From Funchal: Wooden Boat Excursion to Desertas Island

The real attraction here is not a long island walk. It is the Atlantic crossing itself, with many miles of open water and a good chance of seeing dolphins or whales. I like the sweeping coastal views and the chance to reach one of Madeira’s most remote natural reserves by traditional wooden boat.

I also like that lunch, drinks, fruit, and a swim stop are included. The catch is important: time on the Desertas may be short, and recent departures have differed from the advertised island visit. You should be comfortable in a moving boat and ready for the possibility of swimming ashore rather than walking straight onto dry land.

Key points to know before booking

• The boat ride takes most of the day: Allow 8.5 hours, with roughly 6.5 hours potentially spent at sea.
• Wildlife watching is a major reason to go: Covering many miles gives you good odds of spotting dolphins or whales, though sightings are never guaranteed.
• The Desertas landing may require a swim: Recent accounts describe no dry landing, so pack for getting wet.
• Lunch and drinks are included: You receive a set meal, one drink with lunch, fruit, and another drink on the return journey according to the stated plan.
• The island visit is not a full hiking trip: The available route may be a short path of about 200 meters, with information plaques rather than a long guided walk.
• Sea conditions matter: The trip is not suited to non-swimmers, people with a cold, or anyone prone to seasickness.

A long wooden-boat crossing from Funchal

You meet the crew at pier 8 in Funchal Marina, at the Bonita da Madeira kiosk in the middle of the pier area. The trip begins with a welcome drink of Madeira wine, then the boat heads away from Funchal toward the Desertas Islands.

The vessel is a wooden boat, which gives the trip more character than a plain ferry ride. You get the maritime feel right away: open Atlantic, changing views of Madeira, and a full day shaped by the sea rather than by roads and buildings.

The stated duration is 8.5 hours. That matters. This is not a quick cruise with a short stop tacked on. You should expect the boat ride to be the main event, with the island visit, lunch, and swimming fitted into the middle of a very long day.

For me, the trip makes sense if you enjoy being on the water. If you mainly want to walk on the Desertas, you need to read the landing details with care. The crossing can be memorable, but it is a large commitment for an island stop that may last only a short time.

Wildlife watching across many miles of Atlantic

The boat covers a wide stretch of water, which creates the tour’s strongest practical advantage: more time and distance for marine-life sightings. Dolphins and whales are specifically possible, and the open route gives you a chance to watch for movement across a broad horizon.

No responsible boat trip can promise animals. The sea may be quiet, and the boat can roll enough to make constant scanning tiring. Still, wildlife watching is one of the clearest reasons to choose this outing over a simple coastal cruise.

Bring sunglasses and a hat or cap. You will spend much of the day exposed to sun and wind, even when the air in Funchal feels mild. Sunscreen is essential, and a jacket belongs in your day bag because conditions can change once you are offshore.

The boat may feel crowded. One account described it as very full, so do not picture a private charter with plenty of personal space. If you want a calm seat, arrive prepared for a shared excursion and keep large bags at home.

Reaching the Desertas Islands

The Desertas Islands are protected natural territory with striking cliffs, bare slopes, and a remote Atlantic setting. From the water, the scenery is the payoff: you are looking at a place that feels far removed from Madeira’s roads, hotels, and city streets.

The word Desertas can create the wrong picture, though. This is not a beach resort or a broad sandy island waiting for a full afternoon stroll. The shoreline can be rough and gravelly, and the visit is shaped by conservation, access, and sea conditions.

The planned stop includes walking, swimming, and snorkeling. The stated guided portion is around 20 minutes. That sounds like a short introduction rather than a substantial guided hike, so set your expectations accordingly.

A particularly important practical point comes from recent trips: reaching land may require you to swim from the boat. Some departures have not offered a dry way to step ashore. You may end up sitting on the beach in wet swimwear rather than taking a dry walk around the island.

That can be fine on a warm, sunny day. It is much less pleasant in wind or cloud, especially if you have no dry towel or spare clothing. Bring your own towel, wear a swimsuit under your clothes, and pack waterproof shoes or footwear that you do not mind getting wet.

The island walk may be only 200 meters

The description presents a natural trail and a chance to see local plants and animals. In practice, the accessible route may be very short. One recent account described a circular path of about 200 meters with a few information plaques, taking only a few minutes to complete.

That does not make the setting worthless. The point is the protected location, the cliffs, the stark terrain, and the chance to step into a remote reserve. But you should not book this expecting a half-day hike or a large network of trails.

There is also a gap between the promised guided visit and what can happen on the day. Some departures have had no guided island walk, leaving people to swim over and wait by the shore. Sea conditions, boat operations, and landing arrangements appear to affect what is possible.

This is the tour’s biggest uncertainty. If your priority is a proper walk on dry ground, choose a different Madeira activity unless the operator confirms the landing conditions before you go. If your priority is reaching the islands and spending time in the water, the limited access may matter less.

Swimming and snorkeling at the stop

The swim stop is part of the planned experience, not an optional extra. You should be a confident swimmer and comfortable entering the Atlantic from a boat. The activity is specifically not suitable for non-swimmers.

Snorkeling is also listed, but equipment details are not provided. Do not assume that masks, fins, or other gear will be supplied. If snorkeling is important to you, ask Bonita da Madeira what is available before booking.

You may be able to swim toward the island, then return to the boat or remain near the shore during free time. The stated options are to walk, swim, snorkel, or return to the boat. That flexibility helps, especially if the shoreline is uncomfortable or the weather turns cool.

Still, a swim-to-shore arrangement changes the nature of the trip. You need to protect phones, cameras, wallets, and other valuables from salt water. Large luggage and oversized bags are not allowed, and glass objects are prohibited, so keep your packing simple and practical.

Lunch, Madeira wine, and the practical value of $106

The price is $106 per person. For a full 8.5-hour outing, that can be reasonable if you value the wooden boat, the remote destination, wildlife watching, lunch, and the included drinks.

The meal is a pre-established option rather than a menu where you choose from several dishes. One drink is included with lunch, with a choice listed as water, Coca-Cola, beer, or white or red wine. Fruit is also stated as included, along with another free drink on the return trip.

There is some uncertainty here too. Recent accounts did not always match the stated inclusions, with one person receiving only one drink and no fruit, and another not being offered the return drink. I would treat the meal as useful included fuel, not as a major dining experience, and I would bring snacks in case the fixed option does not suit you.

The food was described positively on one departure, and the crew received praise for being friendly and helpful. Those are meaningful strengths on a long day at sea. A kind crew can make a rolling boat, changing weather, and an awkward landing much easier to manage.

The value becomes weaker if the island walk is your main goal. Paying $106 for several hours on a boat can feel fair to a sea lover and expensive to someone expecting a land-based nature tour. The right question is not simply is the price low? It is would I happily spend most of a day watching the Atlantic?

Sea conditions and seasickness

The crossing can be rough. One account described the sea as somewhat agitated, while another warned that the boat moves a lot. That is not a minor footnote. A rolling wooden boat can turn a beautiful day into a miserable one if you are prone to seasickness.

The experience is not suitable for people with a cold, which is sensible when you are exposed to wind and spray for hours. If you know you get sick at sea, this is a poor gamble. The trip covers many miles, so you cannot simply step off after the first hour.

Wear comfortable clothes and bring a jacket even in warm weather. Waterproof shoes are recommended in the practical information, and they make sense if you need to swim ashore or move around a wet deck.

Snacks are allowed and specifically recommended. Bring them in a small waterproof bag, not a large piece of luggage. A towel, swimsuit, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat are the basic kit. You may also want a dry change of clothes, since the stated information does not promise that towels or dry shore access will be provided.

Meeting point, languages, and timing

The departure point is Av. do Mar in Funchal. At pier 8, look for the Bonita da Madeira kiosk in the middle of the marina area. This detail is worth saving on your phone because a marina can have several kiosks and boarding points.

The tour offers live guidance in English and Portuguese. No individual guide names are provided, so you should not book expecting a particular guide. The planned guided explanation lasts around 20 minutes, with the rest of the day built around sailing, nature viewing, lunch, and free time.

Private pickup and drop-off are not included. Parking is also not included. You need to make your own way to the marina and allow enough time to find pier 8 without rushing.

The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Madeira plans are still moving around, but they do not remove the risk of a weather-related change or a departure problem. Keep the provider’s contact details handy and confirm the trip if you have an especially tight holiday schedule.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

I would recommend this outing to you if you like open water, traditional boats, remote scenery, and the possibility of seeing dolphins or whales. Strong swimmers who enjoy snorkeling and do not need a long walk will get the most from it.

It also suits people who want a full-day adventure rather than a quick sightseeing stop. The sense of distance is part of the experience. You are not just looking at the Desertas from Funchal, you are committing a day to reaching them.

I would be cautious if you have limited mobility in the water, dislike boats that roll, or need reliable dry access to shore. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers, and the landing may involve swimming from the boat.

Families should judge their group carefully. The long duration, limited space, possible rough water, and swim-to-shore access may be hard for children who tire easily or are not confident swimmers. The supplied information does not give a minimum age, so ask the provider before booking with children.

Should you book the Desertas wooden boat trip?

Book it if your dream day is mostly a sea journey with a remote-island payoff. The best parts are the miles of Atlantic, the chance of marine life, the impressive cliffs, the friendly crew, and the fact that lunch and drinks are included.

Think twice if you are paying mainly for an island hike. The walk may be only about 200 meters, the guided portion is short, and recent departures have sometimes required swimming ashore with no dry landing. That is the key detail to settle before you commit.

At $106, I see fair value for a sea-focused day, but weaker value for a walking tour. Ask Bonita da Madeira directly about the expected landing method, dry access, towel arrangements, snorkeling equipment, and the meal and drink inclusions. If the answers match your priorities and you handle boats well, this can be a memorable way to see Madeira’s wild Atlantic side.

FAQ

Where does the Desertas Islands boat trip leave from?

The meeting point is at Av. do Mar in Funchal, at pier 8 of the marina. Look for the Bonita da Madeira kiosk in the middle.

How long does the activity last?

The stated duration is 8.5 hours, including the crossing, island stop, lunch, swimming, and return to Funchal.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $106 per person.

Are dolphins and whales guaranteed?

No. The trip covers many miles, which gives you a high possibility of seeing marine life, including dolphins and whales, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A pre-established lunch option is included, along with one drink per person. The listed choices are water, Coca-Cola, beer, white wine, or red wine. Fruit and another drink on the return journey are also stated as included.

Do I need to know how to swim?

Yes. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers, and reaching the island may require swimming from the boat.

Is there a walking tour on the Desertas Islands?

A guided tour of around 20 minutes is stated, along with a natural trail. The accessible route may be very short, and some departures have not offered a dry walk on the island.

Is snorkeling included?

Snorkeling is listed as an activity during the stop. The provided information does not confirm whether equipment is supplied, so ask the provider before departure.

Which languages are available?

Live guidance is available in English and Portuguese.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.