Catamaran Excursion to the Desertas Islands from Funchal, Madeira
Join this catamaran trip to the Desertas Islands from Funchal and discover a jewel in Madeira's geological and landscape heritage!
Practical information
Full-day excursion (9 hours) by catamaran from Funchal to Desertas Islands, anchoring near Deserta Grande and taking a short guided tour of the island.
- Arrive at the meeting point and meet your guide 30 minutes before departure time
- Board the catamaran
- Safety and activity briefing
- Sailing time of around 2.5hrs to 3hrs to Desertas Islands
- Disembarkation at Deserta Grande (the largest of the Desertas islands)
- A short tour of the island with an experienced guide
- Return to the boat and have lunch
- Swimming in beautiful, clear water with snorkelling and stand-up paddle equipment available
- Sailing back to the starting point (2.5hrs to 3hrs)
- Disembarkation and end of activity
Parental authorisation is required for minors taking part in the activity without an accompanying adult.
Please arrive 30 minutes before the start of the activity.
Please inform the instructor if you have any dietary restrictions.
This activity is not accessible to wheelchair users.
Babies are accepted on this trip, and it is possible to take a pram on the boat, but it is not possible to take it to the island.
Pets are not allowed to take part in this activity.
- Professional guide
- Professional skipper
- Snorkelling and stand-up paddle equipment
- Insurance
- Buffet lunch + one drink
- Transport to meeting point
- Comfortable clothing suited to the weather
- Windproof jacket
- Sports shoes
- Sun cream
- Water bottle
- Hat / cap
- Swimsuit
- Towel
- Camera
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Practical information
The Desertas Islands are 3 small islands located to the south-east of Madeira Island (Ilhéu Chão, Deserta Grande and Bugio) which are home to an exceptional ecological heritage and form part of a nature reserve of the same name. Easily accessible by boat from Funchal, the Desertas islands are remarkable for their volcanic origin and steep cliffs. In this unspoilt area, you may even spot monk seals and a variety of local seabirds!
Join this catamaran excursion to the Desertas Islands and board a boat in Funchal for a day of adventure that will give you a new perspective on Madeira! Accessible to all ages, this easy activity is ideal for sharing a moment of discovery with family and friends. From Funchal, you'll sail for 2.5 to 3 hours before arriving at the Desertas Islands and disembarking at Deserta Grande, the largest island in the Desertas.
Once on the island of Deserta Grande, an experienced guide will tell you all about the region and its special features. He will tell you about the local flora and fauna and will be on hand to answer any questions you may have. After the guided tour, you'll return to the boat for lunch and a swim in the clear Atlantic waters! Snorkelling and paddle equipment will be available on board the catamaran, so don't hesitate to try one of these water sports before your return to Madeira Island!
This catamaran excursion from Funchal is more than just a boat trip: it's a full day of exploration with a guided tour of Deserta Grande and the chance to try your hand at snorkelling and stand-up paddling in Madeira! Don't wait, book your catamaran cruise to the Desertas Islands now for an exceptional adventure in the heart of the Atlantic!