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On our trip to Madeira, we decided to stay directly in Porto Moniz so we could properly explore the northwest without having to drive back and forth from Funchal every day — and honestly, it was one of the best decisions we made.
Since swimming in the natural pools of Porto Moniz is easily one of the best things to do in Madeira, staying right next to them just made sense. We chose Aqua Natura Bay hotel and had the pools literally at our doorstep.
Being able to walk there in our bathrobes in under two minutes meant early swims, zero stress, and beating the crowds without even trying.
Porto Moniz has two very different natural pool experiences: the famous paid pools with facilities and lifeguards, and the free, more rugged volcanic pools.
We tried both, at different times of day, and they offer surprisingly different vibes. In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what each one is like, which one we preferred, when to visit, how to avoid the busiest times, and whether staying nearby is actually worth it — based purely on our own experience.
If this place isn’t on your Madeira itinerary, you should add it there, and you won’t regret it.
Key Highlights
📍Location: Porto Moniz, on Madeira’s northwest coast, roughly 1 hour from Funchal.
⭐️ Best time to visit: Early morning or late afternoon on calm sea days.
💰 Entrance fee: One set of pools is paid (€3) with full facilities; the others are free and more natural.
🕥 Opening hours: free pools are open 24/7, and paid pools are open in summer between 9 AM – 7 PM and in winter between 9 AM – 5 PM.
🚗 How to get there: Best by car or scooter; buses are slow. Many people visit on guided day trips.
🥾Accessibility: oth the paid and free pools are wheelchair- and stroller-friendly
At a Glance
Porto Moniz feels dramatic the moment you arrive — black volcanic rock, open ocean views, and natural pools carved straight into the coastline.
It looks beautiful in photos, but what really stood out to us was the atmosphere once we were actually there. It’s calm, immersive, and more about slowing down and enjoying the place.
The paid pools are comfortable and polished, while the free pools feel more dramatic and natural — and we personally preferred the free ones for that reason.
Both pools are very popular though, especially from late morning onwards, so coming early is important if you want to enjoy them without the crowds.
It’s the kind of place where you plan a quick swim and end up staying much longer than expected — simply because it feels good to be there.
In a hurry?
These are our top hotels in Madeira we’d book again
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Hotel Porto Mare – PortoBay (our top pick) – A refined oceanfront resort in Funchal with tropical gardens, several pools, and a calm atmosphere.
👉 See prices & availability →
⭐️⭐️ Aqua Natura Bay – A modern, well-located hotel right by the ocean, with an infinity pool facing the Atlantic and the natural lava pools just steps away.
👉 See prices & availability →
⭐️ Quinta das Vinhas – A quiet countryside hotel surrounded by vineyards and mountains, ideal if you want something peaceful.
👉 See prices & availability →
Is it worth it?
Yes — absolutely, if you time it right. Swimming in the natural pools of Porto Moniz felt like a genuinely unique experience, not just another scenic stop. Being able to swim in seawater while surrounded by volcanic rock, with the ocean right in front of you, is something you don’t get in many places.
Compared to other natural pools in Madeira, Porto Moniz stands out for its scale and setting. The pools feel more open and dramatic, and the fact that you can choose between a more comfortable paid option or a raw, free one makes it easy to tailor the experience to how you like to travel.
We personally kept going back to the free pools — they felt more natural and less curated.
Come early, take your time, and it becomes one of those Madeira experiences that really sticks with you.
Where is Porto Moniz
Porto Moniz is located on Madeira’s northwest coast, right at the edge of the Atlantic. It feels far more rugged and untamed than the south of the island, which is exactly why we liked it so much.
From Funchal, it’s roughly a 1-hour drive, depending on traffic and which route you take. It’s also fairly close to other northwest highlights like Seixal Beach, Fanal Forest, and Ribeira da Janela, which makes Porto Moniz an easy stop — or even a base (which we recommend) — if you’re exploring this side of the island.
How to get there
By car
Renting a car is the easiest and most flexible way to reach Porto Moniz, especially if you’re exploring more of the northwest. We always use DiscoverCars and book full coverage insurance — it’s usually cheaper than what rental companies offer on the spot, and we’ve had only good experiences with them, including in Madeira.
The drive itself is straightforward and scenic, and having a car makes it easy to arrive early and leave on your own schedule.
If you’re still deciding, we break this down in more detail in our renting a car in Madeira guide.
By bus
You can get to Porto Moniz by public bus, but it’s not the most convenient option. From Funchal, buses 80 and 139 run to Porto Moniz, usually taking around 2.5–3 hours depending on the route and stops. It’s doable if you’re on a tight budget, but the long travel time and limited schedules make it less ideal for a relaxed visit.
Join a guided tour
If you don’t want to drive or deal with long bus rides, a guided tour is a great alternative. We recommend this Madeira Skywalk, Porto Moniz, Seixal & Fanal 4WD tour — it covers several northwest highlights in one day and takes the hassle out of logistics. It’s a solid option if you’re short on time but still want to see more than just Porto Moniz.
Book your Madeira Skywalk, Porto Moniz, Seixal & Fanal 4WD tour now with a free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
Entrance and parking fees
Entrance Fee: €3 per adult
Parking Fee: from 1.50 per hour up to €3 per hour
The paid natural pools charge an entrance fee, while the free pools along the promenade don’t — but parking is where most people get caught off guard.
Parking spaces around both pools are mostly paid and not cheap, starting at around €1.50 per hour and going up to €3 per hour. On busy days, spots fill up fast simply because space in Porto Moniz is limited.
This is where staying nearby really paid off for us. We left the car at our hotel’s parking lot and walked to the pools, which saved both time and hassle. There is a small free parking area near the paid pools (Google Maps location), but it fills up very quickly — arriving early in the morning is pretty much the only way to get a spot there.
Staying at Aqua Natura Bay Resort had another big plus for us — we had free daily access to the paid natural pools, which made spontaneous early swims incredibly easy.
If you’re visiting later in the day, expect to circle around a bit or park farther away and walk.
Accessing Natural Pools
Both the paid and free pools are very easy to access. Everything is connected by a seaside promenade — you simply walk down from town or nearby parking. The entrances are clearly marked, and you’ll see people heading there constantly, so it’s hard to miss.
Access is stroller and wheelchair-friendly, which is a big plus. Once you’re inside the pool areas, paths are paved and well-maintained.
The only place where a bit of extra care is needed is right at the water’s edge, especially on the free pool’s side.
What to expect at Porto Moniz Natural Pools
We decided to visit both pools in the morning to beat the crowds — and while it was definitely calmer, we weren’t alone. Porto Moniz is popular, and people start arriving fairly early. As the day goes on, the atmosphere slowly shifts.
Mornings feel more relaxed and quiet, while afternoons become more social, with people hanging around longer rather than just popping in for a quick swim.
Most visitors either come for a short dip and move on, or end up lingering much longer than planned — we definitely fell into the second group.
This spot works especially well for couples, slow travelers, and families. Everything is easy to access, there’s no real effort involved in getting to the water, and you can take things at your own pace.
We also flew our drone here and captured some amazing shots, so if you have one, it’s absolutely worth bringing.
The water temperature in late June was around 20–21°C, which felt fine for swimming, and it usually gets warmer in August, around 24°C, making longer stays in the water even more comfortable.
Facilities
Paid pools
- Changing rooms and toilets
- Showers
- Lockers
- Lifeguards on duty
- Sunbeds and lounging areas
- Small snack bar / café
Free pools
- Public toilets nearby
- Restaurant
Best time to visit
Based on our experience, we recommend coming early in the morning if you want to enjoy the natural pools without heavy crowds. Even on quieter days, people start arriving fairly early, and by late morning the pools are noticeably busier.
In terms of season, summer (June to September) is the best time for swimming. During our visit in late June, the water temperature was around 20–21°C, which felt fine for us, but if warmer water is important to you, August is usually more comfortable.
Cloudy days are still well worth it — we swam under overcast skies and never felt like the experience suffered because of it.
If you’re not an early riser, we’d recommend aiming for late afternoon instead of midday, when the atmosphere becomes more relaxed and people tend to stay longer rather than rush through.
Where to stay in Madeira
After exploring Madeira, we put together a where to stay in Madeira guide to help you choose an area and hotel that actually fit how you want to travel.
We’ve handpicked the best hotels in Madeira, focusing on places we’d genuinely book again ourselves, based on location, comfort, and how practical they are as a base for exploring. We also stayed in Porto Moniz for three nights, which turned out to be a great decision and gave us a very different perspective on the island.
During busy periods like summer and popular spring months, prices rise quickly and availability drops. Booking early makes a big difference, both in price and in having real choice.
Once you find a place that works for your itinerary, we recommend sticking with it. Waiting or changing plans later often means fewer options and higher prices.
Here are our top picks:
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Hotel Porto Mare – PortoBay (our top pick) – We stayed here during our trip and it turned into one of our favourite places to stay in Madeira. The tropical gardens make it feel calm and open, the pools are perfect for slow afternoons, and everything — from breakfast to service — felt genuinely thoughtful. It’s very comfortable without feeling flashy, and the Funchal location worked perfectly as a base for exploring the island.
⭐️ Best for: Couples or families who want a relaxed, high-comfort stay with resort-style facilities.
👉 Check current deals →
⭐️⭐️ Aqua Natura Bay – We also stayed here and loved how effortless everything felt. Waking up right by the ocean, swimming in the infinity pool overlooking the Atlantic, and having the natural lava pools just a short walk away made Porto Moniz incredibly easy to enjoy. A modern, comfortable stay in a location that’s hard to beat on the northwest coast.
⭐️ Best for: Ocean views, swimming in natural pools, and exploring western Madeira.
👉 Compare prices →
⭐️ Quinta das Vinhas – A peaceful countryside stay surrounded by vineyards above Calheta, showing a quieter, more rural side of Madeira. It’s all about space, views, and slowing down, with a very authentic feel that’s a nice contrast to the busier coastal areas.
⭐️ Best for: Travelers looking for quiet surroundings, nature, and a slower pace away from busy areas.
👉 See latest prices →
FAQ
Based on our experience, staying overnight makes a big difference. It allows you to visit the pools early in the morning or later in the day, when it’s far more relaxed compared to a quick midday stop.
Yes, in normal conditions. We swam there ourselves and felt comfortable, but we recommend checking sea conditions and using common sense, especially near the water’s edge.
We recommend it. Coming early made a noticeable difference for us in terms of space and overall experience, especially during the warmer months.
Yes. Both pool areas are easy to access, and we saw plenty of families during our visit. Just keep an eye on kids around the rocks, especially at the free pools.
Final thoughts
Swimming in the natural pools of Porto Moniz was one of those experiences that fully lived up to our expectations. Between the dramatic setting, the choice between paid and free pools, and how easy everything is to access, it’s a place that works for many travelers.
If we had to choose, we’d go back to the free pools again for their raw, natural feel — but having both options so close together is what really makes this place stand out.
If you’re planning a trip to Madeira, we genuinely recommend making room for Porto Moniz. It’s not just about swimming — it’s about enjoying one of the island’s most striking coastal landscapes at your own pace.
