Madeira's sub-tropical climate consists of hot, dry summers making it a perfect holiday destination for lovers of the heat.
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For the highest temperatures the best time to visit Madeira is between August and September although the sub tropical climate offers sunshine throughout the year and winter months are equally popular with visitors. The hottest month of the year is August with an average daily maximum of 27 C and an average low of 21 C.
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).
Warm winds occasionally blow over from the Sahara Desert, which can make things really hot in Madeira. The average high temperature during October is 23ºC, which is perfectly warm enough to chill out on the beach or by the pool.
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.
Evenings may start to get cooler and obviosly higher places on tours and walks, can be cooler so light jacket or cardigan will be useful. You should be able still to sunbath by pools , the sea may be cool for swimming but locals swim all year round - very much depends on your tolerance.
Madeira's unique geographic location and mountainous terrain lend itself to its marvelously mild climate, ranging from 25°C (77°F) in the summer to 17°C (62°F) in the winter, with moderate humidity and mild average temperatures no matter the time of year.
Madeira has a tropical climate and is consistently in the high 20s and early 30s, making it a popular destination year-round. However, the main island is home to several microclimates that are due to its orography.
We went in April and whilst I agree that Madeira is a stunning island particularly in the interior we found it much cooler than the Canaries at the same time of year. It depends what you want in a holiday but you only need to look at how green the island is to realise that there must be significant rainfall.
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. Porto Santo uses desalinated water, which is perfectly safe to drink.
Average monthly temperaturesFor the highest temperatures the best time to visit Madeira is between August and September although the sub tropical climate offers sunshine throughout the year and winter months are equally popular with visitors.
I highly recommend going if you love nature, if you enjoy great food, a warm culture and breathtaking views at every turn. I stayed in the main Funchal, away from the tourist area. I didn't go to Madeira to be surrounded by other tourists taking photos of this or that.
Madeira is blessed with a year-round amenable climate - it never becomes too hot and never becomes too cold. Weather in Madeira is difficult to determine not only because it is an Island in the Atlantic but also because, due to its mountains, it has many micro climates, sometimes separated by a only few kilometres.
However, the busiest times are: the Summer holiday months of July and August, Christmas time, and the Winter European holidays, for people looking for Winter Sun.
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.
The Azores are serene, eco-friendly and have less modern development, and less tourism than the sister islands of Madeira. With secluded locations and a more relaxed, slower pace, the Azores are more of a destination for nature lovers and adventurous tourists.
Both islands are all about outdoor activities, the sea and have a romantic vibe. Honestly, Madeira is essentially the European version of Hawaii. It's cheaper (WAY cheaper), closer and a lot less touristy.
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 most affected regions are Azores, Madeira and North. The hurricane season usually lasts from early June to late November. Portugal has certainly been affected by the foothills of several hurricanes, but during the past 12 months no hurricane reached the inhabited areas on land.
Bugs (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas) can spread a number of diseases in the Madeira Islands. Many of these diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or medicine. You can reduce your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites.
Madeira's national currency is Euro (EUR), which comes in denominations of 5€, 10€, 20€, 50€, 100€, 200€ and 500€ notes. Coins come in 1, 2,5, 10, 20 and 50 cent and one and two euros denominations. Banks are open from 8:30 am to 15:00 pm, Monday to Friday.
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!