Beaches · Madeira · Portugal
The best beaches in and near Madeira
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Richard Bartz, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
The best-known beach is Calheta beach (About 40 km west of Funchal). The sea is usually warm enough for a comfortable swim (21°C+) in July–October.
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 5
- Swimming season
- July–October
- Warmest sea
- 23°C (73°F)
The beaches
About 40 km west of Funchal · Families and calm swimming
1.Calheta beach
A sheltered bay of imported golden sand beside a marina, with calm water protected by breakwaters and cafés along the front.
About 25 km east of Funchal · Sand and easy access from the airport
2.Machico beach
A golden-sand beach in the bay where Madeira's first settlers landed, sheltered by breakwaters and close to the old town.
About 45 km from Funchal on the north coast · Scenery and photography
3.Seixal black sand beach
Dark volcanic sand below green cliffs on the north coast, with mountain views; the sea here can be rough.
About 4 km west of central Funchal · Easy swim from Funchal
4.Praia Formosa
Madeira's largest pebble-and-dark-sand beach, at the western end of Funchal's Lido promenade, with lifeguards and cafés in summer.
About 2 hours 15 minutes by ferry from Funchal · A proper sandy beach holiday
5.Porto Santo beach
Some 9 km of golden sand on the neighbouring island, with shallow, calm water and a reputation for therapeutic sand.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 18°C (64°F) | 19°C (66°F) |
| February | 17°C (63°F) | 19°C (66°F) |
| March | 17°C (63°F) | 20°C (68°F) |
| April | 18°C (64°F) | 20°C (68°F) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 22°C (72°F) |
| June | 20°C (68°F) | 23°C (73°F) |
| July | 22°C (72°F) | 25°C (77°F) |
| August | 23°C (73°F) | 26°C (79°F) |
| September | 23°C (73°F) | 26°C (79°F) |
| October | 22°C (72°F) | 24°C (75°F) |
| November | 20°C (68°F) | 22°C (72°F) |
| December | 19°C (66°F) | 20°C (68°F) |
Staying near the beach
$$$ · Best for families, luxury, beach and first-timers
Funchal Lido
West of the centre, the Lido or Hotel Zone has most of Madeira's large resort hotels, many with saltwater pools on the cliffs. The Lido seafront promenade leads to Praia Formosa, the island's largest pebble beach, and buses run into central Funchal in about 15 minutes.
- Good
- Wide choice of resort hotels; Sea pools and promenades; Easy bus to the centre
- Watch out
- Less local character; A bus ride to the Old Town in the evening
- Nearby
- Lido promenade, Praia Formosa, Forum Madeira
Getting to the beaches
- Car — A hire car is the easiest way to reach trailheads, viewpoints and the north coast.
- Bus — Yellow city buses cover Funchal and its hills, and regional bus companies connect Funchal with towns across the island, though services to remote villages and trailheads are infrequent.
- Ferry — The Lobo Marinho ferry links Funchal with Porto Santo in about 2 hours 15 minutes, carrying cars and foot passengers.
Beach-weather months
Days of 24°C (75°F) or more with no more than nine rainy days come in July–October. The busiest of those is August, so book early.
Beach safety
Madeira is relaxed and low-key for visitors. The main risks are natural: narrow levada paths with sheer drops, slippery tunnels, sudden mountain fog and strong Atlantic swells, especially on the north coast. Check trail status after heavy rain or fires, and swim only where it is calm. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Madeira have beaches?
Yes: Calheta beach, Machico beach, Seixal black sand beach, Praia Formosa and Porto Santo beach.
+When is the sea warm enough to swim in Madeira?
Usually July–October, when the sea averages 21°C or more.
+What is the best beach near Madeira?
Calheta beach: A sheltered bay of imported golden sand beside a marina, with calm water protected by breakwaters and cafés along the front.