Madeira’s Natural Pools: 5 Beautiful Coastal Swimming Spots
Madeira’s natural pools are volcanic rock formations, naturally filled by the Atlantic Ocean. They allow visitors to enjoy clean, calm seawater, surrounded by dramatic cliffs and crashing waves.
The natural pools, or piscinas naturais, are a combination of naturally-made and man-made structures. They’re a great alternative, since Madeira’s beaches are generally not ideal for swimming. The natural pools have ladders and areas for sunbathing. Some are free to use, while most charge a fee to visit.
It’s easy to road trip around Madeira, experiencing the different pools along the way!
Key Advice on Madeira’s Natural Pools
- The Tides Matter: Visit at mid to high tide (if possible) for deeper water and better waves.
- Footwear Matters: The volcanic rock can be sharp or slippery, so water shoes are helpful.
- Safety Matters: Many of Madeira’s natural pools have lifeguards during the summer months.
- Seasons Matter: Water temperatures are most comfortable from May through October.
The 3 Sites I Use for Every Trip
– For tours: Viator
-For travel insurance: Travel Guard
– For rental cars: Discover Cars
Map of Madeira’s Natural Pools
Tours to Madeira’s Natural Pools
If you don’t want to rent a car and drive yourself around Madeira, or just have a single day here while your cruise ship stops, here are two great tour options with excellent reviews:
Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools
(Piscinas Naturais de Porto Moniz)
The natural pools at Porto Muniz are arguably the most well-known on Madeira, and you have a couple of options to choose from.
I love the town itself, which is on the northwestern tip of Madeira. Porto Moniz is windy and scenic, with a few restaurants, a small aquarium, and great viewpoints of the rugged coastline.
- Features: Both natural and semi-artificial lava pools.
- Facilities: Amenities include changing rooms, showers, lifeguards, and a children’s pool. Sun loungers and umbrellas are available for rent.
- Safety: Supervised
- Size: Approximately 3,800 m² of swimming area and extensive sunbathing space.
Unfortunately, the day we flew our drone, the natural pool was drained and closed for a new paint job! Still, you get the point of the layout:
Opening Hours:
- Summer: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Winter: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Entry Fees:
- Adults: €3
- Students/Seniors: €1.50
- Children under 3: Free
- Umbrella: €5
- Sunbed: €5
- Locker: €5
Cachalote Natural Swimming Pools
(Piscinas Naturais do Aquário)
This natural pool complex is also in Porto Moniz. They’re near the Madeira Aquarium, and free to enjoy! They’re a more natural and usually less-crowded option in Porto Moniz.
By the way, “cachalote” translates to “sperm whale!”
- Features: Lava-formed pools, filled with seawater.
- Facilities: No real infrastructure or bathrooms, other than an outdoor shower.
- Safety: The bathing area is supervised during the warmer swimming season.
This aerial photo shows its proximity to the other natural pool. The swimming area is among the rocks near the jetty area on the left side of the photo:
Opening Hours
- Daily, 9:00am – 7:00pm
Cost to Enter
- Free!
Seixal Natural Pools
(Piscinas Naturais do Seixal)
Seixal is a favorite village to stop in on Madeira’s rugged northern coast. It’s surrounded by lush green mountains, which give way to the Atlantic Ocean. I love the natural scenic beauty and the “small town” feel, with the narrow streets and traditional whitewashed houses.
Seixal is just east of Porto Moniz, and the natural pools are a bit smaller and less-crowded, but still surrounded by dark volcanic rock. In addition to the pools, Praia de Seixal is one of Madeira’s black sand beaches.
- Features: Natural pool plus a small bar & snack stand (called Rock Pools)
- Facilities: Bathrooms
- Safety: Supervised during the day
Opening Hours
- 24/7
Cost to Enter
- Adults: € 2.50
- Children: € 1.00
- Parking: € 4.00 (or free street parking above)
Doca do Cavacas
(Poças do Gomes)
The perk of this natural pool is that it’s easily accessible for people in Funchal. If you’re just going to Madeira for a day (on a cruise) and you want to check out a natural pool, this is the best option for you.
You can stroll down the city’s coastal path, which leads through a tunnel to the natural pool entrance.
- Features: A restaurant above and showers nearby.
- Safety: Supervised.
Opening Hours
- 10:00am – 7:00pm
Cost to Enter
- Adults: € 6
- Children: € 2
The entrance to Doca do Cavacas:
More Swimming Spots in Funchal
If you’re sticking close to Funchal, you can check out a few other swimming spots.
Praia Formosa
There’s a beach adjacent to Doca do Cavacas, which is rocky and open to the public: Praia Formosa.
It’s not pristine for swimming, but still enjoyable to walk along.
Plus, on the south end of the beach, you’ll find a cave which is pretty easy to enter during low tide.
Rocks in the walls above are cutaway to allow views from a pathway that takes you down to the beach.
Other Swimming Spots
All along the coast of Funchal, you’ll find smaller rocky swimming areas. There are places to jump in right in front of the Royal Savoy Property in Funchal, by the Recharge Restaurant.
Calheta Beach
The beach in Calheta, on Madeira’s southern coast, isn’t technically a natural pool. It’s a manmade cove or inlet, and a popular spot for families.
The sand here, I’m told, was shipped in from Morocco, and it’s one of the island’s only sandy beach options. The man-made rocky piers break the waves, creating a relaxing swimming experience.
The nearby marina and boardwalk area is lined with cafes (and whale/dolphin tour options). It’s definitely another coastal swimming option I wanted to mention on Madeira.
Plus, while it’s not a swimming spot, the beautiful Cascata dos Anjos waterfall is just a short drive away from Calheta.
Caniçal Pools
(Lazareto Natural Pool)
This option is on Madeira’s eastern coast, near the fishing village of Caniçal. It closed recently, and its future plans are unclear.
We stumbled upon it while hiking along the nearby cliffs at Ponta de São Lourenço.
There were two saltwater pools here, plus access to a rocky ocean cove.
Cost to Enter:
- When it was open: € 4.00, which included a sunbed and umbrella
Best Time for Swimming on Madeira
The natural lava pools may feel slightly warmer than the open ocean, due to sun exposure. People swim in Madeira’s natural pools year-round, but the water temperatures are most comfortable from late June through September.
Average Sea Temperatures by Season:
During the winter and spring months on Madeira, the ocean water is cool, but people swim year-round! The seawater temperatures climb into the mid-70s by July and August.
- Winter: 64-68°F
- Spring: 65-70°F
- Summer: 72-75°F
- Autumn: 72-75°F
Water Quality in Madeira’s Natural Pools
Thanks to the natural tidal flow, the water at Madeira’s natural pools stays clear and oxygenated.
These pools don’t have chlorination or artificial treatment. Their exposure to the open sea and the waves that continuously crash over the walls helps keep them refreshingly clean.
Plus, the natural volcanic lava rock is porous, and acts as a natural filter as the seawater flows in and out with the tides.
If you’re concerned about cleanliness, the only natural pool I’d consider avoiding is Doca do Cavacas (right in Funchal) after a storm.
Wrap: Madeira’s Natural Coastal Pools
The island has several notable beaches, but as you road trip around Madeira, you’ll notice: the coastline is steep, jagged, and rocky. Many spots are either unsafe or inaccessible for swimming.
The island’s natural pools provide a great alternative. You’ll love the clear waters and the ocean-adjacent feel. If I had to choose a favorite, I’d say Seixal ranks highest (and it’s in one of my favorite towns on Madeira)!
When you’re looking to dry off or warm up, consider a hike to one of Madeira’s iconic peaks, like Pico Grande or Pico do Areeiro, where you can famously enjoy the sunrise from above the clouds.
Now that I’m thinking about it, my favorite way to warm up is with a glass of red wine – make sure to put the Quinta do Barbusano winery on your list, too!
