From Funchal: Wooden Boat Excursion to Desertas Island

The real trip is the Atlantic crossing. I like the strong chance of seeing dolphins or whales and the fine coastal views as the wooden boat covers many miles from Funchal. I also like that lunch, drinks, fruit, and a swimming stop are included. The main concern is simple: the island visit may be very short, and reaching shore can require swimming.

This is an 8.5-hour sea outing, not a quick island hop. You will spend most of the day on the boat, with the Desertas Islands serving as the remote goal rather than the main event. If you enjoy open water, fresh air, and the chance of marine life, the price can make sense. If you want several hours of walking on land, it may disappoint.

Key points to know before booking

• About 6.5 hours may be spent on the boat, so treat the crossing as the heart of the experience.
• Marine life is a major attraction, with good chances of spotting dolphins and whales because the route covers so many miles.
• The Desertas landing is not guaranteed in the way many people expect. Some departures may require you to swim from the boat to shore.
• The island walk is limited, with reports describing a short path of about 200 metres and only a few information plaques.
• Lunch includes one drink, fruit, and a welcome Madeira wine, although the exact serving may vary from the advertised plan.
• Rough water is possible, so this suits confident swimmers and people who handle boats well.

Funchal Marina: finding the Bonita da Madeira kiosk

Your day begins at Av. do Mar, at pier 8 in Funchal Marina. Look for the Bonita da Madeira kiosk in the middle of the pier area. This is the meeting point, and you should allow enough time to find it without rushing through the busy port.

Private pickup and drop-off are not included. You will need to arrange your own way to the marina, and parking is also your responsibility. That matters because an 8.5-hour outing is a long commitment, especially if you are driving in from another part of Madeira.

The first touch is a welcome drink of Madeira wine. It is a small but fitting introduction to the island, whose fortified wine is one of its best-known local products. You should still bring water and snacks, since extra food beyond the included lunch is not promised.

The boat is wooden, which gives the trip a more traditional feel than a fast modern sightseeing vessel. That character comes with a trade-off: a wooden boat can move noticeably in open Atlantic water. The boat may feel lively even on a day that looks calm from the marina.

The long Atlantic crossing from Madeira

The crossing is where you will spend most of your time. The full trip lasts about 8.5 hours, and one useful estimate from the available information is that roughly 6.5 hours are spent sailing. The remaining time covers food, the island stop, swimming, and the return to Funchal.

That sounds like a lot of boat time because it is. I would not book this expecting the Desertas Islands to fill most of the schedule. Instead, think of the island as the destination that gives purpose to a full day at sea.

The reward is distance. Because the boat travels for many miles, you have more chances to encounter marine life than on a short cruise just outside Funchal. Dolphins and whales are possible, but sightings are never guaranteed. You will need patience and a willingness to keep watching the water.

Bring sunglasses and a cap or hat, but do not forget a jacket. The Atlantic can feel cool and windy even when Funchal is warm. Comfortable clothing is useful, and waterproof shoes are a sensible choice around a wet deck.

The boat may move quite a bit. One recent experience described rough water, while another warned that the sea can be difficult for people who get sick while sailing. If you are prone to seasickness, this is one of the clearest reasons to choose a different day trip.

You should also know that this outing is not suitable for non-swimmers. Swimming is not just an optional extra in the practical sense, since access to the island may involve entering the water.

The Desertas Islands and their stark scenery

The Desertas Islands are a protected natural reserve southeast of Madeira. They are known here for their remote setting, cliffs, spare scenery, and native plant and animal life. Do not expect a lush beach destination or a large settlement. The setting is exposed and rugged, with gravel and rock rather than soft resort sand.

The approach is one of the strongest parts of the day. As the boat nears the islands, the cliffs and bare coastal shapes provide a sharp contrast to Madeira’s greener mountain scenery. The view feels remote because the islands sit out in the Atlantic, far from the easy access and busy streets of Funchal.

The planned experience includes time to walk, swim, and snorkel. A guided explanation of about 20 minutes is also advertised. That sounds like a useful way to understand the reserve, especially if you want more than a photo stop.

But you should keep expectations modest about the walk. The available experience details describe a short natural path, and one account put the circular route at about 200 metres, with a few information plaques. That is a brief look at the island, not a full hike.

There is also an important practical uncertainty. Some departures may not allow you to step onto dry land directly. Instead, you may need to swim from the boat to the shore, then spend your island time in wet swimwear. One account specifically described no dry route to land and no chance to take a normal walk.

That point deserves more attention than the cheerful phrase island tour might suggest. Conditions at the landing area, wind, waves, and the boat’s approach can affect what is possible. If a dry landing and a proper walk are essential to you, ask Bonita da Madeira to confirm the current procedure before paying.

Swimming, snorkeling, and the island stop

The swimming stop is a welcome part of a long day on deck. After hours at sea, getting into the Atlantic can feel refreshing, and the clear water offers a fine setting for a swim or snorkel. You will need your own swimsuit and towel.

Do not assume a towel will be supplied. One account specifically noted the lack of a dry towel after swimming. Pack one, even if the boat description makes the water stop sound fully arranged.

You should also bring waterproof shoes. The shore may be rocky or gravelly, and getting from a boat to a beach or landing spot can be awkward in bare feet. Comfortable shoes are listed among the items to bring, but waterproof footwear is the better choice for this particular stop.

The swimming element will suit confident swimmers. The experience is not suitable for non-swimmers, and there is no indication of a separate shallow-water activity for people who prefer to stay close to an easy beach. You may choose to remain on the boat during free time, but you should not expect a land-based alternative to be extensive.

Snorkeling is included as an activity option, but equipment details are not provided. To avoid assumptions, ask what gear is available or bring only items that the operator permits. Glass objects, fishing, large bags, and oversize luggage are not allowed.

If the weather turns cloudy or windy, the stop may feel less inviting. Sitting in wet clothing without sun can become uncomfortable quickly. Pack a warm layer and change into dry clothes if you have room for a small permitted bag.

Lunch, Madeira wine, and what is included

Food is included in the price, which helps justify a full day at sea. The plan calls for a pre-established lunch option, one free drink per person, fruit, and another free drink on the return. Drink choices listed include water, Coca-Cola, beer, and white or red wine.

You also receive Madeira wine as a welcome drink at the start. That gives the day a local touch, although you should be sensible with alcohol on a moving boat and during a swimming outing.

The wording around refreshments deserves care. One experience reported receiving only one drink and no fruit, while another said the return drink was not offered. I would treat the included food as a useful part of the package, but I would not book this solely for a generous meal service.

Bring snacks. They are specifically recommended, and they give you a backup if the fixed lunch is not enough or if the long crossing leaves you hungry. A reusable plastic water bottle may be useful, but avoid glass objects, which are not allowed.

The meal is likely to be practical rather than a reason to choose the excursion. Its real value is convenience: you do not need to arrange lunch while far offshore. That is worthwhile on an 8.5-hour outing, even if the menu itself is fixed.

Value at $106 per person

At $106 per person, this is not a cheap swim trip. You are paying for a full day on the water, a wooden boat, the long route toward the Desertas, a chance to spot marine life, lunch, drinks, and the unusual setting of a protected island reserve.

The price works best if you enjoy the journey as much as the destination. A dolphin or whale sighting can make the day feel special, and the cliffs of the Desertas are not something you can see from an ordinary Funchal harbor cruise. The inclusion of lunch also saves you from buying a separate meal during a long excursion.

The value weakens if you mainly want time on land. A short path, a possible swim-only arrival, and limited free time mean that you may spend nearly the whole day traveling for a small amount of island access. In that case, the cost can feel high.

The current rating is 3.6 from 61 reviews, which fits the mixed nature of the experience. The strongest praise centers on the beautiful crossing, helpful crew, good food, and the feeling of having a perfect day at sea. The sharpest criticism concerns the short island visit, crowded conditions, rough water, and differences between what people expected and what happened at the landing.

That range of reactions is useful. This is not a bad value for someone who wants a remote Atlantic voyage. It is a poor value for someone who measures value by hours spent walking on the Desertas.

Who will enjoy this wooden boat trip

I would recommend this outing to people who:

• Enjoy long boat journeys and open Atlantic views.
• Want a reasonable chance of seeing dolphins or whales.
• Are confident swimmers.
• Can handle a moving boat and changing sea conditions.
• Like remote, spare scenery more than developed beaches.
• Are happy with a short walk and plenty of time on the water.
• Appreciate having lunch and drinks included.

I would think twice if you:

• Get seasick easily.
• Do not swim.
• Need a dry landing and a proper island hike.
• Dislike sitting on a boat for most of a day.
• Are uncomfortable in wet clothing or cool wind.
• Expect a large meal service or guaranteed fruit and return drinks.
• Need a quiet, uncrowded boat.

The tour is offered with live guides in English and Portuguese. A guided explanation of around 20 minutes can add useful context, but the actual island presentation may vary. One account found no guided walk at all, so confirm what is currently provided if that part matters to you.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, with a full refund, and you can reserve while paying later. Those terms give you some flexibility, but they do not remove the need to check sea conditions and the landing plan before departure.

What to pack for a day at sea

Keep your luggage small. Oversize luggage and large bags are not allowed, so bring only what you can manage comfortably on a boat.

Your practical packing list should include:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Waterproof shoes and comfortable footwear
• Sunglasses and sunscreen
• Cap or hat
• Jacket and dry comfortable clothes
• Snacks
• Any personal seasickness supplies you normally use

The jacket is important even in warm weather. Wind can make the return crossing feel much cooler than the morning departure. Sunscreen matters too, since open water gives you little shade and the reflection can be strong.

Avoid glass items, fishing equipment, pets, and large bags. Assistance dogs are allowed, but other pets are not.

Final verdict: book it for the sea, not the walk

I would book the Desertas excursion if I wanted a full Atlantic day, a traditional wooden boat, strong marine-life potential, and dramatic remote scenery. The friendly crew, included meal, swimming stop, and chance to see dolphins or whales give the trip real appeal.

I would not book it if my main goal were exploring the islands on foot. The land portion can be very short, and you may need to swim ashore rather than walk directly from the boat. Ask Bonita da Madeira one clear question before booking: Will this departure allow a dry landing and a guided walk on the island?

If the answer is yes and the sea forecast looks comfortable, $106 can be fair value. If the answer is no, choose this only if you genuinely enjoy being at sea. The Desertas are the destination, but the boat ride is the experience.

FAQ

Where does the Desertas Islands boat trip start?

It starts at Av. do Mar in Funchal, at pier 8. Look for the Bonita da Madeira kiosk in the middle of the marina area.

How long does the excursion last?

The complete experience lasts about 8.5 hours, including the outward crossing, time at the Desertas Islands, and the return to Funchal.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A pre-established lunch option is included, along with one free drink per person. Fruit and another free drink on the return are also listed as included.

Which drinks are available with lunch?

The listed choices are water, Coca-Cola, beer, white wine, or red wine. Madeira wine is provided as a welcome drink.

Can I swim at the Desertas Islands?

Yes. Swimming is part of the experience, and snorkeling is also listed as an activity. You should bring a swimsuit and towel.

Do I need to swim to reach the island?

You may. Some departures may not provide a dry route from the boat to shore, so confirm the current landing arrangement before booking if this is important to you.

Is the excursion suitable for people who cannot swim?

No. The experience is not suitable for non-swimmers.

What languages are available?

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