This swimming holiday was prepared, in detail, so that you can enjoy Madeira Island in a way that you never had the opportunity to experience. In our company, you will be taken to swim in the most beautiful places in the region. The Desertas Islands Nature Reserve, Ponta de São Lourenço and Garajau Nature Reserve are just some of them.
Over 7 unforgettable days you will swim in the most different panoramas that this tropical island has to offer, far from the crowds.
A great trip for enjoying swims in the turquoise sea and exploring the caves and archways of the Desertas craggy, uninhabited island, this swimming adventure is perfect for those who want to discover a quiet, beautiful part of Portugal.
Our accommodation is situated in the heart of Garajau Natural Reserve whose bay also provide another great swim spot.
Are you ready to embrace this adventure by the pearl of the Atlantic?
We will meet you at Madeira Airport – Cristiano Ronaldo. Then we'll drive you to Caniço, where you will check-in at the hotel.
During a pleasant lunch at the hotel restaurant, you will meet your swim guides and other swimmers for a safety briefing and a Q&A session about the adventure we are embarking on.
Then, we will do an acclimatization swim in the Lido Galomar, a bathing complex integrated in the stunning Garajau Partial Nature Reserve, to feel the crystal clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
This day marks the beginning of our expedition through the pearl of the Atlantic, which is bound for the Ponta de São Lourenço Nature Reserve. An excellent and exciting way to start our journey, as we are surrounded by the imposing cliffs that dominate the volcanic landscape of this area.
In the morning, we will swim along the coast of Baia D’Abra, passing by the impressive Pigeon’s Cave and the steep and isolated Morro do Furado.
Lunch will be served at Quinta do Furão, the restaurant with the best view of the north coast. In the afternoon, we will visit the typical houses of Santana, an ex-libris of the county.
We leave the Quinta do Lorde Marina, on a small boat towards the Desertas Islands Nature Reserve. As we approach the Deserta Grande, one of the three small islands that make up the nature reserve, we will start our emblematic adventure, where you will become one of the few swimmers who have the unique opportunity to swim in this place.
We will anchor in the bay in front of the research center and the watchman's house, both heritage of Madeira Natural Park. A pleasant and traditional lunch will be served, followed by an interesting guided tour to the island.
We will then return to Madeira, in the company of dolphins, whales and turtles, who might accompany us along the entire route.
We will start exploring the south coast of the island, connecting the iconic Calhau da Lapa to the Fajãs of Cabo Girão, passing by of the imposing Fajã dos Padres. It is known as the “paradise on earth” to express the dimension of the steep cliffs, as well as the stacked rocks that dot this stretch of coast. In this unique place, far from everything and yet close to the most important, the silence and tranquility that its isolation represents, you will live an unforgettable swim.
After a typical lunch in Caniçal you will have the rest of the day free to relax and recharge batteries for the next adventures.
On this day we will explore the westernmost tip of the island of Madeira, a unique place that deserves a careful visit. After a half-hour boat trip we will arrive at the historic Ponta do Pargo lighthouse, allowing a view to the surrounding coastal area, marked by imposing cliffs and points of interest of all the west coast. From here we will swim until Fajã da Ovelha.
A regional lunch will be served in Calheta Marina.
The afternoon takes us to the highest promontory in Europe: Cabo Girão, with its famous suspended glass platform, currently one of the most visited tourist attractions of the archipelago.
On the seventh and last day of adventure we will get to know the north side of Madeira. Leaving by boat from Porto Moniz, we will pass by the iconic Ilhéu Ribeira da Janela until we reach one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe, Seixal beach.
It is from the black sand beach that we will start our swim surrounded by escarpments and green mountains, from where we will see the emblematic Véu da Noiva Waterfall.
After a typical lunch in the small village of Porto Moniz, we will spend the afternoon bathing in the natural pools of the region.
Your wild swimming odyssey had to come to an end eventually.
After breakfast, your host will transfer you to the airport at Madeira in time for your return flight home.
Payment is made in two instalments. A 30% deposit (non-refundable if the traveller cancels) to secure the booking, and a second payment of 70% up to 60 days before the start of the trip. You may also choose to pay the full amount of the trip in a single payment. If the booking is made less than 60 days before the trip date, payment must be made in full.
Most of our trips can accommodate guests who cannot swim; however, please note that this is subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed.
This trip is for those who love adventure, making new friends and feeling life pulsing in every moment! If you come with an open mind, a relaxed attitude and a desire to experience the world in a different way, get ready for an unforgettable experience.
It’s important to bear in mind that, as this is an adventure trip, the unexpected can happen.
You might come across animals you don’t usually see in your daily life, the internet might be patchy, the air conditioning might break down, or the shower might not have the pressure and temperature you’re used to. The food might not be quite like your mum’s, and that’s absolutely fine! It’s these little details that make the trip special and authentic. And thank goodness it’s like that – if everything were the same, it wouldn’t be worth leaving home.
If you invite a friend to come along, it’s essential that you let them know about this. At SwimTogether, we don’t want grumpy travellers. Here, a good attitude and a willingness to make the most of every moment are essential!
We usually stay in twin rooms, which may have a double bed or two single beds. Whenever possible, we book double beds for those travelling as a couple. Those travelling alone usually stay in rooms with single beds.
On some occasions, you may choose to stay in a single room. If available, we can accommodate you in a room of your own, subject to an additional charge, the amount of which may vary depending on the travel dates. For further information, please contact us.
The trip is confirmed when all the conditions for it to take place have been met, namely reaching the minimum number of travellers, as well as the completion of all organisational aspects (bookings, transfers, activities, among others). As a rule, confirmation takes place several months before the scheduled date, although it may be delayed until a maximum of 20 days before departure. It is possible that, at the time you make your booking, the trip may already be confirmed.
You should only book your flights after you have paid for the trip and confirmed with SwimTogether that your booking is finalised.
We will then provide you with recommended flights.
Of course you can, but you’ll be on your own until you meet your tour guides and the group at the hotel on the day the adventure begins. If you wish, you can also extend your stay and stay on for a few more days after the SwimTogether trip has finished. In either case, you can arrange to extend your stay directly with us, so you won’t have to worry about changing hotels and/or rooms.
Transfers vary depending on the trip. Normally, there is just one transfer for the whole group on the outward journey and another on the return. Transfer times are set taking into account the recommended flights. On arrival at the destination airport, there will always be a driver holding a SwimTogether sign waiting for travellers. If you choose flights other than those suggested and arrive at the airport earlier, you may wait until the transfer time. The same applies on the return journey: if your flight is later but you wish to use the transfer to the airport, you may do so. If you choose flights whose dates or times do not coincide with those of the transfers, we can organise your transfer at an additional cost.
Throughout the trip, travellers will be accompanied by SwimTogether’s tour guides. You will also be travelling with other participants of various ages and swimming abilities, who may include young students, retired couples, solo travellers, groups of friends, experienced open-water swimmers or people who are not used to swimming outside a pool. Whatever the group’s composition, you can be sure you’ll meet a mix of fascinating personalities from all over the world, united by a shared love of swimming and nature.
Travellers’ dietary restrictions – including vegetarianism and severe allergies – are always taken into account, provided they are communicated in writing and well in advance. However, it is important to bear in mind that it is not always possible to accommodate all dietary requirements. Situations may arise where it is not possible to guarantee a fully suitable meal, and in such cases, it is the traveller’s responsibility to be mindful of their diet and take additional precautions, such as bringing suitable snacks or finding out in advance about the options available at the destination.
As we believe every traveller should have free time to enjoy the destination at their own pace, dinners are not included. This way, everyone can choose where, when and with whom they wish to eat. The average cost is around €25 per meal.
All guests must be aged 18 or over on the start date of our trips, or be accompanied by an adult swimmer if aged between 16 and 18. The trip price is the same as for an adult.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all our adventures, and you must provide your policy details before departure so that, in the event of any health issues during the trip, we can make a claim on the traveller’s behalf. Your insurance must provide adequate cover for medical treatment abroad, medical evacuation/repatriation, luggage and equipment, as well as for the specific activities involved in your adventure. We also recommend that your policy includes cancellation and curtailment cover, in case you are unable to take part in the trip due to unforeseen circumstances, such as illness.
Standard travel insurance may not cover all the activities included in your adventure, so it is essential to carefully review the policy details. SwimTogether can arrange your travel insurance at an additional cost - our proposal can be requested free of charge and with no obligation (request travel insurance).
Alternatively, there are providers specialized in adventure travel, such as IATI, offering a 5% discount to SwimTogether clients and coverage for a wide range of adventure activities.
Please ensure that the policy you choose meets your individual needs and covers all aspects of your trip.
We recommend that all travellers attend a pre-travel consultation or speak to their doctor between 4 and 8 weeks before departure. There are generally no compulsory vaccinations, but it is important to confirm this with your doctor and to check whether any specific medication is recommended for the trip. We also advise you to check the specific recommendations for your destination.
We can reserve all the seats for you and your friends. This is always subject to availability.
On our trips, we have a wide range of swimming speeds, with participants covering 1 km in open water in between 15 and 30 minutes. As a guideline, guests should be able to swim at least 1 km in 30 minutes. The average pace on SwimTogether trips is 15 to 20 minutes per kilometre, or around 24 to 32 minutes per mile.
One of the advantages of SwimTogether trips is that we accommodate this range of speeds on every trip. At the start of the trip, the guides lead an acclimatisation swim with all participants to group swimmers of similar speeds together. Usually, two speed groups are formed per trip, although this may vary depending on the group.
By dividing swimmers into smaller groups, we ensure that everyone swims at a comfortable pace. On most of our trips, we ask that swimmers be able to swim 1 km (0.6 miles) in 30 minutes to take part.
No. After all, you’re on holiday! If you need to take a break whilst swimming, you can always hop onto the support boat at any time. On trips where we use kayaks instead of boats, the guides will be able to advise you on the various options for getting out of the water and walking parts of the route, wherever possible.
Each group of swimmers is accompanied by its own support boat during each session. On most trips, these boats usually consist of a main semi-rigid boat and a kayak; however, when it is not possible to use motorised boats, the guides accompany the swimmers in support kayaks. The boats and guides are there to ensure safety, provide drinks and snacks, and help with anything you may need throughout the trip.
One of the great joys of open-water swimming is the opportunity to appreciate the incredible variety of wildlife, natural topography and underwater landscapes that most people never get the chance to see. The type of marine life you might encounter varies greatly from place to place. We’ve swum with everything from laid-back sea turtles to unique fish.
This trip takes place in environments where wild animals are present in their natural habitat, with limited or no restrictions or control over their movements. Some species may be dangerous, poisonous or unpredictable. Observing these animals is a privilege, but safety must always be a priority. You must strictly follow the guide’s instructions and any signage in place.
We recommend that you consider your comfort level with wildlife and discuss any concerns with the host before the trip, especially if you have allergies, phobias or other related health conditions.
Tap water in Madeira is safe to drink. We recommend that you bring your own reusable bottle to fill up at hotels, public fountains and restaurants, thus avoiding the purchase of disposable plastic bottles.
The cost of flights can vary depending on the season, number of stopovers, airline promotions, extras, and other factors. On average, the approximate prices are:
Domestic flight:
- Lisbon (LIS) – Funchal (FNC) – Lisbon (LIS): approx. €150
- Porto (OPO) – Funchal (FNC) – Porto (OPO): approx. €150
- Faro (FAO) – Funchal (FNC) – Faro (FAO): approx. €150
Please feel free to email us and we will be happy to assist you: info@swim-together.com
This experience is fully booked. Add your guest and contact information to join the waitlist. We’ll contact you if a new availability opens up, and send you a new link to book.
