With its exceptional natural landscapes and mountain peaks, Madeira is an ideal playground for canyoning and thrill-seekers. Beyond the breathtaking vistas we discovered, we loved this exhilarating and exotic experience!
Find all our tips in photos for canyoning in Madeira: the most beautiful canyons, options for beginners, jumps and other adventures!
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
Why canyoning in Madeira?
Is canyoning in Madeira worth it?
Combining exploration and discovery, we warmly recommend canyoning in Madeira. With its rugged terrain, waterfalls and numerous rivers, the island abounds in routes of varying complexity. This challenging outdoor activity combines a variety of techniques, from climbing and jumping to abseiling and swimming. While discovering incredible natural landscapes, you’ll experience an adventure that’s both invigorating and exhilarating! We have fond memories of our experience, which is one of the must-do activities on the island!
WHERE TO STAY IN Madeira
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
Why choose Madeira for this activity?
Madeira is a popular destination for canyoning due to its spectacular and varied natural landscapes. Before even starting down the canyon, we took a narrow, barely discernible path between the island’s ferns and lush plants. The setting was wild and verdant. The crystal-clear waterfalls and natural pools were equally breathtaking!
There are several canyoning circuits throughout the island. One of the most popular is north of Funchal at Ribeira das Cales. The activity organizers choose the canyon best suited to the overall level of your group and the weather conditions. This ensures that the experience is both safe and enjoyable for all participants. Discover our other canyoning routes here.
Best canyoning trips in Madeira: our 3 favorites
Discover our selection of the 3 best canyoning trips in Madeira. We’ll advise you according to your level:
- For beginners: pick-up and drop-off at the hotel included. – See prices, photos and availability.
- For intermediates: abseiling, jumping and sliding down natural toboggans. – See prices, photos and availability.
- For all levels: private excursion with guide – See prices, photos and availability.
Our epic canyoning experience in Madeira
During our intermediate level 2 canyoning trip, we were amazed by the island’s unspoilt natural landscapes. From start to finish, we enjoyed breathtaking views of the valley and lush vegetation. Our route included many abseiling descents, but we were very well supervised by the local guides. With every step we took, we felt the adrenalin rush! We also made several jumps of varying heights, making the adventure all the more thrilling. In short, we discovered the rugged beauty of Madeira, while experiencing some thrilling sensations. An experience we won’t soon forget!
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR AT Madeira
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Take a car with a good engine for hilly roads, but not too big for manoeuvring.
- There’s plenty of demand and few cars, so book early.
Best canyoning trips for beginners
Based on our local experience, we have selected a list of quality canyoning trips in Madeira. Below, you’ll find the options suitable for a level 1 beginner:
With hotel pick-up and drop-off
Picked up directly from your hotel, these activities are ideal for your first introduction to canyoning:
Option 1
- Organizer: Fast Rope Madeira,
- Locations: Ribeira das Cales, Rochão or Ribeiro Frio,
- Languages: Portuguese, English or Spanish,
- Duration: approx. 4 hours,
- From age 8,
- Water and snacks,
- Free photos of the activity,
- Family friendly.
See prices, photos and availability – book your tour.
Option 2
- Organizer: Discovery Island Madeira
- Locations: Ribeira das Cales or Ribeiro Frio,
- Languages: Portuguese, English, French or German,
- Duration: approx. 4 hours,
- From age 7,
- Water and snacks,
- Free photos of the activity,
- Family friendly,
- Walking time: 5min outward and 15min return.
See prices, photos and availability – book your tour.
In the Cascata da Ribeira das Cales
Nestled in the Funchal Ecological Park, the Ribeira das Cales waterfall is a popular circuit with canyoning organizers for its natural beauty and accessibility. It is particularly suitable for beginners.
Option 3
- Organizers: Be Local Madeira,
- Languages: Portuguese, English or Spanish,
- Duration: approx. 4 hours,
- From age 7,
- Water and snacks,
- Free photos of the activity,
- Family friendly,
- Walking time: 15min on return,
- Pick-up and return to hotel,
- Small groups of 10 people maximum.
See prices, photos and availability – book your tour.
Option 4
- Organizer: Madeira Harmony in Nature,
- Languages: Portuguese, English or Spanish,
- Duration: approx. 4 hours,
- From age 10,
- Water and snacks,
- Free photos of the activity,
- Family friendly,
- Pick-up and return to hotel,
- Small groups of 10 people maximum.
See prices, photos and availability – book your tour.
Departure from Caniço
Although the vast majority of canyoning trips depart from Funchal, it is also possible to start from Caniço:
Option 5
- Organizer: Lokololo,
- Languages: Portuguese, English or Spanish,
- Duration: approx. 4h30,
- Not suitable for people under 140cm tall,
- Water and snacks,
- Free photos of the activity,
- Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult,
- Family friendly,
- Walking time: 15min outward and 10min return,
- Meeting point: Hotel Galosol – Rua Dom Francisco Santana, Caniço,
- From Funchal: approx. 20min drive.
See prices, photos and availability – book your tour.
OUR FAVORITE ACTIVITY IN Madeira
Catamaran tour to see dolphins and Madeira’s giant cliffs.
Best canyoning trips for intermediates
Have you already done canyoning several times and are you in good physical condition? We recommend a level 2 activity of moderate difficulty. Between abseiling, jumping and sliding, we loved our experience on the island! Here are the best options in our opinion:
With hotel pick-up and drop-off
Picked up directly from your hotel, these activities are ideal for a sportier, more exhilarating canyoning experience:
Option 1
- Organizer: Discovery Island Madeira
- Locations: Ribeira do Lajeado or Ribeira do Cidrão,
- Languages: Portuguese, English, French or German,
- Duration: approx. 6 hours,
- Water and snacks,
- Free photos of the activity,
- From age 7,
- Family friendly.
See prices, photos and availability – book your tour.
Option 2
- Organizers: Be Local Madeira,
- Locations: Nuns Valley in summer, Ribeiro Frio in winter,
- Languages: Portuguese, English or Spanish,
- Duration: approx. 4 hours,
- From age 10,
- Snacks,
- Free photos of the activity,
- Family friendly,
- Walking time: 20min outward and 10min return,
- Small groups of 8 people maximum.
During our trip to the Curral das Freiras canyon, we went on a wild adventure! We climbed rocks, jumped into water pools and slid down natural slides. The numerous abseiling descents made our experience all the more exciting!
See prices, photos and availability – book your tour.
In Curral das Freiras
As well as beginners’ routes, you’ll also discover intermediate-level itineraries in Curral das Freiras. See below for the best options available:
Option 3
- Organizer: Fast Rope Madeira,
- Languages: Portuguese, English or Spanish,
- Duration: approx. 4 hours,
- From age 8,
- Water and snacks,
- Free photos of the activity,
- Family friendly,
- Pick-up and return to hotel.
See prices, photos and availability – book your tour.
Option 4
- Organizer: Madeira Harmony in Nature,
- Languages: Portuguese or English,
- Duration: approx. 4 hours,
- From age 14,
- Water and snacks,
- Free photos of the activity,
- Pick-up and return to hotel,
- Small groups of 10 people maximum.
See prices, photos and availability – book your tour.
Private excursion with guide
Opt for a private canyoning excursion with a guide who will adapt to your level, your needs and your desires. This personalized approach will enable you to enjoy the experience to the full, while benefiting from tailor-made supervision. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced canyoneer, he or she will meet your expectations and surprise you!
See prices, photos and availability – book your tour.
OUR GUIDE TO PLANNING A Dream trip
- 7 maps that make planning easier
- + 120 pre-selected locations
- Practical advice
- + 260 photos to help you choose
Canyoning in Madeira: useful tips
In this section, we’d like to share a few practical tips to help you make the most of your business.
When to book?
Book your excursion as far in advance of your trip as possible. Choose a date just a few days after your arrival in Madeira. This way, you’ll avoid any problems associated with flight delays, or even flight delays. The winds are sometimes too strong for planes to land on the island.
However, we don’t recommend choosing a date too late in your trip either! Ideally, you should plan your canyoning excursion for mid-stay. If bad weather conditions prevent you from going out on the day, the organizer of your activity will be able to offer you another slot before the end of your trip.
What to bring?
All technical equipment is provided by the tour organizer, from wetsuits to climbing harnesses. You’ll need to fill in your height, weight and shoe size so that the guides can adapt your equipment to your needs. Before we started our experience, each person had a bag with their own custom-made equipment. But don’t forget to take..:
- a swimsuit to wear under your neoprene wetsuit,
- grippy shoes for climbing wet and slippery rocks (some tours provide suitable footwear),
- sunglasses with drawstring so you don’t lose them in the canyon,
- sunscreen to protect your face,
- towels to dry off after your outing,
- warm clothing, as you’ll be climbing to reach the excursion starting points, and it can get quite cold in the morning.
When canyoning in Madeira?
This outdoor activity is available all year round in Madeira. It is particularly popular during the summer season, when the waters are warmer and more pleasant. The island is one of the best destinations for canyoning. Organizers plan their itineraries according to the season. If you’re a bit chilly, the water was relatively cool during our April trip to Curral das Freiras!
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Frequently asked questions
Is canyoning in Madeira dangerous?
Like all outdoor adventure activities, canyoning involves some risk, but is not considered particularly dangerous. The guides are experienced and very attentive to the members of their groups. If you get scared by a jump, for example, they’ll suggest an alternative route. Everyone’s pace is respected. Every precaution is taken to ensure that you don’t risk anything during the activity. Choose the level that’s right for you, and don’t give in to peer pressure to avoid a bad experience.
Is it possible to do advanced canyoning in Madeira?
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced canyoneer, there are a variety of tours available for all skill levels. If you are an experienced canyoneer, we recommend that you contact the canyoning organizations on the island directly. Generally speaking, to access the higher levels, you need to have completed several outings with the same organizer beforehand.
Even if you’ve reached a very advanced level of canyoning, don’t set off alone to explore the island’s canyons. It’s far too risky! Contact a local canyoning company to take you on a trip with a local guide:
Is the activity accessible to all, and in particular to people with reduced mobility?
Unfortunately, this outdoor activity is not at all accessible to people with reduced mobility. It requires good physical condition for jumping, swimming and abseiling, among other things. Pregnant women, very young children under 120cm tall, people weighing over 120kg or with back problems are also not allowed to go canyoning. If you have any questions about your health before embarking on this activity, please consult your doctor as a precautionary measure.
PLAN YOUR STAY IN Madeira
Best of
Things to do in Madeira
Most beautiful viewpoints
Madeira’s most beautiful beaches
Most beautiful gardens
Natural pools
Most beautiful hikes
Most beautiful roads
Secret places
Practical advice
Getting around Madeira
Rent a car in Madeira
Driving in Madeira
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 6 days – 7 days – 10 days
