Some people meet the Atlantic from a sunbed. You’re about to meet it from a ten-metre cliff — or a one-metre one, nobody’s judging. Coasteering is the art of travelling along the coast using whatever it takes: swimming, climbing, squeezing through caves and tunnels, snorkelling the clear water between them, and jumping in wherever the rock invites you.
Baía d’Abra — coasteering country
The adventure unfolds on Madeira’s southeast tip, in the natural park of Baía d’Abra (Caniçal), where the lava-shaped coastline meets warm, transparent Atlantic water and the mountains seem to cascade straight into the sea. Along the route there are 8 jumps, every one of them optional, ranging from 1 to 10 metres — you choose your own thrill level, ledge by ledge.
Expert guides from Discovery Island Madeira lead the whole journey: they teach every technique before you need it, check every jump before you take it, and carry the first aid kit you almost certainly won’t need.
The practical part
- Duration: 3–4 hours in the water; plan around 5 hours door to door with hotel pickup.
- Runs daily, year-round, weather permitting.
- Who can join: anyone who can swim — families, groups and solo adventurers alike. Jumping is never required.
- Booking note: you’ll be asked for weight, height and shoe size — that’s your wetsuit and gear being fitted before you arrive.
Pricing
€70 per person, with pickup, all equipment, photos and insurance included. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
Prefer your water fresh instead of salty? The mountain version of this feeling is canyoning — or stay on the surface with Madeira’s snorkelling trips.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need any coasteering experience?
None at all — just the ability to swim. The Discovery Island guides teach every technique on the spot and adapt the route to the group, which is why families, first-timers and adrenaline collectors all end up in the same photos.
Are the cliff jumps mandatory?
No — all 8 jumps are completely optional. They range from 1 to 10 metres, so you can work your way up, stop at your comfort level, or swim around the lot and enjoy the caves instead.
How high are the jumps?
From 1 metre to 10 metres. Every jump is checked by a guide first, and every jump is your choice.
What happens with photos?
The guides shoot your adventure and photos are included in the price — hands free, phone safely dry on land.
What should I bring?
Swimsuit, towel, flip flops, a jacket for afterwards and a change of clothes. Everything technical — wetsuit, helmet, gear — is provided; that’s why booking asks for your weight, height and shoe size.
Where does the tour start?
At Baía d’Abra in Caniçal, on Madeira’s southeast coast — with hotel pickup and drop-off included, so the logistics are handled door to door.
