7 Snorkelling Trips in Madeira, Compared

1.Ponta de São Lourenço Snorkeling Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 199 reviews · 2 hours · from $41Our pick

From Marina da Quinta do Lorde, ride a speedboat to Baia d’Abra for guided snorkeling among fish and volcanic rock formations. Wetsuit, mask, snorkel and fins are included, along with a safety briefing. Crew members on past trips have included guides Jessie, Hernan, Nico and Esmé, and captains Tiago and Blad. The outing lasts two hours and depends on sea conditions.

“Very quick trip to get to the snorkel area. The guide did a good job of explaining everything to everyone in multiple languages. I am an experienced snorkeler & diver so I could appreciate that she was making sure everyone felt comfortable w their equipment & getting in the water. She also came around and pointed out a few different creatures. This was very different than the diving I’m used to in the keys but it was very beautiful and the water was crystal clear, visibility was excellent. I would return and do a dive trip with this company if I come back to Madeira!”

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2.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!”

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3.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”

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4.Snorkeling Adventure in Eco-Park / Shore or by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 71 reviews · from $17Best value

At Funchal’s Marine Eco Park, choose self-guided snorkeling over the house reef or a guided boat trip in a protected marine reserve. Your two-hour visit includes gear, a short lesson and a safety briefing, with changing rooms and showers at the meeting point inside Pestana Carlton hotel.

“wonderful spot for snorkeling, so many different fishes and marine life! The support staff was super friendly and explained everything i needed for my 2-hour swim. definitely a must!!”

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5.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…”

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6.KAYAK Rental or Guided tour with snorkeling

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

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.”

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7.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.”

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