Where to swim in Madeira?
The volcanic pools, known as Madeira Natural Pools are the best swimming experiences on the island.
In the article, I share the 4 best locations to experience the lava pools and other alternative to swim by the sea.
Enjoy!
Before all my tips + photos, let me share my best-of to plan your Madeira trip:
My favorite platform to rent a car in Madeira: Discovercars
My favorite boat tour: Catamaran tour to go whale watching
My favorite places to stay in Funchal: Les Suites at the Cliff Bay (Luxury) - Sé Boutique Hotel (4 stars) - Market Place by Storytellers (apartments)
My favorite places to stay outside Funchal: Saccharum Resort near a beach (Luxury) - Estalagem da Ponta do Sol (4 stars) - Engho Velho Hotel (mid-range)
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Where to swim in Madeira? Natural pools & more
You don't really visit Madeira for its beaches. There are nice ones, but they are mostly pebble beaches. Nothing tropical and dreamy.
So, where do you swim in Madeira?
Best swimming areas in Madeira
- The natural pools - the best options for a more unique experience - one of the top things to do in Madeira
- The seaside public pools (some of them with sea water)
- The beaches with rock walls creating pool-like experiences
- The hotels with their own pool complexes
- You can also swim from a boat, with dolphins or not - learn more in my article about the Madeira boat tours
- And you can also swim in the ocean from a beach - learn more in my article about the best Madeira beaches
In the article below is my selection of the best options for each type of swimming experience.
Map of the best natural pools (volcanic pools)
To get your oriented, below is a map with the top 4 natural pools in Madeira
They are all included (with all my favorite locations) in my travel Guide eBook that helps you easily plan your Madeira trip:
Plan your perfect trip around Madeira!
- 7 easy-to-plan Maps
- 120+ pre-selected scenic locations
- Planning tips to make the most of your time
- 260+ large photos to decide where to go
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
#1 - Porto Moniz Natural Pools (Cachalote / Velhas)
- About the Piscinas Naturais Velhas
Many people visit Porto Moniz for the volcanic natural pools. They are the most famous on the island. But often people refer to the semi-natural ones that have been made smoother for public use (see #2). However, I think the best ones are the more natural ones, those near the fort.
They are very photogenic with the island, and the long strips of volcanic rocks surrounded by water.
I first explored on foot and took many pictures with the blue green of the water, the lush hills and the volcanic rock.
And then I went swimming. This was one of my favorite swimming experiences on my travels. Probably because I loooove volcanic rocks. LOL.
The seawater was cool. The pools are quite deep and you can really swim around. It is like a labyrinth.
So much fun and so beautiful!
- Location -
Porto Moniz, North West tip of Madeira
1h drive from Funchal - Accessibility -
Easy to access (few stairs or slope)
Those pools have rock with sharp edges, be careful
Deep pools
No lifeguards
Free access - Practical Tips -
Avoid 10am to 3pm when most tours visit the town.
Cachalote Restaurant right next to it.
Don't bring too much stuff. The areas around the pools are not big. A waterproof bag could give you peace of mind.
I think it is a great place to spend a night to go swimming when the crowds have left. This is a good place to explore the North-West Coast, the East coast and the Fanal Forest. - See best rated accommodations in Porto Moniz.
#2 - Porto Moniz Natural Pools (Piscinas Naturais) - Madeira Volcanic pools
- About The Porto Moniz Piscinas Naturais
Those are the most famous volcanic pools on the island.
They have been modified to create a safer swimming environment. The rocks have been smoothed and there are shallow areas.
It feels more like a traditional pool experience, just with a decor of black volcanic rock.
However, if you have kids, this is a better option to let them have fun.
- Location -
Porto Moniz, North West tip of Madeira
1h drive from Funchal - Accessibility -
Easy to access
Lifeguard on duty
Access for a small fee (1.50 euros)
Open 9am to 7pm in Summer (to 5pm in Winter) - Practical Tips -
Avoid 10am to 3pm when most tours visit the town.
Restaurants right next to it.
Changing rooms and toilets
See best rated accommodations in Porto Moniz.
I don't drink coffee
But I like other drinks and foods!
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#3 - Seixal Natural Pools - Madeira lava pools
- About the Seixal Natural Pools - Poças das Lesmas
For an experience a little more off the beaten path, you can also stop at the Seixal natural pools. They were also formed by volcanic rocks.
They are less visit because more difficult to access. But they are very impressive because of:
- their location at the foot of the cliffs
- the giant arch of volcanic rocks
The weather was not the best for pictures when I visited, but they are magnificent and a different experience worth having.
Plus, not far from the pools, you can find one of the rare sandy beaches in Madeira (black sand).
See more pictures
- Location -
Seixal village, North Coast
15min drive East of Porto Moniz.
45min drive from Funchal - Accessibility -
That is the negative point of those pools.
The drive is easy. But from the carpark you have to go down to the pools at the bottom of the cliff.
There are stairs and slopes. It is quite steep.
Free access - Practical Tips -
No lifeguards
Great location to watch the sun rising.
There are several pools with walking path between them.
For photographers, good conditions can create stunning reflections under the arch.
Seixal is a nice quiet place to stay to explore the North coast and the West of the island. - See best rated accommodations in Seixal
#4 - Pocas do Gomes / Doca do Cavacas
- About Doca Do Cavacas
As I visited the tunnel Poças do Gomes to see the sea cave, I discovered the naturals pools of Doca do Cavacas.
They are located on a small tip next to the large beach of Praia Formosa.
The lava rocks have been modified to allow visitor to walk around and swim around.
- Location -
At the end of the Lido Promenade, West of Funchal
15min drive from Funchal old town - Accessibility -
Staircase from road to the pools
Daily ticket 5,20€
9am to 8pm - Practical Tips -
Restaurant right next to the pools
Lifeguard
Showers and toilets
Small area
Don't miss the tunnel next to it. In the middle, there are 3 windows to admire a sea cave cut into the volcanic rock.
Need to rent a car in Madeira?
My tips:
- Compare car rental prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com - one of the best customer-rated comparison sites!
- Choose the car and company you prefer (with enough power for steep roads)
- Consider their full coverage option - I always take it for peace of mind!
- Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!
3 best coastal pools (with sea water or not)
The pools above were natural, where the rocks created basins and sea water fills them in.
However, since Madeira does not have the best beaches, you can also find some other fantastic swimming pools, right by the sea.
Below are some other options.
Note that I cannot guarantee opening hours. They can be closed due to maintenance or water quality issues or health situations.
Complexo Balnear do Porto da Cruz
- About -
This is one of my favorite public pools in Madeira. It is filled with seawater.
The views are magnificent, all the way to Ponta de Sao Lourenço (the tail of Madeira).
The pools are quite spacious. Here, you can find a mix of tourists and locals. - Location -
Porto da Cruz, North-East Coast
35min drive from Funchal - Accessibility -
Easy access
Small fee (1.5euros) - Practical Tips -
Lifeguards
Showers and toilets
Be careful at high tide, as waves can crash over one side of the pool. - See best rated accommodations in Porto da Cruz
Complexo Balnear do Lido
- About -
Along the Lido promenade, you can find several bathing complexes with different types of pools
The Balnear do Lido is great for those looking to sunbathe.
But it also has a kid pools with play areas
It offers access to the sea.
It is considered one of the top swimming complex in terms of excellence of services. - Location -
Lido area, West of Funchal
10 to 15min drive from old town - Accessibility -
Few staircases
Entrance for a fee (5 euros day ticket)
9am to 7pm in Summer, to 6pm in Winter - Practical Tips -
Lifeguards
Changing rooms, showers, toilets
Bar
Ponta Gorda
- About -
This other pool complex on the Lido promenade is geared more towards families and young kids.
This is a safer environment with shallow pools and play areas.
Access to the sea and to a tidal pool.
And in Summer, they usually set up floating platforms and other play areas in the sea around. - Location -
Lido area, West of Funchal
10 to 15min drive from old town - Accessibility -
Easy to access from the Lido Promenade
Entrance for a fee (5 euros day ticket)
9am to 6pm in Summer - Practical Tips -
Lifeguards
Changing rooms, showers, toilets
Bar
Funchal Pool - Complexo Balnear da Barreirinha
- About -
This is not one of the best swimming area, but I thought I should include it for those staying in the old town of Funchal.
If you need to refresh, this area with access to the sea is located next to the yellow fort, East of the old market.
Here, you can find a lot of local teenagers. - Practical tips -
Bar
Toilets, changing rooms
Lifeguards
3 Madeira Beaches with protected pool like areas
If you are looking for all the best beaches in Madeira, head to my other article.
In this section, I am just introducing 3 beaches, that use dykes and rocks to create pool-like experiences with the seawater.
Praia dos Reis Magos
- About -
Small beach with a variety of options: Pebble beaches, access to sea with volcanic cliffs, boats... and a rectangular pool-like area with stair access and protection with walls and rocks. - Location -
Caniço, East Coast
15min drive from Funchal - Practical Tips -
Large carpark. Slope / stairs to access the beach
Free access
Bar
Great location for diving.
See the best rated accommodations in Caniço
Faial
- About -
Faial is a lesser known option, yet it is one of my favorite.
The pools like circular area offers magnificent views of the cliffs and the valley. - Location -
Town of Faial, North Coast, not far from famous Santana.
35min drive from Funchal - Practical Tips -
Large carpark
Easy and Free access
Restaurant nearby
See the accommodations in Faial
Praia da Calheta
- About -
Praia da Calheta is one of the most famous beaches in Madeira. It is because it has golden sand (imported).
But it is also because they have created an oval shape with one beach at each end and protected swimming areas in the middle. - Location -
Calheta, South Coast
40min drive, West of Funchal - Practical Tips -
Large carpark but fills up midday (parking for a fee°
Free access to beaches
Restaurants
See the best rated accommodations in Calheta
Hotel coastal pools
Your last options for swimming is to choose a hotel with a fantastic swimming pool.
There are several on the island that have created bathing complex by the sea.
Vidamar Resort
Pestana Palms
For example:
- Vidamar Resort
In the Lido area, with several pools right by the sea and access to the sea water.
Check out photos and availability - Pestana Grand Ocean Resort Hotel
in the Lido area with a large outdoor pool but no direct access to the sea
Check out photos and availability - Estalagem da Ponta do Sol
In Ponta do Sol with a fantastic infinity pool and great ocean views
Check out photos and availability - Belmond Reid’s Palace
In Funchal hotel area, with pools overlooking the sea and the smaller pool at sea level with the lava rocks.
Check out photos and availability - Apart'hotel Pestana Palms
In Lido area, by the sea
Check out photos and availability
Caniço hotels and pools
Want to see more of the best Madeira offers?
- 42 Madeira travel tips to plan an unforgettable trip - read article
- Where to stay in Madeira - best areas - read article
- The best landscapes in Madeira in 40 pictures - read article
- The 7 cables cars in Madeira and their amazing views - read article
- Best time to visit Madeira - read article
- Tips to rent a car and drive around Madeira - read article
- 12 Madeira Hidden Gems - read article
- The 7 best boats tours in Madeira - read article
- The 18 best beaches in Madeira - read article
Planning a trip to Madeira?
Check out my travel guide to help you plan:
Plan your perfect trip around Madeira!
- 7 easy-to-plan Maps
- 120+ pre-selected scenic locations
- Planning tips to make the most of your time
- 260+ large photos to decide where to go
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
And keep track of your own trip!
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