Desertas Islands Full-Day Catamaran Trip from Funchal

The best part of this Desertas Islands catamaran trip is the sense of distance. You leave Funchal behind and spend much of the day crossing open Atlantic water to a protected group of volcanic islands that few people see up close. The trip can also bring surprise wildlife sightings, including dolphins, pilot whales, and, on rare occasions, larger whales.

I like two things here: the chance to step ashore on Deserta Grande, and the well-planned mix of nature, swimming, a guided visit, and lunch. The main catch is the long crossing, roughly three hours each way, with hard bench seating and no guarantee of seeing monk seals or marine life.

Key points to know

• Deserta Grande is the only island where you can disembark, giving you a rare look at a protected island reserve.
• The open-water journey is a major part of the day, not just transportation between activities.
• Lunch and drinks are included, with vegetarian and vegan meals available when arranged properly.
• Swimming, snorkeling, and stand-up paddleboarding are offered from a volcanic beach.
• Monk seal conservation is explained, but monk seals are not guaranteed, and you may not see one at all.
• Bring a windbreaker and proper water shoes, since the sea can feel cold and the rocks may be slippery.

Leaving Funchal for the Desertas

You meet the VMT Madeira Catamaran team at the VMT Madeira Kiosk in Funchal Marina. Hotel pickup is not included, so you need to make your own way to the marina and arrive ready for a full day on the water.

Before departure, the crew gives a safety briefing. Then the catamaran heads east along Madeira’s south coast, with views back toward the island and out across open sea. The ride itself takes time. Some accounts describe about three hours to the Desertas and another three hours back, so you should choose this outing because you enjoy being at sea, not simply because you want a quick island visit.

The boat has a toilet and a bar serving snacks and drinks. Lunch is included, along with beverages, which makes the $106 price more reasonable than it first appears. You are paying for a long catamaran cruise, a guided island visit, food, and access to a protected area that is not part of an ordinary Madeira sightseeing day.

The seating is the weak point. The catamaran has bench-style seats, and they can feel hard after several hours. Bring a windbreaker even on a sunny day. The ride can feel cool and exposed, especially when the boat is moving, while Deserta Grande may feel much warmer once you are ashore.

Wildlife sightings are a bonus, not the main promise

Keep your expectations sensible. The Desertas are known for monk seal conservation, but seeing monk seals is not guaranteed. The conservation work is real and important, yet the animals are protected and elusive. You should not book this trip as a seal-watching excursion.

The crossing may still deliver excellent wildlife sightings. Dolphins have been seen alongside the boat, and some departures have spotted pilot whales, bottlenose dolphins, and even a group of killer whales. Those sightings are entirely dependent on nature and luck. You might see nothing beyond seabirds and open water, so treat marine life as an extra rather than part of the fixed program.

I like that the route gives you a chance to see animals in their natural setting without turning the trip into a chase. The boat’s main purpose is to reach the reserve, and the crew may point out wildlife when it appears. Bring patience, keep your camera ready, and avoid promising yourself a dramatic sighting.

The water crossing also helps you understand the geography. Madeira is not just a single island with mountain walks and villages. The Desertas sit apart from the main island, with a more remote feel and a much lighter human presence. Even before landing, the journey gives the day a sense of scale.

Deserta Grande and its volcanic shore

The Desertas Islands Natural Reserve covers 12,586 hectares, including Ilhéu Chão, Deserta Grande, Bugio, nearby islets, and the surrounding marine area. The reserve has been protected for more than 25 years, so access is controlled and limited.

Deserta Grande is the only island in the group where visitors can disembark. You arrive by a smaller tender or boat transfer and step into clear water near a beach formed from volcanic material. Getting in and out can be awkward. The rocks may be slippery, and the small boat transfer is not a good match for anyone with mobility difficulties.

This is where proper footwear matters. Flip-flops are a poor choice. Wear water shoes, beach shoes, or sturdy shoes you do not mind getting wet. A towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, and a change of clothes also belong in your day bag, though large bags and luggage are not allowed.

The shore is not a polished resort beach. Its appeal comes from the setting, the volcanic rock, and the feeling of arriving somewhere protected and lightly developed. You get a short window to swim, snorkel, or simply stand in the clear water and look back at the stark island cliffs.

Do not expect a long independent hike across the island. The guided walk is limited, and one visitor was surprised that the program did not allow more hiking. The purpose is to show you a small part of the reserve and explain its work, not to offer a full-day trek.

The conservation center and monk seal work

The guided walk leads toward the conservation center and the guard’s house area. Your English or Portuguese guide explains the monk seal protection program, along with endemic plants and animals found in the reserve.

This visit adds meaning to the scenery. You are not simply looking at a dramatic volcanic outcrop. You are seeing a place managed to protect fragile wildlife and plant life, with rules designed to limit disturbance. The reserve’s value is partly in what you do not see: fewer people, less development, and protected habitat.

The amount of information can vary with the group and the guide. A few people felt they wanted more explanation about the area, while others enjoyed the island briefing. A larger group can also make it hard to hear every word during the walk around the guard’s house. If this part matters most to you, stay close to the guide and ask questions when there is a chance.

The monk seal theme needs clear wording. The trip teaches you about conservation efforts, but it does not promise a seal sighting. If the advertising makes you picture seals resting on the beach, adjust that expectation before you book. The better reason to visit is to learn why this remote reserve matters and to see a protected island with your own eyes.

Swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding

After the guided portion, you have time for water activities near the beach. Swimming is the main draw, with snorkeling and stand-up paddleboarding also available when conditions allow.

The water can look exceptionally clear, but you should still expect a natural volcanic shoreline rather than a sandy resort setup. Bring footwear that protects your feet and grips wet rock. Getting out of the tender and onto the shore is one of the trickier moments of the day.

A towel and swimwear are especially useful in summer. Even if you do not swim, the beach stop breaks up the long time on the catamaran and gives you a chance to move around. I would use this time actively rather than treating it as another photo stop.

Weather and sea conditions can affect what is possible. The operator may cancel a departure if conditions are unsafe or if too few people book the trip. If that happens, you are offered an alternative or a full refund. The same practical point applies during the day: water activities are subject to conditions, so do not treat every listed activity as guaranteed on every sailing.

Lunch on board and the long ride home

Lunch is served on the catamaran, not at a restaurant on the island. The food has received strong praise, and the meal is described as plentiful and varied, with drinks included. Vegetarian and vegan options have been provided, but you should make your dietary needs clear before the trip rather than assume the right meal will appear automatically.

The included meal makes a real difference on a nine-hour outing. You do not need to arrange a separate picnic, and the bar offers snacks and beverages during the crossing. Still, you may want to bring a small personal snack if you have very specific needs, while remembering that large bags are not allowed.

The return trip follows the same broad pattern: boat cruise, open-water views, and safety information as needed. By then, the hard seating may be more noticeable. A windbreaker can also double as a cushion or extra layer, though you should not expect lounge-chair comfort.

The long return gives you time to watch for dolphins and other marine life again. It also means this trip can feel tiring if you prefer short excursions with constant activity. Some people will find the quiet crossing relaxing. Others may feel that six hours at sea is too much for a single island stop.

What the $106 price really covers

At $106 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day in Madeira. The value depends on how much you want the Desertas experience itself.

The price includes:

• A full-day catamaran cruise
• The boat transfer to Deserta Grande
• A guided walk
• Lunch and drinks
• Time for swimming, snorkeling, and stand-up paddleboarding
• A look at monk seal conservation work

It does not include hotel pickup or drop-off, so add the cost and time of reaching Funchal Marina. You are also paying for a nine-hour day, but a large portion of that time is spent crossing the sea. That is worthwhile if you enjoy boat travel and remote scenery. It is less convincing if you want the greatest number of land-based activities for your money.

The strongest value comes from access. You cannot simply wander into the Desertas on your own and expect the same organized arrival, conservation visit, and meal. The trip lets you reach a tightly protected place without arranging separate transport, food, and guiding.

I would compare it with your own interests rather than with ordinary Funchal boat tours. If your priority is a short cruise, this is too long. If you want a full day built around the sea, volcanic islands, and conservation, the price is easier to justify.

Who should book this day at sea

This trip suits you if you like:

• Long boat rides with changing sea views
• Remote, protected places
• Volcanic scenery rather than developed beaches
• Wildlife watching without a guaranteed sighting
• Swimming and snorkeling from a natural shoreline
• Guided nature information in English or Portuguese
• A full-day outing with lunch already arranged

It is less suitable if you have mobility limitations. The tender transfer, slippery rocks, and uneven volcanic shore can make the landing difficult. The trip is also a poor fit if you dislike exposed water crossings, hard seating, or activities that depend on weather.

Do not bring luggage or a large bag. Pack light, with a windbreaker, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, water shoes, swimsuit, towel, and spare clothes. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and the operator can refuse service to anyone who appears intoxicated. If a trip is canceled because of intoxication, there is no refund.

The tour has a 4.3 rating from 196 reviews, which fits the experience well: most of the day is praised, but the long crossing, seating, limited walking, and uncertain wildlife sightings need to be understood before booking.

Should you book the Desertas Islands catamaran trip?

Book it if you want to see one of Madeira’s more restricted natural areas and are happy for the boat ride to be half the experience. The combination of a volcanic landing, conservation center, included lunch, and time in clear water gives the day a good range of activities.

Skip it if you want a relaxed sandy beach, a serious island hike, or a guaranteed monk seal sighting. For the best chance of enjoying it, arrive prepared for wind, wear shoes that can get wet, and think of dolphins or whales as lucky additions. With those expectations, this is a memorable way to trade Madeira’s busy marina for a remote Atlantic reserve.

FAQ

Where does the Desertas Islands trip leave from?

You meet the guide at the VMT Madeira Kiosk in Funchal Marina. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How long does the excursion last?

The full activity lasts nine hours. The crossing may take about three hours each way, depending on conditions and the day’s operation.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch with drinks is included on the catamaran. Vegetarian and vegan meals have been provided, but you should make dietary requirements clear in advance.

Can I swim at the Desertas Islands?

Yes. The trip includes a stop at a volcanic beach where you can swim. Snorkeling and stand-up paddleboarding are also listed as available activities, subject to conditions.

Will I see monk seals?

No sighting is guaranteed. The visit explains monk seal conservation efforts, but the seals may not be visible during your trip.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, a windbreaker, sunscreen, a towel, swimwear, and a change of clothes. Water shoes or sturdy footwear are useful because the rocks can be slippery.

Is the trip suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is not considered suitable for people with mobility impairments because of the boat transfer and uneven, slippery shoreline.