Desertas Islands Full-Day Catamaran Trip from Funchal

The real prize is the crossing. This nine-hour catamaran trip carries you from Funchal across open water to the protected Desertas Islands, a stark volcanic outpost with clear swimming water and rare wildlife. I like the wildlife chances, with dolphins, pilot whales, and even killer whales seen on some trips, and I like the excellent onboard lunch, which can include vegetarian and vegan options. The main catch is the long ride: about three hours each way.

You will not roam freely across Deserta Grande. Instead, you follow a guided walk near the conservation center and guard’s house, then return to the boat for lunch and water activities. That limited access helps protect this fragile reserve, but it may disappoint you if you expect a proper island hike or a guaranteed monk seal sighting.

Key points to know before you book

• Three hours each way: Much of the day is spent sailing, so the voyage itself needs to be part of the appeal.
• Deserta Grande is the only landing point: You can disembark there, but access on land is limited to a guided visit.
• Monk seals are protected, not promised: The reserve is important for conservation, yet seeing a seal is not guaranteed.
• Swimming gear matters: Wear beach shoes or sturdy shoes that can get wet because slippery stones make boarding the tender awkward.
• Lunch is a real strength: Food and drinks are included, and the crew has catered vegetarian and vegan meals.
• The boat can feel hard after several hours: Bench-style seating is practical, but not especially soft or comfortable.

Sailing south from Funchal for three hours

Your day begins 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 marina and meet the guide there.

After a safety briefing, the catamaran leaves Funchal and follows Madeira’s south coast before heading toward the Desertas. The first part gives you broad sea views and a chance to settle into the rhythm of the trip. This is not a quick transfer. The outward journey takes roughly three hours, and the return takes about the same.

That long crossing is the central fact to consider. If you enjoy being at sea, watching the horizon, scanning for fins, and seeing Madeira recede behind you, the ride can feel like half the adventure. If you mainly want time on land, the balance may feel uneven.

The crew has a good reputation for being friendly and helpful. Keep your expectations practical, though. The catamaran has a toilet and a bar selling snacks and drinks, but the included lunch is the main meal provided. Bring a windbreaker because the breeze can feel cold even when Funchal is warm.

Wildlife can turn the crossing into something special. Dolphins have been seen both ways, while some departures have encountered pilot whales, bottle-nosed dolphins, and even a group of killer whales. None of this can be scheduled, of course, so treat wildlife as a bonus rather than the reason to demand a refund from the ocean.

First sight of the Desertas Islands

The Desertas Islands are made up of Ilhéu Chão, Deserta Grande, Bugio, and nearby islets, along with a large surrounding marine area. The protected reserve covers 12,586 hectares and has been safeguarded for more than 25 years.

From the water, the islands present a very different face from Madeira. You see volcanic rock, steep dry slopes, and formations shaped by wind and weather. The appeal is not a line of cafés or a village square. It is the feeling of reaching a remote, tightly protected place that has avoided the usual marks of mass tourism.

The catamaran gives you time to look closely. During the approach, the crew may point out wildlife or features of the islands, though the amount of explanation can vary. A few people have wished for more commentary during the longer sailing sections, so bring curiosity of your own and pay attention when the guide begins the land visit.

Deserta Grande is the only island where you can get off. That restriction is important. The reserve is not being opened as a regular walking destination, and access is controlled to reduce pressure on wildlife, plants, and the conservation work carried out there.

A limited but worthwhile walk on Deserta Grande

After reaching the island, you disembark in clear water onto a volcanic beach. The landing is one of the day’s less polished moments. You may need to use a small tender, and getting in or out can be tricky on slippery stones.

This is why flip-flops are a poor choice. Beach shoes, water shoes, Crocs, or another pair of shoes you do not mind getting wet will give you better footing. You should also expect your clothes and footwear to pick up some water during the landing.

The guided walk leads toward the conservation center and the guard’s house. It is not a long island trek. One person described it as a little guided tour, and another was surprised that hiking across the island was not allowed. Think of it as a controlled introduction to the reserve, not a free afternoon on a deserted island.

The guide explains the work to protect the Mediterranean monk seal, along with endemic plants and animals found in the reserve. This is the part that gives the trip its purpose beyond scenery. You are seeing a place where the limits on human access are part of the conservation plan.

Group size can affect how much you get from this stop. When too many people gather around the guard’s house, it can be hard to hear or take in the details. Stay near the guide if you want the best chance of following the explanation, and do not expect the quiet solitude suggested by the word deserted.

Monk seal conservation without a guaranteed sighting

The Desertas Islands are internationally known for efforts to protect the monk seal. That does not mean you will see one. The seals are wild, protected, and not brought out for display.

This distinction matters because the conservation center is an educational stop, not a wildlife show. You learn about the work and the reserve’s plants and animals, but the trip does not promise a monk seal encounter. Some people have felt disappointed by that gap between expectation and reality.

I think the conservation message is still worthwhile. A visit that explains why access is limited is more honest than one that treats the island as a playground. You may leave without a seal sighting but with a clearer idea of why the reserve exists and why the visit is carefully managed.

The best wildlife sightings often happen from the boat. Dolphins and whales have appeared during the crossing, and the crew may try to give you a good view without interfering with the animals. Keep your camera ready, but keep your eyes on the water too. A phone raised for the entire crossing is a reliable way to miss the moment.

Lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding

Lunch is served on board and included in the price, along with drinks. The meal has been praised for being plentiful and varied, and vegetarian and vegan requests have been handled on some departures. If you have dietary needs, provide them when booking and confirm them with the operator rather than assuming.

The swimming stop takes place in clear water beside the volcanic beach. This is one of the trip’s most appealing contrasts: a long ocean crossing followed by a chance to get in the water at a remote island reserve.

Snorkeling and stand-up paddleboarding are also listed as activities. Availability can depend on the conditions, the schedule, and the crew’s safety decisions, so do not build the entire day around one water activity. Bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and a change of clothes.

The water can look inviting, but the landing area deserves care. Slippery stones are a real issue, especially when you are moving between the tender and shore. Comfortable shoes are not just a packing suggestion here. They can make the difference between a relaxed swim stop and a clumsy one.

After swimming, you can dry off and eat on the catamaran. The boat’s bar has snacks and beverages if you want something beyond the included meal. There is no need to haul a large bag, and large luggage is not allowed, so pack a small day bag with only what you need.

What nine hours feels like on the catamaran

A full day at sea can be wonderfully calming, but comfort becomes more important as the hours pass. The catamaran has bench-style seating, and some passengers have found it hard after several hours.

Bring layers. The wind can be surprisingly cold on the outward and return journeys, while Deserta Grande may feel warmer once you are ashore. A windbreaker is specifically useful, and a change of clothes helps after swimming or a wet landing.

The boat has a toilet, which makes the long trip easier, but this remains a maritime outing. If you are prone to motion sickness, consider your usual precautions before leaving Funchal. The supplied information does not promise a particular sea condition or a smooth crossing, and bad weather can affect the schedule.

The operator may cancel after confirmation if there are not enough passengers or if conditions are unsafe. In that event, you should be offered an alternative or a full refund. The trip also allows free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead, and you can reserve now and pay later, which is useful when Madeira plans are still shifting.

You must not bring large luggage, and intoxicated passengers can be refused service without a refund if their behavior causes the trip to be canceled. That rule is sensible on a boat and worth taking seriously.

Is the $106 price good value?

At $106 per person, this is not a cheap boat ride. It includes the catamaran cruise, lunch, and drinks, but not transport from your hotel to the marina.

The value depends on how you measure the day. You are paying for the boat time, the rare chance to approach a protected island, a guided conservation visit, and the chance of seeing marine wildlife in open water. You are not paying for a long island hike, a guaranteed monk seal sighting, or hours of independent beach time.

Compared with arranging a private boat, the price can look reasonable because lunch, crew, guiding, and water activities are bundled together. The day also gives you access to a place you cannot simply visit on your own. On the other hand, if you dislike long crossings or hard seating, the same price may feel steep.

I see it as good value for people who enjoy the journey as much as the destination. It is weaker value for anyone expecting a fast excursion with most of the time spent ashore.

Who should book this Desertas trip?

I would choose this trip if you want to:

• Spend a full day on the water rather than rush between short stops
• See Madeira from offshore and visit a protected volcanic reserve
• Learn about monk seal conservation and endemic wildlife
• Swim, snorkel, or use a paddleboard when conditions allow
• Enjoy an included lunch without arranging food for the day
• Keep an eye out for dolphins and whales

I would think twice if you need easy access. The excursion is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the tender landing on slippery stones can be difficult even for otherwise active people.

It also may not suit you if your dream is a proper hike across an uninhabited island. The walk is guided and limited. That is good for conservation, but it narrows the experience.

The tour is conducted in English and Portuguese. The rating is 4.3 from 196 ratings, which fits the experience well: strong crew service, good food, striking scenery, and occasional frustrations over seating, group size, weather, and expectations about monk seals.

What to pack for this particular boat trip

Keep your packing simple and useful:

• A windbreaker for the crossing
• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• Swimwear and a towel
• A change of clothes
• Comfortable shoes
• Beach shoes or footwear that can get wet
• A small bag only, since large luggage is not allowed

I would put the windbreaker and water-friendly shoes at the top of the list. Madeira may be warm at the marina, but the wind offshore can be cold. The shoes are especially important for the rocky landing.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if the idea of spending six hours at sea, with a protected island stop in the middle, sounds appealing. The strongest parts are the crew, the lunch, the open-water scenery, and the possibility of seeing dolphins or whales. The conservation visit adds meaning to what could otherwise be just a scenic cruise.

Skip it if you want extensive walking, guaranteed monk seals, or soft seating throughout the day. Go with realistic expectations, dress for wind, bring proper footwear, and regard wildlife as luck. With that mindset, the Desertas Islands can be one of Madeira’s most unusual day trips.

FAQ

Where does the Desertas Islands trip begin?

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

How long does the experience last?

The trip lasts nine hours. The sailing can take about three hours each way, depending on conditions.

Which Desertas Island can I visit on foot?

Deserta Grande is the only island where you can disembark. The visit includes a guided walk to the conservation center and nearby areas.

Can I see monk seals?

The reserve is known for monk seal conservation, but seeing a monk seal is not guaranteed.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch and drinks are included. Vegetarian and vegan meals have been provided on some departures, but you should communicate dietary requirements when booking.

Can I swim or snorkel?

Yes. The activities include swimming and snorkeling, and stand-up paddleboarding is also listed. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a change of clothes.

Is the trip suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and boarding the tender over slippery stones can be difficult.