Madeira. Sailing to the Eternal Spring
Madeira, Rising from the Atlantic
Madeira looks almost vertical from the sea. Dark volcanic cliffs rise straight from deep Atlantic water, with villages and terraces somehow fitted into the slopes above. The wetter north coast is particularly dramatic — green valleys, exposed rock and waterfalls dropping down the cliffs, some almost reaching the ocean itself. Véu da Noiva is one of the best-known examples, while inland the levadas lead into another world of moss, ferns, laurel forest and waterfalls such as Risco.
Wild Water, Deep Coastline
The sea around Madeira has its own character. Dolphins and several species of whales are regularly encountered around the archipelago, while the nearby Desertas Islands remain an important refuge for Mediterranean monk seals and nesting seabirds. The island’s steep coastline also makes sailing here different from a classic bay-to-bay Mediterranean cruise: deep water comes close to shore and truly sheltered anchorages are relatively limited, so finding the right place to stop is part of the experience.
Porto Santo: A Different Horizon
About 30 nautical miles to the northeast, Porto Santo is almost Madeira’s opposite. Instead of towering green mountains, it has a long, low coastline and a remarkable nine-kilometre stretch of golden sand. From a sailing boat, the island offers a quieter rhythm, clear water, small offshore islets and a protected harbour on the south coast, where visiting yachts can berth safely away from the Atlantic swell. Cetaceans are also regularly seen around Porto Santo, and its clear waters are known for diving and marine life.
Boat and Hiking Shoes
Back on Madeira, the landscape changes remarkably fast between coast and mountains. The ancient Laurissilva forest covers around a fifth of the island, water runs everywhere through ravines and levadas, and waterfalls appear both deep in the forest and on cliffs above the Atlantic. It is one of those places where having a boat and hiking shoes on the same trip makes perfect sense.
