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Top Things To Do In Maderia

Many people go to Madeira for the fantastic open ocean blue water fishing for Marlin, but look for other exciting activities, and Madeira will not let you down. There are some pretty cool things to do around the island, so if you like to live life on the edge or are more relaxed, Madeira will give you memories that will last a lifetime. 

Here is a shortlist of 10 top Madeira activities to book up while visiting this wonderful part of the world.

Things To Do In Maderia

Trian Dive including equipment hire and guide

Our house reef offers a unique underwater world. The protected bay is located directly in front of the diving base, and frogfish, seahorses, octopus, moray eels and fantastic tropical fish such as parrotfish, triggerfish, barracudas and much more live on the steep walls. The perfect setting to start the diving experience.

Canyoning in Madeira

Head deep into the canyons of Madeira on this canyoning adventure. Discover the beautiful geologic and natural characteristics of the island, one of the best canyoning areas globally, 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.

Dolphin & Whale Watching Catamaran cruise

Embark on an ocean adventure during this dolphin and whale watching tour from Funchal. Board your stylish catamaran and kick back as you cruise alongside Madeira’s south coast. Your friendly crew knows these waters well and guides you to the areas where whales and dolphins get seen. If the weather is favourable and the sea conditions are good, take a dip in the waters of the Cabo Girão, or try your hand at some basic sailing techniques.

Safari around the south of the island (Full day)

Valleys, mountains, plateau and the seashore make this expedition to the sometimes forgotten Southwest side of the island a trip to remember. The diversity of this excursion is fantastic. Visit Ponta do Pargo, the most western point of Madeira, and then after lunch, we stroll along the seaside esplanade of the hidden fishing villages.

Paragliding tandem flight 

Come and fly with one of the most experienced paragliders globally, the only pilots with minimum 15 minutes flight time guarantee. Our team is the only one on the island to fly you and your friends and family simultaneously. We are not simply flying down to the beach. First, we go high with the good winds, and later we try to land on the same spot of starting. Much more fun flying, less time wasted driving. 

Valley of the Nuns

The “Nuns Valley” is a small village situated in the crater of an extinct volcano, which has kept its 16th-century Santa Clara Convent where the nuns used to hide from pirates who were attacking Funchal.

Levada Walks

Madeira Island’s topography means that most of the rain falls in the north and northwest, while the southeast can be dry. So beginning in the 1500s and taking cues from the Moors, carved dozens of channels along winding upland routes to deliver water to drier areas.

By virtue of their role, these channels have made some dramatic and impassable locations approachable. One of the best routes is the Levada dos 25 Fontes, taking you past the marvellous 100-metre Risco Waterfall.

Palheiro Gradens (Your Hotels gardens)

Set 500 metres above the Atlantic, in the verdant hills just east of Funchal, these gardens at the Quinta do Palheiro estate prove that almost any plant will thrive in Madeira’s soil. Since 1885 the property has been in the Blandy family, which has long had a hand in the island’s wine industry. Before that, it belonged to the Conde do Carvahal, a Portuguese nobleman who planted trees and started the gardens’ outstanding collection of camellias. Arranged on terraces are whimsical topiaries, roses, cypresses, and because of the spring-like climate, the hibiscus and bougainvillaea known to bloom throughout the year.

Parque Forestal de Queimadas

On the northern lower reaches of the Pico Ruivo, there’s an enchanting subtropical laurel forest. The high humidity gives the woodland a light veil of mist and coats the forest floor with moss, lichens and ferns, with some of the enormous fronds you’ll see in Europe. There’s a whole web of trails, and you can get onto a couple of Levadas from here. But you can also visit for a picnic at the shelter, which designed like a traditional Santana cottage, with a thatched room and timber framing.

Trekking

PR1, “Vereda Do Arreiro”, is undoubtedly one of the most incredible trails in Madeira. Of medium difficulty, starting at Miradouro do Pico do Arreiro (30 minutes from central Funchal) and ending at Pico Ruivo. This 9 km trail will take you through landscapes that are only available to the most athletic. Allow 3h30 for this trail that connects the two highest points of Madeira. The endemic plants and birds which can observe along the route will delight nature lovers.

As you can see, there are activities to keep the most active family busy. So why not book your next adventure with us?

Tight lines,

Paul

Contact us

We can tailor your package to include as many days fishing as you like, and why not add on some exciting free days to explore this stunning island. Contact a member of the Sportquest team today, and we can build a holiday around your family and your needs. To speak to our fishing team, you can contact them via 01603 407596 or by emailing them at info@sportquestholidays.com.

1 comment

  1. Mahabub Hasan

    The view is very beautiful and fills the mind.

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