Rappel into Madeira’s wild side. This Level 2 canyoning trip in Nun’s Valley mixes rappels, optional jumps, and constant mountain scenery with guides who keep things controlled.

What I like most is the small group size (up to 10), which makes it feel more like a guided adventure than a cattle call. I also love how the experience is built around confidence, not just adrenaline, with safety rules explained so you know what to do step by step.

One thing to think about before you book: the activity involves wet suit use and water immersion, and provided wet suit shoes may top out around UK 11.5 for sizing, which can matter if you wear larger footwear.

Key Highlights You Will Feel Fast

• 15-meter maximum rappel for that real “okay, this is happening” moment
• Choice-based jumps and waterfall moments, so you can match your comfort level
• 20 minutes of walking on dirt road and along a levada before the action
• Guides like Jose, Bruno, and Miguel who are professional, funny, and clear on safety
• Photos included, so you do not have to worry about your camera skills mid-canyon

Level 2 at Nun’s Valley: What You’re Really Signing Up For

Nun’s Valley canyoning at Level 2 is for the sweet spot between first-timer fun and full-on technical challenge. You are not doing the hardest version, but you still get a proper adventure. The route includes various rappels, and the highest one reaches 15 meters.

This level is designed for people who want to get out of their comfort zone. You should be ready for big jumps or big waterfalls, but the good news is the activity works with you. The guides can steer you toward the route choices that fit your nerve and skill.

Expect to be wet for a while. This is not a dry hiking day with a few splashes. Reviews point out full immersion in mountain streams and pools, and that means your clothes, shoes, and attitude need to be ready for water.

Getting There From CR7 Museum: Meet-Up, Start Time, and the Warm-Up Walk

The tour starts at CR7 Museum (Praça CR7, Av. Sá Carneiro 27, São Martinho, Funchal). The start time is 9:00 am, and it ends back at the meeting point.

One part people underestimate is the warm-up movement before the canyoning proper. You walk for about 20 minutes on a dirt road and along a levada. A levada is that historic irrigation channel system Madeira is known for, and walking alongside one helps you get local context quickly. It also gives you a buffer to get your breathing steady before the first rappel.

Since transfer is included, you are not left figuring out the ride on your own. Still, do plan to arrive on time, because the group moves together and the canyon does not wait for latecomers.

Curral das Freiras: Why This Starting Point Sets the Tone

The first stop is Curral das Freiras. This is one of those places where Madeira’s drama feels close. You get the sense you are stepping into a mountain environment rather than just playing at being adventurous.

Functionally, this stop also helps the day feel organized. It is where your morning starts to take shape, before you settle into the canyoning flow. Even if you are not there for photos or sightseeing, it matters because it frames the activity: you are going from village area to canyon route with guiding attention.

The main takeaway: treat this as the “get focused” moment. You will get instructions, gear support, and the mental switch from Funchal day energy to mountain-water reality.

The Canyoning Route: 15-Meter Rappels, Pool Jumps, and Waterfall Choices

Once the canyoning begins, you will be moving through a chain of obstacles where each one builds on the last. You have multiple rappels, and the route includes the top rappel at 15 meters.

Then come the water moments. The description calls out refreshing pools where you can jump and slide. That matters because it changes the experience from purely vertical to part play, part technique. Even if you do not go full-send on every jump, you will still get that satisfying mix of control and fun.

The best part for comfort-level variety is the idea of choices. Big jumps or big waterfalls are offered, but you are not forced into the most intense option if you are not ready. One review specifically mentions they finished with a jump off a waterfall, which is exactly the kind of payoff that makes Level 2 feel like more than training.

And throughout, you keep mountain views as a constant backdrop. That is not just a nice bonus. When you are doing something physical and adrenaline-heavy, scenery helps your brain stay present instead of spiraling into nerves.

How Guides Keep It Safe Without Killing the Fun

The guides are a big reason this experience earns a strong rating. Names that come up include Jose, Bruno, and Miguel. Across reviews, they are described as responsible and professional, but also genuinely entertaining.

What stands out is how they teach safety. You get rules and instruction in a way that creates confidence, not confusion. If you are new-ish to canyoning, that clarity is everything. You need to know how to move, when to jump, where to place your hands, and how to react if you end up splashed, startled, or uncertain.

Another strong point is that guides can adapt the route based on skill. One review mentions they adjusted the canyoning path accordingly, so you are not just following a fixed script. This is especially helpful if you have different comfort levels in your group.

And since the group is capped at 10 travelers, you are more likely to get personal attention when the day turns into “okay, now what do I do on this rock?”

Gear, Equipment, and the Wet Suit Shoe Sizing Reality Check

This is one of those trips where you will be glad the essentials are handled for you. The tour includes all equipment needed plus insurance and guided support.

But there is a practical detail you should not ignore: wet suit shoe sizing. One review gave a concrete note that the wet suit shoes went up to about UK 11.5, and they had to adjust plans for someone with a larger foot size (size 15). The person did not do every option because the provided footwear would not work.

So here is what I recommend: if you are on the edge of shoe sizing, ask ahead. Do not assume every canyoning operator can fit every foot. When your shoes fit poorly, your confidence drops fast, and confidence is the real currency of canyoning.

Also, because the activity includes pools, streams, and wet jumps, you should be ready for full-water contact. That is not a “light drizzle” outing.

Photos, Snacks, and the Stuff That Makes the Day Easier

A lot of outdoor activities forget the logistics that make your day smooth. This one includes photos and a snack, and that is more valuable than it sounds.

Photos are a big deal because you will be focused on technique and safety. Trying to film and rappel at the same time is a bad idea. Having photos taken as part of the day means you can actually enjoy the moment instead of thinking about your phone in a wet environment.

The snack helps you keep energy stable during the activity window. Lunch is not included, so plan for a meal either before you go or after you finish. The canyoning duration is about 4 hours, and you will likely be hungry once you are dry and back in town.

Duration and Energy Level: How Hard Is Level 2, Really?

The tour takes about 4 hours total. That includes the travel and the prep walking time, with the actual canyoning happening during that block.

In terms of effort, you should have moderate physical fitness. Reviews also call out that you need to be able to clamber over rocks and boulders. In plain terms, you are not just standing in place. You will use your legs, core, and hands to move through natural terrain.

You also need to be okay with being wet the whole time. If water in mountain streams and pools makes you uncomfortable, this might feel like a lot. But if you can handle it, the experience gets easier because you stop fighting it and start following the guide’s cues.

If you have kids in the mix, it can work depending on their comfort and supervision. One family group did Level 2 with children aged 6, 8, and 10, and they loved it, even wanting to move up to Level 3 later. That suggests the route can be family-friendly when kids are ready to listen and climb safely. Still, do not assume every child will love it. You know your kid best.

Weather and Rebooking: When Madeira Calls the Shots

Madeira weather can be unpredictable, and this canyoning experience is weather-dependent. The activity requires good weather, and if conditions are not safe, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

One review also notes that the guide handled rebooking for a better time without making it painful. That is a key quality: you want operators who manage weather changes calmly, because canyoning does not run the same way in poor conditions.

My practical advice: keep your schedule flexible on canyoning day. If the weather forces a change, you will want to take the offered alternative slot instead of trying to cram other plans too tightly.

Value for Your Time: What’s Included vs. What You Still Need to Think About

Even without a price number here, you can judge value based on what is included. You get equipment, transfer, a snack, insurance, and guided instruction, plus photos. For many people, that combination is the difference between “fun but stressful” and “fun and straightforward.”

What is not included is lunch. So make sure you plan food coverage around the 4-hour window. Also, because wet suit shoes may have a size cap, consider confirming footwear options for your feet.

Finally, remember the tour is capped at 10 travelers. Smaller groups often mean less waiting and more attention when it matters, especially during rappels and jump choices.

Should You Book This Canyoning Level 2 in Nun’s Valley?

I think this is an easy yes if you want real canyoning in Madeira without going to the hardest level. The 15-meter rappel, the mix of rappels with jump and slide pools, and the option-based approach make it a strong fit for adventurous people who still want a human safety net.

You should think twice if you:

• have major footwear sizing issues and cannot confirm wet suit shoe availability
• dislike water immersion and full wet gear
• do not feel comfortable clambering over rocks and boulders for a couple of hours

If you match the fitness and water comfort side, you will likely walk away with the kind of story that makes your Madeira trip feel bigger than sightseeing. And with guides like Jose, Bruno, and Miguel leading the way, the day should feel both safe and genuinely fun.

FAQ

How long is the canyoning experience at Nun’s Valley (Level 2)?

It lasts about 4 hours.

Where do we meet for the tour?

You meet at CR7 Museum, Praça CR7, Av. Sá Carneiro 27, São Martinho, 9004-518 Funchal, Portugal. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 9:00 am.

What is included in the tour?

It includes all equipment needed, transfer, a snack, photos, insurance, and a guide.

Is lunch included?

No, lunch is not included.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.