Madeira: Intermediate Canyoning Adventure with Gear & Photos

Summary

Abseil waterfalls swim wild pools and feel Madeira’s raw side

You’ll feel Madeira’s wild side—rappelling waterfalls, sliding into crystal pools, laughing with guides who know every twist of the canyon. All equipment’s included (even shoes), plus free photos so you can focus on each leap instead of your phone. There’s something raw and real about seeing this part of Madeira—you might surprise yourself.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the sound—water hitting rock somewhere up ahead, echoing off green walls so thick you almost can’t see the sky. I fumbled with my wetsuit (they gave us all the gear, even shoes that felt weird at first), and our guide Rui grinned at my struggle. “Don’t worry, everyone looks silly for five minutes,” he said. He was right. The air smelled sharp and mossy, like rain even though it wasn’t raining. I kept thinking: this isn’t the Madeira from postcards.

We started walking along the stream—cold water sneaking into my suit at the ankles—and then suddenly we were rappelling down a waterfall. Not a huge one, maybe ten meters? But still, my legs shook a little on the way down. Rui talked us through every step, sometimes switching to Portuguese to joke with his friend João (I caught maybe two words). At one point we slid down a natural rock chute into a pool so clear you could see every pebble on the bottom. My heart was pounding but in a good way. Someone let out a whoop that bounced off the canyon walls.

I didn’t expect to laugh so much—there was this moment when I tried to jump into a pool and totally missed Rui’s instructions about where to land (he just shook his head and laughed). The whole group started cheering each other on after that. The best part? For long stretches it was just us and bird calls and this feeling of being tucked away from everything else. I still think about that silence sometimes when things get noisy back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Intermediate canyoning in Madeira nature

• Arrive at canyoning meeting point
• Receive safety briefing and gear
• Walk along the stream
• Abseil down waterfalls
• Jump or slide in natural waterslides
• Observe pristine natural swimming pools
• Complete canyoning route and return

Top questions

Is all canyoning equipment provided on this Madeira tour?

Yes, wetsuit, shoes, helmet and all technical gear are included in the price.

Are photos included during the canyoning experience?

Yes, free photos are provided as part of your day trip.

Does this intermediate canyoning tour include pickup?

Yes, air-conditioned vehicle pickup is included for participants.

How fit do I need to be for intermediate canyoning in Madeira?

You should have at least moderate physical fitness for this activity.

Is insurance included in the price of this Madeira canyoning trip?

Yes, insurance is covered as part of your booking.

Can pregnant travelers join this Madeira canyoning tour?

No, it’s not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup by air-conditioned vehicle from your accommodation in Madeira, all permits and insurance required for canyoning, full technical equipment (wetsuit, shoes, helmet), plus free photos taken along the route so you can relive those waterfall jumps later without worrying about your phone getting wet.