Are there sharks off the coast of Madeira?

Diving in Madeira's rich offshore waters is not to be missed. You'll find numerous pelagics, including blue sharks, hammerheads, mantas and devil rays, plus more whales and dolphins than you could ever hope to see. Madeira's waters host around 20 different whale and dolphin species, some of which are present all year.



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While great white sharks might appear on the coasts of Portugal, there have been almost no sightings, even in deep waters.

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Swimming Safety in Portugal Portugal is lined by the Atlantic Ocean which offers swimmers cool waters and large waves, depending on the location. Caution should be taken for beaches connected to rivers or streams since currents may be strong.

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Violent crime involving tourists is extremely rare in Madeira and so you have little to worry about with regard to personal safety. But as with any travel destination, it's important to take basic travel safety precautions such as keeping your valuables close by and/or hidden, especially at night.

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Madeira's black pebble beaches, bathed by a crystal-clear sea, are predominant throughout the island and lend a picturesque backdrop to the landscapes. Come and relax in these unique bathing areas. Discover an incredible beach located in Seixal.

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So you can swim all year round in Madeira if you are not cold. If you want to sunbathe and swim, the months of May to September are obviously the best. The island of Porto Santo and its 7 km long beach should interest you, even if the influence of tourists is impressive in high season!

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There are no venomous or dangerous animals on the island. In fact, there are no snakes at all on the island, and the spiders are not venomous. The only venomous spiders are on the Desertas Islands, but not on Madeira. With snakes and spiders out of our way, the only truly dangerous insect for us personally are bees.

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Fish that can be found in Madeira Archipelago undersea
  • Devil Rays. Manta Ray Manta birostris.
  • Eagle Rays. Eagle Ray Myliobatis aquila.
  • Stingrays. Round Stingray Taeniura grabata.
  • Butterfly Rays. Butterfly Ray Gymnura altavela.
  • Electic Rays. Marbled Electic Ray Torpedo marmorata.
  • Skates. ...
  • Lizard Fish. ...
  • Moray Eels.


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There are no venomous or dangerous animals on the island. In fact, there are no snakes at all on the island, and the spiders are not venomous. The only venomous spiders are on the Desertas Islands, but not on Madeira.

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Oh yes, there are spiders in Madeira and some of them can be quite large. Scary, maybe, but these, too, are completely harmless. The best known is the Hogna maderiana, the Madeira Wolf Spider, sometimes also called the Madeira Tarantula. It is completely harmless, though scary for anyone afraid of spiders.

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Dolphins, Whales and Sea Lions The coastal waters of Madeira Island, are host to at least nine species of dolphins and ten species of migrating cetaceans. These are protected in the 430,000 km2 Madeiran Marine Mammal Sanctuary. The most commun wildlife are dolphins, whales and sea lions.

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Water: There is plenty of water of an excellent drinking standard. The tap water in Madeira conforms with all EU regulations and it is safe to drink. The water is treated with Chlorine and therefore may taste a little different.

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The water temperature remains very pleasant all year round, ranging between 19°C/66°F (winter) and 24°C/75°F (summer). The best month to swim in the sea is in September, when the average sea temperature is 24°C (75°F).

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Madeira is renowned for its landscapes, lore—and its legendary wine, which graced the tables of America's Founding Fathers.

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The average standard of living tends to be a bit lower than in mainland Portugal, and the local autonomous government gives generous subsidies coming from the tourist industry revenues and from the Portuguese national budget. Go where the locals go and everything will be cheap.

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Portugal is a safe destination for solo travel—and so is Madeira. Solo travelers should take the same precautions they would anywhere else. These include: Watching your drinks made.

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Funchal is usually a very safe city. However, as in any other places you go, common sense is required. Probably the unsafest place to go in Funchal is Zona Velha (near the cable car) at night, because it usually gets very crowded because of the nightlife.

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