Desertas Islands Full-Day Catamaran Trip from Funchal

The best part of this trip is the feeling of reaching a protected place that you can only approach by sea. After roughly three hours on the catamaran, you reach the Desertas Islands, where volcanic cliffs, clear water, and a small guided visit replace Madeira’s busy roads and resort streets. The islands feel remote because they are.

I like two things in particular: the chance to learn how the monk seal is protected, and the easy mix of sightseeing and water time. You can walk with a guide, eat lunch on board, then swim, snorkel, or try stand-up paddleboarding. Wildlife sightings can be remarkable, including dolphins and pilot whales, though no animal encounter is promised.

The main drawback is the long crossing. You spend about three hours sailing each way, and the catamaran’s bench seating may feel hard by the end. Getting from the small tender onto the rocky beach can also be awkward, especially if you have mobility problems or poor footing.

Key points to know before booking

• A full day at sea: Plan on about nine hours, with roughly three hours each way between Funchal and the Desertas Islands.
• Deserta Grande is the only landing island: You can disembark there, but the visit is a short guided walk rather than a free day of hiking.
• The monk seal center is educational, not a viewing site: You learn about conservation work, but seeing a monk seal is not guaranteed.
• Lunch and drinks are included: The meal is served on board, and vegetarian and vegan options can be arranged.
• Bring proper footwear: Wet rocks make flip-flops a poor choice. Beach shoes, water shoes, Crocs, or sturdy footwear you do not mind getting wet are better.
• Wildlife is a welcome bonus: Dolphins, pilot whales, bottlenose dolphins, and even killer whales have been seen, but the trip is not a guaranteed whale-watching tour.

Why the Desertas Islands feel different from Madeira

Madeira is famous for steep mountains, levada walks, gardens, and cliffside viewpoints. The Desertas Islands offer something else: a protected marine and volcanic setting reached only by boat.

The Natural Reserve covers 12,586 hectares. That includes Ilhéu Chão, Deserta Grande, Bugio, nearby islets, and the surrounding sea. The reserve has protected status for more than 25 years, which helps explain why the visit feels controlled rather than developed.

You will not find a town, a string of restaurants, or a long menu of organized activities on the islands. The appeal is the raw setting and the chance to see how a conservation area is managed. For me, that gives the trip more purpose than a simple scenic cruise.

The price is about $106 per person. That is not cheap, but the fare covers the catamaran cruise, lunch, drinks, a guided visit, and time for swimming and other water activities. A full day on the open sea also requires a crew, boat, safety arrangements, and access to a protected island. I see the price as reasonable if you want a single, unusual day outside Madeira itself.

If you mainly want a short boat ride, this is too long. If you like remote places, sea views, and the chance to combine nature education with swimming, the length is part of the experience.

Starting at Funchal Marina

You meet the guide at the VMT Madeira Kiosk in Funchal Marina. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to make your own way to the marina.

The day begins with a safety briefing before the catamaran leaves Funchal. Take this part seriously. The route crosses open water, and conditions can change during the day. The crew also needs to explain how you will board the tender and reach the island beach.

Wear a windbreaker even if Funchal feels warm. The boat can feel cool and breezy on the outward run, and a jacket is useful on the return journey too. Sunscreen matters as much on a cloudy day as it does in strong sun because you will spend many hours exposed on the water.

The catamaran has a toilet and a bar selling snacks and drinks. That makes the long crossing easier, though the included lunch and drinks should cover the main meal. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, so pack a small day bag only.

The three-hour crossing from Funchal

The outward cruise follows Madeira’s south coast before heading toward the Desertas Islands. This is not simply transport to the main attraction. You get extended views of the ocean and Madeira from a different angle, with plenty of time to watch the volcanic coast recede.

The length of the crossing is both the trip’s charm and its biggest challenge. If you enjoy being at sea, three hours gives you time to settle into the rhythm of the boat. You might spot dolphins or whales along the route, and several trips have recorded bottlenose dolphins, pilot whales, and even a group of killer whales.

You should not book this as a guaranteed wildlife trip. Animals are wild, and there is no promise that you will see anything. The Desertas visit remains the main event, while marine wildlife is a fortunate extra.

Comfort is worth thinking about before you reserve. One boat review praised the crew, food, and route but found the bench-style seating hard during the long journey. Bring a light layer, choose practical clothing, and expect a day spent mostly sitting, walking, or standing on a moving boat.

Landing on Deserta Grande

Deserta Grande is the only island in the group where visitors can disembark. You do not simply step from the catamaran onto a pier. A small tender takes you toward the volcanic beach, where you enter clear water and make your way onto the shore.

This is where sensible footwear matters most. The stones can be slippery, and getting in or out of the tender may be difficult. Flip-flops offer little grip and can easily become a nuisance. Wear water shoes, beach shoes, Crocs, or another secure pair that can get wet.

The landing adds a little adventure, but it also creates a clear limit for anyone with mobility impairments. The activity is not suitable for people who have difficulty boarding a small boat, walking over uneven stones, or moving between the beach and the tender.

Once ashore, you get views of volcanic formations and the protected island setting. The scenery is stark and quiet, with the sea doing most of the work. Do not expect a long independent hike. The guided portion is focused around the conservation center and the area near the guard’s house.

The monk seal conservation visit

The monk seal is the reason this reserve has international importance. The guided walk explains the work being done to protect the species, as well as the endemic plants and animals found in the reserve.

This is valuable even if you do not see a seal. The center helps you understand that the Desertas are not simply an empty volcanic backdrop. The marine area and islands are protected because they support fragile wildlife and plant life.

Set your expectations correctly. The trip lets you learn about monk seal conservation, but it does not promise a monk seal sighting. The seals are protected wild animals, and visitors do not enter the reserve to track or approach them.

The guided walk has received mixed practical feedback. At times, a large group can make it hard to hear every explanation or enjoy the stop around the guard’s house. If the group is crowded, stay close to the guide and ask for clarification when needed. The quality of the visit depends partly on how clearly you can follow the explanation.

You may also wish there were more information during parts of the cruise itself. The island walk carries the main educational content, while some of the long sailing stretches are simply time on the water.

Swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding

After the guided visit, you have time near the beach for swimming and other water activities. The water is described as clear, and the volcanic shore gives the stop a setting you will not find at an ordinary hotel beach.

Swimming is the most straightforward choice. Snorkeling is also available, and stand-up paddleboarding may be offered during the water stop. These activities depend on sea conditions and the day’s operation, so think of them as part of the plan rather than a fixed guarantee for every minute.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a change of clothes. A windbreaker still belongs in your bag because the air can feel much cooler once you are back on the catamaran.

The rocks deserve caution. Secure footwear helps you move in and out of the water and protects your feet on the volcanic shore. The beach is not presented as a broad, sandy resort beach, so do not pack as if you are heading to a fully serviced swimming area.

Lunch on board, with useful dietary planning

Lunch is served on the catamaran, along with drinks. The meal has been described as plentiful and varied, and vegetarian and vegan meals can be provided. If you have dietary requirements, state them when booking rather than waiting until lunch.

Eating on board keeps the day moving. You do not lose time looking for a restaurant on an uninhabited island, and you can enjoy the sea views while you eat. It also makes the $106 fare easier to assess because food and drinks are already included.

The setting is casual. This is a working excursion boat, not a formal dining cruise. The meal is a practical part of a long day and a useful break between the island visit and the return crossing.

Who will enjoy this nine-hour outing

I would choose this trip if you want to see a protected part of the Madeira region that cannot be reached by road. It suits people who enjoy the open sea, unusual geology, conservation, and a day with a clear mix of activities.

It is also a good match for anyone who wants more than a wildlife cruise. You have a real landing, a guided conservation visit, lunch, and time in the water. The combination gives the day more variety than sitting on a boat and scanning the horizon.

I would think twice if you get seasick, dislike long boat rides, or need a soft, comfortable seat. The three-hour outward and return journeys take up most of the day. The operator can also cancel if weather conditions are unsafe or if too few people book, with an alternative or full refund offered in that situation.

The trip is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. The tender transfer, slippery stones, and uneven ground are the key concerns, not just the boat ride itself.

Practical packing advice for the Desertas

Keep your packing simple. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, and you will want free hands during the tender transfer.

Bring:

• Comfortable shoes with good grip
• Water shoes or another pair suitable for wet rocks
• A windbreaker
• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen
• A change of clothes

Leave flip-flops at home unless you have another secure pair for the landing. A small bag is enough for the essentials. You also have access to the catamaran’s toilet and bar, so there is no need to pack as if you are camping on the island.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and the crew can refuse service to anyone who is intoxicated. If that causes the trip to be canceled for you, you are not entitled to a refund, so treat this as a firm safety rule.

Should you book the Desertas catamaran trip?

Book it if the idea of sailing for six hours, visiting a protected volcanic island, learning about monk seal conservation, and swimming from a remote beach sounds appealing. The crew and food are frequent strengths, and the chance of dolphins or whales adds real excitement to the crossing.

Skip it if you want a relaxed short cruise, a guaranteed monk seal sighting, or a long independent hike. The guided island visit is limited, the boat seating may be tiring, and the tender landing requires care.

For the right person, this is one of Madeira’s more unusual day trips. You pay for time, not speed: time on the sea, time looking at volcanic formations, time learning why the reserve matters, and time in clear water at the edge of a protected island.

FAQ

Where does the Desertas Islands trip start?

You meet the guide at the VMT Madeira Kiosk in Funchal Marina.

How long does the catamaran trip last?

The activity lasts about nine hours. The sailing time is roughly three hours each way, with the island visit, lunch, guided walk, and water activities in between.

Can I see monk seals?

You can learn about monk seal conservation at the center, but seeing monk seals is not guaranteed.

Can I get off the boat on the Desertas Islands?

Yes. Deserta Grande is the only island in the group where visitors can disembark. You reach the volcanic beach by small tender.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch and drinks are included. Vegetarian and vegan options can be provided.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide speaks English and Portuguese.

Is the trip suitable for someone with mobility difficulties?

No. The operator does not recommend it for people with mobility impairments because boarding the tender and moving over slippery, uneven stones can be difficult.