Water activity

Madeira Pirate Ship: 3-Hour Boat Trip

Activity provider: Madeira Seekers
Water activity

Madeira Pirate Ship: 3-Hour Boat Trip

Activity provider: Madeira Seekers

From US$ 48.25 per person

The Santa Maria de Colombo, built in 1998, is a Madeira pirate ship that’s an exact replica of the Christopher Columbus flagship. Enjoy a boat trip with a sense of adventure, and feel what it was like when the island was discovered some 500 years ago.

About this activity

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Covid-19 precautions
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Duration 3 hours
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Experience

Highlights
  • Sail along the coast aboard a Madeira pirate ship
  • Keep a lookout for dolphins and whales, which are sighted throughout the year
  • Enjoy honey cake and a glass of Madeira wine
Full description
A magnificent replica of Christopher Columbus’s flagship, the Santa Maria, was built on the island of Madeira, between July 1997 and July 1998, in the fishing village of Camara de Lobos. Since it was built thousands of people have sailed aboard the ship, experiencing more than just a normal boat ride, as you’ll soon find out on this 3-hour tour. Santa Maria de Colombo is also the most photographed boat in Madeira. A number of local and international TV documentaries have been made on board this famous ship, including The Discovery Channel’s The Quest for Columbus. The idea of this boat trip is for you to experience history, while at the same time enjoying the breathtaking views of Madeira´s south coast. In addition to the views, you’re very likely to see dolphins and whales as well. The ship will anchor in front of the majestic cliff of Cabo Girao, the highest sea cliff in Europe. If you like you can enjoy a swim in the warm and crystal-clear water. A sail on the Santa Maria is your chance to re-live Christopher Columbus´s voyage of discovery and imagine how he and his crew felt as they headed into the unknown.
Includes
  • Boat trip
  • Madeira honey cake
  • Glass of Madeira wine

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    Participants

    Date

    Meeting point

    Meet in front of the Santa Maria de Colombo boat at the new Marina in Funchal (Marina Funchal, 9000-055 Funchal).

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    Important information

    Know before you go

    • In summer months be sure to bring a swimsuit, sun protection, and a towel. In the winter months you'll need to bring something warm to wear as well.
    Customer reviews

    Overall rating

    4.3 /5

    based on 328 reviews

    Review summary

    • Transportation
      4.6/5
    • Value for money
      4.1/5
    • Safety
      4.5/5
    • Service
      4.2/5

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    Great drive towards Cabo Girao and saw two schools of dolphins. There was also a delicious glass of Madeira with honey cake with a mighty rocking ;-) Impressive how Columbus sailed across the Atlantic with 39 men in such a caravel. It could have been a little more information about the ship.

    January 3, 2023

    3 hour trip which felt like it went too quick but was good. It took approx 45 minutes to sail out where we were very lucky to see dolphins who swam alongside our boat. We then stopped off for a short period where people could swim in the ocean. We were then offered Madeira wine and honey cake and sailed alongside landmarks where the guides provided information about them which was good. Was very relaxing. Only thing i would have like to seen is the sails as it shows in their picture.

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    August 24, 2022

    Highly recommended. The replica of the Sta. María is wonderful, my children loved the experience and were walking around the boat the whole way. The bath in front of Cabo Girao was great, jumping several times from the boat. The very friendly crew and the wine with delicious honey cake. The only bad thing... they don't lower the sails as it appears in the photo, a shame!

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    August 20, 2022

    Product ID: 55409