Go Explore Canyoning Level 2 (Nun’s Valley) .

Madeira’s Nuns Valley is the setting for this four-hour canyoning adventure, where steep mountain walls frame a route of waterfalls, pools, natural slides, and four abseils. The biggest descent reaches 15 meters, but you can choose how far beyond your comfort zone you want to go.

I like the choice built into the route: optional jumps let you set your own pace, while calm, careful instruction from guides such as José and Miguel helps first-timers handle the ropes. I also like the small-group limit of 10, plus included photos, water, chocolate, equipment, insurance, and transfers from selected pickup points.

The main consideration is that Level 2 is not a gentle sightseeing walk. You will wear a wetsuit, move along a dirt road and levada for about 20 minutes, and face heights of 10 to 15 meters. If heights or cold water make you uneasy, this may feel like a serious test.

Key points at a glance

• Four abseils, with a 15-meter maximum: You get repeated rope descents rather than one brief rappel.
• Optional jumps and natural slides: You can choose the bigger thrills instead of being pushed into them.
• Curral das Freiras setting: The canyon sits among Madeira’s steep central mountains, giving the activity a memorable sense of place.
• Small groups of up to 10: This allows guides to give more personal support and keep the pace manageable.
• Photos are included: You can concentrate on the activity instead of trying to protect a phone near the water.
• Transport and full equipment are included: Pickup is available from the CR7 Museum area, Ponta do Sol, or Calheta, though driving yourself is said to be more convenient.

What Level 2 means in Nuns Valley

Canyoning combines walking through a watercourse with rope work, jumps, slides, and short swims or wades through pools. Here, the intermediate Level 2 route is aimed at people who want more excitement than a basic introduction but do not necessarily have previous canyoning experience.

The key word is choice. The route includes several optional jumps, so you can decide how much height and splash you want. You may prefer to abseil into a pool, try a jump, or use a slide when offered. The guides explain each section and help you select the option that fits your confidence.

That makes this a useful middle ground. You are not simply watching a guide perform a stunt, but you also are not expected to arrive as an expert. The activity is active and demanding enough to feel like an adventure, while the guides can support people who are new to canyoning.

The route includes four abseils. The tallest is 15 meters, with other sections reaching roughly 10 to 15 meters. A 15-meter rope descent is high enough to feel exciting, especially when you are standing at the edge in wet gear, but the guided setup gives you a clear task: listen, lean back, control the rope as instructed, and move one step at a time.

Beginning with the walk along the levada

Your canyoning does not begin the moment you leave the vehicle. First, you walk for about 20 minutes along a dirt road and beside a levada, one of Madeira’s famous water channels.

This short approach matters because it gives you time to get used to the equipment and the group before the more technical parts begin. It also places the activity in its setting. You are not at a built amusement attraction. You are moving through the mountain environment around Curral das Freiras, with steep slopes rising around the valley.

The walk is an important practical detail for anyone deciding what to wear. You need swimwear under the provided equipment, but you also need footwear suitable for walking on an unpaved route. The supplied information specifically asks for your European shoe size, height, weight, and age in advance, so send those details promptly.

Once you reach the canyon, the guides explain the sequence and safety points. Several people who had no prior canyoning experience found Level 2 manageable because the instructions were given calmly and clearly. That is especially valuable before your first abseil, when a simple explanation can make the difference between excitement and panic.

Four abseils, optional jumps, and cool pools

The heart of the experience is the series of four abseils. Each one gives you another chance to improve your technique. After the first descent, you know more about how the harness feels, how to position your body, and how to follow the guide’s signals.

The highest drop is 15 meters. You may also encounter sections in the 10 to 15-meter range, so this is not a route for someone who wants to avoid heights entirely. At the same time, you are not required to turn every feature into the biggest possible challenge. The optional jumps make the route flexible.

The pools and water features add variety. You can jump or slide into refreshing pools, and the natural water slides offer a different kind of thrill from the rope sections. The activity description allows you to choose between bigger jumps or waterfalls, which means your day can be shaped around your comfort level and energy.

The water may feel cool, particularly in rainy or cloudy weather. Wetsuits are supplied, and they make a real difference in keeping you comfortable. Bring your own swimwear to wear underneath, and pack a towel for changing afterward. Towels, swimwear, and changing rooms are not provided.

The activity is not only about adrenaline. The mountain views continue throughout the route, and the canyon gives you access to places you would not see from a road or standard walking path. That mix of physical effort and scenery is one of the strongest reasons to choose this over a simple viewpoint stop.

Guides who make the hard parts manageable

The guides are central to the quality of this experience. José, Miguel, and Felipe are among the guides associated with the outings described, and the strongest praise centers on their calm safety briefings, encouragement, humor, and personal attention.

That combination matters. A guide who explains the rope system but ignores nervous participants would make the activity feel harsher than it needs to be. Here, the guiding approach is described as patient and reassuring, with room for jokes and water splashing once everyone understands the next step.

You should still expect to follow instructions closely. Canyoning is a physical activity, and the guides cannot remove every risk. Their role is to explain the techniques, manage the rope sections, assess conditions, and help you make sensible choices about jumps and slides.

The small-group limit of 10 works in your favor. A smaller group can spend less time waiting for each person to descend, and guides have more opportunity to check that everyone is comfortable. If the full group is booked, the pace will still depend on the least confident participant, so allow yourself to enjoy the pauses rather than treating them as wasted time.

Getting there from Funchal, Calheta, or Ponta do Sol

You can arrange pickup from three stated locations:

• The roadside near Portugal’s CR7 Museum in Funchal
• In front of the Pingo Doce supermarket in Calheta
• The petrol station in Ponta do Sol

The pickup time is confirmed the day before. That is useful, but you should not assume an exact departure time until the operator contacts you. Keep the morning or afternoon flexible until that confirmation arrives.

If you have a rental car, driving directly to the canyon location is described as the more convenient option. Free parking is available there. This may save time compared with coordinating a pickup, especially if you are staying outside the three listed areas.

The return is to the same general pickup locations. Since the activity lasts four hours, allow extra time around the stated duration if you have a dinner booking, airport transfer, or another timed plan. Mountain roads and group activities are not ideal partners for a tight schedule.

What the $82 price includes

At $82 per person, this is not just a guided walk. The price includes the required canyoning equipment, a qualified guide, insurance, transport from the listed pickup points, water, chocolate, and photos.

The equipment is a major part of the value. You do not need to buy or rent the technical gear separately, and the wetsuit helps with the cool water. Insurance is also included, which is worth noting for an activity involving ropes, slippery rocks, and jumps.

The included photos are a practical bonus. Canyoning is a poor time to handle a phone, and carrying a camera can be awkward or risky around water. Having the guides take photos lets you focus on moving safely through the canyon and gives you a record of the setting afterward.

Chocolate may sound like a small touch, but a snack halfway through an active outing is welcome. You should still eat sensibly before you arrive, since the included food is only a light treat and not a full meal.

The value is strongest if you need transport and equipment. If you already have a car and your own technical canyoning gear, the price may feel less compelling, but most visitors will benefit from the all-in package and the guide support.

Who should book this adventure

This suits active adults, adventurous families, and first-time canyoners who want a physical challenge in a dramatic part of Madeira. The experience has been used by families with children aged 10 and 13, but you should confirm suitability for your own child directly with the operator and provide the requested age details.

You do not need to arrive with canyoning experience. The combination of instruction, optional jumps, and repeated abseils makes the route approachable for beginners who are willing to try something demanding.

You should be comfortable with water, uneven ground, and heights. Pregnant women should not book this activity. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, which is a sensible rule for any rope and water outing.

This is less suitable if you want a quiet half-day in the mountains, dislike getting wet, or prefer to control every detail of your movement. The guides can offer choices, but the canyon remains a physical environment with slippery surfaces, cold water, and vertical sections.

What to bring and what to send before arrival

Bring swimwear and a towel. Swimwear goes under the supplied equipment, and the towel is needed afterward because towels and changing rooms are not included.

You also need to send:

• Height in centimeters
• Weight in kilograms
• European shoe size
• Age

These details allow the operator to prepare equipment and assess the group. Do not leave them until the last minute.

Wear or bring practical clothing for the approach walk. The supplied information does not list a specific footwear requirement, but a dirt road and levada path call for shoes you can walk in securely. Avoid bringing valuables that could be damaged by water.

Photos, water, and chocolate are included, but meals are not. Plan accordingly.

Weather, comfort, and the real level of challenge

Madeira’s mountain weather can change quickly. Rain does not automatically cancel the outing, but conditions must be safe. The guides have adjusted the activity in wet weather, and wetsuits help keep you warm when the water and air feel cool.

You should not treat the word intermediate as meaning easy. The route is suitable for newcomers, yet it includes several abseils and optional jumps with a maximum height of 15 meters. You will be asked to step beyond your normal routine, even if you choose the smaller options.

The best approach is to be honest with the guides. Tell them if you are nervous, ask questions before committing to a jump, and use the optional nature of the route to build confidence. A good day is not measured by choosing the highest jump. It is measured by enjoying the route without taking a foolish risk.

The guides’ patience is especially important here. Clear explanations and encouragement can help a first-timer manage the first rope descent, while more confident participants still get enough height, water, and movement to make Level 2 worthwhile.

Booking advice and cancellation flexibility

The activity lasts four hours, and starting times depend on availability. Pickup times are confirmed the day before, so check your messages and keep your schedule open.

You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Madeira plans are still shifting. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund.

The host or greeter may speak English, French, Portuguese, or Spanish. State your preferred language when booking if that matters to you.

With a maximum of 10 participants, spaces may be limited on popular dates. If you want a smaller, more personal outing, confirm the expected group size rather than assuming every departure will be lightly booked.

Should you book Go Explore Canyoning Level 2?

I would choose this experience if you want to combine Madeira’s mountain scenery with a real physical challenge. The 15-meter abseil, optional jumps, natural slides, included photos, and strong guide support give the four hours plenty of substance for the price.

Book it if you are curious about canyoning but do not yet have much experience. José, Miguel, and the wider guide team have the right qualities for this kind of activity: clear safety instruction, patience with nervous participants, and enough humor to keep the mood relaxed.

Think twice if you dislike heights, cold water, or uncertain weather. This is not a passive tour, and the 20-minute approach walk plus repeated rope sections require reasonable fitness.

For an adventurous day in Curral das Freiras, with equipment, transport options, insurance, and photos already handled, Go Explore Canyoning Level 2 is a strong choice. Bring a swimsuit, towel, and an open mind, then let your confidence decide how big a splash you make.

FAQ

Where does the canyoning take place?

The activity takes place in Curral das Freiras, in Madeira’s Nuns Valley, surrounded by steep central mountains.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts about four hours. Starting times depend on availability.

How many abseils are included?

The route includes four abseils. The tallest reaches 15 meters.

Are the jumps compulsory?

No. Several jumps are optional, so you can choose the level of challenge that suits you.

Is previous canyoning experience required?

No previous experience is stated as required. The intermediate Level 2 route is suitable for people looking for more adventure, including participants who are new to canyoning.

What is included in the price?

The $82 price includes the required equipment, a qualified guide, insurance, selected transfers, water, chocolate, and photos.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. You also need to provide your height in centimeters, weight in kilograms, European shoe size, and age.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup is available near Portugal’s CR7 Museum in Funchal, in front of the Pingo Doce supermarket in Calheta, or at the petrol station in Ponta do Sol. You can also drive directly to the canyon location, where free parking is available.