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Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools On Madeira Island

Jackson Groves

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Categories MADEIRA, PORTUGAL

Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools On Madeira Island

The Porto Moniz Natural Swimming pools are incredible volcanic tidal pools on the northwestern tip of Madeira. You can swim, explore, snorkel, and hang out on the rock formations and small lagoons at this family-friendly location. For just a 1.50 euros entry fee, this is the best value fun you’ll ever have on vacation.

BEST OF THE WEST MADEIRA TOUR

Best of Madeira’s West: A beautiful Madeira day trip that explores the west coast of the island. The tour departs from Funchal and visits the Cabo Girão Skywalk (the tallest seacliff in Europe). Here, you can enjoy stepping out on the glass floor observation deck for jaw-dropping views below. The journey then continues up to Encumeada, where guests can enjoy sweeping views of both the north and south coasts of the island.

The tour continues along the rugged north coast to São Vicente. A leisurely stop at Porto Moniz’s natural pool for lunch is next. Finally, the tour finishes at Paul da Serra to view one of the biggest natural reserves in the world, before returning to Funchal.

Book your tour now: Best of Madeira’s West Tour

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Best of Madeira’s West Tour

  • Visit Skywalk
  • See Encumeada
  • Swim in Porto Moniz

HOW TO GET TO PORTO MONIZ NATURAL SWIMMING POOLS

The Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools are on the northwest tip of Madeira Island. It’s a 49-kilometer journey from Funchal to the pools, which will take you around 50 minutes on a journey through the center of the island. Porto Moniz is a small coastal town, which is famous for its lava rock pools. There are lots of big parking lots in Porto Moniz, which cater to thousands of tourists who flock to the coastal town on weekends and holidays to enjoy the pools. If you visit on a weekday you will experience a quiet atmosphere but it is a huge family fun day on the weekends so you will want to arrive early to secure a park.

I’ve pinned the exact location of the Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools on the map below so you can plan your trip.

BEST RENTAL CAR COMPANY ON MADEIRA

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When you book your Madeira Rental Car online, I personally recommend and always use Discover Cars. They search for both local and international companies, so you get the best deal! MUST Read: Guide to Renting a Car on Madeira

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ENTRANCE FEES AND OPENING HOURS FOR THE POOLS

Entrance fee: I was really surprised by the low price for entering the pools. Considering how well maintained they are and their popularity, I had imagined it could be 10 Euros or even much more. However, the entrance fee for adults was just 1.50 euros. What a bargain. You can stay as long as you like, use the changing rooms, cafe and all of the pools.

Opening hours: The pools have winter and summer hours. In the winter, they are open from 9 am to 5 pm and in the summer they are open from 9 am to 7 pm.

TOP 3 PLACES TO STAY IN MADEIRA

a view of a swimming pool and a city.
a large swimming pool next to the ocean.

MY EXPERIENCE AT THE PORTO MONIZ NATURAL SWIMMING POOLS

I visited Porto Moniz multiple times during my three months in Madeira. It’s not just the kind of place you visit once, tick off the bucket list and move on. It’s a relaxing vibe. It’s where you come on a day off, a place to recover the day after a long hike, or a great spot to chill and catch up with a friend. You can grab a little corner to yourself, laze about in the sun and enjoy the buzz of all the people at the pools.

The first bit of information I will pass on to you about the pools is to do everything you can within your itinerary to come to this spot on a weekday. On the weekend, it is crowded. During the week, it’s relaxing, peaceful, and filled with just the right number of people. I’ve visited on a weekend and a weekday and it’s a vastly different experience. Both were good but the Tuesday visit was supreme.

The atmosphere at the natural pools is super laid-back. You have all sorts of people hanging out from families, and the elderly to young groups of teens. It’s a fun, relaxed vibe. We chose to sit down at the far western end, which is a great spot as you have a view down the coast rather than just looking at the pool the entire day. There are no specified seating areas, you just claim a spot that looks safe and will stay dry even if a rogue wave causes a bit of a splash. Most people avoid the outer ring as it is a bit narrow and this is where waves can spray up.

The pools are full of natural salt water, which is great for swimming and doesn’t sting as chlorine would. They aren’t too many super deep areas but there are definitely many parts throughout the lagoons where you will need to swim rather than stand.

I highly recommend bringing a snorkel and mask. You could use it in the natural pools to explore the lava rock, but the real underwater attractions are just outside the natural pools. On a calm day, it is okay to swim outside of the natural pools in the ocean where you will find lava tunnels and lava-rock chambers just waiting to be explored. Here’s a quick clip of me in one of the lava-rock chambers.

The other great activity at the Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools is the diving board. Down the eastern end of the complex is a blue diving board that is about three or four meters high. It jumps off the natural pools and into the ocean. There is a steel ladder bolted to the rock wall to help you climb up.

On a calm day, it’s very easy getting back up but on a rough day with a current, they usually close off the diving board so no one gets stuck trying to climb back up. Here’s a photo of an old guy sending a backflip from the diving board. What a legend!

Inside the complex, there’s a restaurant with outdoor seating looking over the ocean. One of the times I visited was quite chilly and the hot latte in the cafe while draped in my towel was a comforting moment amidst the wispy wind. The food looked pretty basic with burgers, fish, rice, and meat dishes and all you could really need but nothing too fancy. You can also buy alcoholic drinks, icecreams, and other snacks within the complex.

You’ll also find a changing room inside with lockers available if you need to keep your belongings safe while you swim. However, I’m a bit of a people-watcher or an observer you might say and I noticed everyone just left all of their gear and went swimming. It’s a very relaxed atmosphere and in this small town of Porto Moniz, it seems like an honest place despite being a tourist hotspot.

PISCINAS NATURAIS VELHAS

Towards the eastern end of Porto Moniz, there is a second natural swimming pool also made from lava rocks. This one is a little less modern and has far less infrastructure. The pools aren’t quite as pristine and overall it is much more natural. The rock formations are much higher and it has a backdrop of the giant islet known as Ilhéu Mole. Atop the islet is the Lighthouse of Ilhéu Mole.

PORTO MONIZ VIEWPOINT

While you are in Porto Moniz or maybe even on the way in (depending on your route), you should definitely drive up the winding road to the top of Porto Moniz. Here you can get a great view of the entire town and both of the natural swimming pool areas in Porto Moniz. It’s great during twilight as well when all of the city lights begin to come on.

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PORTO MONIZ SWIMMING POOLS

  1. How were the natural swimming pools formed? The natural swimming pools at Porto Moniz were formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago. Over time, seawater filled the rocky depressions, creating the unique natural swimming pools we see today.
  2. Is it safe to swim in the natural pools? Yes, it is safe to swim in the natural pools as long as you follow the safety guidelines posted on the site. The depth of the pools varies, and some areas can be quite deep, so it’s important to be cautious and aware of your surroundings.
  3. Are there any amenities available at the Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools? Yes, there are several amenities available at the site, including changing rooms, showers, and a snack bar. There are also lifeguards on duty during opening hours for added safety.
  4. Can visitors access the Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools year-round? Yes, the swimming pools are open year-round, with varying hours depending on the season. It’s important to check the hours of operation before visiting.
  5. Are there any other attractions near the Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools? Yes, there are several other attractions near the natural swimming pools, including the Porto Moniz Lighthouse and the volcanic rock formations along the coastline. Visitors can also explore the nearby town of Porto Moniz, which is known for its seafood restaurants and beautiful views of the ocean.

I hope you enjoyed this guide about the Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools on Madeira Island.

WONDERING ABOUT WHERE TO STAY ON MADEIRA?

Throughout my six months on Madeira Island, I stayed in multiple accommodations. My favorite regions to stay in were Funchal and Canico de Baixo. I’ve created several guides to help you find the right region for you and a great hotel or apartment.

an aerial view of a pool and a beach.

HAVE YOU READ MY OTHER MADEIRA BLOGS?

I spent six months exploring Madeira and the nearby island of Porto Santo. These are some of my most popular guides about the region that you may be interested in.