Swim in the pristine waters of the Desertas Islands on a private boat tour with SwiMadeira. Spot dolphins, savor a light lunch, and experience Madeira's wild coastline up close.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
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Difficulty
moderate
Duration
6–8 hours
Fitness Level
Participants should have a moderate fitness level and be comfortable swimming in open water with some currents.
Wildlife
History
The Desertas Islands have been designated a nature reserve since 1990, protecting one of Europe’s rarest marine mammal habitats.
Conservation
SwiMadeira promotes sustainable tourism practices, emphasizing no-contact wildlife viewing and minimizing ecological footprint on the fragile island ecosystem.
SwiMadeira
Swim in the pristine waters of the Desertas Islands on a private boat tour with SwiMadeira. Spot dolphins, savor a light lunch, and experience Madeira's wild coastline up close.
SwiMadeira is a swim tour operator based in Caniço, Madeira, offering guided open‑water experiences, training sessions, and private excursions across Madeira and nearby islands.
The company runs a broad range of trips, including day tours to Porto Santo and Desertas Island, half‑day swims at Garajau (Galo Resort), Ponta de São Lourenço and Fajã dos Padres, specialized training sessions such as the 8K Porto Santo long training swim, and a five‑day SwimCamp on Porto Santo. SwiMadeira also lists special events, open water baptism sessions for families, and private swim day and half‑day tours tailored to individual groups.
Guides accompany guests in nature reserves and coastal areas mentioned in trip descriptions, including Garajau partial nature reserve, Ponta de São Lourenço, Fajã dos Padres and Desertas. Several experiences include on‑site safety measures, photography to capture memories, and, for specific training packages, personal accident insurance. Excursions vary in duration from half‑day to full‑day and multi‑day formats, with options for snacks and seaside meals noted in some tours.
By operating from Caniço, SwiMadeira connects visitors to sheltered pebble beaches, volcanic island coastlines and protected marine habitats. Listings emphasize clear waters, wildlife viewing opportunities and scenic access methods such as the Fajã dos Padres cable car. Trip descriptions provide practical details on swim duration and terrain to help swimmers choose appropriate tours. SwiMadeira presents a focused offering for swimmers seeking guided, location‑specific experiences around Madeira and Porto Santo.
Booking details and availability appear in each trip listing to aid planning and easily secure reservations online year‑round.
Location
Caniço, Madeira
Base on Madeira Island
Tours Offered
19
Coastal and island swim experiences
Guided & Insured
Guided & insured
Guides and insurance for some tours
Private Tours
Available
Book private or special events
Select a half‑day, full‑day, training session or private tour and reserve dates from Caniço, Madeira.
Safety First
Always swim within the guide’s supervision and use provided flotation aids if needed for open water security.
Bring Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Protect your skin and the marine environment by applying environmentally safe sunscreen before the swim.
Stay Hydrated
Even on water, staying hydrated is important—drink plenty of fluids before and after your swim.
Footwear for Rocky Landings
Wear water shoes or sandals to protect feet when boarding or leaving the boat near rocky shores.
Swimsuit
Comfortable swimwear suitable for open water conditions.
summer
Water shoes
Protect feet from rocky boat landings and rough terrain.
Reef-safe sunscreen
Protect skin while minimizing environmental impact.
summer
Quick-dry towel
For drying off comfortably post-swim on the boat.