Catamaran Day Cruise to Desertas Islands from Funchal

The appeal here is simple: you spend a full day at sea reaching Madeira’s remote Desertas Islands, a stark group of three islands protected from normal development. The trip combines a long catamaran crossing, a short shore visit, wildlife watching, swimming, and a Madeiran buffet lunch.

I like the chance to see the islands in their natural state, rather than from a distant viewpoint, and I like the mix of snorkeling and stand-up paddleboarding. The crew also appears willing to adjust the route for dolphins, whales, seabirds, or even orcas when conditions permit. The main drawback is the crossing: it can be windy, cold, and tiring, and the island visit itself is shorter and more basic than some descriptions may suggest.

Key points to know before booking

• The crossing takes up much of the day: Plan for roughly 2 hours 40 minutes each way in some conditions, leaving only a limited time ashore.
• The Desertas are raw and rocky: You’ll see a protected island environment, not a developed beach resort or a lush walking destination.
• Wildlife is the main prize: Seabirds, dolphins, whales, and seals may be seen, but no sighting is guaranteed.
• Water activities depend on conditions: Snorkeling and paddleboarding are included, but wind, sea conditions, and the presence of seals can affect what is possible.
• Lunch is included: A Madeiran buffet is served on board, and dietary needs should be provided when booking.
• This suits active families and sea lovers: Children must be with an adult, and you should have a moderate level of fitness.

Leaving Funchal for the Desertas Islands

The day begins at 9:00 am at Praça do Povo, close to Funchal’s waterfront. There is no hotel pickup, so you need to make your own way to the marina meeting point. The location is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying in central Funchal.

Once the catamaran leaves the marina, the city quickly becomes a coastal view behind you. The trip is not a quick boat transfer. This is a full day on open water, and the ride to the Desertas can take several hours. One practical account puts the outward crossing at about 2 hours 40 minutes, with a similar return journey.

That timing matters. You are not booking a short cruise followed by several hours of island sightseeing. Much of your day is spent on the catamaran, looking out for marine life and watching Madeira shrink toward the horizon. If you enjoy being at sea, this is part of the pleasure. If you get cold, seasick, or bored on long crossings, think carefully before booking.

The catamaran gives you a better view than a closed coach or ferry. You can watch the sea from the deck, listen to live commentary, and move around when conditions allow. Still, the open ocean can be rough. Bring warm layers, even if Funchal is sunny, and keep a windproof jacket close at hand.

What makes the Desertas different

The Desertas Islands are a group of three islands southeast of Madeira. Their dry, isolated character made them difficult to settle, and today they remain a protected refuge for land and marine wildlife.

Do not arrive expecting Madeira’s steep green valleys or flower-filled gardens. The Desertas are much barer. Their appeal comes from isolation, geology, and the chance to see a place where human development has remained limited.

The shore visit brings you to a largely untouched beach area. The beach is made of pebbles rather than soft sand, so sturdy footwear is more useful than delicate beach sandals. Getting into the water can be awkward because of the stones, and rough sea conditions may make swimming less appealing.

The island walk is short. You will receive information about the island and its natural setting, but this is not a long hiking tour. If you are expecting several hours of marked trails, you may find the land portion underwhelming. The value lies more in reaching the protected islands than in covering a great distance on foot.

A short walk, a wild shore, and limited time ashore

After the long crossing, the boat reaches the island area and passengers can disembark onto the beach. The exact amount of time ashore can vary, but you should not assume a three-hour island visit. A more realistic expectation is a brief landing, a short guided trail, and time near the water before returning to the catamaran.

The crew provides information about the islands, wildlife, and their protected status. That commentary helps give meaning to what you are seeing. Without it, the dry rock and pebbly shore might seem plain at first glance.

I would treat the landing as a chance to observe rather than a conventional beach stop. The setting is quiet and undeveloped, but it is not designed for comfort. There are no listed resort facilities, broad sandy stretches, or extensive walking routes.

Seals are part of the natural story here, but sightings are seasonal and not assured. Their presence can also affect the water program. If seals are nearby, the crew may limit swimming or keep the boat at a suitable distance. That is a sensible trade. The protected wildlife is more important than guaranteeing a swim.

Snorkeling and paddleboarding when conditions allow

Snorkeling equipment and stand-up paddleboards are included in the price. These activities give the stop more variety than simply stepping onto the beach, taking a few photos, and returning to the boat.

The sea conditions decide how much you can do. Wind can make paddleboarding uncomfortable, and waves may reduce underwater visibility. A French-speaking couple reported that snorkeling equipment was not actively offered during one visit, partly because the weather and the presence of seals made swimming unsuitable. So pack a swimsuit, but do not book this as a guaranteed snorkeling session.

If the water is calm, the activities provide a close look at the coastal environment. You can choose a more active option, or stay on board and enjoy the view. The trip is not built around a formal lesson, so you should be comfortable managing basic water activity on your own.

Families should pay close attention here. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness. Boarding a catamaran, moving across a pebbly shore, and handling sea conditions all require reasonable balance and mobility.

Wildlife watching from the catamaran

Wildlife is one of the strongest reasons to make the crossing. The area supports marine animals and seabirds, and the route can produce unexpected sightings.

Dolphins have been seen during the journey, and one particularly fortunate trip encountered a small pod of orcas. Whales may also be searched for. These moments can turn a long crossing into the highlight of the day, but you need to keep expectations sensible. The crew can watch, change course briefly, or pause for a better view, yet no company can promise a particular animal.

The crew’s willingness to adjust the plan is useful. On a day when strong winds prevented the catamaran from reaching the Desertas, the boat instead sailed south from Funchal, where the group could look for cetaceans and seabirds. That kind of change does not replace the islands, but it can prevent a weather problem from becoming a wasted day.

Bring patience. Wildlife watching means scanning the water, waiting, and accepting that the sea may offer only a few distant fins or birds. Binoculars could be useful, though they are not listed as part of the equipment.

Lunch on board and the rhythm of the day

A Madeiran buffet lunch is served on board. The food has received strong praise, and it helps make the long day easier. You are not left to arrange lunch on a remote beach, which is an important practical benefit.

The meal timing may shift. If the shore visit runs late, lunch can be served while the catamaran is moving again. That is manageable, but eating while the boat is underway may not suit anyone prone to seasickness.

Give the operator your dietary requirements when booking. The tour information specifically asks you to do this in advance, rather than expecting the crew to solve special meals at the last minute.

The day has a clear pattern: long outward cruise, island landing, short walk and water activities if possible, lunch on board, then a long return to Funchal. You should think of it as a sea expedition with a shore stop, not a beach day with a boat ride.

Is $108.37 a fair price?

At about $108.37 per person, the price is reasonable if you value access to a difficult-to-reach protected area and a full day on the water. The fee includes live commentary, snorkeling equipment, stand-up paddleboarding, and lunch. It also removes the need to arrange a separate boat, landing, meal, and wildlife search.

The value falls if you mainly want a long swim, a sandy beach, or an extensive island hike. The Desertas are remote, but remote does not mean comfortable. The beach is pebbly, the walk is short, and weather may reduce the time spent in the water.

The maximum group size is 70 people. That is not an intimate sailing trip, and the landing may feel busy when the boat is full. On the other hand, a larger catamaran provides more space and can make a long crossing easier than a small, fast boat.

The rating attached to this experience is 3.4 out of 5 from 44 reviews, which fits the mixed nature of the trip. The crew, food, wildlife opportunities, and unusual destination are the most praised elements. The complaints focus on the long, windy crossing, the short island visit, and the gap between expectations and the actual amount of hiking or swimming.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this to you if you enjoy long days at sea, protected natural areas, and the possibility of wildlife encounters. It is especially appealing if you have already explored much of Madeira and want a less familiar side of the archipelago.

It can work well for families with older children who enjoy boats and outdoor activities. The whole family can join, but adults need to supervise children closely during the crossing, landing, and water activities.

You should probably skip it if you want a relaxed resort-style outing. The open water can be cold and windy, and the return journey is lengthy. You may also be disappointed if you expect a dramatic hiking route or guaranteed seals, dolphins, whales, and snorkeling.

Wear layers, choose secure footwear, and bring practical sun and wind protection. Keep your schedule flexible after the cruise, since nine hours on the water can be tiring even when the sea is calm.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

Confirmation is normally issued at booking, although reservations made within two days of departure may take up to 48 hours and remain subject to availability.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 9:00 am start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather cancels the cruise, you will be offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of people is not reached.

The route can also change without ending the day completely. Strong winds may prevent the catamaran from reaching the Desertas, with the crew instead heading south from Funchal for marine and bird watching. That is useful flexibility, but you should accept that the substitute route may not satisfy you if the islands are your main reason for booking.

Should you book the Desertas Islands cruise?

Book it if the idea of spending a full day on the Atlantic, reaching a protected island group, and watching for marine life sounds better than a standard Madeira sightseeing tour. The unusual destination, friendly crew, buffet lunch, and included water equipment give the trip real value.

Do not book it for a long hike or a guaranteed beach swim. The shore stop is short, the beach is rocky, and wind may limit snorkeling and paddleboarding. For the best chance of enjoying this cruise, arrive prepared for a boat-heavy day and treat the Desertas landing as a rare glimpse of a remote natural refuge, not as a polished attraction.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise leave from?

The meeting point is Praça do Povo, J3WR+9P, Avenida do Mar 4, São Martinho, 9000-900 Funchal, Portugal. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the cruise start?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 am.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately nine hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must make your own way to the meeting point.

Are snorkeling equipment and paddleboards included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and stand-up paddleboards are included, although weather, sea conditions, and wildlife protection may affect their use.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Madeiran buffet lunch is served on board. You should provide any dietary requirements when booking.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants may also lead to a choice of a different date or a full refund.