Calheta Beach is one of the island of Madeira's few yellow sandy beaches. A peaceful swimming experience is guaranteed by two piers, so you can exercise in the sea all year round.
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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).
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!
Early mornings in June and July often see the island blanketed with cloud, which gradually dissipates over the day. The autumn months of September, October and November tend to be a lot quieter on Madeira, but it's still pleasantly sunny and the sea is warm enough for comfortable swimming.
Madeira is a popular destination for Christmas. It is a big even with festivities, decorations, delicious food… Temperatures are sea level are very pleasant, around 19/20°C during the day. Water temperature is lower (around 17°C), so it is not the best time for swimming but it is still possible to enjoy a swim.
Amazing and stable weather denotes April through November as the best time to visit Madeira. April to mid-June is known for price cuts and moderate crowds. This period can offer you unforgettable hiking among lush green vegetation, and you can join famous Madeira Flower Festival.
A warmer winterMadeiran winters are usually very pleasant: in December and January, Funchal enjoys five times as much sunshine hours than London. Daytime temperatures hover just under 20C: mild enough to swim in the sea or a heated outdoor pool, though there's always the possibility of rain.
In October the ocean temps can be quite warm BUT if there's a hurricane the ocean temp can drop by 10 degrees instantly. The mid/end of Sept. ocean temp w/out hurricanes is about 87 degrees. It starts to cool off and probably should be about 80 degrees in early/mid October, depending on hurricanes.
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.
ELECTRICITY AND WATERThe electric current in the archipelago is 220 volts. There is plenty of water in Madeira and it is all drinkable and of excellent quality.
The north side of the island takes all the punishment. The trade winds travel down the Atlantic and hit the north coast brining with them rain and cool air. The high mountains act as a barrier to the more densely populated, “sunnier” side of the island, the south side.
The southwest is the place to be for more guaranteed sun; Ribeira Brava, Ponta do Sol and Calheta boast the best climates on the island followed by Funchal, Camera de lobos and Machico.
The graph below shows the range of monthly Madeira Beach water temperature derived from many years of historical sea surface temperature data. The warmest water temperature is in August with an average around 86.7°F / 30.4°C. The coldest month is January with an average water temperature of 63.9°F / 17.7°C.
The warmest water temperature is in September with an average around 74.7°F / 23.7°C. The coldest month is March with an average water temperature of 64°F / 17.8°C.
Madeira also hosts resident populations of short-finned pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins that can be observed year-round, and provides opportunities to see other rare, deep-diving species like beaked whales.
Located in Funchal, the Complexo Balnear do Lido, open year round, is a place for swimming enthusiasts, either in the sea or in a saltwater pool. Formosa Beach - A long beach that combines pebble and sandy areas, offering a complete swimming experience along the coast of Funchal.
If you're looking for winter sun you won't have much trouble finding it in Madeira. In December, January and February daytime temperatures can be 20°C in the lower parts of the island below what's called the 'banana line', where it's best for cultivating, er, bananas.
Whales and dolphins observed around Madeira in December 2022December is not a very diversified month in terms of cetacean species around Madeira archipelago but this year things were different and we even got a Humpback whale visiting us for this Christmas month! Join Madeira Wildlife Monthly Newsletter.
Madeira is a pretty small island, and so luckily you don't need very long to see all of the incredible things that this destination has to offer. If you're looking to experience the must-dos then a short four-day break would be fine. However, a week is the perfect amount of time to really make the most of the island.