With its exceptional natural landscapes and mountain peaks, Madeira is an ideal playground for canyoning enthusiasts and thrill-seekers. Beyond the breathtaking views we discovered, we absolutely loved this experience—it was both exhilarating and a complete change of pace!
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 highly recommend trying canyoning in Madeira. With its rugged terrain, waterfalls, and numerous streams, the island is full of trails of varying difficulty. This exhilarating outdoor activity combines a variety of techniques, ranging from rock climbing to jumping, rappelling, and swimming. As you explore incredible natural landscapes, you’ll experience an adventure that’s both invigorating and exhilarating! We have wonderful 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 very popular destination for canyoning because of its spectacular and varied natural landscapes. Even before we began our descent into the canyon, we took a narrow, barely visible trail through the ferns and lush vegetation of the island. The setting was wild and lush. The waterfalls and natural pools of crystal-clear water were also breathtaking!
There are various canyoning trails scattered across the island. One of the most popular ones is located north of Funchal, in Ribeira das Cales. The activity organizers choose the canyon that best suits your group’s overall skill level and the weather conditions. In this way, they ensure that the experience is both safe and enjoyable for all participants. Check out the other canyoning routes here.
Best canyoning trips in Madeira: our 3 favorites
Check out our selection of the 3 best canyoning excursions in Madeira. Depending on your level, we can advise you:
- 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 skill levels: private tour with a guide – See prices, photos, and availability.
OUR ADVICE 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.
Our epic canyoning experience in Madeira
During our Level 2 intermediate canyoning excursion, we were amazed by the island’s unspoiled natural landscapes. From start to finish, we enjoyed breathtaking views of the valley and the lush vegetation. Our route included many abseils, but we were very well supervised by the local guides. With every new milestone we reached, we could feel the adrenaline rush! We also made several jumps from varying heights, which made the adventure all the more thrilling. In short, we discovered Madeira’s untamed beauty while enjoying some thrilling experiences. An experience we definitely won’t forget anytime soon!
Best canyoning trips for beginners
Based on our firsthand experience, we’ve put together a list of top-notch canyoning tours in Madeira for you. Below are 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 very popular route among canyoning organizers due to its natural beauty and accessibility. It is particularly well-suited 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 ACTIVITIES IN Madeira
Catamaran tour to see dolphins and Madeira’s giant cliffs. – View the schedule and availability—and make a reservation!
Canyoning among the rocks! – View options and availability
Gastronomic tour to discover local specialties – View options and availability
Best canyoning trips for intermediates
Have you gone canyoning several times before, and are you in good physical shape? We recommend choosing a Level 2 activity with a moderate difficulty level. Between rappelling, jumping, and sliding, we absolutely loved our experience on the island! Here are what we consider to be the best options:
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 hike through the Curral das Freiras Canyon, we set off on an adventure in a truly wild setting! We climbed the rocks, jumped into the pools carved out by the water, and slid down natural water slides. The many rappels made our experience all the more exciting!
See prices, photos and availability – book your tour.
In Curral das Freiras
In addition to the beginner trails, you’ll also find intermediate trails at Curral das Freiras. Below are 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.
Subscribe to our Newsletter
- Get away from it all with Region Lovers’ beautiful destinations!
- Once a month
- Advertising-free
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 tour as early as possible before your trip. Choose a date to do the activity just a few days after you arrive 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 also recommend that you don’t choose a date too late in your trip! Ideally, you should plan your canyoning trip for the middle of your stay. If bad weather prevents the outing from taking place on the scheduled day, the organizer of your activity will be able to offer you another time 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 provide your height, weight, and shoe size so that the guides can tailor your equipment to your needs. Before we began our experiment, each person had a bag containing their own customized equipment. Be sure to bring the following, however:
- a swimsuit that you’ll wear under your 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 can be enjoyed year-round in Madeira. It is very popular during the summer season because the water is warmer and more pleasant. The island is one of the best destinations for canyoning. Organizers plan their itineraries based on the seasons. A heads-up for those who get cold easily: the water was relatively cool during our April trip to Curral das Freiras!
It’s time to book!
Compare everything: companies, prices, schedules and availability.
Frequently asked questions
Is canyoning in Madeira dangerous?
Like any outdoor or adventure activity, canyoning involves some risks, but it is not considered particularly dangerous. The guides are experienced and very attentive to the members of their groups. If you get scared of a jump, for example, they’ll suggest you take a different route. Everyone’s pace is respected. Every precaution is taken to ensure your safety during the activity. Choose the level that’s right for you, and don’t give in to pressure from those around you—that way, you’ll avoid a bad experience.
Is it possible to do advanced canyoning in Madeira?
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced canyoner, there are a variety of routes available for all skill levels. If you are experienced, we recommend that you contact the canyoning organizations on the island directly. Generally, to advance to higher levels, you need to have completed several outings with the same organizer beforehand.
Even if you are a very experienced canyoner, do not set out alone to explore the island’s canyons. That’s way too risky! Contact a local company to take the tour with a local guide, such as:
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 limited mobility. It requires good physical fitness for jumping, swimming, and rappelling, among other activities. Pregnant women, very young children under 120 cm tall, and people weighing more than 120 kg or with back problems are also not allowed to go canyoning. If you have any health-related questions regarding this activity, please consult your doctor before your trip as a precaution.
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
