13 Madeira Kayak Tours, Compared

1.Garajau Nature Reserve Kayak and Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 906 reviews · 3 hours · from $41Our pick

Paddle from Funchal toward Garajau Nature Reserve, then swim and snorkel among Madeira’s native marine life. The three-hour outing includes kayak and snorkel equipment, a guide in English, Spanish, or Portuguese, and a break at a pebble beach. Guides such as Marco, Hugo, and Luis have led trips, though your guide may vary.

“It was a great experience! The water was so clear and the snorkeling spot had a lot of colourful fishes. There also was enough time to explore and enjoy! Our guide gave us information about the fish we could observe. The kayaking was a nice workout and not too challenging. Thanks a lot!”

Check availability →Read our full verdict

2.Half-Day Coasteering Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 131 reviews · from $74Top rated

At Baía d’Abra near Caniçal, a guide leads you along Madeira’s rocky southeast coast by swimming, climbing, snorkeling in caves and choosing whether to jump from ledges between 1 and 10 meters high. Jumps are optional, and guides such as Beto, Alex, Diego, Felipe and Yvonne have led trips. Plan on four hours, including pickup.

“I had a blast. If you like jumping off cliffs and being in the ocean you will love this. Beto and Alfonso (sorry if I butcher your name) we're great guides and made the tour even more entertaining.”

Check availability →Read our full verdict

3.Kayak and Snorkeling Tour in Underwater Nature Reserve Garajau

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 111 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $59

Kayak along Madeira’s rocky coast with Lokoloko Madeira, then snorkel in the Garajau Underwater Nature Reserve. Your guide supplies a life jacket and snorkeling gear, and may point out fish such as parrotfish and sea bream. Guides including Pedro, Hugo, and Luis have led trips, but sea conditions shape the route and whether kayaking can go ahead.

“Smooth pick up and admin. Kayak was fun and during snorkelling we saw lots of fish, including parrotfish. Our guide Bosco was super friendly and fun!”

Check availability →Read our full verdict

4.Quinta do Lorde: Kayak Experience in Ponta de São Lourenço

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 106 reviews · 1 day · from $44

Take a Zodiac from Marina Quinta do Lorde to Cais do Sardinha, then paddle along the coast with a guide. The group is limited to 10, and guides such as Lino and Martin have led outings here. After kayaking, you can swim, explore the headland or stop at Casa do Sardinha Nature Spot Café.

“Does require a long bus ride from funchal if you don't have car. Bus stops not marked either. In odd deserted hotel village but was fun getting speed boat taxi to kayak area. the kayaking itself not hard or far, the main part was the snorkelling and seeing lots of fishes”

Check availability →Read our full verdict

5.Caniço, Madeira: Marine Reserve Kayak & Snorkelling Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 104 reviews · 2 hours · from $57

Paddle along Caniço’s rugged coast with a local guide, then snorkel in the protected waters of Garajau Marine Reserve. The two-hour outing is limited to 10 people and includes a kayak, paddle, life jacket, and snorkel gear. Guides such as Ben and Marcos have helped guests with paddling tips and local details. Sea conditions can change the route.

“Nice and friendly guides, kayak was fun, expected to see a bit more variation in fish with regard to snorkeling but overall very fun experience”

Check availability →Read our full verdict

6.Kayak Experience @ Ponta de São Lourenço

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 79 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $45

Meet at Marina da Quinta do Lorde, then take a boat to Cais do Sardinha for a kayak outing in Ponta de São Lourenço Natural Reserve. You’ll get a lifejacket and a short area guide, with a chance to see coastal wildlife and, on some outings, stop to swim or snorkel. Guides praised by name include Lino and Eugido, though your guide may vary.

“Our guide was very knowledgeable and very safe. We didn’t know that the tour could also include snorkeling for the same price. We were able to stop, swim and snorkel. Overall an amazing experience.”

Check availability →Read our full verdict

7.Kayak & Snorkeling in Garajau Nature Reserve

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 68 reviews · from $34

Paddle from Funchal toward Ponta do Lazareto, then snorkel in the Garajau Nature Reserve with a guide and a group of up to 10. The 2.5-hour outing includes kayak and snorkel gear, safety support and coastal ecology insights. Expect to get wet, wear your swimsuit from the start and bring water shoes for the rocky shore.

“Absolutely fantastic. Our guide was nice, didnt talk much, but was always very keen on helping us with questions. The ride was super chill. Getting out turned out to be interesting, as the waves were suddenly a bit bigger then expected and made us flip over. You will need to be able to handle that situation, as the waves can be pretty cruel. Pro tip: You will definately need watershoes for the rocky landscape over there if you don't want to break your ankle. And I've learnt not to keep my sandals on. :) Maybe the description could also mention that for the ride one needs to be IN swimming…”

Check availability →Read our full verdict

8.KAYAK Rental or Guided tour with snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 20 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $29Best value

Kayak or rent equipment for an unguided paddle off Funchal, with a chance to swim and snorkel along the way. Madeira Divepoint supplies the kayak, paddle, lifejacket and snorkel gear, and limits groups to six. Fabio and Roberto have guided sessions, though your guide may differ. Expect a short swim to reach the equipment, which waits at a mooring.

“Fabio and Roberto made sure everyone had an amazing time. Very fun activity and suitable for most. My friend Marwan Alhaddad also says he enjoyed.”

Check availability →Read our full verdict

9.Calheta Kayak Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 12 reviews · from $37

Set out from Calheta Beach with an experienced guide for a 1.5-hour kayak trip to Zimbralinho Beach or Cal Islet. Learn basic paddling, look for sea caves when conditions permit, and take in views toward Porto Santo. The guide also takes photos. The route depends on the sea, so this is best for flexible paddlers.

“I was sad it was not possible to do kayaking, but the guided trip around the Island with Antonio was great substitution. Thanks.”

Check availability →Read our full verdict

10.Private Guided Kayaking Tour in Madeira

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 12 reviews · 1.5 hours

Set out from Câmara de Lobos Bay with local guide Roberto for a 1.5-hour private kayak trip along Madeira’s coast. Paddle toward the Cabo Girão Protected Area and its famous Skywalk, take in the cliffs and clear water, and use the included snorkeling gear if conditions allow. Kayak equipment, a life vest, Lycra, insurance, and GoPro pictures are included.

“Roberto is an passionate guide. He knows a lot of the ocean and tells his stories with passion about the ocean. He also makes it a lot of fun! He is enthousiastic en empowering in every way. And he is a gifted enstructor i felt really save with him. As his origin in Madeira he also shared a lot of knowledge about the island and we got two roadtrips across the island wich was amazing and so kind he shared it with us. Thanks again for the amazing kayak tour and we also booked the sub tour wich was amazing aswell!”

Check availability →Read our full verdict

11.SUP Rental or Guided tour with snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 9 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $34

Spend 90 minutes on a stand-up paddleboard off Funchal, either with a guide or at your own pace within a set distance. The group is capped at six, and snorkeling gear is available for a swim break. Meet at the sea-level entrance inside the Pestana Carlton hotel; you’ll swim a short distance to reach the boards.

“Wszystko poszło pomyślnie, widoki były przepiękne, dotarłam bez problemu. Cała obsługa jest serdeczna i pomocna. Jedyne co, to pan, który poinstruował mnie jak korzystać z deski - obiecał odebrać mnie z deski o umówionej godzinie, gdy skończę pływać (potwierdzonej kilka razy) nie dotarł. Po odczekaniu 10 minut na desce na wodzie, poprosiłam innych turystów na pomoście o pomoc w wejściu z powrotem na ląd i z zamocowaniem deski, żeby nie odpłynęła i żebym ja była bezpieczna.”

Check availability →Read our full verdict

12.Standup Paddle

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 6 reviews · 1 hour · from $35

Meet Madeira WaterSports at Marina Nova do Funchal, Pier 8, for a one-hour stand-up paddle outing. You’ll get equipment and a short safety and paddling orientation before heading onto the water to take in Funchal’s coast and marine life. It’s best approached as a paddleboard hire, not a full lesson. Fall and winter visits include a €15 round-trip speedboat transfer.

“We had so much fun paddle boarding - this is great value for money, but it is just for hire so do not expect any lessons. We weren’t sure about the timing of our slot so we rang in the morning and they said to turn up whenever we wanted - we arrived about 11 and went straight out to sea, but worth noting there were a lot of people queuing for various activities when we came out. There are some worrying reviews on trip advisor about getting into the water and having to walk down a slippy path into the sea, we didn’t find it so bad, just take…”

Check availability →Read our full verdict

13.Private Sunset Boat Trip – Snorkel & Paddle

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 4 reviews

Set out from Funchal Marina with a private group and a local skipper for a 2.5-hour sunset cruise past Câmara de Lobos and the 580-meter cliffs of Cabo Girão. Snorkeling gear and music are included; bring your own food, drinks, towel and jacket. Fabio has been praised for attentive service and local insight.

“This is a must do when in Madeira! An unforgettable sunset and stunning views of the coast! From relaxing on board with a glass of wine, listening to your chosen music to the refreshing dip in the sea - this tour ticked all the boxes. Fabio was very attentive , kind and supplied us with a wealth of knowledge! Safe to say we will be re-booking this tour on our next trip to Madeira!”

Check availability →Read our full verdict