Madeira is not a typical beach destination, you will find mainly pebble, rocky or volcanic black sand beaches on the island, which are very special but not very comfortable for a full day of beaching. Due to the rocky coastline, bathing complexes are very common in Madeira, built on rocky areas with difficult access to the ocean.
Most of Madeira’s bathing complexes were built to provide safer and more comfortable conditions for bathers within arm’s reach of the ocean.
Besides Madeira’s beaches, there are also some natural lava pools on the island that are well worth a visit.
The water temperature: The ocean temperature is always between 18 and 24°C. January is the coldest and August and September the warmest.
This guide is for you if you want to:
- Discover the best beaches in Madeira
- Find sandy beaches, pebble shores & natural pools
- Choose the right spots for swimming or relaxing
- Explore hidden coastal gems around the island
- Plan your perfect beach days in Madeira
Scroll down to explore the best beaches in Madeira.
Please note, this post may contain affiliate links.
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Best beaches in Madeira – TOP Picks
TOP 4 sandy beaches
- Prainha do Caniçal
- Praia de Seixal
- Praia de Machico
- Praia da Calheta
TOP 3 pebble beaches
- Praia Formosa
- Praia da Ponta do Sol
- Praia do Garajua
DOWNLOAD MY FREE MADEIRA BUCKET LIST FOR YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE
Madeira Beaches by Type
Sandy, Pebble & Natural Pools
– Sandy Beaches –
Praia da Calheta
Calheta actually consists of two sandy beaches facing each other. Calheta beach on the south-west coast of Madeira is artificial, with sand transported from Morocco.
Beach: golden sand beach
Location: about 45 minutes drive from Funchal
Parking: you have to pay for parking
Where to stay: Calheta hotels
Praia de Machico
Praia de Machico (or Praia da Banda Além) is a beautiful golden sandy beach in the town of Machico. The crescent-shaped beach is covered with sand imported from Morocco, making it stand out from the traditional Madeira pebble beach resorts. This sheltered beach is perfect for families, surrounded by restaurants and entertainment facilities offering a variety of activities. For example dolphin and whale watching → booking
Beach: golden sand
Location: about 20 minutes drive from Funchal
Parking: the car park usually fills up quickly and is paid
Where to stay: Machico hotels
Prainha do Caniçal
Prainha beach is located in the eastern part of the island, on the road towards Ponta de São Lourenço. “Prainha” means small beach. This secret black sand beach is not visible from the road, so few people visit it. There is a parking lot at the top of the rocks.
Beach: black sand
Location: about 30 minutes drive from Funchal
Parking: the car park usually fills up quickly
The Best Water-Based Activities
Why do I recommend Get Your Guide website or app? Because it offers free cancellation. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund!
Praia de Seixal
With its volcanic black sand, crystal clear waters, incredible cliffs and lush vegetation, this is certainly one of the best and most photographed beaches in Madeira. There is even a small waterfall on the beach! It is located on the north coast of the island. What’s more, Seixal also has natural pools.
Beach: black volcanic sand
Location: about 40 minutes drive from Funchal
Parking: free parking, which is quite small and usually fills up quickly
Where to stay: Seixal hotels
Are you looking for a 4- or 5-star hotel with an excellent rating?
Pestana, the Portuguese hotel chain!
With five decades of history, the Pestana Hotel Group is the largest Portuguese multinational group in the tourism industry. The hotel chain opened its first hotel in Madeira in 1972, the Pestana Carlton Madeira.
Currently it also offers accommodation in other the European countries, as well as in America and Africa, with more than 100 hotels and 12,000 rooms.
Pestana has 18 hotels on the archipelago, of which 15 are located in Madeira and 3 in Porto Santo.
Where to Stay in Madeira – Best Areas & Hotels
– pebble beaches –
Praia da Ponta do Sol
Ponta do Sol beach is located in a small bay in one of the sunniest villages on the island, Ponta do Sol. Just 160 metres long, the small pebble beach is lined with colourful buildings. It is one of the most popular beaches in the region because of its pleasant weather and clear waters. At the end of the day, the sunset reflecting off the sea is a picturesque sight.
Beach: pebble beach
Location: about 20 minutes drive from Funchal
Parking: you have to pay for parking
Where to stay: Ponta do Sol hotels
Praia Formosa
If you are staying in Funchal and looking for a beach, Praia Formosa is the perfect choice. Located in the west of Funchal, it is the largest and most popular public beach in the region. This beach is located near the Lido promenade, at the promenade connecting the Câmara de Lobos.
Beach: pebble beach
Location: about 10 minutes drive from Funchal
Parking: parking is difficult, there is a large pay car park and a small side street which is free but with limited spaces.
Where to stay: Sao Martinho – Funchal hotels
Central located apartment based on own experience
São Martinho – 2 bedroom apartment for groups or families
If you prefer self-catering I would like to recommend the following two bedroom apartment. An excellent choice for families with children and groups of friends.
It has a fully equipped kitchen, beautiful views and free enclosed parking. The apartment also has a large balcony with fantastic views of the ocean and the sunset over Cabo Girão. The apartment is in a great location in a safe and quiet area. The natural pools of “Doca do Cavacas” are a 5-minute walk from the apartment and Formosa beach is a 15-minute walk away. Supermarket, restaurant and a large shopping centre are also within 5-10 minutes walk. The host was very helpful and flexible, easy to communicate with.
Praia do Garajua
The list would not be complete without Praia do Garajua. This quiet, black pebble beach is located within a nature reserve. Its calm and clear waters make it popular with divers. You can get to the beach by taking the Garajau cable car.
Garajau Nature Reserve Kayak and Snorkel Tour – booking
Beach: pebble beach
Location: about 20 minutes drive from Funchal
Parking: in the car park by the cable car. The lift costs a few euros.
Where to stay: Caniço hotels
Praia da Laje
Located at the western end of Seixal is Laje Beach, often called Praia da Jamaica because of the palm trees lining the road. This beach is mostly covered in black pebbles and is a real hidden gem. Swimming is recommended only when the sea is calm, but you can still enjoy the scenery surrounding the pebble beach while strolling along the promenade. Beach: pebble beach with palm trees
Location: about 40 minutes drive from Funchal
Of course, in addition to the above, Madeira has many other wonderful sandy and pebble beaches.
Best Time to Go to Madeira – Weather, Seasons & Travel Tips
– Bath complexes and natural lava pools –
BAth Complexes
Due to the rocky shores, bathing complexes are very common on the island, built on rocky areas where the water is difficult to access. They range from free to paid, fresh to salt water, small to large. There is usually a natural beach nearby, but some are not recommended because of the huge waves.
Natural Lava Pools
In addition to Madeira’s beaches, it is also important to mention the island’s spa complexes and natural pools.
The pools of Porto Moniz and Seixal are definitely among the most iconic spots in Madeira and are well worth a visit. There are almost 4000 m2 of natural swimming pools in Porto Moniz. A shallower pool and a playground are provided for children. The paid areas are very well equipped, with toilets, showers, restaurants and sun beds.
– The sandy beach of Porto Santo Island –
Porto Santo is part of the Madeira archipelago. It lies 42 km northeast of the main island, Madeira, and can be reached by plane or ferry.
The archipelago’s most beautiful beach, without a doubt, is located on the island of Porto Santo. The island’s 9-kilometer stretch of golden sandy beach is one of the most inviting attractions for visitors.. Bars and beach umbrellas line the shore, making it the perfect spot to relax.
Porto Santo Island, Madeira – travel guide and attractions
Are you looking for a 4- or 5-star hotel with an excellent rating?
Pestana, the Portuguese hotel chain!
With five decades of history, the Pestana Hotel Group is the largest Portuguese multinational group in the tourism industry. The hotel chain opened its first hotel in Madeira in 1972, the Pestana Carlton Madeira.
Currently it also offers accommodation in other the European countries, as well as in America and Africa, with more than 100 hotels and 12,000 rooms.
Pestana has 18 hotels on the archipelago, of which 15 are located in Madeira and 3 in Porto Santo.
Final Thoughts
Madeira beaches may not be the typical white sand tropical spots, but that’s exactly what makes them so special. From volcanic pebble beaches and golden imported sand to stunning natural lava pools, the island offers a unique coastal experience you won’t find elsewhere. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing swim, dramatic ocean views, or something a bit more adventurous, Madeira has a beach for every travel style.
No matter which ones you choose to visit, exploring these diverse الساحلية spots will definitely be one of the highlights of your Madeira trip.
Need help planning your trip?
Here are my favourite sites to use when planning my trips:
Find your flight: Kiwi or use the airline’s direct website
Book your Hotel: Booking.com and Airbnb
Search for a rental car: Discovercars
Stay Connected Anywhere: Airalo eSIM
Book an unforgettable experiences: GetYourGuide website.
Source: Wandering Linda and visitmadeira.com
Photos: Wandering Linda
Affiliate Program: Please note, this post may contain affiliate links, which means that I get a small commission on sales generated through this website. This doesn’t increase the price of the service, so if you found my post useful, you’re welcome to start your booking from the link above. Thank you very much for your support!
