Desertas day trip mixes wildlife and salty air. I love the way a catamaran lets you see Madeira from the water while the crew delivers lively onboard commentary, and I also like that you can snorkel and paddleboard once you reach the islands. The one catch is the ride can be windy and cold, so bring proper layers even in warmer months.

This is a family-friendly outing with a max group size of 70, a Madeiran buffet lunch on board, and snorkeling gear included. You do not need hotel pickup since you meet at Praça do Povo area by public transport, and the activities suit a moderate fitness level. If seas get rough or wildlife conditions change, your plan can shift a bit, so go in with flexible expectations.

Key points before you go

• 9 hours on the water, starting at 9:00 am from the Funchal Marina area
• Snorkeling equipment is included, plus stand up paddle gear
• Wildlife spotting is the point, and it can include marine mammals when conditions cooperate
• Disembark on a virgin beach, but time ashore can feel tight
• Wind and cold are real on the open-water crossing, even on sunny days

Entering The Day: What This Catamaran Trip Is Really Like

This is a classic Madeira day cruise with a big difference: you are not just looking at islands from shore. You are out on the catamaran all day, watching the coastline and deep blue water change as you move toward the Desertas Islands. That water perspective is the best part of the format, because the scenery is always shifting.

The cruise is built around a full-day rhythm. You sail out in the morning, you reach a small group of islands, you get a chance to disembark onto a beach area, and you spend time with water activities before heading back. Lunch is on board as a buffet with Madeiran food, which makes the day feel complete instead of rushed.

The tone of the experience tends to be practical and hands-on. You get live commentary during the trip, and the crew supports snorkeling and stand up paddle. In plain terms, this is not a sit-and-watch excursion only. It is more like, if you want to be active, you can.

From Funchal Marina to Open Water: The Wind Factor

You start at the Praça do Povo meeting point, near public transportation, at 9:00 am. Then the catamaran heads out toward the horizon and into open water. The big thing I want you to plan for is the weather on the move.

Some days feel comfortable, but several experiences point to a theme: the outbound and return rides can get windy and cold. That matters because a comfortable cruise is one thing, but a chilly deck changes your mood fast, especially if you intend to spend time out at sea or near open areas.

My practical suggestion is to dress like you are going to the ocean, not like you are going to a Mediterranean beach. Bring layers you can pull on quickly, plus something to protect you from spray. If you get cold easily, treat this as the main risk.

The Desertas Islands Stop: Virgin Beach Time and Wildlife Reality

The Desertas Islands area is often called the desert islands, but the key idea is that they are inhabited. A group of three islands sits out at sea, and the payoff comes from the wildlife on land and underwater.

When you arrive, the plan centers on disembarking onto a virgin beach area. This is where the day becomes more than scenery. You can walk around during a short stretch, and you can use the time to enjoy the protected, natural feel of the place.

Here is the honest consideration: the time on the island can be shorter than you might expect if you pictured a long walk or a long, structured hike. Some people describe the walking portion as a small trail rather than a big excursion. Also, if wildlife viewing depends on the season and that timing is not perfect, certain animal sightings may not happen the way you hope.

So I recommend thinking of the island stop as a wildlife moment plus a beach and water-activity window. If you want hours of hiking, you may be better served by a different type of tour. If you want close nature contact without spending the whole day on land, this cruise fits.

On-Water Fun: Snorkeling and Stand Up Paddle That Actually Uses Your Time

The good news is that your water activity options are not just a sales pitch. Snorkeling equipment is included, and stand up paddle is included as well.

That means once you are at the beach or near the shore area, you can shift gears quickly. You go from catamaran sightseeing to getting in the water and looking closely at what is under the surface. For many people, this is the difference between a decent day and a memorable one, because snorkeling makes the trip feel real.

What I would watch for is your comfort level and your gear prep. Even with provided snorkeling equipment, you still need to feel steady in the water and aware of changing conditions. If you do not swim confidently, you can still enjoy the ocean view from the boat, but you might want to be cautious with snorkeling and paddling.

Also, be ready for wildlife to influence the rules. At least one experience mentions that swimming near the island was limited because of seals. That is a good sign, in a way, because it suggests the crew is taking wildlife presence seriously. It also means you should follow crew guidance and not assume you will have unlimited freedom to swim anywhere.

Lunch on Board: Madeiran Buffet With a Practical Schedule

You get a delicious Madeiran buffet lunch on board, and for a lot of people, this is a strong value point. A buffet lunch matters on a day like this because it keeps the timing smooth without you needing to hunt for food later.

The schedule is generally workable, but if the return to the catamaran is delayed due to timing at the beach, lunch can feel rushed. One experience points to a delayed meal after a late return to the boat, plus the practical annoyance of trying to grab dessert while moving around on the water.

Still, the most consistent takeaway is that the food is enjoyable. On a long day where you are moving between deck time, water time, and short land time, a decent buffet goes a long way. And since lunch is included, you are not hit with extra meal costs mid-trip.

Wildlife Sightings: What You Can Hope For, and Why Plans May Change

The Desertas Islands area is a sanctuary with native marine and land animals, and the cruise is designed around that idea. The live commentary helps you understand what you are seeing and why the place is protected.

One of the best parts is that wildlife is not limited to the island itself. Several experiences mention spotting marine mammals en route, including dolphins and even orcas on the way to the islands. That is a reminder that you are not waiting all day for one moment. The ocean can deliver sightings while you travel.

Now the fair warning: sea conditions can change the plan. Some days the boat could not visit the Desertas due to winds, so the route shifted and the crew sailed a different direction for wildlife viewing. That can feel like a trade, but it can also be a smart pivot that still produces a great day.

So instead of treating the Desertas stop as guaranteed animal spotting, treat it as a high-probability nature experience. When conditions cooperate, you get the full combo of island time and water fun. When conditions do not, you may still get wildlife, just with a different route or slightly different focus.

Price and Value: Is $108.37 Worth Your Day?

At about $108.37 per person for a roughly 9-hour cruise, this is not a cheap impulse trip. But it is also not a bare-bones tour.

Here is what you get in the value mix, based on the included items:

• Live commentary on board
• Snorkeling equipment
• Stand up paddle
• Madeiran buffet lunch
• Catamaran transport with the whole day’s movement

When you compare that to doing snorkeling gear rental plus a meal plus a boat transfer separately, the pricing becomes easier to justify. You are paying for a full-day package built around water activities and food.

The main value question is expectations. If you expect long island walking time and guaranteed seals at a peak time, you might feel let down. If you expect a day focused on being on the water, enjoying nature, and participating when the opportunity comes, then it can feel like good value.

Logistics That Matter: Meeting Point, Group Size, and Comfort

You meet at Praça do Povo area, with an address given as Av. Do Mar 4, São Martinho, 9000-900 Funchal. The meeting point is near public transportation, which is helpful if you do not want to manage parking or taxi timing.

Group size is capped at 70 travelers. That is large enough for an organized tour, but it should not feel like a packed cattle setup. Still, it is smart to arrive a bit early, since everyone will need to check in, settle gear, and get ready before departure.

You also need moderate physical fitness. That fits with the short walk on the island and the idea that you will handle water activities and movement between boat and shore.

Finally, you are offered the experience in English, and you will receive confirmation at booking time in many cases, unless you book within 2 days of travel, where confirmation comes within 48 hours subject to availability.

What to Bring and How to Set Yourself Up for a Great Day

Given the most repeated practical issue, plan your packing around the ocean crossing first. Bring layers and something wind-resistant. If you have a light jacket, this is where it earns its keep.

Also bring:

• Sunscreen and sunglasses (you can still get sun out on open water)
• A towel or plan for how you will dry off after snorkeling
• Water shoes if you expect pebbly or rocky surfaces on the beach
• A dry bag or waterproof phone pouch, so you can relax when you are near the water

If you are prone to motion sickness, consider that as well. The catamaran ride is part of the day, and even a stable day can still involve enough motion that you notice it.

And keep your mindset flexible. If wildlife conditions or winds affect the plan, you still want to enjoy the day you are given, not the version you imagined.

Who This Cruise Fits Best (and Who Might Want Another Option)

This works especially well if you want:

• A full-day Madeira outing without complicated transfers
• A catamaran experience with a hands-on water component
• A family-friendly activity where snorkeling and stand up paddle are included
• A nature-focused day where wildlife sightings can happen both en route and at the islands

It may not be the best match if:

• You want long hiking time on land and expect an extended trail walk
• You dislike cold wind exposure on boats
• You need a very specific wildlife outcome, such as seals at peak season, to feel the trip was worth it

In other words, this is best for people who like ocean time, can dress for wind and spray, and are happy to participate in snorkeling or paddling when conditions allow.

Should You Book This Catamaran Day Cruise to Desertas Islands?

I would book it if you want a practical, high-value day on the water from Funchal that includes snorkeling gear, stand up paddle, and lunch, plus live commentary. The chance to see wildlife in a protected setting, sometimes including big marine mammals en route, is the kind of payoff that can make the trip feel special fast.

I would pause and rethink if wind chill on boats ruins your comfort, or if you are the type who needs a long, clearly defined hike. The experience is more about beach and water time than about extended trekking.

If you go in prepared for a windy crossing and treat the island stop as a wildlife and activity window, this can be a very satisfying Madeira day cruise.