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

Madeira gets wilder fast. Go Explore’s Level 2 canyoning in Nun’s Valley combines four rappels, optional jumps, natural slides, and mountain views in a compact four-hour outing. I like the choice built into the route: you can test yourself on heights of up to 15 meters without being forced into every jump. I also like that photos, equipment, insurance, water, and a small chocolate snack are included.

The main consideration is that this is an intermediate trip, not a gentle sightseeing walk. You will spend about 20 minutes walking on a dirt road and beside a levada before entering the canyon, then face wet rock, rappelling, pools, and heights. The guides, including José, Miguel, and Pedro, receive strong praise for calm safety briefings and encouragement, but you should still be comfortable stepping outside your comfort zone.

Key points to know before booking

• Four rappels, with the highest reaching 15 meters: You get repeated rope work rather than one quick abseil.
• Optional jumps and natural slides: You can choose how far to push yourself at several points.
• A dramatic Curral das Freiras setting: Steep mountains surround the canyon in the middle of Madeira.
• Small groups capped at 10 people: This gives the guides more time to explain each move.
• Equipment and photos included: Bring swimwear and a towel, but the wetsuit and technical gear are provided.
• Several pickup choices: Transfers are available from the CR7 Museum area, Ponta do Sol, and Praia da Calheta.

What Level 2 means in Nun’s Valley

Go Explore calls this an intermediate canyoning route, aimed at people who want more adventure and a real test of nerve. That sounds serious, but the experience is also described as suitable for people with no previous canyoning experience, provided they are willing to listen, follow instructions, and manage the heights.

The route has four rappels, with the tallest at 15 meters. You may also encounter jumps and slides into refreshing pools. These features give the outing a good rhythm. You are not simply walking through a stream, and you are not hanging from a rope for four straight hours either. The activity moves between walking, climbing, rope work, swimming, sliding, and waiting for instructions.

The optional nature of the jumps matters. If a leap looks too high, you can choose another way down. That gives beginners a useful safety valve, while more adventurous participants can take on larger jumps and waterfalls when conditions allow.

Still, do not book this expecting a mild nature outing. You will get wet, move through uneven terrain, and work with heights. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, and you need to provide your height in centimeters, weight in kilograms, age, and European shoe size before going.

Entering the Curral das Freiras canyon

The canyon sits in Curral das Freiras, commonly called Nun’s Valley, a mountain valley surrounded by steep slopes. The setting is one of the strongest reasons to choose this route. You are not doing canyoning beside a built-up resort or a busy road. The rock walls and mountain views form the backdrop as you move through the water.

The adventure starts after a walk of roughly 20 minutes along a dirt road and beside a levada. Madeira’s levadas are irrigation channels built to carry water across the island, and this approach gives you a short taste of the island’s walking culture before the technical part begins.

Expect the approach to feel like a transition. You leave the easy meeting point behind, walk toward the canyon, and get time to settle into the group. Once the canyoning begins, the guides explain the steps and safety rules before each section. José and Miguel are especially praised for patient explanations, steady encouragement, and a light sense of humor. That combination is useful when your attention is split between the rope, the water, and your own nerves.

The mountain setting also means weather can change the feel of the trip. One group arrived to rain and still found the outing safe and enjoyable, with wetsuits helping keep them warm. You should expect the experience to feel different in wet weather, but the activity team makes the safety decision based on conditions.

Four rappels and several ways down

Rappelling is the main feature of Level 2. You will descend four sections by rope, with the largest drop measuring 15 meters. The height is enough to create a genuine rush, but the guides are there to explain body position, rope control, and the order of each movement.

For a first-timer, the most valuable part is not simply reaching the bottom. It is learning that a large rock face becomes manageable when you break it into small instructions. Several people who had never tried canyoning before found the technique easy to pick up once the guides explained it calmly.

You should not expect to race through the course. A good canyoning outing includes pauses while the group prepares, checks equipment, and moves safely through each feature. A small group of no more than 10 people helps keep those pauses reasonable and lets the guides watch each participant.

The largest rappel reaches 15 meters, but the route includes several smaller sections too. This gives you a chance to build confidence before facing the highest point. If you are nervous about heights, tell the guides early. They can explain the next move clearly and help you decide how to approach it.

Jumps, pools, and natural water slides

The canyon includes refreshing pools where you can jump or slide into the water. The jumps are optional, so you can set your own limit. That choice makes the experience more welcoming than a route that treats every obstacle as a compulsory stunt.

The pools and slides also break up the rappelling. You might finish a rope descent, enter a pool, and then move toward a natural slide or another jump. The water adds fun, but it also means you need to keep your focus. Follow instructions about where to land and how to move through each section.

The water temperature may feel cool, especially in rainy conditions. The provided wetsuit makes a noticeable difference, so do not underestimate the value of wearing it properly. You are told to bring swimwear, while the activity provider supplies the technical equipment and wetsuit.

The included water and chocolate are small details, but they make sense here. Canyoning uses more energy than the four-hour duration suggests, especially when you are climbing, bracing against rock, and waiting in wet gear. A quick snack halfway through gives you a welcome lift.

Guides who make the height easier

The strongest part of this experience is the guiding. José, Miguel, and Pedro are repeatedly praised for being friendly, enthusiastic, funny, and careful with safety. That matters more here than polished commentary or a long speech about Madeira.

The guides explain what is coming and make sure people understand the safety precautions. They also encourage nervous participants without making the group feel rushed. That balance is important. A guide who treats every person like a daredevil can make a canyoning trip unpleasant. Here, the tone is described as relaxed but professional.

You can also expect the guides to keep the mood light. Water splashing and jokes have a place between the serious parts of the activity. This helps a mixed group settle in, especially when some people are experienced and others are trying canyoning for the first time.

The safety support is particularly useful for families with older children. One group completed the activity with children aged 10 and 13, and the guides were described as supportive. However, no minimum age is provided, so you should confirm the age rules before booking for children.

Transport, meeting points, and timing

You have three pickup choices:

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

The return is to the same general locations. Pickup times are confirmed the day before, so keep your phone available and avoid planning a tight appointment immediately afterward.

If you have a rental car, driving directly to the canyon location is described as more convenient. Free parking is available there. This can save time, especially if you are staying outside Funchal, Calheta, or Ponta do Sol. You should still confirm the exact meeting point and arrival time before setting off.

The total activity lasts about four hours, with the guided canyoning portion listed at around three and a half hours. Check the available start times when booking. The pickup and return transfer can affect the overall length of your day, particularly if you use one of the included collection points.

What the $82 price includes

At $82 per person, this is a fair price for an activity that requires specialist equipment and trained guides. You receive the gear needed for canyoning, a qualified guide, insurance, transport from the listed pickup points, water, chocolate, and photos.

The photos add real value. The guides take pictures during the activity, which means you can concentrate on the rappel or jump instead of trying to protect a phone in wet conditions. You also get a record of the mountain setting and the group experience without having to carry a camera.

The price is less attractive if you plan to drive yourself and already own canyoning equipment, but most holidaymakers will not have a wetsuit, ropes, helmets, and safety gear packed for Madeira. For a first canyoning experience, having the equipment and instruction bundled together keeps the booking simple.

Bring your own towel and swimwear. Changing rooms and towels are not included, so plan for the practical end of the day. You should also avoid alcohol and drugs before the activity, both for your own safety and for the safety of the group.

Who should choose this experience

I would choose this trip if you want active Madeira rather than a purely scenic tour. It suits you if you are curious about canyoning, can cope with water and heights, and like having several challenges in one outing.

It also works well for a group with mixed experience because the jumps are optional and the guides explain each stage. A first-timer can take part without needing to perform every advanced move, while a more adventurous person can choose the bigger jumps when available.

You should think twice if you dislike heights, cold water, slippery surfaces, or waiting while safety checks take place. This is not a good fit if you want a dry walk through Nun’s Valley or a fixed schedule with no physical effort.

The small-group limit helps, but canyoning is still a shared activity. You will move at the pace of the group and pause while others prepare for their rappels. That is part of the safety setup, not wasted time.

Booking details worth checking

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. The host can communicate in English, French, Portuguese, or Spanish.

Before the day, send your height, weight, age, and European shoe size. These details help the provider prepare the right equipment. Wear swimwear under the wetsuit, and pack a towel for afterward.

Because the pickup time is confirmed the day before, check your messages and make sure the provider has the correct contact information. If driving, ask for the exact canyon meeting point even though free parking is available.

FAQ

How long does the Nun’s Valley canyoning experience last?

The activity lasts about four hours. The guided canyoning portion is listed at approximately three and a half hours, with the remaining time connected to the overall activity arrangements.

How high is the tallest rappel?

The highest rappel is 15 meters. The route includes four rappels in total, with other sections reaching about 10 to 15 meters.

Are the jumps compulsory?

No. Several jumps are optional, so you can choose how far to push yourself. The route also includes pools and natural slides.

What equipment is provided?

All equipment required for the activity is included. This includes the technical canyoning gear and wetsuit mentioned in the experience details.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. Towels, changing rooms, and swimwear are not provided.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup is available from the roadside near Portugal’s CR7 Museum, in front of the Pingo Doce supermarket in Calheta, or at the petrol station in Ponta do Sol.

Is the activity suitable for pregnant women?

No. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women.

Should you book Level 2 canyoning in Nun’s Valley?

Book it if you want a proper outdoor challenge with room to choose your limits. The combination of four rappels, optional jumps, natural slides, mountain views, included photos, and patient guides gives you a lot for $82.

I especially like this trip for first-time canyoners who feel nervous but still want something exciting. José, Miguel, and the wider guiding team appear to understand that confidence grows one instruction at a time. Just arrive prepared for cold water, wet clothes, uneven ground, and heights up to 15 meters.

If you want the most convenient day, drive to the canyon and use the free parking. If you prefer not to arrange transport, choose one of the three pickup points. Either way, Nun’s Valley offers a memorable setting for a high-energy Madeira activity, and the optional challenges keep the experience from feeling like a one-size-fits-all stunt course.