Activities in Porto Moniz

14 August, 2024 | Reading Time – 5 min

Are you in Madeira and want to get to know Porto Moniz?

Come with us and discover activities in Porto Moniz to make your vacation even more epic!

Porto Moniz is located in the far north of Madeira Island and reflects one of the most beautiful images of the region. Are you passionate about botany?

Great, you’re in the right place! This whole area has a vast botanical diversity with its Laurissilva forest that from its height confronts the imposing northern sea.

As we all know, the sea has a special influence on this place. Not only because it surrounds this entire region, but also because the Madeirans have depended on fishing throughout their history, which is still an important economic factor today.

So not only is the sea part of the tradition and natural wealth of this place, you can enjoy many activities in Porto Moniz!

How to get there

There are several ways to get to the municipality of Porto Moniz, depending on the route you want to take.

So, if you’re coming from the north, the first parish you’ll find is Seixal. If you come from the west, the first parish you’ll find is Achadas da Cruz. You can take the opportunity to visit the Achadas da Cruz site, classified as a Natura 2000 Network.

You can make this journey using Madeira’s public transport network or you can rent a car. We advise you to choose the second option for your convenience. Access to Porto Moniz is quick and comfortable, and the journey to the north of the island of Madeira is a pleasant stroll where nature and the sea predominate!

You can always book a transfer with us, just go to our website. No queues, no waiting and no stress!

https://seecountries.com/transfers

Activities in Porto Moniz

Known for its magnificent landscapes and natural pools surrounded by lava, the town of Porto Moniz is well worth a visit, even if it’s not for a swim.

However, it’s not just the sea that characterizes this town, there are hundreds of activities in Porto Moniz that allow you to discover and fall in love with this wonderful place!

We’ve put together a short list of some of the best activities in Porto Moniz.

Swimming in the natural pools

When you arrive in Porto Moniz, you’ll notice that there are two series of natural pools.

But let’s start with the one next to the fort and the aquarium, the Valhas Natural Pool. This place is perfect for a dip while you enjoy the Mole Islet and the cliffs.

Take a moment to observe the pools and the lava rock structures that surround them, sculpted by the sea. What’s more, this place is extremely photogenic, which will make for fantastic photos to remember.

Finally, there are a few caveats: the water in these pools can be quite cold, which can be challenging for those who aren’t used to it.

We advise you to enter slowly to get used to the temperature. Also, as these pools are wild, their banks may have some unevenness and sharp stones, so you should be careful on this short route.

Porto Moniz promenade

Porto Moniz’s seafront promenade is superb. Along this promenade you’ll have views of the Valhas Natural Pools, as well as the Mole Islet, close to the seafront.

Mole Islet is a slightly more orange lava dome. However, erosion is causing it to gradually disappear, but rest assured there’s still plenty of time to visit.

You can also see the lighthouse. The Porto Moniz Lighthouse is a white tower, only three meters high, but it stands sixty-two meters above sea level, projecting its light for miles.

Continue your walk towards the port where you can also see rock constructions that make your experience unique.

Visit João Batista Fort

Right next to the natural pools, you’ll find the João Batista Fort. Built in 1730, this fort was erected to protect Porto Moniz from pirate attacks.

However, it ended up in ruins. In the mid-2000s, a replica was rebuilt using local basalt stones. You can take a guided tour of the exterior and go up to the terrace and imagine you’re looking for pirates!

Visit the Aquarium

Inside João Batista Fort there is a small aquarium dedicated to the biodiversity of the waters of the Madeira archipelago. It consists of 12 pools with more than 90 native species. An ideal activity for those with children.

Canyoning

If you move a little away from the center of Porto Moniz, you’ll have the opportunity to experience more exciting activities.

The proof of this is canyoning! This activity is perfect for nature lovers who can’t do without a good dose of adventure.

This experience consists of wading through the mountain streams that are abundant in this area, overcoming the various obstacles that are encountered during the descent.

To do this, you’ll have to use various techniques such as swimming, jumping, climbing or even abseiling. There are many places where you can do this activity, all properly prepared for it and with varying degrees of difficulty, but above all very safely.

Surfing

Surfing in this region is internationally renowned for its perfect, clear and constant waves.

The average swell is two meters with a high frequency all year round. It is undoubtedly a European paradise for any surfer.

Water temperatures fluctuating between 18º and 24º throughout the year, combined with the characteristic point breaks and reef breaks, are some of the reasons that make this place the Hawaii of the Atlantic.

What’s more, the sea’s characteristics are accompanied by a breathtaking landscape. Volcanic landscapes with green mountains and waterfalls running down to the sea.

All these characteristics make surfing in this archipelago more than a sport – it’s a spiritual experience. Ready to catch some waves?

Fanal Forest

Finally, we change scenery, from the sea back to the land, to take you to the Paul da Serra plateau.

Here you’ll find a laurel forest, where around 90% of the land is made up of primary forest. If it’s a foggy or misty day, don’t hesitate to visit this place, because it honestly makes it even more magical and inspiring!