From Funchal: Wooden Boat Excursion to Desertas Island

The islands are far, the ride matters most. A long wooden-boat sail from Funchal gives you strong marine life odds, and the included Madeira wine welcome makes it feel like more than a basic boat trip. The main catch is time, you can spend most of the day at sea, and conditions can make that hard if you get seasick or expect loads of walking.

I like how the day is structured around real water time: a swim stop when you reach the Desertas and a quick guided moment once you’re ashore. I also like that lunch is built in, so you are not hunting for food mid-adventure. One more consideration, island time can be brief, and shore access may be tricky enough that you should be ready for getting wet.

Key things that make this excursion work

• More miles, better odds for marine life: You cover a lot of distance on the crossing, which boosts your chances of seeing dolphins and other sea life.
• Lunch is part of the plan, not an afterthought: You get a welcome drink plus lunch with one included drink, then another free drink on the return.
• A short island loop, not a big hike: The walk can be very limited, with a short circular path and info plaques, so manage expectations.
• Swimming is real, plan for water time: There’s a swim stop, plus you should bring what you need for wet landings and snorkeling-style breaks.
• Comfort and dryness depend on you: Bring a towel and proper shoes, because some landings may not be easy or dry.

Wooden Boat to the Desertas: what the day feels like

This is a half-day shaped around the Atlantic. You start in Funchal, then spend a big chunk of the 8.5 hours sailing out to the Desertas Islands, with a swim stop waiting for you at the destination. If you love being out on the water, this one clicks fast.

What makes it special is how the trip uses the sea as the main event. You’re not just doing a transfer to a viewpoint, you’re on a wooden boat cruising many miles, which is exactly what increases your odds for marine sightings. The included Madeira wine welcome also helps the day feel like a proper Madeira outing, not just a ticket and a timetable.

The balance to keep in mind is that the islands are remote, so the schedule is tight once you get there. The island visit can be more of a quick orientation and a short loop than a long scenic walk. If you want hours of hiking or guaranteed dry land time, you’ll want to adjust your expectations upfront.

From Av. do Mar to Pier 8: your start point and first checkpoint

Your starting point is Av. do Mar 9000. The meeting setup is at the marina at pier 8, where there’s a kiosk, and this excursion uses the Bonita da Madeira kiosk in the middle.

That kiosk detail matters because it reduces the chance of confusion. Marinoramps can be busy, and you do not want to waste time walking around trying to find your operator. Aim to arrive early enough that you can check in calmly, especially if you’re traveling with only a small window of time.

Also remember that pick up and drop off are not included. If you’re not already in walking distance, you’ll need your own transportation to get to the marina and the pier area. Parking is not included either, so factor in where you’ll leave your car.

The sea time reality: 6.5 hours afloat, plus why it still can be worth it

A lot of this day is simply sailing. One thing that stands out is that roughly 6.5 hours can be spent on the boat, and then the remaining time is shared between lunch and the island visit. That is a meaningful share of the day, so decide early whether you enjoy long rides on the water.

I actually think that is part of the value, because the Desertas are not a quick roadside stop. The farther you go out into the Atlantic, the more your trip depends on the boat portion. And because you cover many miles, you’re more likely to see sea life along the way.

The drawback is also connected to that sea time. If the water is moving, the ride can feel like a workout. The trip is listed as not suitable for people prone to seasickness, and a bad day at sea can turn the experience into endurance rather than relaxation. If you are the kind of traveler who gets queasy on a ferry, take that warning seriously.

Crossing and marine life chances: what you can hope for

The promise here is strong odds for marine life. The day is designed around distance, and that increases your chances of spotting dolphins and other wildlife. You’ll be looking out for movement and surfacing behavior as you head toward the islands, and the longer route gives you multiple chances to get lucky.

A quick reality check: marine life sightings are never guaranteed. What you can control is your readiness. If you’re comfortable scanning the water for long stretches, you will likely feel like the day is paying off even when you do not get a whale sighting. If you need guaranteed wildlife, switch to something with predictable viewing, because this is still the ocean.

Also note that conditions change. If the sea is choppy, you may spend more time bracing than watching. That is why bringing the right clothing matters, not just for comfort but for your ability to enjoy the marine life moments when they show up.

Arrival at the Desertas: the short island loop and the swim stop

When you reach the Desertas, you do not just stare at them from the boat. There’s time to get into the water, and there’s also time on the island for walking. The experience is framed as a natural reserve with an easy trail and a chance to observe plants and fauna up close.

Now for the practical part. Some people find that the island visit is very short, with a circular path and info plaques you can cover quickly, and the shore may not be the kind of place you imagine for a long beach stroll. One account described no sand-filled desert, instead gravel. If you were picturing hours of wandering, you may be surprised by how limited the on-island time can feel.

There’s also an important logistics variable: getting off the boat and onto the land may not always be a smooth, dry step. Even if the trip includes a docking and disembark option, I recommend planning as if you might get wet. The tour explicitly asks you to bring a towel, which is your hint that the day can involve damp transitions.

What the guided time really means (about 20 minutes)

You’ll have a live tour guide, English and Portuguese. The guided portion is described as around 20 minutes, which is short enough that you’ll want to pay attention because there won’t be much time for a deeper talk.

What this means for your expectations is simple. This is not a lecture series or a long interpretation walk. It is more like orientation plus highlights, then you move on to free time for walking, swimming, or returning to the boat.

If you like learning in small bursts, that short guide time works well. If you want a slow, heavily guided island experience, you might feel like the instruction time is too brief.

Lunch and drinks: how the included meal fits the day

Food is part of the pacing here. You get a welcome drink of Madeira wine, then lunch with one free drink included per person. The included drink options are water, Coca Cola, beer, or white or red wine, and you also get fruit. On the return, you get again one free drink.

That drink and lunch package matters for value because your day is long and you are not just sitting on land choosing where to eat. With the meal included, you can focus on the boat and the sea time, instead of squeezing food plans around travel.

It’s also a good check on comfort. Long ocean days can be tiring, and a real sit-down meal helps you reset. A couple of notes to keep in mind: some experiences have described drink and fruit portions as less generous than expected. Bring your own snacks if you are easily hungry, even if lunch is included, so you are covered if the meal pace feels fast.

Boat comfort, crowding, and seasickness risk

This type of excursion can feel totally relaxed on a calm day, or intense when conditions shift. One of the most repeated themes is that the boat can be full and the ride can move a lot. That combination is where comfort lives or dies.

If you are prone to seasickness, this is not the day to “push through.” The activity is explicitly listed as not suitable for people prone to seasickness. If you have ever felt queasy on open water, plan accordingly with prevention strategies you already know work for you.

Also think about shoes and stability. The trip asks for comfortable shoes and waterproof shoes, plus sunglasses, sunscreen, and a jacket. That is not overkill. Even in good weather, sea spray and wind make it colder than you expect, and slip risk goes up when you’re moving around.

What to bring, and why the list is so specific

The tour’s packing list is practical, and you’ll want to follow it closely:

• towel and swimsuit for the swim stop and any wet transitions
• sunscreen, sunglasses, and a cap or hat for sun and salt glare
• comfortable clothes and a jacket for wind chill on the water
• comfortable shoes and waterproof shoes, because wet surfaces and quick boarding can happen
• snacks, in case the day runs tight or you get hungry before lunch settles

There’s also a sensible rule set that protects the group and the boat. No oversize luggage, no large bags, no pets (assistance dogs allowed), no fishing, and no glass objects. If you pack light, you’ll avoid stress right at the pier.

One last practical note: bring a towel even if you think you can make do without one. Some experiences have included wet landings where drying off quickly is hard, and your own towel solves that problem immediately.

Price and value: does $106 per person make sense?

At $106 per person for about 8.5 hours, the value depends on what you want from the day.

You are paying for:

• the long wooden-boat ride into the Atlantic
• a swim stop and snorkeling-style water time
• lunch with fruit and a set of included drinks
• a welcome Madeira wine drink
• taxes and fees included
• a live guide in English and Portuguese
• the on-island walk component, which includes guided time about 20 minutes

What you do not get in the price is also important. Private transport and car park are not included, so add those costs if you are coming from further out. If you already have an easy way to reach Av. do Mar 9000 and pier 8, the math looks better.

Where some people feel disappointed is timing and island expectations. If you expected a long, guided island experience with plenty of shore time, you may feel the price is steep for the amount of time on land. On the other hand, if you see this as a wooden boat outing where the sea time and marine life odds are the main event, then lunch and drinks turn it into a more complete experience.

Who should book this Desertas excursion

This is a good fit if:

• you love boat days and can handle long stretches on the water
• you’re comfortable swimming, or at least you are willing to spend time in the water during the swim stop
• you want a guided highlight session, not a long hiking tour
• you want value through an included meal and drinks

It’s not a great fit if:

• you get seasick easily or prefer not to take chances on boat movement
• you are a non-swimmer
• you expect lots of dry land walking time, sandy beach wandering, or an all-day island hike

If you’re going with family, think carefully about water comfort. If you’re going as a solo traveler, this can still work well because the day is structured, and the key moments are shared as you sail and look for wildlife.

Should you book the Wooden Boat to the Desertas?

I’d book it if you want a true Madeira sea day, with marine life odds and a swim stop that makes the excursion feel active. The included Madeira wine welcome and lunch with fruit and drinks are real perks, and the guide time is helpful if you like quick, focused context.

I’d think twice if your top priority is long, guided time on land or guaranteed dry conditions. The short island walk, potential gravel shore feel, and the possibility of wet getting-on and getting-off moments mean you should pack for water and treat this as an ocean trip first, island trip second.

If you match your expectations to what the day actually is, this can be a memorable Desertas outing. If you want dry, slow, and heavily guided, look for a different style of island experience.