From Funchal: Wooden Boat Excursion to Desertas Island

The main draw is the crossing itself: you leave Funchal behind and spend hours on open water, with the Desertas’ steep, bare cliffs as your destination. With so many miles at sea, you have a good chance of spotting marine life, though dolphins and whales are never guaranteed.

I like the contrast between a full day on the Atlantic and a short visit to a remote protected reserve. I also like that lunch, drinks, and a swim stop are included in the $106 price. The catch is important: some departures have required swimming to shore, and the island walk may be much shorter, or less available, than you expect.

Key points to know before you book

• Plan for a long crossing: One account of the trip describes about 6.5 of the 8.5 hours spent on the boat.
• Wildlife is possible, not promised: Covering many miles gives you a strong chance of seeing marine life, including dolphins and whales.
• Island access may mean swimming: Some departures have not provided a dry landing, so pack for getting wet before you step ashore.
• The walk is brief: A guided visit of about 20 minutes is advertised, but the walk may be limited to a short loop.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect the operator’s set lunch, one drink with lunch, fruit as specified, a welcome Madeira wine, and another drink on the return.
• Sea conditions matter: The crossing can be rough, and the trip is not suitable for people prone to seasickness or non-swimmers.

The real attraction is the Atlantic crossing

This is not a quick hop to a beach. From Funchal, the boat heads out across open water toward the Desertas, a small group of remote islands protected as a natural reserve. The cliffs and stark, dry slopes make a striking change from Madeira’s familiar coast, but the sea passage is a major part of the day, not merely the route between stops.

The excursion lasts 8.5 hours. One description of the day puts roughly 6.5 hours of that time on the boat, leaving about two hours for lunch and the island stop. That estimate is useful when deciding if the trip suits you: you need to enjoy being at sea, not simply tolerate the crossing as a means to an end.

The boat covers a lot of water, which improves your odds of spotting marine life. Dolphins are possible, and whales may appear too, but there is no guarantee of a sighting. Think of wildlife as a welcome bonus rather than the main promise. Bring sunglasses and a hat, and keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole crossing waiting for a fin.

The sea can be choppy. If you are prone to seasickness, this is a poor match, and the trip is also listed as unsuitable for non-swimmers. Those warnings matter: this is a full day in open water, followed by a swim stop, with no promise of a dry route ashore.

Leaving Funchal from pier 8

The meeting point is at pier 8 in Funchal Marina, where you should look for the Bonita da Madeira kiosk in the middle of the pier area. The starting and return point is Av. do Mar. Getting yourself to the marina and paying for parking are not included, so allow time to find the kiosk and sort out your own transport.

A welcome glass of Madeira wine begins the outing. It is a nice local touch, and a relaxed way to start before the boat heads out. The guide speaks English and Portuguese; no guide’s name is provided, so do not expect a named guide in advance.

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, but bring waterproof footwear too. The combination may sound fussy until you consider the swim stop and the possibility that reaching shore means wading or swimming. Pack your towel and swimsuit where you can reach them easily, rather than buried at the bottom of a bag.

Large bags and oversize luggage are not allowed. Pets are not permitted, apart from assistance dogs; fishing and glass objects are also prohibited. A small day bag with the basics is the sensible choice.

The Desertas stop: beautiful, brief, and not always dry

The islands are the day’s visual payoff. Their dramatic cliffs and remote setting make the approach memorable, and the protected status of the reserve gives the stop a different feel from a standard beach visit. You are coming to a place with limited access and untouched nature, not a developed resort with facilities and a long menu of activities.

Once there, you may have time to walk, swim, or return to the boat. A guided visit of around 20 minutes is described, and the route has also been characterized as a roughly 200-meter circular path with information plaques. That makes this a short nature stop, not a proper island hike. If you are picturing hours on marked trails, reset your expectations.

More important, do not assume you can step from the boat straight onto dry land. Some departures have not offered a dry landing, meaning you have to swim to shore and may sit there in wet swimwear. That can be pleasant in warm sun; in wind or cloud, it can turn uncomfortable quickly. The trip details emphasize a swimming stop, but they do not make a dry landing a safe assumption.

Before booking, ask Bonita da Madeira how passengers will get ashore on your departure and whether the guided walk is running. The accounts of this trip conflict on those points, and they change the character of the day. If a walk on the island is your main reason for going, get a clear answer rather than relying on the general description.

A swim or snorkel can still make the stop worthwhile if you are comfortable in the water and the conditions cooperate. But pack your towel and a warm layer even if the forecast looks sunny. You may need the jacket after swimming, and you will not want to depend on the boat having a spare towel.

Lunch, drinks, and what the price covers

At $106 per person, the price includes a lot of boat time, the island stop, a welcome Madeira wine, lunch, and a swimming stop. Lunch is a pre-established option rather than a meal you select from a menu. One drink is included with lunch, with choices listed as water, Coca-Cola, beer, or red or white wine; fruit is also specified, along with another free drink on the return.

That package helps the price make more sense, especially if you value a full-day boat outing and do not want to arrange food separately. Still, it is worth confirming the exact meal and what is being served before departure. One departure has not matched the stated fruit and return-drink offer, so treat those inclusions as details to check, not a reason to leave snacks behind.

Bring snacks regardless. The day is long, and the included meal may not suit every appetite or dietary need; no menu alternatives are provided in the tour information. Food and drinks can also be useful if the crossing feels longer than expected, though glass objects are not allowed.

The boat can feel crowded, according to one account. Group size is not specified, so you cannot judge how much room you will have to move around or find a quiet place. If personal space is a priority, ask the operator about expected passenger numbers before you reserve.

Who will enjoy this day, and who should skip it

This outing makes the most sense if you like boats, open water, remote coastlines, and the possibility of seeing wildlife. It is a particularly good fit for someone who views the crossing as a central part of the outing, rather than a long wait before a substantial island walk. The views and the sense of distance from Funchal are the strongest reasons to go.

It is less suitable if you get seasick, do not swim, or feel uncomfortable in wet clothes. The tour is explicitly not recommended for non-swimmers or people prone to seasickness, and the landing uncertainty adds a practical reason to take those cautions seriously. If you have a cold, the activity is also listed as unsuitable.

Weather can shape the island stop. A swim ashore may be pleasant under sun and calm conditions, but cold wind and no sunshine can make sitting in wet swimwear unpleasant. Bring a jacket, towel, sunscreen, cap, and comfortable clothes; the right mix is protection from both sun and a cool return after swimming.

At 8.5 hours, this is a full day. Do not schedule a tight commitment immediately afterward, especially since the return time can depend on conditions at sea. The tour starts and ends at the marina, and private pickup, drop-off, and parking are not included.

Booking, cancellations, and final advice

The tour is offered in English and Portuguese. You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation up to 24 hours in advance is eligible for a full refund. Check the available start times for your date, and make sure the meeting point is clear: pier 8, at the Bonita da Madeira kiosk.

I would book this if I wanted a long, scenic sea day and was happy to swim, with wildlife sightings as a bonus. I would pause if my priority were a guided island walk or a dry landing, and I would contact the operator first to confirm exactly how shore access works on the day. The trip can be memorable, but its value depends on being comfortable with the boat ride and realistic about how brief the island visit may be.

FAQ

How long is the trip?

The full outing lasts 8.5 hours, including the crossing, island stop, and return to Funchal.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at pier 8 at Funchal Marina, by the Bonita da Madeira kiosk in the middle of the pier area.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A pre-established lunch is included, with one drink per person, fruit as specified, and another free drink on the return.

Can I expect to see dolphins or whales?

There is a good possibility of marine-life sightings because the boat covers many miles, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Do I need to swim to reach the island?

Some departures have required passengers to swim ashore, and a dry landing is not assured. Confirm the arrangement for your departure with the operator before booking if this matters to you.

Is the tour suitable for non-swimmers?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for non-swimmers and includes a swimming stop.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable and waterproof shoes, swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, a jacket, comfortable clothes, and snacks. Large bags and glass objects are not allowed.