, surrounded by a protected marine area covering 12,586 hectares.

That protected status matters. The islands have been a nature reserve for more than 25 years, with special attention given to the endangered Mediterranean monk seal. You are not simply taking a scenic boat ride to an empty beach. The visit connects the scenery to the work being done to protect rare animals and native plants.

Still, keep your expectations clear. This is not a free-ranging island hike, and you should not book it expecting a close monk seal encounter. The guided visit is centered around the conservation area and guard’s house, with information about local wildlife and endemic plant life. The islands feel remote because access is controlled, but that also means your time ashore is limited.

Meeting at Funchal Marina

You meet the VMT Madeira team at the VMT Madeira Kiosk in Funchal Marina. There is no hotel pick-up or drop-off, so you need to make your own way to the marina and arrive ready for a full day on the water.

The trip begins with a safety briefing before the catamaran leaves Funchal. The opening cruise follows Madeira’s south coast, giving you a changing view of the island from sea level. This perspective is worth paying attention to. From the boat, Madeira’s cliffs and shoreline make more sense as one long volcanic wall, rather than a collection of separate viewpoints.

The staff speak English and Portuguese. The crew’s friendly approach has been one of the strongest parts of the experience, and the guide provides explanations during the visit to the reserve. The quality of the interpretation can vary with the group and conditions, but the trip gives you more context than a simple beach stop.

Three hours across open water

The crossing takes roughly three hours in each direction, so plan for a day built around sailing. The boat ride is scenic, but it can feel long if you want constant activity. This is the right choice for someone who enjoys being on the ocean and watching the horizon, not for someone who wants nine hours packed with shore-based sightseeing.

Wildlife can transform the crossing. Dolphins have appeared beside the boat, and sightings have included pilot whales, bottlenose dolphins, and, on one memorable outing, a group of killer whales. None of this is guaranteed, so treat marine life as a bonus rather than the main promise of the tour.

The catamaran has a toilet and a bar serving snacks and beverages. Lunch with drinks is included, which helps during such a long day. Seating is the main comfort complaint to consider. The bench-style seats can feel hard after several hours, especially on the return journey.

A windbreaker is essential even on a sunny day. At sea, the breeze can be noticeably colder than it is in Funchal. In the warmer months, pack swimwear, sunscreen, and a towel where you can reach them without unpacking a large bag.

Landing at Deserta Grande

Deserta Grande is the only Desertas island where visitors can disembark. The catamaran does not simply pull up to a normal pier. You transfer by a smaller tender and land near a beach of volcanic origin, where clear water and dark rocks give the stop its character.

This is where practical footwear becomes important. Flip-flops are a poor choice. Wet rocks can be slippery, and getting in or out of the tender may be difficult. Wear sturdy sandals, beach shoes, Crocs, or another pair of shoes that can handle water and uneven stone.

The landing is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Even travelers without serious mobility concerns should expect a little awkwardness when moving between the tender and the shore. Follow the crew’s instructions and keep your hands free. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, and you do not need them for this trip anyway.

The reward is a rare look at a protected island that most people see only from the water. The volcanic formations are stark and memorable, with a sense of distance that you cannot get from Madeira’s main island. The experience is less about facilities and more about seeing a carefully managed natural area in person.

The conservation walk and monk seal work

Once ashore, you take a guided walk to the conservation center. The visit explains the work to protect the monk seal, along with the native plants and animals found on the islands. This is the intellectual heart of the day, giving purpose to the boat trip and the controlled access.

You should not assume you will see a monk seal. The animals are protected precisely because they are rare and sensitive, and the excursion does not promise a sighting. Some people may feel disappointed if they expect seals, so it is better to think of the visit as a lesson in conservation rather than a wildlife show.

The walk is fairly limited. It is not an extended trek across Deserta Grande, and the focus is on the conservation area rather than exploring the island at will. With a larger group, it may be hard to hear every explanation around the guard’s house. Stay close to the guide and position yourself where you can listen.

That limitation is also part of the point. This is a protected reserve, not a public recreation island. Restrictions help keep the area from becoming another crowded beach stop. You see less, but the visit has a lighter footprint.

Lunch, swimming, and water time

Lunch is served aboard the catamaran and includes drinks. It is presented as a buffet-style meal, with enough variety to make it more than a basic packed lunch. Vegetarian and vegan options have been provided, but you should make your dietary requirements clear when booking or before departure rather than assuming every request will be handled automatically.

The swimming stop takes place in clear water near the volcanic beach. If conditions allow, you can also snorkel or use the stand-up paddleboards. This gives the afternoon a welcome change of pace after the long crossing and guided visit.

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and a full change of clothes. A windbreaker still matters after swimming, since you may feel cold once you are back on the boat. A waterproof bag for your phone and dry clothes would be sensible, but large bags are not permitted, so keep your packing compact.

The water activities depend on conditions and timing. You may get a relaxed swim and time with the boards, or the sea may limit what is practical. The operators place safety first, and that is the right call in exposed water.

What the $106 price really covers

At $106 per person, this is not the cheapest boat trip from Funchal. The value comes from the length and scope of the day: a catamaran cruise to a remote reserve, lunch with drinks, a guided conservation visit, and time for swimming and snorkeling.

The price is easier to justify if you want the complete Desertas experience. Booking separate transport, meals, and water activities would be complicated, and private access to the islands is not the point of this protected area. You are paying for the boat, crew, guide, food, and the chance to visit a place that is not part of Madeira’s ordinary sightseeing circuit.

The value is weaker if you dislike long sea crossings or mainly want to swim. In that case, a shorter coastal cruise may suit you better. You spend around six hours sailing, so the boat ride itself must be something you enjoy.

A rating of 4.3 out of 5 from 196 bookings suggests a strong overall experience with a few predictable limitations. The repeated strengths are the crew, lunch, scenery, and wildlife sightings. The recurring concerns are the hard seating, the limited walk on the island, and disappointment from people who expected to see monk seals.

Who should book this day out?

I would choose this trip if you enjoy unusual places, open-water sailing, and conservation stories. It works especially well for couples, families with older children, and anyone who has already seen Madeira’s main sights and wants something farther afield.

It also suits people who like flexible days. You may spend part of the crossing watching for dolphins, part of the day listening to the guide, and part of it swimming from a volcanic beach. The mixture is more memorable than a standard sightseeing cruise.

I would hesitate if you have mobility difficulties, dislike transferring into a small tender, or need soft, comfortable seating. The tour is also a poor fit if your main goal is a monk seal sighting. Monk seals are the reason for the conservation program, but they are not an attraction on demand.

Do not drink alcohol before departure or during the trip to the point of intoxication. The operator can refuse service for safety reasons, and a cancellation caused by intoxication is not eligible for a refund.

The tour can also be canceled after confirmation if there are not enough participants or if weather makes the trip unsafe. In that case, you are offered an alternative or a full refund. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option gives you some flexibility while plans are still changing.

What to pack for the Desertas

Keep your bag small and practical. Large luggage is not allowed, and there is no reason to bring anything beyond the day’s essentials.

Pack:

• Comfortable shoes with grip
• Shoes that can get wet
• A windbreaker
• Swimwear
• A towel
• Sunscreen
• A change of clothes

Your windbreaker may be the most important item. Madeira can feel warm at the marina while the crossing feels cool and windy. Beach shoes are also more useful than flip-flops when stepping onto slippery volcanic stones.

Should you book the Desertas Islands catamaran trip?

Book it if you want a full-day sea adventure with a real conservation purpose, not just a quick cruise and a photo stop. The volcanic scenery, protected setting, included lunch, and chance of seeing dolphins or whales make this one of Madeira’s more unusual excursions.

Skip it if you want a long island hike, guaranteed monk seals, or a soft seat for six hours of sailing. The trip asks you to accept a slow crossing and limited time ashore. For the right person, that is the charm. You get a rare glimpse of a protected island, swim in clear water, and return to Funchal with a better sense of how fragile Madeira’s surrounding seas can be.

FAQ

Where does the Desertas Islands trip start?

You meet the guide at the VMT Madeira Kiosk in Funchal Marina. Hotel pick-up and drop-off are not included.

How long does the excursion last?

The experience lasts nine hours. The sailing takes about three hours each way, with time at Deserta Grande for the guided visit, lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and other water activities.

Which Desertas island can you visit on land?

Deserta Grande is the only island in the reserve where visitors can disembark.

Will I see monk seals?

A monk seal sighting is not guaranteed. The guided visit focuses on the conservation center and explains efforts to protect the species, along with local flora and fauna.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch with drinks is included aboard the catamaran. Vegetarian and vegan meals can be catered for, but you should communicate dietary needs in advance.

What languages are available?

The live guide is available in English and Portuguese.