Top 5 Best Beaches in Madeira

Madeira island is volcanic and therefore most beaches consist of pebbles. Not really the type of beach you build sandcastles on and play volleyball with your friends. However, this island does have a few very special and beautiful sandy beaches:

1. Praia do Seixal.

A smooth, black sandy beach that slowly submerges into the crystal clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean and where steep green cliffs rise sky high from the depths below, leaving you feeling like a tiny human being. Incredible how powerful, yet very calm nature can appear.

Praia de Seixal (Seixal Beach) is located on the North Coast of Madeira, thanking it’s name to the village where it is in. At the beach there is a limited parking space and especially on Sunday’s it can be very crowded, since it is a popular spots among locals and tourists all year round.

There are facilities such as showers, a bathroom, a small restaurant and if you’re looking for some watersport activities, then you have come to the right spot. You can rent a kayak, try out some bodyboarding, canoeing or stand up paddle.

Fun Fact: Seixal Beach is probably one of the most photographed beaches on the island as it offers quite a unique setting. At the far end of the beach, near the mountains, there is a waterfall where people often wash the salty water from their skin.

2. Praia da Prainha

On your way to PR8 Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço you can find Prainha. A small, idyllic little piece of paradise. Just off the main road, yet hidden away in a beautiful bay, hugged by volcanic rocks. Imagine the most crystal clear waters you have ever seen, that highlight a beautiful contrast with the yellow and brown rocks in this area of Madeira island.

Although Prainha do Caniçal is small, this beach does offer facilities like a restaurant, changing rooms, toilets, parasols and sun loungers. You can park the car at the parking up the road and walk the stairs down.

Don’t forget to take your goggles, since there are some beautiful fishes to spot.

3. Praia da Banda d'Além

A gold sandy Praia de Machico on the Eastern bank of Ribeira de Machico offers an easy access to the ocean. Situated in one of the bigger cities of Madeira island, it is well equipped with changing rooms, showers, bathrooms, on street parking and lifeguards during high season.

This beach is one of the two golden yellow sand beaches in Madeira, which has the sand imported from Morocco.

4. Praia da Calheta

This area actually consists of 2 separate beaches facing each other in a protected, manmade bay. The wall of concrete blocks protects the beaches during the wintertime when the Atlantic Ocean can be a bit rough. The beaches itself are also manmade with golden, yellow sand from Morocco. Like the one in Machico.

Near the Praia da Calheta you will find changing rooms, disabled facilities, a first-aid station, bars, restaurant, and on street parking. Closeby there is a ‘Pingo Doce’ supermarket, a pharmacy, a souvenirs shop and a bank.

Due to its popularity by locals and having two big hotels (Savoy Calheta Beach and Savoy Saccharum) right on the beach, it can get very crowded in high season. Especially during the weekends.

5. Praia Formosa

This beach is situated in the island’s capital of Funchal and is only a 10 minutes drive from the city centre. This beach actually consists of 4 different, yet connected beaches: Praia Formosa, Praia dos Namorados (mostly sand), Praia do Areeiro and Praia Nova. These beaches are a mix of pebbles and black sand.

Praia Formosa attracts many visitors all year round due to its great location, beautiful promenade that will take you right into the picturesque fishing village of Camara de Lobos, stunning coastline views and many facilities. Among the many facilities you can find a medical centre, a kindergarten, changing rooms, snack bars and restaurants, several sport areas and a car park.

Please note that the currents at this beach can be tricky and during high season there are lifeguards watching over the safety of the swimmers. The beach does not slowly go down into the water, but quickly cuts off into the depths below, causing you to lose your footing easy when there are bigger waves.

I hope you have enjoyed this blog post about some of Madeira’s most beautiful beaches. For more Madeira inspiration and tips, head over to my interactive guide of Madeira with map or Instagram account: @s.x.traveler

_

The article was written in collaboration with @themadeiratravelista. Interested in learning more about Madeira? Follow the link to read her books about this wonderful island.