Funchal: Kayak and Snorkel Tour to Garajau NR

Garajau is best reached from the water, and this three-hour kayak trip gives you a fine mix of exercise, sea views, swimming, and snorkeling. You paddle from Porto de São Lázaro toward Praia do Lazareto, where clear water, fish, rocks, and an optional jump from the cliffs make the stop more than a quick photo break.

I like the careful instruction from guides such as Diogo and Henrique, and I like that the guides adjust their pace for first-timers. The quiet swimming spot, full-face snorkeling masks, drinks, and secure storage for bags add real value. The catch is that the paddle can be tiring, especially when wind or current picks up, and conditions can change quickly.

Key points at a glance

• A two-person sea kayak trip: You paddle roughly 2.5 kilometers each way across Funchal Bay.
• A proper swim stop: Plan on time for snorkeling, swimming, relaxing, and optional cliff jumping at Praia do Lazareto.
• Beginner-friendly instruction: Diogo, Henrique, and the other guides explain paddling, help with launching, and keep an eye on the group.
• Clear water and marine life: You may see tropical fish, crabs, and other underwater creatures in the protected area.
• Useful extras included: A snorkeling mask, waterproof phone case, two bottles of water, and two Red Bulls are provided per kayak.
• Sea conditions matter: Rough water has shortened swims and made launching or returning more difficult on some outings.

Paddling out from the Cristiano Ronaldo statue

The meeting point is in front of the CR7 statue beside Hotel CR7 in Funchal. From there, you make your way to the water at Porto de São Lázaro, receive a safety briefing, and learn the basic paddle strokes before setting off.

The kayaks are two-person sit-on-top models. A backrest is provided, and a kayak seat upgrade costs €2 if you want the upgraded version. You will share the work with your partner, so coordination matters more than raw strength. The guides help people get in and out, which is useful because the launch area can be awkward when the sea is moving.

The first section takes you along the coast and across part of Funchal Bay. Many outings take about 45 minutes to an hour each way, depending on wind, current, and the pace of the group. One reported route covered about 2.5 kilometers before reaching the swimming area.

This is not a lazy boat ride. You need to paddle a sea kayak for a substantial part of the three hours. I would call it a moderate workout rather than an extreme challenge, but people with low fitness, a fear of seasickness, or little comfort in the water should think carefully before booking.

The reward is a perspective you cannot get from the promenade. Looking back toward Funchal from the sea gives you a wider sense of the bay, while the rocky coast and cliffs become the main scenery. The city feels close, but the water gives the trip a sense of escape.

What the Garajau Natural Reserve adds

The destination is near Ponta do Lazareto, within the Garajau Natural Reserve and the marine protected area around Praia do Lazareto. The main attraction is not a single landmark. It is the chance to stop along a section of coast that is difficult to enjoy from land.

The water is often clear enough to see fish while snorkeling. The reports from the guides and participants describe tropical fish, crabs, and other small marine life. One outing even produced a sighting of what was described as a sea lion, though you should treat that as a lucky moment rather than a promised feature.

The protected status matters because the area supports marine life, but it does not guarantee perfect visibility every day. Waves, current, and recent weather affect the snorkeling. In rougher conditions, the guides may shorten the swim or move people to a calmer spot. That is sensible, particularly around a rocky shore.

The beach is made of pebbles and stone rather than soft sand. Bring water shoes or sturdy sandals. Bare feet can be uncomfortable on the rough surface, and wet steps near the water call for care.

Snorkeling, swimming, and the optional cliff jump

The stop at Lazareto usually gives you around an hour for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing, although the exact time depends on the sea and the pace of the trip. The guides provide snorkeling masks, including full-face masks on many outings, and explain how to use them.

The snorkeling is the heart of the experience. You are not simply floating beside the kayaks for a few minutes. You have time to look around, practice with the mask, and follow the guide’s advice about the fish and the local marine setting.

You can also swim or stay on the beach. Cliff jumping is offered as an option from the rocks, but it is not required. This makes the stop work for mixed groups. One person can take the jump, another can snorkel, and someone else can sit on shore and enjoy the view.

Do not feel pressured to jump. The guides have been praised for allowing people to skip activities they do not want to do. The important point is that this is a sea outing with optional adventure, not a compulsory stunt session.

Getting back into a kayak can be harder than getting out, particularly if there is a current. The guides assist with this, but you still need enough upper-body strength and water confidence to manage the movement.

Guides who make the difference

Guide quality is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip. Diogo is repeatedly singled out for clear instruction, patience, humor, and attention to safety. Henrique receives similar praise for helping beginners, explaining snorkeling, and sharing information about Madeira. Hugo and other assistants have also helped people on wet steps and during difficult launches.

The tone is informal and local rather than lecture-heavy. You get paddling tips, basic safety guidance, and some explanation of the coast and marine life. Guides have also offered suggestions for places to visit elsewhere on Madeira.

What matters most is how they respond when conditions are less than ideal. On one outing, a swell made launching difficult and shortened the snorkeling period. On another, rougher water led the guide to get everyone back safely and call for assistance when a kayak took on water and overturned. The group was handled calmly, and the incident shows why a guided sea trip is preferable to setting out alone.

That does not mean the sea is risk-free. It means the guides watch the conditions and can change the plan. If the water looks too rough at the start, the company has offered rebooking or a refund in some cases. Ask about the forecast before you leave your hotel.

What is included, and what you may need to rent

At the advertised rate of about $41 per person, the package includes quite a bit for a three-hour coastal activity. The base price is listed locally as €35 per person, with two people sharing each kayak. Because the supplied pricing shows both amounts, check the booking page for the final currency and current rate before paying.

Included items are:

• A two-person kayak
• A standard kayak seat
• Snorkeling mask
• Waterproof phone case
• Two bottles of water per kayak
• Two Red Bulls per kayak
• Safety briefing and paddling instruction
• Storage for personal bags at the port, as described for the activity

A wetsuit is not included. Rental is listed at €5, and it may be worth taking one in cooler months, especially in December or outside the warmest part of the summer. Several outings in cooler weather used wetsuits, while late September water was described as pleasant without one.

Bring your own towel, swimwear, sunscreen, hat, camera, snacks, water, and water shoes. A waterproof camera is useful, but the supplied phone case gives you a simple way to protect your phone. You should still secure it carefully before paddling.

The Red Bull may seem like an odd inclusion, but it makes practical sense on a return paddle. You can choose two per kayak, and water is also provided. If you do not want an energy drink, bring your own alternative.

How hard is the paddle?

The tour suits active beginners more than complete non-swimmers. First-time kayakers have managed it with help from Diogo, Henrique, and the other guides, and the route has been described as suitable for beginners. Still, you will need to keep paddling for much of the journey.

The strongest challenge is usually the return trip. Current can make it harder to get back into the kayak after snorkeling, and wind can turn a calm outward paddle into more work on the way home. A few people described the ocean crossing as strenuous, while others in their early 50s found the activity level comfortable because they exercised regularly.

You should be able to swim and feel at ease in open water. The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers, people with mobility impairments, people over 130 kilograms, or anyone prone to seasickness. Those limits are practical rather than fussy. You are using a small kayak in the sea, not sitting on a large, stable sightseeing boat.

Wear a swimsuit under quick-drying clothes, use plenty of sunscreen, and choose footwear that can handle slippery stones. A hat and sunglasses help during the long paddle, but secure them well.

Timing, group feel, and value

You can choose a morning departure from 11:00 to 14:00 or an afternoon outing from 15:00 to 18:00. The schedule leaves enough time for a substantial water stop rather than squeezing snorkeling into a short gap.

Group size can vary. Some departures have felt almost private, with only one couple and a guide, while larger groups have included several kayaks. Small groups make it easier to get individual help, though a bigger group can still work well when a second guide is present.

For around $41, or the listed €35 local price, I consider this good value if you want several activities in one outing. You get transportation by kayak along the coast, instruction, equipment, snorkeling, swimming time, a possible cliff jump, drinks, and three hours on the water. A separate kayak rental and snorkeling setup would not necessarily give you the same safety support or access to the chosen swimming area.

The value drops if you dislike exercise or only want a quick swim. Much of the tour is spent paddling, and the sea crossing is the way you reach the reserve. You are paying for the route as well as the stop.

Children up to age 12 are listed at €20, but the group should still be comfortable with the physical demands and open water. The information does not specify a minimum age, so confirm that point before booking with young children.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. The guides speak English, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Who should book this Madeira outing?

I would choose this tour if you want an active half-day close to Funchal and like the idea of combining several small adventures. It is a good match for couples, friends, families with capable older children, and solo visitors who prefer an organized water activity.

It is especially suitable for a first kayaking experience because the guides explain the basics and help at the tricky parts. You do not need to arrive as an expert paddler, but you should arrive ready to work.

I would skip it if you want dry clothes, a calm boat, soft sand, or guaranteed snorkeling conditions. The route depends on the Atlantic, and the sea can become rough with little warning. The best guide in the world cannot make a choppy day feel like a swimming pool.

Should you book the Garajau kayak tour?

Book it if clear water, marine life, and active sightseeing sound better than another afternoon on the promenade. The combination of a coastal paddle, a quiet swimming area, snorkeling, and optional cliff jumping gives you a lot in three hours.

Go with realistic expectations. You will paddle hard, share a kayak, walk on rough stones, and accept that the guide may shorten the swim when conditions turn poor. If you bring water shoes, sunscreen, a towel, and enough fitness for a two-way sea crossing, this is a strong-value way to see Funchal from the water.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

Meet in front of the CR7 statue at Hotel CR7 in Funchal.

How long does the activity last?

The tour lasts three hours.

What time does the tour depart?

The morning tour runs from 11:00 to 14:00, and the afternoon tour runs from 15:00 to 18:00.

How much does the tour cost?

The supplied information lists $41 per person and also gives a local price of €35 per person. Check the current booking price and currency before paying.

How many people share a kayak?

Two people share each kayak.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. The guides provide a safety briefing and paddling instruction, and the route has been used by first-time kayakers. You still need a reasonable level of fitness and comfort in the sea.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A snorkeling mask is included.

Is a wetsuit included?

No. A wetsuit is listed as an optional rental for €5.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, camera, snacks, sunscreen, water, a waterproof camera if you have one, and water shoes.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option is also available.