Desertas Islands Full-Day Catamaran Trip from Funchal

The best part of this trip is the rare chance to set foot on Deserta Grande, one of Madeira’s remote, protected islands. You sail there from Funchal, cross open Atlantic water, then reach a volcanic beach where you can swim before taking a guided walk to the conservation center.

I like the mix of wildlife, scenery, and conservation. Dolphins and pilot whales have been spotted on the crossing, while the island visit gives you useful context about monk seals and native plants. I also like that lunch and drinks are included, so the long day feels simple to manage. The main drawback is the journey: expect roughly three hours each way on the catamaran, with hard bench seating and plenty of wind.

Key points to know before booking

• Deserta Grande is the only island where you can disembark, and access is by boat onto a volcanic beach.
• The Atlantic crossing is a major part of the day, taking about three hours each way.
• Monk seals are protected here but not guaranteed to be seen, and the guided visit focuses on conservation work.
• Dolphins, pilot whales, and other sea life may appear during the crossing, but sightings depend on nature.
• Lunch, drinks, a toilet, and a snack bar are included on the catamaran.
• Swimming shoes matter, since the rocks at the landing area can be slippery and getting out of the small boat may be awkward.

Sailing from Funchal toward the Desertas Islands

Your day begins at the VMT Madeira Kiosk in Funchal Marina. There is no hotel pick-up or drop-off, so plan your own way to the marina and arrive ready for a full day at sea.

The catamaran leaves Funchal and follows Madeira’s south coast before heading toward the Desertas Islands. The first part gives you broad sea views and a chance to settle in after the safety briefing. This is not a quick transfer disguised as a tour. The outward crossing takes about three hours, and the return takes about the same.

That length is worth considering carefully. If you enjoy being on the water, the crossing becomes part of the attraction. You can watch Madeira recede, scan the sea for dolphins, and take in the volcanic shapes of the islands as they come closer. If you mainly want time on land, the schedule may feel slow.

The crew has been praised for being friendly and helpful, and the captain receives plenty of credit for making the trip enjoyable. English and Portuguese are available, so you can expect the main explanations and safety information in one of those languages.

The open Atlantic can feel cool even on a sunny day. Bring a windbreaker, and keep it handy rather than buried in a bag. Warm clothing is especially useful on the outward and return legs, while the island may feel warmer once you are walking and swimming.

What makes the Desertas Islands special

The Natural Reserve of the Desertas Islands covers 12,586 hectares. It includes Ilhéu Chão, Deserta Grande, Bugio, nearby islets, and the surrounding marine area.

This protection has been in place for more than 25 years. The reserve is especially important for monk seal conservation, which gives the stop more purpose than a simple beach landing. You are visiting a place where access is limited and wildlife protection shapes what you can do.

Only Deserta Grande allows people to disembark. That restriction helps explain why the visit feels controlled. You do not arrive and wander wherever you like. A guided walk takes you toward the conservation center and the area around the guard’s house, with explanations about monk seal protection, endemic plants, and local animal life.

One practical point matters here: the conservation story does not mean you will see a monk seal. In fact, seal sightings are not promised, and you should not book this trip as a guaranteed wildlife encounter. The value is learning how the reserve protects the species and seeing a remote volcanic environment with limited public access.

The guided stop has received some criticism when the group is too large to hear every explanation clearly. Stay close to the guide and position yourself where you can see and listen. The walk is described as short, not as a long island hike, so anyone hoping for hours of walking across Deserta Grande should adjust expectations.

Landing at the volcanic beach

The landing is one of the most memorable parts of the day, but it is also where you need to be prepared. You reach the beach in clear water and transfer from the catamaran by a smaller boat. The shore is volcanic, with stones that may be slippery underfoot.

Wear shoes that can get wet. Beach shoes, water shoes, or sturdy sandals are better than flip-flops. A pair of shoes with a reliable sole helps when stepping out of the small boat and moving across wet stones.

The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Getting in and out of the tender can be difficult, and the rocky landing adds another challenge. If you have any concern about balance or steps, ask the operator before booking rather than assuming the beach transfer will be easy.

Once ashore, you have time for swimming and possibly snorkeling. The water is described as clear, and the setting gives you a striking view of dark volcanic rock against the open sea. Bring a towel and swimwear, especially in warmer months, along with sunscreen.

The swimming stop is not a built-in guarantee of calm conditions. Sea and weather affect how comfortable the water entry will be. Still, it is a welcome change after hours aboard the catamaran and gives the day a physical, easygoing break.

The conservation center and guided walk

The walk to the conservation center is the educational heart of the trip. You learn about the work to protect the monk seal and about the plants and animals found in this isolated reserve.

That information helps you read the island properly. The bare volcanic forms are not simply dramatic scenery. They are part of a protected setting where endemic flora and fauna survive with less human disturbance than on Madeira.

You should see this as a guided visit rather than an independent hike. The route is limited, and one participant was surprised that a longer island walk was not possible. The protected status is the reason access is restricted, but the difference between a short guided walk and a hiking excursion is important when deciding if this suits you.

Group size can affect the quality of the talk. A large circle around the guard’s house may make it hard to hear or see everything. The experience works best when you treat the walk as a focused introduction to the reserve, not a detailed scientific field trip.

The guide’s explanations have been praised as useful and pleasant to listen to, though some people would like more information during the long sailing sections. If you want a constant stream of commentary, this may feel quiet at times. If you prefer room to watch the sea and enjoy the setting without nonstop narration, the pace may suit you.

Lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding

Lunch is served aboard the catamaran and is included with drinks. The food has been described as plentiful, varied, and tasty, which matters on a nine-hour outing with no chance to buy a full meal on the island.

Vegetarian and vegan meals have been provided on some trips, and dietary needs can be accommodated according to the activity information. Because one person reported not receiving the requested vegetarian meal, I would confirm your dietary requirement clearly when booking and again with the crew before departure.

The boat provides time for several water activities, depending on conditions. You may swim, snorkel, or use a stand-up paddleboard. These options make the island stop more than a photo opportunity, but the available time will be shared with the guided visit, lunch, transfers, and the return sailing.

Bring your own towel, sunscreen, and a change of clothes. A windbreaker is useful even if you plan to spend time in the water. You should also avoid bringing large bags or luggage, since storage and movement aboard a catamaran are limited.

The boat has a toilet and a bar selling snacks and drinks. That is useful during the long crossings, though lunch and drinks are already included. The seating is the weak point for some people. Bench-style seats can feel hard after several hours, so consider a small soft layer for comfort if the operator allows it, but do not bring a large bag.

Wildlife sightings: a bonus, not the promise

The crossing can produce some of the day’s strongest memories. Dolphins have been seen alongside the boat, and sightings have also included pilot whales and even a group of killer whales. These reports show what is possible, not what you should expect on every departure.

The reserve itself is known for monk seal protection, but monk seals are elusive and are not guaranteed. That distinction is important because the conservation center can be rewarding even when no seals appear.

Keep your expectations flexible. You are traveling through a marine reserve and open ocean, not visiting an aquarium. Wildlife may stay below the surface or far from the boat. The volcanic scenery, the sea crossing, and the conservation visit need to be enough reason to book.

Is the $106 price good value?

At $106 per person, the trip is not a cheap short cruise. It is a full nine-hour outing that includes the catamaran journey, lunch with drinks, a guided visit, and access to swimming and other water activities.

I consider the price reasonable if you value the complete day and would otherwise struggle to reach the Desertas Islands. The islands are remote, and the tour combines transport, food, a guide, and a controlled landing in one package. You also avoid arranging separate boat transport and trying to manage access to a protected reserve yourself.

The value drops if your main goal is a long hike or a guaranteed seal sighting. You spend around six hours sailing, and the time ashore is limited. Someone who dislikes open-water travel may feel that too much of the price goes toward the crossing.

Lunch is a real advantage. You do not need to pack a full meal, and the included drinks make the day easier. The crew has also handled vegetarian and vegan requests on some departures, though you should confirm your needs in advance.

With a 4.3 rating from 196 bookings, the overall response is strong but not perfect. The recurring positives are the crew, the scenery, the food, and the chance to see sea life. The recurring concerns are hard seating, limited walking, large groups during the guided visit, and disappointment when monk seals do not appear.

Who should book this catamaran trip?

I would recommend it to you if you enjoy boat travel, unusual natural areas, and a full day with several different elements. It suits couples, families with older children, and anyone who wants to see a protected part of Madeira that cannot be reached by road.

It is particularly good for people who enjoy wildlife watching without demanding a guarantee. Dolphins or whales may appear, but the trip still has value when the sea is quiet.

I would think twice if you need comfortable seating for long periods, have difficulty with boat transfers, or want a serious hiking day. The landing can be slippery, the crossing is long, and the guided walk is limited.

Wear comfortable shoes for the walk and water shoes for the beach. Pack a windbreaker, swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and a change of clothes. Leave luggage and large bags behind. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and the operator can refuse service to anyone who appears intoxicated. If a departure is canceled because of poor weather or too few passengers, you should be offered another option or a full refund.

Should you book the Desertas Islands trip?

Book this if the idea of spending most of a day at sea sounds appealing rather than tiring. You will get striking volcanic scenery, a controlled visit to Deserta Grande, conservation information, lunch, and a chance to swim in clear water.

Do not book it expecting a long island trek or a guaranteed monk seal sighting. The strongest reason to go is the complete experience: Madeira by sea, a protected island rarely visited from land, and the chance to see wildlife on the crossing. For that combination, the $106 cost is fair, provided you are comfortable with the long ride and basic catamaran seating.

FAQ

Where does the Desertas Islands catamaran trip start?

Meet the guide at the VMT Madeira Kiosk in Funchal Marina. Hotel pick-up and drop-off are not included.

How long does the activity last?

The full activity lasts nine hours. The sailing time is about three hours from Funchal to the islands and about three hours back, with time for the island visit, lunch, swimming, and other activities.

Which Desertas Island can I visit on foot?

Deserta Grande is the only island in the group where you can disembark. The other islands and islets are viewed from the sea.

Will I see monk seals?

A monk seal sighting is not guaranteed. The guided visit explains the conservation work protecting the species and covers endemic flora and fauna.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch with drinks is included. The catamaran also has a bar serving snacks and beverages.

Can I request a vegetarian or vegan meal?

The operator states that dietary requirements can be catered for. Confirm your vegetarian or vegan request when booking and with the crew before departure.

Can I swim or snorkel during the trip?

Yes. The itinerary includes swimming and snorkeling at the volcanic beach, along with stand-up paddleboarding when conditions allow.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, a windbreaker, sunscreen, swimwear, a towel, and a change of clothes. Water shoes are useful because the volcanic stones can be slippery.

Is the trip suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments because boarding the smaller transfer boat and stepping onto the rocky beach can be difficult.