Madeira Canyoning: Waterfalls, Rappel & Jumps for Beginners

Seven Waterfalls, No Experience Required: Madeira's Canyon in One Morning

You get picked up from Funchal, hike into a canyon, and spend the morning rappelling seven waterfalls, sliding down natural rock formations, and jumping into pools. All equipment (wetsuit, helmet, harness, boots) is provided, and a certified guide stays with your small group throughout. Professional photos and videos are included, and you're back in Funchal by early afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Beginner canyoning adventure in Madeira

• Pick up at CR7 Museum, Funchal
• Travel to canyon starting point
• Receive equipment and safety briefing
• Descend seven waterfalls by rappel
• Slide down natural toboggan
• Jump into crystal-clear pool repeatedly
• Walk 10 minutes back to start
• Return to Funchal

The experience

You're standing waist-deep in a pool so clear you can see the rocks beneath your feet, rope in hand, about to rappel down a waterfall for the first time. That's how the morning goes on this Madeira canyoning trip: the guides handle the technical setup, you handle the adrenaline. Pickup starts at the CR7 Museum in Funchal, then a short scenic hike through forest gets you to the canyon entrance where the real work begins. The guides fit you with a wetsuit, helmet, harness and boots, walk you through the safety briefing, and then you're in the water descending seven waterfalls using rappel and pulley techniques.

What makes this different from other beginner canyoning experiences is the pacing and the small group sizes. You're not rushed through the canyon like a conveyor belt. Between rappels, there's a natural toboggan slide, and then a crystal-clear pool where you can jump and repeat as many times as you want. The guides are certified and they know the canyon well enough to read the water and adjust the route if needed. After you've worked through all seven falls, it's a 10-minute walk back to the starting point, and the team drives you back to Funchal. Professional photos and videos come with the day, so you're not just remembering it. You have proof.

The whole experience is built around the idea that you don't need prior canyoning skills to do this. Madeira's canyon is steep and dramatic, but the technical difficulty is Level 1, which means the guides are managing the rope work and you're managing your own nerve. The wetsuit keeps you warm in the water, the harness does the heavy lifting, and the guides stay close enough to talk you through each rappel before you do it. It's not a leisurely walk (there's real water, real height, real jumps), but it's designed so that someone who's never done this before can finish the day feeling capable instead of terrified.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel or museum pickup from Funchal at the CR7 Museum, a scenic forest hike to the canyon entrance, a safety and technical briefing from certified guides, all necessary equipment (wetsuit, helmet, harness, boots, neoprene socks), descent of seven waterfalls using rappel and pulley techniques, natural slide and pool jumps, a 10-minute walk back to the starting point, and return transport to Funchal. Professional photos and videos are included.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:30

Book up to11h before

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Under 10: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Go Canyoning Madeira

Is this one for you?This works well if you want the thrill of canyoning without prior training or a full day of technical climbing: the small group size and certified guides mean you get personal attention and the pace stays manageable, which is what makes a beginner feel confident instead of overwhelmed.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Portuguese.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Do I need canyoning experience to do this?

No. This is a Level 1 beginner tour. The guides handle the technical rope work and brief you on each rappel before you descend.

What's included in the price?

Wetsuit, helmet, harness, boots, neoprene socks, guide services, safety briefing, and professional photos and videos.

How long does the tour take?

The full day is roughly 4–5 hours from pickup at the CR7 Museum in Funchal through return, including the hike, canyon time, and the walk back out.

Can I do this if I'm not very fit?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. The hike in is scenic but not strenuous, and the guides control the pace through the canyon.

Are photos included?

Yes. Professional photos and videos are included so you can relive the adventure afterward.