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Discover the magic of Madeira and Porto Santo, Portugal's stunning beach destinations. Dive into summer bliss with sun, surf, and endless adventures!
Madeira’s stunning volcanic landscape creates some of the most diverse all-year-round beach experiences. Golden sands (Machico), black volcanic sand (Praia Formosa) and pebble shorelines (Praia dos Reis Magos Beach) tumble into crystal clear blue waters turning them into an adventure playground for water sport enthusiasts, divers and recreational snorkelers as the sea life around the island is spectacular.
With such a variety of beaches, those in search of typical sandy beaches should head out towards Calheta, Machico, Prainha Beach and perhaps further afield and experience the therapeutic golden sands of Porto Santo. The beaches of Praia Formosa, Reis Magos or the beaches in Santa Cruz offer an easily accessible solution where the sea water rock pools of Porto Moniz are both as refreshing and exhilarating as their surrounding countryside.
One thing is assured, and that is quality. The blue flags are a symbol of quality and beaches are inspected every year to ensure that they maintain the strictest health, safety and water quality standards. This year sixteen of Madeira’s beaches will be flying the coveted ‘blue flag of quality.’ The beaches are located throughout the island with several located around the capital Funchal; these are Clube Naval, Ponta Gorda, Praia Formosa, Lido and Barreirinha. Blue flag beaches outside Funchal include Palmeira and Reis Magos (Santa Cruz), Ribeira do Natal and Banda d’Além (Machico), Ribeira do Faial (Santana), Ribeira Brava, the beaches of Calheta, and the natural rock pools of Porto Moniz.
Three beaches in Porto Santo, Fontinha, Cabeço da Ponta and Ribeiro Salgado have also received blue flags. Although the beaches are open all year round, lifeguard stations are manned from either the 1st of May or the 1st of June until the 15th or 30th of September; depending on the beaches location.
In addition to the sixteen beaches, the Funchal Marina, Porto de Recreio da Calheta, and Porto de Recreio de Machico received blue flag status, as did nine ecotourism vessels from Funchal: Magic Dolphin Eco, Melhor do Mar II, Natureza do Mar, Prazer do Mar, and from Calheta: Dulcineia, Esmeralda, and Miranda.
Blue flags are assigned to beaches, marinas and sustainable boating tourism that meet stringent cleanliness standards.
The popular Praia Formosa Beach tunnel, which leads to the Doca do Cavacas bathing complex, reopened to the public on Sunday, May 29. The tunnel is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., but it may close at any time due to storms or heavy rain.
The four beach complexes, Lido, Barreirinha, Ponta Gorda, and Doca do Cavacas have NEW amazing live webcams for your viewing pleasure, courtesy of Frente MarFunchal in collaboration with Madeira-web.com.
