Go Explore Canyoning Level 2 (Nun’s Valley) .

The best part of Go Explore Canyoning Level 2 is its setting: you move through a steep-sided canyon in Madeira’s Nun’s Valley, far from ordinary sightseeing routes. The route combines four rappels, refreshing pools, natural slides, and optional jumps up to 10 to 15 meters.

I like the small groups, capped at 10 people, and the patient approach of guides such as José and Miguel. I also like that you get photos, water, chocolate, equipment, and transfers included. The main consideration is that this is an intermediate outing, so you need to be ready for wet conditions, rope work, and a few moments outside your comfort zone.

Key points at a glance

• Four rappels: The highest rappel reaches 15 meters, with guides explaining each step before you descend.
• Optional jumps: You can choose the bigger jumps and waterfalls, or take a more cautious route when alternatives are available.
• Nun’s Valley setting: Steep mountain walls and quiet canyon scenery give the activity a strong sense of place.
• Small-group format: A maximum of 10 participants allows the guides to give personal help and encouragement.
• Useful inclusions: Equipment, insurance, transfers from selected pickup points, photos, water, and chocolate are included.
• Best for adventurous beginners: You do not need advanced canyoning experience, but you should be comfortable with physical activity and heights.

Entering Madeira’s Nun’s Valley

Nun’s Valley, known locally as Curral das Freiras, sits in the mountainous middle of Madeira. The canyon is surrounded by sharp, steep slopes, giving the setting a dramatic feel before you even put on a wetsuit.

This is not a sightseeing trip with a brief outdoor add-on. The canyon is the main event. You walk for about 20 minutes along a dirt road and beside a levada, then begin the wet section of the route.

That approach walk matters. It is short enough not to drain your energy, but it gives you time to adjust to the setting and meet the guides before the ropes and water begin. You should still wear something practical for walking, since the route starts before the canyoning itself.

The mountain views are one of the strongest reasons to choose this location. You are not simply moving from obstacle to obstacle. Between rappels and pools, you get changing views of the surrounding rock walls and the narrow valley.

What Level 2 really means here

The activity is described as an intermediate level, but that does not mean you must already be an expert. Several people with no canyoning background have completed it successfully, and the guides explain the safety steps calmly before each challenge.

The label does mean you should expect more than a gentle introduction. You may rappel several times, move through water, climb or walk over uneven ground, and face heights of 10 to 15 meters. Some jumps and waterfalls are optional, but the route still has an adventurous feel.

The largest rappel reaches 15 meters. That is high enough to feel exciting, especially if you are new to rope descents, but it is also manageable when you follow the guide’s instructions.

I like the choice built into the experience. If you want more action, you can take the larger jumps or waterfalls when the guide offers them. If a jump does not feel right, you can ask about the alternative. Do not treat the optional choices as a test of courage. The point is to enjoy the canyon without forcing yourself into a move that feels wrong.

A four-hour route with real variety

The guided portion lasts about three and a half hours, with the full activity taking around four hours depending on the pickup and return arrangements. That gives the outing enough time to feel substantial without taking up an entire day.

The route has several different types of activity:

• Rappelling down rock sections and waterfalls
• Jumping into pools when you choose to do so
• Sliding into natural water pools
• Walking through the canyon
• Pausing for instructions, safety checks, photos, water, and chocolate

The variety helps. A route made only of rappels could become repetitive, while one made only of jumps would be too demanding for some people. Here, you shift between rope work, water, and walking.

The water can feel cool, particularly when the weather is cloudy or rainy. Wetsuits are provided, and the equipment helps keep you comfortable in the river. You should still expect to be wet for much of the outing. Bring swimwear and a towel, since towels, changing rooms, and swimwear are not included.

The guides make the difference

The guide team is one of the strongest parts of this experience. José and Miguel are frequently named as guides, with Pedro and Filipe also appearing among the team. The exact guide pairing may depend on the day.

You can expect the guides to explain the safety process before each major section. That includes how to handle the rope, where to place yourself, and what to do before a jump or descent. Their calm explanations are especially useful if you are nervous about heights.

The tone is not all business. The guides also bring jokes, encouragement, and plenty of energy, which helps during pauses and makes the group feel relaxed. At the same time, safety remains the priority. That balance matters because canyoning can feel intimidating during the first rappel, even when the physical task itself is simple.

For families, the supplied information includes a report of children aged 10 and 13 taking part with support from the guides. That does not establish a universal minimum age, so you should confirm age requirements when booking. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women.

You will need to send your height in centimeters, weight in kilograms, age, and European shoe size before the outing. This is practical rather than busywork, since the operator needs the right equipment and clothing sizes.

Why the small group matters

The maximum group size is 10. That is a useful limit for a canyoning activity, where everyone needs time at the rappel points and the guide needs to keep track of the group.

A small group also helps if you are uncertain at the start. You can ask questions without holding up a large crowd, and the guides have more room to give individual advice. It also makes the included photos more useful, since the guides can take pictures throughout the route rather than rushing everyone through.

You should still allow for pauses. Canyoning naturally involves waiting while each person completes a rappel or chooses whether to jump. The small group reduces the problem, but it does not remove it.

Pickup points and the practical route

You can arrange pickup from three general locations:

• Beside the road at Portugal’s CR7 Museum in Funchal
• In front of the Pingo Doce supermarket in Calheta
• At the petrol station in Ponta do Sol

The pickup time is confirmed the day before. Pay attention to the exact meeting instructions, especially in Funchal, where the pickup is on the roadside by the CR7 Museum rather than inside the museum.

If you have your own car, driving directly to the canyon location may be more convenient. Free parking is available there, and skipping a long collection route can make the day simpler. On the other hand, the included transfer is useful if you are staying near one of the listed pickup points and do not want to manage mountain roads or parking.

Return transport is provided to the same general pickup locations. Since this is a four-hour activity, check the timing carefully if you have a restaurant booking, flight, or another paid activity later that day.

What is included for the $82 price

At $82 per person, the value depends on how much of the included package you would otherwise need to arrange separately. The price covers the required canyoning equipment, a qualified guide, insurance, transport from the stated pickup areas, water, chocolate, and photos.

The equipment is an important saving. You do not need to rent ropes, helmets, or other canyoning gear on your own, and wetsuits are supplied. The clothing matters in Madeira’s cool running water, particularly on a cloudy day.

The photos add practical value. It is difficult to take your own pictures while managing a rappel or moving through a pool, so having the guide capture the activity means you can concentrate on the experience. The photos also give you a record of the setting and the bigger descents.

Water and chocolate are small inclusions, but useful ones. The route involves physical effort, and a snack during the outing is welcome. You still need to bring your own swimwear and towel, and there are no changing rooms supplied, so plan how you will handle changing before and after the activity.

With a small group, safety support, transport, technical equipment, and photos included, the price is reasonable for a guided Madeira adventure. It is less attractive if you already own canyoning equipment, have a car, and only want access to the route itself. For most visitors, arranging this kind of activity independently would be difficult and would not provide the same safety support.

What to bring and how to prepare

Pack swimwear and a towel. Wear something suitable for the short approach walk, and avoid bringing valuables that could be damaged by water.

You should be comfortable spending several hours wet and active. The route includes walking, rappelling, jumps or jump alternatives, slides, and time in pools. You do not need to choose every optional challenge, but you should be open to physical activity and heights.

Do not bring alcohol or drugs. The operator also needs your measurements and shoe size in advance, so send the details promptly after booking.

Weather can affect how the canyon feels. Rain does not automatically cancel the activity, and the guides can decide whether conditions are safe. One outing took place in rainy weather, with the guides adjusting the activity so it remained safe and enjoyable. Still, conditions in a canyon can change, so follow the guide’s instructions rather than assuming every feature will be available.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this for an active adult or older child who wants more than a basic nature walk. It suits you if you like trying new outdoor activities, enjoy a little height, and want the option to choose your own level of challenge.

It is also a good choice for first-time canyoners who are curious but nervous. The guides’ calm instruction and the optional nature of some jumps make the experience more approachable than the word intermediate might suggest.

You may want to choose another activity if you dislike cold water, cannot swim comfortably in pools, have a strong fear of heights, or want a quiet sightseeing trip. Even with good instruction, you will be wet, active, and occasionally suspended above the canyon floor.

Families should check the age requirements directly before booking. The supplied information shows that children aged 10 and 13 took part, but it does not state a fixed minimum age for every departure.

The main strengths and the small compromises

The setting is the biggest strength. Nun’s Valley gives you steep mountain views and access to places you would not see from the road or on a standard levada walk.

The guides are another major advantage. José, Miguel, Pedro, and Filipe are described as friendly, encouraging, and clear with safety instructions. That combination is valuable because a good canyoning guide does more than operate the rope. The guide needs to judge confidence, explain choices, and keep the group moving without pressure.

The included photos are also worth noting. Many outdoor activities leave you with little proof of what you did, especially when both hands are occupied. Here, the guide can take pictures during the route.

The compromises are straightforward. You must provide swimwear and a towel, and there are no changing rooms included. Pickup can also be less convenient if you are not near Funchal, Calheta, or Ponta do Sol. If you have a car, driving to the canyon may be easier.

Finally, Level 2 is not a passive outing. The optional jumps help, but the basic experience still involves rappelling and wet canyon travel. Read the description honestly and choose it because you want that challenge, not because you feel you ought to prove something.

Cancellation and booking flexibility

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying at the time of booking, which is useful when your Madeira schedule is still changing.

The activity is offered in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish. Since the group is limited to 10, booking ahead is sensible if your dates are fixed, particularly if you want a specific pickup arrangement.

Should you book Go Explore Level 2?

Book it if you want an active half-day in Madeira’s mountains, like the idea of rappelling up to 15 meters, and value patient guides, a small group, and photos included in the price.

I would choose it over a gentler canyoning outing if you want more variety and the freedom to attempt optional jumps and slides. I would skip it if you want dry clothes, easy access, or a simple scenic tour.

For the right person, this is a strong way to experience Nun’s Valley from inside the canyon rather than from a viewpoint. Bring a towel, send your measurements early, listen to José, Miguel, or the guide team, and treat the optional challenges as choices rather than obligations.

FAQ

How long does the canyoning activity last?

The full activity lasts about four hours. The guided canyoning portion is listed as approximately three and a half hours, with the remaining time covering the approach, transfers, and related arrangements.

Where does the canyoning take place?

The activity takes place in Nun’s Valley, also called Curral das Freiras, in the mountainous center of Madeira.

How high is the largest rappel?

The highest rappel is 15 meters. The route includes four rappels in total.

Do I need previous canyoning experience?

No advanced experience is stated as a requirement. The Level 2 outing is described as suitable for people seeking more adventure, and the guides explain the safety steps. You should still be comfortable with physical activity, water, and heights.

Are the jumps compulsory?

No. The activity includes several optional jumps, and you can choose the larger jumps or waterfalls according to your comfort level.

What is included in the price?

The $82 price includes the required equipment, a qualified guide, insurance, transfers from the listed pickup areas, water, chocolate, and photos.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. You must also provide your height in centimeters, weight in kilograms, age, and European shoe size before the activity.