Southwest Madeira Beaches

	Piscinas das Salinas is located near the bay of Câmara de Lobos, a historical spot where many natural activities took place, one being salt extraction, which gave origin to its name. This complex offers great facilities, an adult and a children’s pool, lifeguard surveillance and a snack bar.

	Praia do Vigário is a free public beach located in Câmara de Lobos with an excellent pebble beach and pool, offering plenty of sunbathing space, good water quality, lifeguard surveillance, great facilities and a variety of sport activities.

	Praia da Fajã do Cabo Girão is situated beneath the most famous cliff Cabo Girão. It is an isolated beach with access only through Rancho cable car or the sea. It has no facilities and no lifeguard surveillance. A pebble beach, that stands out with its natural beauty and water quality.

	Praia da Fajã dos Padres is located in Quinta Grande near Cabo Girão, at a bottom of a cliff accessed only through a panoramic elevator, by boat or possibly helicopter. Here you can find a real paradise; a pebble beach with warm crystal clear waters all year round. This beach has no lifeguard surveillance but it does have showers and changing rooms and a Restaurant nearby.

	Calhau da Lapa “limpet beach” is located in Campanário at the bottom of a steep cliff where you can find the cleanest crystal clear waters. Make sure you have comfortable shoes for the 30 minute walk down to this pebble beach. There are no facilities and no lifeguard surveillance; however there is a Bar that opens only in the summer with showers and WC. This is a great beach if you’re looking for tranquility and seclusion.

	Ribeira Brava beach is located in the centre of town with great facilities and it has been recently upgraded. Previously a Pebble beach, now, with the upgrade, a part of this beach was leveled and black sand added, a barrier was created to offer protection from large waves and a fountain in the sea was added, making it even more attractive. This beach consists of two pools, a children’s pool and a paddle pool for the infants, changing rooms, reception a snack bar and most important lifeguard surveillance. Enjoy the sun or a game of beach volley.

	Ponta do Sol beach is a picturesque village known for its great weather and friendly faces, small beach, mainly pebble, but great for swimming or a day of relaxation under the sun. It offers good facilities, lifeguard surveillance during the bathing season, a summer library a snack bar and is near restaurants.

	Madalena do Mar beach is a pebble beach where you can enjoy a peaceful day under the sun and a nice swim in its warm clean waters. This beach has plenty of room, good facilities, a nice sundeck, children’s playground, volleyball court and a promenade along the beach. It also includes lifeguard surveillance during the summer.

	Calheta beach has two wonderful man-made golden sandy beaches imported from Figueira da Foz Portugal and Morocco. This beach is probably one of the best beaches in Madeira, and is very popular with locals and tourists, protected by a long breakwater making it safe for swimming and offering a wide range of water sport rentals, great facilities, two snack bars and an area for beach volleyball. Lifeguard surveillance available during the bathing season

	Jardim do Mar beach “garden of the sea” is located on the southwestern point of the Island with three pebble beaches Portinho, Enseada and Vigia with great scenery and crystal clear waters. These beaches offer no facilities and no surveillance, yet Portinho beach has showers and a snackbar. Access to the sea is only available through the pebble beach due to no support structure, but great surfing conditions due to its eight meters high waves, suitable for experienced surfers only. Known worldwide as the Madeira surfing hot spot and where the Big Wave Team Challenge competition took place.

	Paúl do Mar beach is located south west of the island. It consists of two pebble beaches, Porto and Ribeira das Galinhas. Both have attractive scenery and crystal clear waters, great for swimming, or enjoy a peaceful day under the sun. These beaches have no facilities and no surveillance, however they offer showers and are famous with surfers, known to be their favorite surfing destination. It is also a great spot for sport fishing.