Desertas Islands Full-Day Catamaran Trip from Funchal

The most unusual part of this day is not simply reaching the Desertas Islands, but being allowed ashore on Deserta Grande, one of Madeira’s most protected places. You sail for roughly three hours each way, then land by small tender on a rocky volcanic beach for a guided visit and a swim.

I like two things in particular: the chance to see how monk seal protection works, and the simple pleasure of spending the afternoon in clear water with snorkeling and stand-up paddleboarding. Lunch with drinks is included, and the crew has handled vegetarian and vegan requests well. The main drawback is the long open-ocean crossing, with hard bench seating and a tricky, slippery transfer from tender to shore.

Key points to know before booking

• Three hours each way: Much of your nine-hour day is spent at sea, with Madeira’s south coast and open-water views carrying the journey.
• Deserta Grande is the only island stop: You visit the conservation center and its surroundings, but this is not a free-roaming island hike.
• Monk seals are protected, not promised: The reserve is famous for conservation work, yet sightings of the seals are not part of the guarantee.
• Lunch is included: The onboard buffet comes with drinks, and vegetarian and vegan meals can be arranged.
• Bring proper footwear: Flip-flops are a poor choice for the slippery rocks and the wet tender transfer.
• Wildlife sightings are possible: Dolphins, pilot whales, and even killer whales have been seen, but nature makes no schedule.

Why the Desertas Islands feel different from Madeira

Madeira is famous for steep green hills, levada walks, and busy Funchal streets. The Desertas Islands offer a sharp change of pace. This protected group of islands and islets sits offshore, with volcanic cliffs, dry rock, and a much stronger sense of distance from ordinary life.

The reserve covers 12,586 hectares, including Ilhéu Chão, Deserta Grande, Bugio, nearby islets, and the surrounding marine area. It has been protected for more than 25 years, largely because of its fragile wildlife and plant life.

That protection shapes the experience. You do not arrive and wander wherever you please. Deserta Grande is the only island where visitors can disembark, and the guided route keeps the visit focused on conservation and the area around the guard’s house. If you are expecting a full island trek, adjust that expectation before booking.

I see this as a strength, not a flaw. The visit feels more like a controlled look at a rare protected place than a standard beach excursion. Still, the actual walk is short enough that people wanting a serious hike may feel shortchanged.

The Funchal departure and the long ride south

You meet at the VMT Madeira Kiosk at Funchal Marina. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to make your own way to the harbor and arrive ready for a full day outdoors.

The outing begins with a safety briefing before the catamaran leaves Funchal. As the boat follows Madeira’s south coast, you get broad views of the island from the water. The trip then opens into a long ocean crossing toward the reserve.

This is where you need to make an honest choice. If you enjoy the motion of a boat, changing sea views, and the chance of spotting marine life, the journey becomes part of the attraction. Dolphins have been seen on the way out and back, and some departures have had sightings of pilot whales, bottle-nosed dolphins, and even a group of killer whales.

No one can promise that. You should book this as a Desertas excursion first and a whale-watching trip second.

The catamaran has a toilet and a bar serving snacks and drinks, which helps during the long ride. The included lunch also takes some pressure off the day. The less polished part is seating. The bench-style seats can feel hard after several hours, so bring a windbreaker and dress for comfort rather than appearance.

The sea can feel cooler than the weather in Funchal suggests. A windbreaker is useful even on a sunny day, and warm clothing matters especially during the crossing. By the time you reach the islands, the conditions may feel warmer and more sheltered.

Reaching Deserta Grande by tender

The catamaran cannot simply pull up to a normal pier. You transfer to a smaller tender and reach the volcanic beach through clear water. This is one of the memorable parts of the trip, but it is also the point where mobility concerns matter most.

You may need to step from the tender onto wet, uneven stones. The rocks can be slippery, so wear sturdy water shoes, beach shoes, or old trainers that can get wet. Flip-flops do not give you much grip and can make the transfer awkward.

The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. That warning is practical, not a formality. Getting in and out of the tender can be difficult, and the shore is not a smooth sandy beach.

Once ashore, you have time to swim in clear water. Depending on conditions, the activities include snorkeling and stand-up paddleboarding. The setting is simple and natural: volcanic rock, open sea, and steep island scenery rather than a developed resort beach.

Bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and a change of clothes. A dry change is especially helpful after the tender ride and water activities. Keep your luggage small, since large bags are not allowed.

The conservation center and the monk seal story

The guided visit to the conservation center gives the day its purpose. The Desertas Islands are internationally known for work protecting the Mediterranean monk seal, one of the rarest seal species in the world.

You learn about the protection effort, as well as endemic plants and animals found in the reserve. The English and Portuguese guides explain what makes the islands important and why access is controlled.

Here is the key point: you are learning about monk seal conservation, not visiting a seal viewing site. You might not see a monk seal at all. Some people have found the publicity confusing because the reserve’s connection with the animals sounds like a promise of a sighting. It is not.

The conservation story still matters even without a seal encounter. Seeing the controlled access, the remote setting, and the work connected with the reserve gives you a better sense of how wildlife protection operates in practice. You are looking at a place where limited human contact is part of the plan.

The walk itself is modest. One large group can make it harder to hear every explanation or enjoy the surroundings, so stay close to the guide if you want the most from the visit. The stop is informative rather than strenuous.

Swimming, snorkeling, and time on the water

After the guided section, the day shifts into a more relaxed rhythm. You can swim from the volcanic beach and, when conditions allow, use snorkeling equipment or a stand-up paddleboard.

The clear water is a major appeal. This is not the kind of stop where you rush in, take one photograph, and return to the boat. You have time to enjoy the water, though the exact conditions and available activities depend on the sea.

The rocky entry makes beach shoes especially useful. Sunscreen is essential, since you are exposed on the boat and around the shore. A towel and dry clothes belong in your day bag, but leave large luggage behind.

The swimming stop also balances the more formal conservation visit. One part of the day asks you to listen and observe. The other lets you enjoy the setting at your own pace.

Lunch on board and the standard of service

Lunch is served on the catamaran and includes drinks. The meal has been described as plentiful and varied, with vegetarian and vegan options provided on some departures when arranged in advance.

If you have dietary requirements, tell the operator before the trip rather than assuming the onboard buffet will cover everything. Vegetarian requests have generally been handled well, though one departure did not provide the expected vegetarian meal. That makes advance confirmation sensible.

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Service has been praised for being friendly and helpful, and the captain and guides add warmth to a long day. The tour is available in English and Portuguese.

The food is not the reason to book this outing, but it improves the value. A nine-hour ocean trip can become expensive if you need to buy every meal and drink separately. Here, lunch is already part of the $106 price.

Is $106 a fair price?

At $106 per person, this is not a cheap boat ride. It is a full-day excursion with about six hours of sailing, a catamaran, a tender transfer, an island visit, a guided conservation walk, lunch, drinks, and time for swimming.

I consider the price fair if you value access to a remote protected reserve and are comfortable with a long day at sea. The included meal and onboard facilities help. You are also paying for the boat logistics needed to reach an island that cannot be visited by ordinary ferry.

The value drops if your main goal is a long hike, guaranteed wildlife, or several hours of beach time. The island walk is limited, monk seal sightings are not assured, and much of the outing takes place on the catamaran.

The current overall rating is 4.3 out of 5 from 196 ratings, which fits the experience well. The day can be excellent when the weather is kind and wildlife appears, but it is still a physically demanding boat outing with basic seating and a long return journey.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would choose this trip if you like unusual places, conservation, open-water sailing, and natural scenery more than polished resort comforts. It suits anyone who wants to see a protected part of the Madeira region that cannot be reached by road.

It is also a good fit if you enjoy flexible outdoor time. You can listen during the guided visit, swim afterward, and watch the sea during the crossing. The combination gives the day more variety than a simple sightseeing cruise.

You should think twice if you dislike long boat rides or get uncomfortable sitting on firm benches. The three-hour return crossing can feel tiring, particularly if the sea is lively.

People with mobility difficulties should not book this outing. The tender transfer, slippery stones, and uneven shore make the access demanding. Anyone who is intoxicated may be refused boarding or service, and a cancellation caused by intoxication does not qualify for a refund.

Weather also matters. The operator may cancel if conditions are unsafe or if too few people book. In that case, you are offered an alternative or a full refund. If your Madeira schedule is tight, leave some flexibility around this day.

What to pack for the Desertas

Keep your packing simple and practical:

• Windbreaker or warm layer for the open-water crossing
• Comfortable shoes with grip
• Beach shoes or footwear that can get wet
• Swimwear and towel
• Sunscreen
• Change of clothes
• Small day bag instead of luggage or a large suitcase

Do not rely on flip-flops for the shore transfer. You want footwear that stays on your feet and handles wet volcanic stones.

The bar sells snacks and beverages, and lunch with drinks is included. You do not need to carry a large supply of food, but bring anything specific you require.

Should you book the Desertas Islands catamaran trip?

Book it if your ideal Madeira day includes a remote volcanic reserve, a long scenic sail, conservation stories, clear water, and the possibility of seeing dolphins or whales. The crew, lunch, and chance to swim make the day feel complete, while the Desertas setting gives it a real sense of place.

Skip it if you want a proper hike, guaranteed monk seals, soft seating, or an easy beach landing. The best way to approach this outing is to see the wildlife as a bonus and the sea journey as part of the main event.

For most active visitors who can manage the tender transfer, this is a memorable way to spend one of your Madeira days. Pack a warm layer, wear sensible shoes, and accept that the ocean sets the timetable.

FAQ

Where does the Desertas Islands catamaran trip depart from?

You meet the guide at the VMT Madeira Kiosk at Funchal Marina. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How long does the trip last?

The full activity lasts nine hours. The journey to the islands and back takes roughly three hours each way.

Which Desertas Island can visitors visit?

Deserta Grande is the only island in the reserve where visitors can disembark. The reserve also includes Ilhéu Chão, Bugio, nearby islets, and surrounding marine waters.

Will I see monk seals?

A monk seal sighting is not guaranteed. The visit focuses on learning about monk seal conservation and the reserve’s endemic flora and fauna.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch with drinks is included, and the catamaran also has a bar with snacks and beverages.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide service is available in English and Portuguese.

Can people with mobility impairments join?

The experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Boarding the tender and stepping onto slippery volcanic stones can be difficult.