Your day starts with a long Atlantic sail. This wooden boat excursion from Funchal to the Desertas Islands mixes big sea views with a real chance at marine life sightings, plus a live guide in English and Portuguese. I like that lunch and drinks are built in, starting with a welcome pour of Madeira wine. I also like that you get time to swim or snorkel once you reach the islands, not just a look-and-go photo stop.

One thing to consider: the island time can be short, and depending on conditions you may not get the kind of dry, easy landing you’re imagining.

Key things to know before you go

• 8.5 hours on the water: plan for the majority of your day to be sailing.
• Marine life odds go up with miles: you cover a lot of water during the trip.
• A short guided nature stop: the island tour is brief, and the walk is more of a loop than a hike.
• Swim and snorkel time: once you reach the Desertas, water time is part of the plan.
• Bring the right gear: towel, swimwear, sunscreen, jacket, and waterproof shoes can make or break comfort.
• Package includes meals and drinks: Madeira wine at the start, lunch, and another drink on the way back, though timing can vary.

Madeira to the Desertas by Wooden Boat: What the Day Really Feels Like

This is an all-in-one sea day from Funchal, built around a classic Madeira rhythm: you leave the marina, spend hours cruising the open Atlantic, then you spend your time on the Desertas Islands in a smaller, nature-focused way.

The best part is the feeling of distance. The Desertas are remote, and the boat route gives you that out-on-the-water sense right away. If you like ocean time, this tour makes sense, because you are not just hopping from one quick stop to another. You’re on a wooden boat for much of the day, and the scenery changes steadily as you travel.

For me, the two strongest selling points are the marine-life chances and the fact that your day includes both food and water time. The trip description promises sightings like dolphins and whales, and the logic is straightforward: you’re covering many miles on open water. Even if you don’t see whales every time, the hunt itself is part of the fun. The same goes for the swim stop. You get a real moment to get in the water at the islands, not just a splash in the shallow end.

The drawback is also pretty clear. Some people expect a full island walking tour with lots of time on land. What you get is more like a brief guided introduction plus time that you can spend walking or swimming, with limited comfort for those who want to stay dry the whole time.

Pier 8 meet-up and how the day starts

Your meeting point is straightforward: go to the marina at pier 8. Look for the kiosk in the middle, labeled Bonita da Madeira. From there, you’ll be slotted into the group for boarding and the day’s flow.

Plan to arrive with enough time to get settled. This is one of those tours where your comfort later depends on what you do right at the start. If you’re wearing the right layers, you handle wind and spray better during the sail. If you have your swimwear ready and your towel packed where you can reach it, you’re less stressed once you’re at the islands.

The tour also runs with a live guide in English and Portuguese, so you’ll get explanations without needing to guess what you’re looking at.

The long Atlantic sail: why marine life sightings are part of the deal

You’re covering a lot of water during this 8.5-hour outing, and that matters. The description points out the “high possibility” of marine life sightings for a simple reason: the longer route means more opportunities. If you’ve ever watched the sea from the shore, you know how much changes just a few hours later. Out here, you’re moving through different patches of ocean, so your chances are better than if the boat stayed close to port.

This is also where you should think about sea conditions. The trip is not built for people who are prone to seasickness. If you know you get queasy in choppy water, take that seriously. The boat ride can be a lot of time in motion, and a few reviews highlight that the sea can be rough enough to make the experience tougher.

What you can control is your setup:

• Wear layers. A light jacket matters when wind hits.
• Bring sunscreen and sunglasses, even if you don’t think you’ll be in strong sun.
• If you have waterproof shoes, use them. You’ll feel more stable around wet areas on and off the boat.

Desertas Islands time: the short guided loop plus swim choices

Once you reach the Desertas Islands, the day shifts from cruising to stillness. The islands are described as a protected natural reserve, with unique fauna and flora, and the scenery is dominated by coastlines and cliffs.

Here’s the real expectation-setting part. The plan includes a guided tour of around 20 minutes. That sounds like a normal guided visit, but in practice, some people found the island tour to be extremely short, more like a quick loop with info plaques. The good news is that you still get what you came for if you like sea-and-island days. The better news is that you can spend your time how you want once the guided portion ends.

Your choices typically look like this:

• Walk the island loop. Think short and manageable rather than a full hike.
• Swim at the stop. This is a key part of the experience.
• Snorkel, if you’re comfortable in the water.

Comfort can vary with conditions. A few reviews mention not having a dry option for landing and not finding a towel immediately on arrival, which matters if it’s windy or cool. Even though the tour asks you to bring a towel and swimwear, don’t assume you’ll stay clean and dry the way you would on a beach day with facilities.

Practical tip: if you’re the type who hates the feeling of wet clothes, bring a dry layer you can change into later for the return. And if there’s wind, a cap and jacket can be the difference between tolerating your island time and enjoying it.

Also, a quick reality check on the “Desertas” name. One review noted there is no sand-dune desert. What you’re likely to see is more gravel and rocky ground than anything that feels like a classic desert landscape.

Swim stop and snorkeling: how to make the water time comfortable

The swim stop is not a tiny add-on. It’s one of the core reasons the trip is worth the time. If you’re a confident swimmer, this can be a highlight because you’ll be in the Atlantic near a protected area, with a real sense of remoteness.

If you’re not a strong swimmer, take the “not suitable for non-swimmers” warning seriously. This is not a paddleboat day.

What to bring for water time (and not regret it later):

• Swimwear and a towel you can actually use when you’re done
• Sunscreen even if the day starts overcast
• A way to protect your gear from splashes
• Waterproof shoes if you have them, especially if the ground near where you end up is wet or uneven

If seas are choppy, you’ll also want to think about how you get in and out. You’re dealing with a boat and open water, not a dock.

Lunch, Madeira wine, and the return drink: good value when it lands right

This tour is structured like a full day, so food is part of the package. You get a welcome drink, Madeira wine, at the start. Lunch is included, and you get one free drink with lunch. Options listed include water, Coca Cola, beer, and wine (white or red), plus fruit. You also get another free drink on the return.

That’s a solid value piece. At $106 per person, you’re not just paying for boat time, you’re also getting meals and drinks. For many people, that’s what makes the day feel worth it instead of feeling expensive for a brief island stop.

That said, don’t turn off your common sense about consistency. Some reviews describe missing or reduced elements, like not receiving fruit or not getting the return drink as expected. Those are not things you can control on the day, so your best move is to treat the included items as part of the plan, and be ready to be flexible if timing gets tight or the boat is full.

If you care about wine, you’ll get Madeira wine as a welcome drink. If you’d rather keep it light, pick water or soda early and pace yourself for the sea ride.

Boat comfort, crowding, and the reality of timing

You’re going to spend long stretches on the boat. Some reviews mention the boat was very full, which can affect personal comfort, especially when the sea is moving and you’re trying to find your spot.

Also, the day is time-packed, meaning your island time may feel rushed if your expectation is a long walk. The tour description frames the guided visit as around 20 minutes, but the on-the-ground experience can end up feeling like a quick overview, followed by freer time.

For me, the key is to travel with the right mindset:

• If you want long island hiking, this may disappoint.
• If you want ocean time with a swim stop and a quick look at the islands, it fits nicely.

If you go, dress like you’re working outdoors. Use waterproof shoes if you have them. Bring layers, since wind off the Atlantic can be chilly even in the daytime.

Price and value: is $106 fair for this day?

At around $106 per person for an 8.5-hour outing, the price only feels fair if you value four things:

1. Long boat time and ocean views
2. Marine life search time
3. Swim or snorkeling stop at the islands
4. Lunch and drinks included, starting with Madeira wine

If you only want a short island walk, you might feel the cost is high for the land portion. If you can tolerate being on the water and you actually plan to swim, the package makes more sense.

The value also depends on what you expect the guided portion to feel like. If you want a detailed, slow museum-style tour on land, the time may not match that. If you want a brief orientation and then time to explore at your pace, you’re likely to feel more satisfied.

Who should book this Wooden Boat excursion, and who should skip it

This tour is a good match if you:

• Like sea days and want hours of Atlantic time
• Are comfortable swimming and snorkeling
• Want lunch and drinks handled for you
• Prefer a guided experience in English or Portuguese, even if the island walk is short

You might want to skip it if you:

• Do not swim confidently, since it is not suitable for non-swimmers
• Get cold easily on windy days, because you may spend time in wet conditions near the water
• Are prone to seasickness, since the boat ride can be challenging in rougher conditions
• Expect a long, sheltered island walk with lots of dry comfort

Should you book the Bonita da Madeira Desertas excursion?

Book it if your goal is simple: spend a big chunk of the day on the Atlantic, hunt for marine life, and get real water time at the Desertas Islands. The combination of sail time plus swim stop plus included meals is what makes this day work.

Skip it or choose a different style of outing if you need a long dry island hike, strong shore facilities, or lots of time with a full, detailed guided tour. Also, if you’re even a little unsure about seasickness, don’t gamble.

If you do book, go prepared. Bring your towel, swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, jacket, waterproof shoes, and comfortable shoes. Treat the island portion as short and water-focused, not a full-day land expedition. With the right expectations, this can be a memorable Madeira sea day.

FAQ

How long is the wooden boat excursion?

The duration is 8.5 hours.

Where do I meet the tour in Funchal?

Meet at the marina at pier 8. You should find a kiosk called Bonita da Madeira in the middle.

What’s included in the ticket price?

Included are a welcome drink (Madeira wine), lunch with one free drink per person (water, Coca Cola, beer, or wine, plus fruit), and another free drink on the return. Taxes and fees are included too.

Is pick-up and drop-off included?

No. Pick up and drop off by private transport is not included.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer?

Yes. The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers, and there is a swim stop when you reach the Desertas Islands.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, snacks, sunscreen, a jacket, and comfortable clothes. Waterproof shoes and a cap or hat are also recommended.

Can I bring a pet?

Pets are not allowed. Assistance dogs are allowed.