Since 2021, we have been crafting bucket-list open water swimming experiences in Madeira Island, taking swimmers beyond the typical tourist paths.
This holiday has been meticulously designed to reveal the island’s breathtaking wild beauty from the best perspective possible: the ocean.
Over 7 unforgettable days, you will swim through dynamic, ever-changing landscapes. From crystal-clear turquoise waters and dramatic volcanic caves to hidden archways along the rugged Desertas Islands.
Blessed with a subtropical climate and warm, comfortable ocean temperatures (21°C - 25°C / 70°F - 77°F), Madeira offers ideal open water conditions year-round.
Guided by our experienced local team, you’ll explore protected natural sanctuaries including the Garajau Partial Nature Reserve, Ponta de São Lourenço, and the uninhabited Desertas Islands.
These pristine marine protected areas are home to vibrant marine life, where you may share the water with playful dolphins, whales, sea turtles, and even the rare Mediterranean monk seal.
Based right in the heart of the Garajau Nature Reserve, our base location offers direct access to calm, sheltered bays perfect for iconic coastal swims.
Away from the crowds, this is your invitation to immerse yourself in one of Portugal’s most extraordinary marine ecosystems.
Are you ready to dive into this dream adventure with us?
We will meet you at Madeira Airport (Funchal - FNC), where your transfer will be waiting to greet you. From here, enjoy a short scenic drive along the coast to our hotel in Caniço de Baixo for check-in.
Once settled, we’ll gather for a relaxed welcome lunch with your fellow swimmers, followed by an introductory briefing to go over the safety protocols and the exciting week ahead.
In the afternoon, we will head straight down via the hotel’s direct sea access for our acclimatization swim at the edge of the Garajau Partial Nature Reserve. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy your first strokes in the calm, clear ocean of this protected marine sanctuary.
Our expedition truly begins as we journey to the dramatic peninsula of Ponta de São Lourenço, a protected natural reserve at the easternmost tip of the island. Surrounded by towering volcanic cliffs that plunge directly into the deep blue Atlantic, you will experience one of Madeira’s most iconic landscapes from the ultimate perspective: the water.
In the morning, our first swim takes us along the sheltered coastal waters of Baía d’Abra. We will swim past the impressive Pigeon’s Cave and navigate around the steep, isolated rock formation of Morro do Furado, marveling at millions of years of volcanic history carved by the ocean.
Afterwards, we head to the North Coast for a scenic lunch at Quinta do Furão, perched on high cliffs above the sea.
We will wrap up the day with a brief visit to the traditional thatched houses of Santana before returning to the hotel.
Today is one of the ultimate highlights of our week. We board our motorboat at Quinta do Lorde Marina toward the Desertas Islands Nature Reserve, an uninhabited archipelago accessible only with a special permit.
As we approach Deserta Grande, you will become one of the few swimmers to experience these untouched waters. This pristine sanctuary is home to the endangered Mediterranean monk seal, offering a rare privilege to swim in their natural habitat. Our swim takes us beneath towering volcanic cliffs and past dramatic sea arches, taking in the raw beauty of the coast.
Then, we anchor by the warden station for a traditional lunch on board, followed by a short guided walk on the island.
After lunch, you can relax and take a refreshing dip in the bay as we prepare for the journey back to Madeira, often escorted by dolphins and whales along the way.
We explore the secret south coast of Madeira, connecting the iconic Calhau da Lapa to the breathtaking cliffs of Fajã dos Padres, right beneath Cabo Girão. Sheltered from the northern winds, this protected coastline typically boasts warmer, calmer waters, making for an exceptionally pleasant swim.
As you glide through this tranquil paradise, keep an eye out for local marine life: stingrays are often seen resting on the sandy ocean floor, and a sea turtle might just drift peacefully past you into the deep.
Following our swim, we’ll enjoy a delicious local lunch by the sea, leaving the afternoon free for you to relax, explore at your own pace, and recharge for the days ahead.
We travel to the island's westernmost tip for a breathtaking swim inside the protected marine area of Ponta do Pargo—one of Madeira's most stunning and pristine coastal stretches.
Boarding our boat, we navigate beneath the cliffs to admire the entire western coastline. Perched high on a dramatic cliff 300 meters above the sea stands the iconic Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse, a century-old beacon built in 1922 to guide ships along these rugged waters.
Right beneath this historic landmark, we jump into the ocean to start our swim toward Fajã da Ovelha, experiencing an unforgettable journey in pure communion with nature.
Later, we head to Calheta Marina for a regional lunch, followed by an afternoon visit to Cabo Girão to take in the views from its famous glass skywalk.
On our final day of adventure, we explore the wild, rugged North Coast of Madeira: a dramatic contrast of lush green mountains, towering cliffs, and endless freshwater cascades.
We set out by boat from Porto Moniz, passing the iconic volcanic sea stacks of Ilhéu da Ribeira da Janela on our way to the famous black sand beach of Seixal.
Starting from the beach, we swim beneath mountain slopes covered in indigenous forest, with impressive waterfalls plunging into the ocean, including the emblematic Véu da Noiva (Bride’s Veil) cascade right before our eyes.
Following this spectacular swim, we return to Seixal for a grilled local lunch, giving you the perfect opportunity to taste some of the finest fresh tuna in the region. We then spend the afternoon relaxing and swimming in the famous volcanic natural pools.
As our incredible week comes to an end, we bid a fond farewell to everyone taking their flights back home.
A transfer service will depart from the hotel to the airport, fully scheduled according to your individual departure times to ensure a smooth and seamless journey.
Thank you for sharing this unforgettable swim adventure across Madeira with us. Safe travels home, and we hope to see you in the water again soon!
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.
