in a nutshell
- The natural pools in Madeira are perfect for swimming. Calm water, great views and you’re swimming in the great outdoors. Amazing!
- The most popular natural swimming pools are in Porto Moniz. We’ll dive into the details and share all the essential tips for your visit to these volcanic pools.
- Beyond Porto Moniz, Madeira has other lesser-known and quieter natural pools – we’ll introduce you three great alternatives for you to explore.
What Are the Natural Swimming Pools in Madeira?
Natural swimming pools in Madeira are pools that are embedded between natural rocks and are constantly filled with seawater by the tides.
The pools are separated from the sea by rocks, so the water in the pools is calm and great for swimming.
Note: The natural swimming pools are made from volcanic rocks. However, the water is not warm, but has about the same temperature as the sea – so they are not hot springs!
There are natural swimming pools in several towns in Madeira. We’ll tell you more about them now.
Our Tips for the Natural Pools in Porto Moniz
The natural swimming pools of Porto Moniz are one of the top attractions in Madeira and a visit is a must on your Madeira trip.
Porto Moniz is located in the northwest of Madeira and there are two areas with natural pools: the new and the old lava pools of Porto Moniz.
New Natural Pools of Porto Moniz
- Entrance fee: 3 euros
- Opening hours: 09:00 – 17:00 (winter), 09:00 – 19:00 (summer)
- Toilets, changing rooms included
- Google Maps: Piscinas Naturais de Porto Moniz
The new natural pools are the nicer and more popular area for swimming in Porto Moniz. Here you have plenty of sunbathing space and room to swim.
Note: Please note that the natural pools in Porto Moniz remain closed if the waves are too high. But even when they are open, waves can spill over. So always be careful when swimming and never put your things too close to the sea – otherwise they will get wet quickly.
Old Natural Pools of Porto Moniz
- Admission: Free of charge
- Café and restaurant next door
- Google Maps: Piscinas Naturais do Aquário
The somewhat older natural swimming pools in Porto Moniz are just a 10-minute walk away. They are free of charge, but there are no changing rooms or toilets.
We visited these lava pools in Porto Moniz ourselves, as the others were closed.
Swimming was really fun, even though the water was pretty cold in April..
How to Get to the Natural Pools in Porto Moniz
The lava pools are located right in the center of Porto Moniz. The best way to get there is to hire a car, book a guided tour or take the bus.
Getting to Porto Moniz by car
The most convenient way to get here is by car. Then you are flexible and can decide spontaneously how long you want to stay.
There are paid parking spaces at the natural pools. However, you can also park in a side street in Porto Moniz and get a free parking space.
It’s best to drive there early in the morning. The later you arrive, the more difficult it will be to find a parking space and the more crowded the natural pools will be.
Guided tour to Porto Moniz
Alternatively, you can book a guided tour from Funchal to the west of Madeira. This includes a stop for a swim in Porto Moniz.
On this excursion to Madeira, you will discover the lava pools in Porto Moniz as well as other cool spots in the west of the island – such as the Fanal fairy forest or the village of Ponta do Sol.
Book a guided tour to the west of Madeira
Getting to Porto Moniz by bus
There are a few daily connections to Porto Moniz from the provider Rodoeste. Lines 80 and 139 run from Funchal to Porto Moniz.
The timetables are available as a PDF from Rodoeste on the Internet. You can simply enter “Bus Funchal Porto Moniz pdf” in Google and you will find them.
Note that it takes about 3 hours from Funchal. You can buy tickets from the bus driver in cash.
More Natural Swimming Pools in Madeira
If the natural pools in Porto Moniz are too crowded for you, don’t worry! There are other natural pools on Madeira, many of which are real hidden gems in Madeira.
#1 Natural swimming pool Doca do Cavacas in Funchal
There are also natural swimming pools in Madeira’s capital, Funchal. They are called Doca do Cavacas and are located just outside the center – at Praia Formosa.
The entrance fee for Doca do Cavacas is 7.50 euros. Showers, toilets and changing rooms are included.
If you are staying in Funchal, they are a great option, but we personally found the bathing pools in the north of Maderia more appealing.
#2 Natural pools in Seixal
The village of Seixal is a small bathing paradise on Madeira. In addition to one of the most beautiful beaches in Madeira, Praia do Seixal, there are two natural swimming pools here.
One natural pool is right next to the beach. You can find it on Google Maps under Natural public swimming pool. The pool is accessible free of charge and there are toilets next to it on the beach.
The other natural pool can be found further west in the village: the Piscinas Naturais do Seixal. The complex is larger, and you can park right next to it. These lava pools are also free of charge and there is a bar nearby.
Note: The road to the Piscinas Naturais is very steep downhill. It’s not for novice drivers.
#3 Natural pools at the Hotel Calamar in São Vicente
We discovered the natural pools in São Vicente by chance when we were eating at the Calamar restaurant – one of our top tips for eating out in Madeira.
Behind the restaurant, by the sea, you’ll find a natural swimming pool open to the public. You don’t have to pay an entrance fee here either and the view is simply amazing.
Where to Stay at the Natural Pools in Madeira?
If you want to go swimming a lot in Madeira, you can even stay right next to the natural swimming pools in Madeira.
Our top tip is the Aqua Natura Bay in Porto Moniz. It’s right next to the lava pools and the rooms and hotel complex are just great.
To the Aqua Natura Bay Hotel
To the Studios by Aqua Natura Bay
In Funchal, the Golden Residence Hotel is a great option: it’s close to the natural pool and the beach.
FAQ about the Natural Swimming Pools in Madeira
Are the lava pools in Madeira warm?
No, they are not hot springs.
The water is roughly the same temperature as the sea – so it’s rather cold.
What is the water temperature in the natural pools in Madeira?
The coldest period is from January to March, with about 18°C, and the warmest is from July to October, with around 23°C.
These were our tips for natural pools in Madeira
Have you been swimming in natural pools in Madeira and have any other tips for lava pools in Madeira? Or do you still have questions? Feel free to write to us in the comments.