Monthly notes

Beach in Porto Moniz

Porto Moniz natural pools

Lava-rock seawater pools on the north-west tip, lifeguarded all year, with a children's pool and playground; €3, age 3 and under free

council tariff 2021; council page 9 Oct 2026; confirm
Address
Vereda das Poças, 9270-052 Porto Moniz
Hours
9:00–17:00 in winter, 9:00–19:00 in summer (council)
Price level
€
Open in Google Mapsportomoniz.pt

Great with kids

Children's pool, playground, lifeguards all year (council; Visit Madeira). Long drive or bus ride from Funchal; see the route and holiday notes below.

The notes

What the sources say (research)

  • Lava-rock pools, about 3,800 m² of swimming area about 2 m deep; bar, changing rooms, playground, first aid, lifeguards present at all times. [portomoniz.pt, 9 Oct 2026]
  • Open all year, 9:00–17:00 in winter and 9:00–19:00 in summer; €3 for anyone over 3, children 3 and under free; students and over-65s €1.50. [portomoniz.pt, 9 Oct 2026]
  • The €3 price is set in the council’s tariff regulation as amended in 2021 (Regulamento n.º 446/2021, 17 May 2021), which also lists a sunbed or parasol at €5 each, or €8 together. We found no later amendment on the council site. [DR 2021 via portomoniz.pt, 9 Oct 2026]
  • Blue Flag 2026; the longest bathing season on Madeira island, 15 April–15 October 2026. [ABAE; JORAM Portaria 206/2026]
  • The nearby Cachalote pools are free. [portomoniz.pt; visitmadeira.com]
  • By bus, two direct options from Funchal are line 80 via Calheta, leaving at 10:00 and arriving at about 13:05 Monday–Friday excluding public holidays (12:45 on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays), returning at 16:00; and line 139 via São Vicente, leaving at 09:00 and arriving at about 12:30, returning at 17:00 Monday–Friday excluding public holidays or 17:30 on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Neither runs on 25 December. For line 80 on 26 December and 1 January, confirm with SIGA: the 2023 Ponta do Sol locality PDF excludes those dates, while the April 2026 line PDF lists only 25 December. These are selected services, not a complete departure list. Passage times are approximate; check SIGA before travel. [SIGA line 80 and 139 PDFs; Rodoeste Ponta do Sol locality PDF, checked 12 October 2026] Times and how long each gives you at the pools: Porto Moniz natural pools.

The island’s other pools and beaches: best beaches in Madeira.

Open questions

Full guide: Porto Moniz natural pools.