Madeira South Coast Cruise: Swim at Cais da Lapa, Lunch Included

Boats from no other company stop where you swim.

This four-hour cruise departs Funchal and sails the southwest coast of Madeira aboard the Living Sea, a small boat limited to 52 guests. You swim in the clear waters at Cais da Lapa—a cove where competing operators do not anchor—while the crew prepares lunch from homemade dishes, paired with wine from Portugal's Alentejo region. Hotel pickup and all drinks throughout the day are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Cruise along Madeira's south coast

• Settle on deck with a cold drink
• Glide along the green coastline
• See Cabo Girão cliff
• Swim at Cais da Lapa
• Enjoy homemade lunch and Alentejo wine
• Relax and socialize with group
• Sail back along the coastline
• Spot dolphins or sea turtles

The Experience

The boat leaves Funchal port and heads north along the intensely green coastline toward Cabo Girão, the 580-meter sea cliff that dominates the view. The crew brings cold drinks on deck while you settle in, and the Atlantic breeze and the scale of the landscape do most of the work. The route passes spots where other tour boats operate, but Cais da Lapa—where you'll spend time swimming—is reserved for this boat alone. The water is clear enough to see down, and the crew has already begun preparing lunch in the galley while you're in the water.

Lunch is homemade dishes served on board, paired with wine from the Alentejo region. The meal happens while the boat idles or drifts, and there is time to eat without rushing back to a schedule. Dolphins and sea turtles sometimes appear on the return journey down the coast, though sightings are not guaranteed. The whole day runs four hours from pickup at your hotel to drop-off, so the rhythm is unhurried—enough time to swim, eat, talk with the other guests (the boat holds a maximum of 52), and watch the coastline without the feeling of being herded through stops.

Hotel pickup and return are included, as are all drinks during the cruise. A live guide in English narrates the route and the landmarks. Children from age three are welcome on board. The boat does not suit travelers with spinal injuries due to the motion at sea.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• the four-hour boat cruise on the Living Sea.
• swimming time at Cais da Lapa.
• homemade lunch prepared on board.
• wine from the Alentejo region with the meal.
• cold drinks throughout the day.
• live guide commentary in English.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for back problems

Operated by Destination Services Portugal

Is this one for you?The live guide speaks English, so you'll follow the commentary about the coast and the landmarks without translation. This works well for English-speaking groups of any size, since the boat's 52-guest limit means you're never packed in with a crowd.

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Top questions

What is Cabo Girão and why does it matter on this cruise?

Cabo Girão is a sea cliff on Madeira's southwest coast that rises 580 meters straight out of the water. The boat passes directly below it, and the sheer height and the green vegetation covering the cliff face make it the visual anchor of the cruise.

Can I swim on this cruise, and where exactly do we go in the water?

Yes, you swim at Cais da Lapa, a cove on the less-explored northern stretch of the coast. This is the only spot where the Living Sea stops to swim, and no other tour boat operates there, so you have the water largely to yourself.

What kind of lunch is served, and does it come with drinks?

Lunch is homemade dishes prepared by the crew on board and served while the boat is anchored or drifting. Wine from Portugal's Alentejo region is included with the meal, and cold drinks are available throughout the entire four-hour cruise.

How many people will be on the boat with me?

The Living Sea carries a maximum of 52 guests, which means the boat has space and the crew can give attentive service without the crowding of larger tour vessels.

Does the price include getting to and from my hotel?

Yes, hotel pickup and return transport are included in the cruise price. The guide speaks English and will narrate the route and landmarks throughout the day.

Is this cruise suitable for young children?

Children are welcome from age three. The boat is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries because of the motion at sea.