From Funchal: Wooden Boat Excursion to Desertas Island

The real event here is the long Atlantic crossing. You leave Funchal on a wooden boat and spend most of the 8.5-hour day at sea, covering enough water to give you a good chance of seeing dolphins or whales. The Desertas Islands then appear as stark cliffs and dry, rocky ground far from Madeira.

I like the open-ocean wildlife chance and the simple pleasure of seeing Madeira from the water. I also like that lunch, a drink, fruit, a swim stop, and a welcome glass of Madeira wine are included, so the day is not built around constant extra charges.

The catch is important: time on land may be very limited, and some departures have required people to swim from the boat to reach the island. If you want a proper island walk, easy shore access, or a short boat ride, this may leave you disappointed.

Key points to know before you book

• Most of the day is spent at sea: Around 6.5 hours can be taken up by the outward and return crossing, depending on conditions.
• Wildlife sightings are possible, not guaranteed: The boat covers many miles, which improves your odds of spotting dolphins or whales.
• The Desertas visit can be brief: The marked route is roughly 200 metres, with a few information plaques rather than a long hike.
• Landing may involve swimming: The boat does not always provide a dry way ashore, so bring swimwear, a towel, and a jacket for the ride back.
• Lunch and drinks are included: You receive the pre-arranged meal, one drink with lunch, fruit, and another included drink on the return.
• The sea can feel rough: This trip is a poor choice if you are prone to seasickness, have a cold, or are not comfortable in the water.

Funchal marina to the open Atlantic

You meet the boat at Pier 8 in Funchal, at the Bonita da Madeira kiosk in the middle of the marina. The departure point is easy to identify once you reach the pier, but you should allow time to find parking if you are driving. Private pickup and drop-off are not included, and neither is car parking.

The welcome drink is Madeira wine, a pleasant local touch before the boat leaves. From there, the day changes pace quickly. This is not a quick sightseeing cruise around Funchal. The Desertas Islands lie well offshore, so you need to be happy sitting on a boat for hours.

That long crossing is both the attraction and the main test. You have wide Atlantic views, changing light, cliffs in the distance, and the chance to spot marine life in open water. You also have plenty of time when nothing is happening beyond sea and sky. I would bring a book only as a backup, not because you should spend the entire journey reading, but because patience is part of this trip.

The wooden boat gives the outing more character than a plain transfer vessel. It suits the old maritime feel of Madeira, though it does not change the basic fact that the crossing can be tiring. Wear comfortable clothes and take the jacket listed in the instructions. Even on a warm day in Funchal, the wind can make the ride feel cool.

Why the crossing matters for wildlife

The boat covers many miles between Madeira and the Desertas, which creates more chances to scan the water. Dolphins and whales are possible highlights, and a sighting in the open Atlantic can be memorable precisely because it is never fully predictable.

You should keep expectations sensible. The trip offers a high possibility of seeing marine life, but no operator can promise a dolphin or whale encounter. Sea conditions, season, and animal movements all matter. Treat wildlife as a bonus rather than the product you are guaranteed to receive.

Bring sunglasses and a cap or hat. Glare off the water can become tiring, and you will want clear views when people begin pointing toward a fin or blow. Sunscreen remains useful even when the air feels cool.

A rough sea changes the mood of the whole day. One departure described the water as somewhat agitated, with a warning that the crossing can be hard for anyone who feels sick on boats. If you are prone to seasickness, I would choose a land-based Madeira outing instead. This experience is specifically marked as unsuitable for people prone to seasickness.

Reaching the Desertas Islands

The Desertas Islands are a protected natural reserve, and their appeal comes from their isolation. You see steep coastal cliffs, dry rock, and a setting that feels far removed from Funchal. Do not expect a lush Madeira-style walk. The islands are much barer, and the scenery is shaped by wind, ocean, and exposed stone.

The planned visit includes walking, swimming, and snorkeling. In the best version of the day, you get time to leave the boat, follow a short nature route, look at the local plants and animals, and then cool off in the water.

There is an important practical complication. The boat may not dock in a way that lets you step straight onto dry land. Some departures have required people to swim to the island. That means you could reach the shore wet, with no easy chance to change before walking around. In cold, windy, or cloudy conditions, this can be uncomfortable.

Ask the crew about the landing method before you commit to the swim. The supplied information presents a swim stop as part of the experience, but the conditions at the island can affect whether you get a dry landing or a swim-only visit. You should be prepared for both possibilities.

If you do reach the island, the walking section is modest. The route has been described as a roughly 200-metre circular path with information plaques. That can be enough for a quick look at the reserve, but it is not a full island hike. I would book this for the chance to see a remote protected place, not for hours of walking.

What the short island walk offers

The walk gives you a closer look at the reserve than you can get from the boat. You may see native flora and fauna, read the information panels, and take in the contrast between open Atlantic water and the islands’ dry, rough ground.

Still, the word tour may suggest more than you receive. The guided portion is listed as around 20 minutes, and the island route itself can take only a few minutes to complete. In practice, the guide element may feel brief rather than like a detailed natural-history walk.

That is not automatically a flaw. A short visit can work well if you want a taste of the Desertas and prefer to spend time swimming or relaxing on the boat. It becomes a problem if your main reason for paying $106 is to explore the island on foot.

The protected setting also explains why this is not a free-form shore day. You are not visiting a resort beach with shops, changing rooms, or a long menu of activities. Facilities are limited, and the value comes from remoteness and access to a place that is not part of an ordinary Madeira sightseeing loop.

Lunch, drinks, and the swim stop

Lunch is the pre-arranged option supplied by the operator, rather than a choice from a menu. One drink is included with lunch, with water, Coca-Cola, beer, or white or red wine listed as options. Fruit is also included, along with another free drink on the return journey.

That arrangement makes the price easier to judge. You are not paying $106 for transport alone. The package includes a full day on the water, a meal, drinks, the welcome Madeira wine, the swimming stop, and the boat trip to a remote reserve.

At the same time, you should not expect a restaurant experience. The meal is fixed, and details such as special dietary choices are not provided. If you need particular food, bring snacks. Snacks are specifically recommended, and they are a sensible idea during such a long day.

The swim stop is a central part of the outing, not a minor extra. Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and comfortable or waterproof shoes. A towel matters even more if you need to swim to shore, since you may not have a dry landing area where you can change immediately.

You should also pack a warm layer in an accessible place. Putting on a jacket after swimming is much more useful than leaving it in a large bag below deck. Large bags and oversize luggage are not allowed, so keep your kit compact.

Glass objects, fishing, pets other than assistance dogs, and large luggage are not allowed. These rules fit a small boat and a protected island, but they also mean you should plan your day with a small, practical bag rather than beach luggage.

The return journey to Funchal

After lunch and the island stop, you face the same Atlantic crossing in reverse. This can be the quietest part of the day. You may be tired, sun-warmed, or ready for a nap, while others watch for one last dolphin or whale.

The return drink is intended to make the long ride more comfortable, though you should confirm the serving arrangements with the crew on the day. Small details can vary with conditions and the way the schedule unfolds.

The boat returns to Av. do Mar in Funchal, near the same marina area where you started. Since the full experience lasts about 8.5 hours, check the starting time carefully and avoid scheduling another fixed activity immediately afterward. A delayed return, rough water, or a slower landing could shift the end of the day.

The duration also matters for families and mixed groups. A strong swimmer who loves boats may have a wonderful time, while someone who wants a quick island visit may feel trapped on the crossing. You need to choose this as an all-day sea outing, not as a short excursion with a boat ride attached.

Is $106 good value?

At $106 per person, the tour can be fair value if you use the whole package. You receive the boat trip, a welcome drink, lunch, fruit, drinks, a swim stop, and the chance to see marine life over many miles of sea. Access to the Desertas is the main reason to consider it.

The value drops if you measure the price by time spent on land. You may get only a short route and a brief guided section, and the island visit could become a swim to shore followed by limited time on the beach. In that case, most of what you are buying is the sea crossing.

I would compare it with your priorities rather than with the price of a normal boat ride. If the remote destination and wildlife possibility sound worth a full day, the package has a clear logic. If you want a long walk, a dry landing, or a flexible meal, the price may feel high.

The 24-hour cancellation rule gives you some protection if your plans change, and reserve-now-pay-later booking keeps payment until later. Those policies help with planning, but they do not remove the need to check the forecast and think honestly about seasickness.

Who should take this wooden boat trip?

I would recommend it to you if you:

• Like long boat journeys and open-water views.
• Are comfortable with the possibility of rough seas.
• Want a chance to see dolphins or whales.
• Enjoy remote, stark natural settings more than developed beaches.
• Can swim confidently and do not mind getting wet.
• Are happy with a short island walk.
• Appreciate having lunch and drinks included.

I would be cautious if you:

• Are not a swimmer.
• Have a cold or feel unwell in exposed conditions.
• Get seasick.
• Need a guaranteed dry landing.
• Want a substantial guided walk.
• Prefer a short excursion with more time at the destination.
• Need a highly flexible meal or a wide choice of drinks.

The live guide speaks English and Portuguese. The guided portion is around 20 minutes, so you should not book this expecting a full-day lecture about the reserve. The guide is there to add context, while the crossing, wildlife, and swim stop carry much of the experience.

My practical packing list

Keep your bag small and put the items you will need during the crossing at the top. I would bring:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• Cap or hat
• Jacket
• Comfortable clothes
• Comfortable shoes or waterproof shoes
• Snacks
• A small bag rather than oversize luggage

Do not bring glass objects, fishing equipment, pets, or large bags. If you are hoping to walk after swimming, waterproof shoes are especially useful. They also make the rocky shore easier to manage if you are allowed to land there.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if your idea of a good Madeira day is a full day on the Atlantic, with a remote destination at the end, a possible wildlife sighting, lunch on board, and a swim. The friendly crew, good meal, and striking ocean setting can make it a fine day out when the sea is calm and the landing works as hoped.

Think twice if the Desertas Islands are your main goal and you expect a substantial visit on dry land. The short route, brief guide section, and possible swim-only access are the details most likely to shape your opinion.

My advice is simple: book for the boat journey first, the Desertas second. Bring a towel and jacket, accept that conditions control the day, and choose it only if you are comfortable spending most of your time at sea. With that mindset, the trip can feel like a genuine Atlantic adventure rather than an expensive disappointment.

FAQ

How long does the Desertas Islands boat trip last?

The activity lasts about 8.5 hours, including the outward crossing, time near the Desertas Islands, and the return to Funchal.

Where do I meet the boat?

Meet at Pier 8 in the Funchal marina. The Bonita da Madeira kiosk is in the middle of the pier area.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide speaks English and Portuguese.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is the operator’s pre-arranged option. One drink is included with lunch, with water, Coca-Cola, beer, or white or red wine listed as choices. Fruit and another included drink on the return are also specified.

Can I swim at the Desertas Islands?

Yes. A swimming stop is included, and swimming and snorkeling are part of the planned activity.

Do I need to swim to reach the island?

You should be prepared for that possibility. Some departures have not had a dry way to land, requiring people to swim from the boat to the island.

Is transport from my hotel included?

No. Private pickup and drop-off are not included, and car parking is also excluded.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, swimsuit, jacket, comfortable or waterproof shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, a cap or hat, comfortable clothes, and snacks.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve-now-pay-later booking is also available.