Madeira Natural Pools You Must Experience Once

Madeira, an Atlantic Ocean island, is famous for its hiking, landscape, and rugged coastline. The best way to unwind and recover after a long day of hiking levada trails and climbing mountains is to swim in one of Madeira natural pools. The water is crystal clear and surrounded by beautiful volcanic rock formations, breathtaking views of the coast, and crashing waves from the Atlantic.  

Madeira is essentially the summit of an old volcano amid the Atlantic; therefore, the seas around the island are harsh and dangerous to swim in due to strong currents and large waves, especially on the northern and western shores. Madeira natural pools are calm and safe alternatives to the ocean for swimming. They are also a beautiful place for tourists and locals to cool off and appreciate the island’s beauty. 

We’ll find the best places for your water excursions, from the famous swimming locations at Porto Moniz to the lesser-known ones in Seixal, Faial, and Calheta. Please put on your swimsuit and let’s explore the six best swimming spots in Madeira natural pools that everyone raves about. 

6 Best Natural Pools in Madeira

1. Porto Moniz 

This is our fave Madeira natural pool! These unusual natural pools are famous in Madeira. They live in Porto Moniz on the island’s north shore. The magnificent blue lake and thick volcanic granite walls resembled a tropical Blue Lagoon. 

The main pool at Porto Moniz is 2 meters deep at its deepest point and features a rocky bottom with plants and fish washed in by the waves, which keep the water fresh. A huge, attractive area around the pool lets you spread down a towel or rent a sunbed and enjoy the Atlantic’s splendour. Massive waves hit the rocks in the pool and spray the edge of the pool. Feeling brave? Sit on the beach wall with other daredevils and wait for the waves to push you back into the pool.  

A shallow kids’ pool, changing rooms, lockers, bathrooms, and restaurants are available. Admission: €3 (free for under-3s).  

Pay-and-display parking is available on the pool road. 

2. Seixal Beach 

Praia do Seixal, also known as Seixal natural pool, is a beautiful northern Madeira beach. It has stunning volcanic rocks, dark beaches, and deep blue Atlantic Ocean waters. Tall cliffs hide the beach from the main road, making it feel quiet and calm.  

Black sand, found in volcanic locations like Iceland and Kamakura, distinguishes Seixal Beach from most Madeira beaches. A cliff-dropped cascade crashes onto the rocks on the right side of the beach. Madeira is considered the Hawaii of the Atlantic, and Seixal reminded us of our honeymoon on Kauai, when we sunbathed at Hanelei Bay with the rocky green volcanic island rising around us and narrow little waterfalls pouring down the mountain ravines. 

You can swim in the Atlantic like at any beach, unlike Seixal’s stony bathing waters a few minutes away. Even though a long harbour wall protects the beach from the Atlantic, medium-sized waves nevertheless sweep in. For easier swimming, sit or paddle on the edge or walk out to waist-deep water, past the break point. 

This place features a restaurant, bar, bathrooms, and a surf school. On the way to Seixal Beach, you can park for free. 

3. Faial natural swimming pool 

Faial, a small village on Madeira’s northern coast, boasts a magnificent rocky swimming hole known as the Faial Natural Hole. A stony beach and artificial harbour wall shelter this natural pool, making swimming safe and tranquil. Swim in crystal-clear waters in the pool while seeing the Atlantic Ocean. Waves can pound the pool wall, but the water inside is calm and protected.  

As you lounge on the warm concrete floor at the top of the stony beach that surrounds the Faial Natural Pool, you’ll see striking volcanic rock formations like Iceland’s Reynisfjara and Madeira’s spectacular cliffs and coastline.  

A restaurant, toilets, and fresh water seaside showers are accessible year-round in high season. Entering and parking at the facility is free. 

4. Seixal natural swimming pools 

These two seawater ponds are renowned for their natural beauty, located near Seixal Beach. One natural, rocky pool features a sea arch and a small grotto, while the other offers more space for sunbathing.  

Since the pools are approached by a short, steep walk down a hill, consider bringing your drinks and snacks. Try not to drive down, despite what locals do! The road is extremely steep (33%) and features sharp curves. 

Seixal’s Madeira natural pools provide free admission and parking on the main road above them. 

5. Funchal Lido 

On the south coast, Funchal Lido is a terrific opportunity to swim in Madeira’s natural pools without visiting the north shore.  

Adults pay €5.50 at Madeira’s most expensive swimming facility (7-17 year olds pay €1.90, 0-6 are free). However, it was also the most luxurious. Featuring large and small tide-refreshed seawater pools, vast sunbathing spaces with loungers and umbrellas (additional charge), and a kiddie pool. Many cafes, restaurants, and ice cream shops are nearby. Behind the Lido is pay-and-display parking. 

6. Calheta Beach 

On Madeira’s southwest coast, Praia da Calheta, an artificial beach with Moroccan-imported golden sand, is 40 minutes from Funchal. Like Seixal Beach, you swim in the ocean, sheltered from waves by a harbour wall. The water is quiet and transparent, but you’ll need water shoes because the edge and bottom are gravelly. 

The bar and restaurant at Calheta Beach rents seaside tables, loungers and umbrellas for a few Euros. Free beach access and pay-and-display parking on the road next to it. 

Choose a top Madeira natural pools to swim in. From the Porto Moniz pool to Seixal’s black sand beach, you’ll have plenty of protected swimming locations with clear waters and magnificent views. 

FAQs about Madeira Natural Pools