Private Catamaran Tour Funchal: Open Bar & Snorkeling

The catamaran is yours alone—no shared deck, no strangers, just your group and the Atlantic.

A private catamaran tour from Funchal takes you and your group along Madeira's south coast, with stops at Cabo Girão and Calhau da Lapa for swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding. The boat is exclusively yours for the three-hour cruise, and the price includes an open bar, fresh fruit, snacks, life insurance, and all water-sports gear. Choose a morning sail, afternoon departure, or sunset cruise; dolphins and whales may appear, though sightings are not guaranteed.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private catamaran tour along coast

• Board private catamaran in Funchal
• Sail along Madeira’s coastline
• Enjoy scenic views and wildlife spotting
• Stop at Cabo Girão for swimming and snorkeling
• Stop at Calhau da Lapa for swimming and paddleboarding
• Relax on spacious decks with snacks and open bar
• Return to Funchal harbor

The Experience

You board a modern catamaran designed for stability and comfort, with spacious decks built for sunbathing and uninterrupted views of the coastline. The boat carries only your party—no other passengers, no divided attention from the crew. A live guide speaks English or Portuguese and navigates the route; you decide the pace and which stops matter most. The captain anchors in secluded bays where the water stays calm enough for paddleboarding and snorkeling, and on sunset cruises, he times the anchoring to catch the island bathed in golden light as the sun drops over the Atlantic.

Stops include Cabo Girão, a sea cliff that rises 580 meters above the ocean and ranks among Europe's highest, and Calhau da Lapa, a sheltered cove on the south coast known for crystal-clear turquoise water and dramatic rock formations. At each stop, you can swim in the Atlantic, snorkel the underwater terrain, or stand on a paddleboard and drift. The boat carries all the gear—snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, life jackets, safety gear—and a freshwater shower rinses off salt water before you head back. WiFi stays on board if you need it; a Bluetooth speaker plays music if you want it.

The open bar runs through the cruise: red and white wine, beer, sangria, flavored water, and juices. Fresh seasonal fruit and snacks—peanuts, chips, dried fruit, Portuguese pastries—arrive throughout the afternoon or morning. The boat has a restroom and is wheelchair accessible; infants can travel in a pram or stroller, and small dogs are welcome with advance notice. Life insurance covers the tour, and the three-hour window fits easily into a day without eating up the rest of your itinerary.

What’s included

• Snorkeling and paddleboarding equipment with life jackets and safety gear.
• an open bar with red and white wine, beer, sangria, flavored water, and juices.
• fresh seasonal fruit and snacks including peanuts, chips, dried fruit, and Portuguese pastries.
• WiFi on board.
• a Bluetooth speaker.
• a freshwater shower.
• a restroom.
• and life insurance for the duration of the tour.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by SeaYou Madeira

Is this one for you?Choose the morning departure if you want calm seas and soft light for photography, the afternoon slot if your schedule is flexible, or the sunset cruise if golden-hour moments and the island's evening glow matter most. Since the catamaran is private, the three-hour window works for groups of any size—a couple, a family, or a larger party—without the pace or noise of a shared boat.

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Top questions

What's the difference between the morning, afternoon, and sunset departures on this private catamaran?

The morning cruise sails under soft daylight and suits travelers who prefer calm seas and a tranquil start. The afternoon option gives a flexible mid-day window. The sunset tour anchors at a spot the captain selects to frame the island in golden light as the sun sets over the Atlantic—the timing is the main draw for that departure.

Can we really snorkel and paddleboard, or is it just swimming at the stops?

Snorkeling and paddleboarding are both included; the boat carries all the equipment and safety gear. At Cabo Girão and Calhau da Lapa, the captain anchors in shallow, protected water where both activities work. You choose what to do at each stop—some passengers swim, others paddleboard, others snorkel—and the crew stays on hand.

What does the open bar actually include?

The open bar covers red and white wine, beer, sangria, flavored water, and juices. Fresh seasonal fruit and snacks—peanuts, chips, dried fruit, and Portuguese pastries—come throughout the cruise. Coffee is available for an additional charge; finger food can be arranged in advance for an extra fee.

How likely is it that we'll see dolphins or whales?

Dolphins and whales do appear in these waters, and the captain watches for them during the cruise. Sightings cannot be guaranteed, so treat them as a possibility rather than a certainty. The scenery and the stops are the core of the tour; marine life is a bonus if it shows.

Is this tour accessible for someone in a wheelchair or traveling with a stroller?

The catamaran is wheelchair and stroller accessible. Let the operator know in advance if you need wheelchair access or plan to bring a stroller, so the crew can prepare the boarding and deck setup. The boat has a restroom on board and a freshwater shower.

What's included in the price, and what costs extra?

The tour price includes snorkeling and paddleboarding gear, an open bar, fresh fruit and snacks, life insurance, WiFi, a Bluetooth speaker, safety equipment, and a freshwater shower. Hotel or Airbnb pickup is not included; parking fees at the marina are separate. Coffee and finger food are available for additional charges if you request them in advance.