From Funchal: Wooden Boat Excursion to Desertas Island

The Atlantic does most of the entertaining here. This 8.5-hour wooden boat trip from Funchal is appealing for two clear reasons: excellent chances to spot dolphins or whales and a rare chance to reach Madeira’s remote Desertas Islands. I also like that lunch, drinks, fruit, and a swim stop are included.

The main caution is simple: you spend most of the day at sea, and access to the island may require swimming from the boat. This is not a gentle sightseeing cruise, especially when the Atlantic turns rough.

Key points to know before you go

• Most of the day is on the water: About 6.5 hours can be spent sailing, with roughly two hours for lunch and time near the islands.
• Marine life is a major reason to book: Covering many miles gives you good chances to see dolphins and whales, though sightings are never guaranteed.
• Island access can be wet: Some departures have required passengers to swim to shore, with no dry landing or place to change.
• The island walk is very short: The marked path has been described as about 200 meters, with information plaques and limited time ashore.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Expect the operator’s set lunch, one drink with the meal, fruit, and another drink on the return journey.
• The sea can be rough: This trip is best for confident swimmers who are comfortable on a moving boat.

Leaving Funchal from Pier 8

Your day begins at Av. do Mar, at the marina’s pier 8. Look for the Bonita da Madeira kiosk in the middle of the pier area. That is the meeting point, and finding it matters because the waterfront has several boats and service counters.

There is no private pickup or drop-off. You need to make your own way to the marina, and parking is not included. Give yourself enough time to locate the kiosk without rushing. A late arrival would be especially frustrating on a full-day trip that cannot easily be shortened.

The welcome starts with Madeira wine. This is a pleasant local touch, but keep it modest if you are prone to seasickness. The boat will soon be out in open Atlantic water, and the ride can be much more active than a short harbor cruise.

The wooden boat gives the trip a traditional feel. You are not simply being transported to a beach. You are spending a long stretch of the day in the open sea, with changing views of Madeira and the Desertas. That is the heart of the experience, and also its biggest demand.

Why the long crossing matters

The operator covers many miles between Funchal and the islands. That makes the crossing feel long, but it also creates the best chance of seeing marine life. Dolphins and whales may appear alongside the boat, sometimes only briefly, so you will want to keep watching the water rather than treating the crossing as dead time.

There is no promise of a sighting. Nature does not work on a schedule. Still, a wide-ranging trip gives you more opportunities than a short coastal outing. If your top goal is seeing wildlife, this is one of the strongest reasons to consider the excursion.

I would plan for the crossing as the main event, not just the route to the island. Bring sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and a jacket. The sun can be strong, while the wind on a moving boat can make the same day feel cool. Comfortable clothes and waterproof shoes are useful, especially if you are likely to get spray.

The sea condition will shape your day. One booking described a fantastic and unforgettable outing despite somewhat rough water. Another account found the movement difficult and felt the boat was too full. Those details point to the same practical truth: your comfort depends heavily on the weather and your tolerance for motion.

If you get seasick, this is a poor choice. The trip is specifically unsuitable for people prone to seasickness, and there is no quick escape once the boat is far from Funchal. Avoiding a heavy meal before departure, sitting where the motion is easier for you, and carrying any medication you normally use may help, but no remedy changes the basic nature of the trip.

The Desertas Islands: remote, spare, and protected

The Desertas Islands are a protected natural reserve southeast of Madeira. They are known here for their isolation, cliffs, open Atlantic setting, and unusual plant and animal life. The scenery is the payoff for the long ride: steep coastal rock, bare ground, and a sense of being far from Madeira’s developed shore.

Do not picture a broad sandy island with hours of wandering. The setting is more rugged and spare. One description compared the shore to piles of gravel, which is a useful warning if you expect a lush tropical beach. The Desertas are interesting precisely because they feel exposed and undeveloped.

The planned island time includes walking, swimming, and snorkeling. In theory, you can leave the boat, follow a natural path, look at the local flora and fauna, and return when you wish. In practice, the amount of land access appears to depend on the conditions and the way your particular departure handles the landing.

This is the most important point to clarify before booking. The activity describes docking and a guided tour of about 20 minutes. Yet recent accounts describe a short circular path of roughly 200 meters, with a few information plaques and no formal walk with a guide. Other departures have required people to swim from the boat to the shore, meaning you arrive in swimwear and remain wet.

That difference can completely change the value of the day. If you want a real island hike, ask the operator before you pay whether your departure allows a dry landing and a guided walk. If swimming ashore is required, pack accordingly and be ready for a beach stop rather than a land excursion.

The swim stop requires honest preparation

The swim stop is a highlight for confident swimmers. The water around the Desertas offers a striking setting for a swim or snorkel, with cliffs and open ocean around you. It is a memorable way to reach a remote island, and it turns the landing into part of the adventure.

It is also not suitable for non-swimmers. You need to be comfortable entering open water and making your way from the boat to shore if that is how the stop operates. Ask the crew for clear instructions before entering the water, and do not treat the swim as optional if you are expecting to reach the island on foot.

Bring a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, sunglasses, a cap, and a jacket. Waterproof shoes are especially sensible. The supplied information also recommends snacks, though lunch is provided. A small, soft bag is better than a large case because oversize luggage and large bags are not allowed.

One complaint described arriving without a towel and being unable to get dry before walking around. That is exactly the kind of small omission that can spoil a windy stop. Pack your own towel even though the boat provides lunch and drinks.

You should also consider the weather at the island. Wet swimwear may be comfortable in warm sunshine, but it can become unpleasant when the wind rises or clouds cover the sun. If you do not want to sit around in damp clothes, bring a dry change of clothes in a waterproof bag.

What the island visit really offers

The guided portion is listed as around 20 minutes, but the available path may be much shorter than that suggests. A 200-meter circular route with signs can take only a few minutes for a fast walker. The value is less about distance and more about seeing a protected place that very few people can reach casually.

You may observe local flora and fauna, read the plaques, and take in the stark coastal views. You will not get a full day of hiking. The island stop is a compact introduction to the reserve, framed by the long sea crossing.

I would set your expectations this way: book this for the combination of boat travel, wildlife watching, open-water swimming, and a brief look at an isolated reserve. Do not book it mainly for walking. If your ideal day involves several hours on land, this will feel lopsided.

There is also little shelter in the basic experience as described. The setting is exposed, and the weather can make the short stop feel either refreshing or uncomfortable. A jacket is not optional packing advice here. It can be the difference between enjoying the view and counting the minutes until you can return to the boat.

Lunch, drinks, and the value of the $106 price

At $106 per person, this is not a cheap short cruise. The day’s value rests on the distance covered, the remote destination, the wooden boat experience, and the included food and drinks.

Lunch is the operator’s own set option rather than a menu where you choose freely. One drink is included with the meal, with options listed as water, Coca-Cola, beer, white wine, or red wine. Fruit is also included, followed by another free drink on the return trip.

The details matter because the meal is part of an 8.5-hour outing. You are not paying for transport alone. Still, the included items should be checked with the crew at the start. One account reported receiving only one drink and no fruit, while another said the food was good but the return drink was not offered.

I would judge the price favorably if you value marine life, a full day at sea, and the chance to reach the Desertas. I would judge it poorly if you expect a substantial island tour, dry access to shore, or a spacious boat with lots of room. A crowded boat can make a long crossing feel much longer.

The strongest praise concerns the crossing, the friendly and helpful crew, and the overall sense of having a perfect day when conditions cooperate. The weakest comments focus on the mismatch between the advertised island visit and what actually happened at the shore. That mismatch, not the lunch, is the central value question.

Language, group comfort, and practical limits

The live guide service is available in English and Portuguese. The information supplied does not name individual guides, so you should not expect to request a particular person. Crew helpfulness has been praised, which matters during boarding, swimming instructions, and rougher water.

The boat’s capacity and seating arrangement are not specified. One departure felt very full. If you need lots of personal space, this is worth considering before booking. A crowded deck also makes it harder to move around when looking for wildlife.

Pets are not allowed, except for assistance dogs. Fishing is prohibited, and glass objects are not allowed. Large bags and oversize luggage are also barred. These rules fit the small-boat setting, so pack light.

The trip runs for 8.5 hours, but starting times vary by date. You need to check availability for the day you want. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance, and the reserve-now, pay-later option gives you some flexibility while your plans are still changing.

The outing is not suitable for people with a cold, non-swimmers, or anyone prone to seasickness. Those limits are practical rather than fussy. A long ride, wind, spray, and an open-water swim can be hard on your body.

Who will enjoy this wooden boat trip

I would recommend it to you if you:

• Like long boat rides and want the crossing itself to be a major part of the day
• Hope to spot dolphins or whales
• Are a confident swimmer
• Enjoy stark, protected natural places more than polished attractions
• Can handle a moving boat for many hours
• Are happy with a short island walk and flexible shore arrangements

I would be cautious if you:

• Need firm, detailed timing on land
• Want a proper hike through the reserve
• Dislike wet clothes or swimming from a boat
• Get seasick
• Expect a dry landing every time
• Prefer a small, quiet boat with generous space

The trip makes the most sense for an active day with some uncertainty. You are buying access to a remote place and a broad stretch of Atlantic, not a guaranteed wildlife show or a long guided walk.

Should you book the Desertas excursion?

Book this trip if the idea of spending most of your day on a wooden boat sounds exciting. The chance to watch for dolphins and whales, eat lunch at sea, swim near a remote reserve, and see the rugged Desertas is unusual and memorable when weather and landing conditions cooperate.

Before paying, contact Bonita da Madeira and ask two direct questions: Can I step onto dry land on my date, and how long will the island walk actually be? Also ask whether the return drink and fruit are included as planned. Those answers will tell you far more about the day than the headline description.

If the operator confirms dry access and you enjoy the sea, $106 can be fair value. If swimming ashore is required and the island visit is only a few minutes, book only if the long boat ride and wildlife search are your main goals. For anyone hoping for a proper island hike, I would choose another activity.

FAQ

Where does the Desertas Islands boat trip start?

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

How long does the excursion last?

The full experience lasts 8.5 hours, with departure times varying by date.

Are lunch and drinks included?

Yes. The package includes a set lunch, one drink with the meal, fruit, and another free drink on the return trip. Drink choices listed include water, Coca-Cola, beer, white wine, and red wine.

Do I need to swim to the Desertas Islands?

You should be prepared to swim from the boat to shore. Some departures have not provided a dry landing, so confirm the shore arrangements with the operator before booking.

Is the tour suitable for non-swimmers or people prone to seasickness?

No. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers, people with a cold, or people prone to seasickness.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable and waterproof shoes, swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, comfortable clothing, a jacket, and snacks. Large bags, oversize luggage, glass objects, fishing equipment, and pets are not allowed, except for assistance dogs.