Catamaran Day Cruise to Desertas Islands from Funchal

Windy seas make or break this Desertas day. From Funchal Marina, the cruise takes you to wildlife-rich Desertas Islands, and I love that snorkeling gear plus stand-up paddle are built into the day. The only real drawback is that the boat ride can feel chilly and windy when the sea is up.

You’ll spend about 9 hours on the water, starting at 9:00 am, with live commentary offered in English and a Madeiran buffet lunch served onboard. With a maximum group size of 70 travelers, you get enough chatter from the crew and time to plan your swimming and water activities without feeling rushed.

This is a moderate fitness day. Getting on and off the boat, plus moving around at the beach, means it helps to be comfortable with a bit of motion, and children must travel with an adult.

Key things to know before you go

• Desertas wildlife, not a ghost island: These islands are called desert, but they’re a real sanctuary for marine and land animals.
• Snorkeling gear is included: You don’t need to hunt for equipment before you board.
• Stand-up paddle is included: It’s one of the main on-water add-ons once you reach the islands.
• The day can feel weather-dependent: Winds can affect what the captain can do and how much time you get at the beach.
• Madeiran buffet lunch onboard: A full lunch is part of the experience, not just snacks.
• Family-friendly with adult supervision: Bring kids, but plan on staying close, especially around the water.

Why the Desertas Islands are worth a full day from Funchal

The Desertas Islands sit just off Madeira, and they’re protected for a reason. They’re often called desert islands, but the whole point of this cruise is to see how alive they are once you’re close enough.

From the catamaran, you’re not just looking at a distant view. You’re sailing out over water, getting a different angle on the islands, and then stepping onto a virgin beach where nature does most of the talking. The best part is that it’s not a theme park. You’re there to witness wildlife in its own environment, and the crew’s live commentary helps you understand what you’re seeing.

This is also the kind of Madeira day trip that feels special because you’re committing to the water. A few hours on a tour bus is one thing. A full catamaran day is another. You’ll feel like you truly left Funchal behind.

The 9-hour rhythm: leaving at 9:00 am and timing your day

The cruise starts at 9:00 am at the Funchal Marina area and runs for about 9 hours total, then returns to the same meeting point. That timing matters, because it shapes what you can realistically do: you’re trading some shore time for a lot of time on the sea.

Plan your expectations like this:

• You’ll have the longest stretch on the water during the trip out and back.
• Once you arrive, your shore and activity window is limited by the day’s schedule and the sea conditions.
• The overall flow is designed around water time, with swimming and water sports as the main draw.

Also keep an eye on seasickness risk. Even if you’re not prone to nausea, you should be ready for motion on open water. When winds are strong, the ride can feel noticeably rough and cold, and that affects how comfortable you feel during the transfer and when you’re suiting up.

Arriving at the islands: what to expect when you land

The ship heads out to a group of three islands in the Desertas area. Even though they’re small, they’re treated like a real nature destination, so you’re not expecting a packed beach scene.

When you disembark, you’re going onto a virgin beach, and that’s a big deal for the experience. You’re not stepping off into a commercial coastline. You’re stepping into a protected setting where wildlife is part of the environment, and that can influence what swimming looks like in real time.

One practical thing to know: time on land isn’t automatically long. Some days include a short walk and explanations, but it’s not the kind of hiking that turns into an all-day trail. If you’re imagining long treks, adjust your mindset. Think of it as beach time plus a brief stretch to learn what matters where you are standing.

In some conditions, you may also find that shore swimming is limited. The reason is simple: if wildlife is around, the safer move is to manage access. On other days, the catamaran itself becomes your main swimming platform, which still gives you a lot of fun time in the water.

Snorkeling and stand-up paddle: included gear, real water time

This is one of the best parts of the cruise because it’s not an extra-cost upgrade. You get snorkeling equipment included, and you also get stand-up paddle included.

That combination matters for your planning. Snorkeling is gear-based, so having equipment provided removes one headache. Stand-up paddle can be more weather-sensitive, so having it as an included activity means you don’t feel pressured to spend extra money if you’d rather focus on swimming or snorkeling instead.

What you should prepare for is water comfort. When the sea is choppy or windy, getting in and out can feel like more work than it does on a calm day. Dress for wind, not just sunshine. If you tend to get cold quickly, you’ll feel it more on open water than you will near the harbor.

And if you’re hoping to see wildlife during your water time, you’re in the right place. A few trips can produce exciting animal sightings on the way in or out, so the sea feels alive even before you reach the beach.

Wildlife sightings: how to read the day when nature does its own thing

The cruise is built around wildlife, both marine and land animals. That doesn’t mean you’ll see everything every time. It means the boat is positioned and the day is structured so you have the best chance to spot animals without turning it into a noisy chase.

The crew’s live commentary is part of that. They explain what you’re looking for and help you connect the dots between what’s on the water and what’s on land.

One more reality check: winds can change how the day plays out. If the captain has to adjust course, the goal stays the same, wildlife viewing. You might still get great sightings en route, even if the plan on the island side shifts. The main thing is to keep your expectations flexible, because nature follows its own schedule more than our itineraries do.

Food and onboard commentary in English

You’ll be fed on this one. There’s a Madeiran buffet lunch onboard, and that’s crucial for a full-day cruise from Funchal. When the sea is active, having a proper meal you can eat without worrying about finding food later makes the whole day easier.

The onboard experience is also supported by live commentary in English. That’s useful because the Desertas islands can feel remote and unfamiliar if you’re not given context. With the commentary, you’re more likely to notice details you would otherwise miss.

A practical tip from how these days tend to unfold: try to stay mindful about timing. When the day runs late due to sea conditions, meals can feel rushed or slightly off schedule. It’s not a deal breaker, but it’s good to be mentally prepared that timing can shift on open water.

Price and value: is $108.37 a fair deal?

At $108.37 per person, this catamaran day cruise isn’t a bargain. It also isn’t overpriced if you value what’s included and what you’re getting for your time.

Here’s why the price can make sense:

• It’s a full-day catamaran outing (about 9 hours).
• You get snorkeling equipment included.
• You get stand-up paddle included.
• You get live English commentary.
• You get a Madeiran buffet lunch onboard.

What could make it feel less worth it for some people is mismatch between expectations and the day’s conditions. If you’re expecting lots of time ashore, or if your idea of hiking is long and active, you might feel the schedule is tighter than you hoped. If the sea is rough, that can also reduce how much time you want to spend in and out of the water.

So I’d judge value based on your priorities:

• If you want a water-forward day with snorkeling and paddleboarding, this is a strong fit.
• If you want lots of long land time, you may be disappointed.

It also helps to know the overall rating is 3.4 out of 5 across 44 reviews. That tells me people generally like the core idea, but the experience can vary more than you’d like when weather or timing shifts.

The biggest consideration: wind, cold, and how it affects shore time

This is the part you should plan around before you book. The Desertas cruise is at sea, and the open-water transfer can be windy and cold. That changes the vibe of the day more than most people expect.

It can also influence how long you stay on the beach. Some days include shorter land time and shorter on-land walking, compared with the idea of a long beach exploration.

There’s another small but important detail: depending on conditions and wildlife presence, swimming at the beach edge may be restricted. When that happens, you still get water time, but it may be centered more on the catamaran.

If you hate cold wind, if you get seasick easily, or if you prefer stable, predictable schedules, you should consider that before committing. If you can handle moving water and cool air for a few hours, the payoff can be excellent.

Who this cruise fits best, and who should rethink it

This trip is family-friendly, and it explicitly works for bringing kids. Just remember: children must be accompanied by an adult, so plan on staying in control of safety around water and boarding.

You should also have moderate physical fitness. It’s not described as strenuous, but you’ll be stepping on and off a catamaran and spending time in a dynamic environment.

You’ll likely enjoy it most if:

• you want a Madeira day trip built around the sea
• you care about snorkeling and water sports
• you like wildlife watching more than museum-style sightseeing

You might skip it if:

• you’re chasing a long, active hike
• you want a very predictable schedule with lots of shore time
• you’re sensitive to wind and cold on open water

Should you book the VMT Madeira Catamaran Desertas cruise?

If you want a classic Madeira experience with a nature focus, this is a good bet. The combination of catamaran views, wildlife in a protected setting, snorkeling gear included, and stand-up paddle included makes it feel like you’re paying for activities, not just transportation.

I’d book it if your dream day looks like:

• leaving Funchal in the morning
• spending most of your time on the water
• getting a proper lunch onboard
• then using the included snorkeling and paddle time when you reach the islands

I’d think twice if your dream day is land-heavy, hiking-heavy, or warm-weather-only. This cruise can swing based on winds, and the sea portion of the day is part of the tradeoff.

If you do book, be flexible in your expectations. Nature does not follow your timetable, and on a catamaran day, the sea sets the tempo.

FAQ

Where does the Desertas Islands catamaran cruise depart from?

The meeting point is Praça do Povo, Av. Do Mar 4, São Martinho, 9000-900 Funchal, Portugal.

What time does the tour start, and how long is it?

It starts at 9:00 am and runs for about 9 hours.

Is hotel pickup or drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What activities are included with the cruise?

The day includes live commentary onboard, use of snorkeling equipment, and stand-up paddle.

Is snorkeling gear provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment use is included as part of the tour.

Is lunch included?

Yes. There is a Madeiran buffet lunch served onboard.

Is this tour suitable for children?

It’s described as family-friendly, but children must be accompanied by an adult.

What language is the tour commentary offered in?

The tour is offered in English, with live commentary onboard.

What if the trip is canceled due to weather, or you need to cancel?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. If the experience is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. If it’s canceled because the minimum number of travelers is not met, you’ll also be offered a different date or a full refund.