Desertas Islands or South Coast Private Sailing Day Trip

A full day at sea on 4WINDS, a Dufour 325 sailing yacht, with the whole boat for your group of up to six guests. We leave Marina da Quinta do Lorde early and cross to the Desertas Islands, a protected nature reserve 25 km offshore with no ferry and no crowds, and one of the last strongholds of the Mediterranean monk seal. Quinta do Lorde sits 23 km from the islands instead of 36 from Funchal, so you spend close to three hours there rather than two.

If wind or sea state makes the crossing uncomfortable, we sail the south coast instead, past terraces, banana plantations and the cliffs of Cabo Girao. Skipper Marcio decides on the morning of departure and tells you before we leave the marina.

We anchor to swim and snorkel, and homemade lunch is served on board. Dolphins, turtles, seabirds and monk seals are often around on this water. Sightings are likely, never guaranteed.