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Things to do in Quinta do Lorde

Our most recommended things to do in Quinta do Lorde

From Funchal: Swimming with Dolphins in Madeira Island

1. From Funchal: Swimming with Dolphins in Madeira Island

Swim with dolphins in their natural habitat in the crystal-clear waters of Madeira Island. Enjoy the support and guidance of on-hand instructors who will teach you how to approach and interact with the dolphins. Board your boat and head towards the area with a 99% chance of seeing dolphins. Get the opportunity to swim with two species of dolphins: common dolphins and spotted dolphins. As you enter the water, remain safely connected to the boat at all times. Get comfortable in the water and approach the dolphins with the support of your instructor. Once you're ready, begin to swim with the dolphins in front, below, and next to you and admire these beautiful mammals up close, and in their natural habitat. 

Quinta do Lorde: Kayak Experience to Ponta de São Lourenço

2. Quinta do Lorde: Kayak Experience to Ponta de São Lourenço

Start at Marina Quinta do Lorde with a water taxi to Cais do Sardinha. Your guide will help you with anything you need and share recommendations on the best way to enjoy the kayaks. Then, head off to explore the bay at your own pace by kayak. After kayaking, stay at Cais do Sardinha and enjoy the beach a bit longer before the return boat to Marina Quinta do Lorde. You can also visit the Casa do Sardinha Natur Spot Café to enjoy the views and grab a snack or lunch.

Madeira: Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour

3. Madeira: Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour

Look for whales and dolphins and discover other marine life off the beautiful Ponta de São Lourenço coast in Madeira on a small-group boat tour with a crew of marine biologists. Climb aboard the 300 hp engine boat with a sleek design and listen to informative commentary about the sea life and places of interest of Madeira as you start the trip. Encounter different groups of dolphins, whales, and turtles in the water. Marvel as the animals breach and splash about in the water and learn amazing facts about them from your marine biologists guide. See endemic marine birds and get up-close to the unique rock formations on the coast as you speed across large distances in little time. If you are visiting in summer, get the chance to snorkel and swim in Ponta de São Lourenço.

Lighthouse View 2: Ponta de São Lourenço Boat Tour

4. Lighthouse View 2: Ponta de São Lourenço Boat Tour

Embark on a boat trip to admire a 150-year-old lighthouse, the oldest in Madeira Archipelago. See Ilhéu do Desembarcadouro, the North Coast, its beautiful caves and calm bays. This islet is a protected conservation area for its rich biodiversity. The Farol da Ponta de São Lourenço is a lighthouse located on the islet of São Lourenço. It lies on the extreme east of Madeira Island. The lighthouse was built in 1870 on top of a small extinct volcano. Spot several species of animals and plants that are unique to this area along the way. Marvel at the flowering plants of Marmulano, endemic to Madeira Islands. Soak in spectacular views from the Baía d´Abra Viewpoint over Ponta de São Lourenço and its coastline. There are different starting and ending point options for the tour. Choose the one that fits your needs. If you decide to end at Marina da Quinta do Lorde, you will see the Elephant rock before completing the tour.

Madeira: Guaranteed Whales or Dolphins Watching Tour

5. Madeira: Guaranteed Whales or Dolphins Watching Tour

Board a boat custom-made for whale watching with seats that fit a maximum of 12 passengers per trip. Learn about whales and dolphins from the crew and keep your eyes open for all kinds of wildlife, including turtles and different species of bird. Madeira Island is known by the scientific community as the area with the highest concentration of cetacean in Madeira. With 98% of tours resulting in successful sightings, you are guaranteed to see a wide variety of different animals. After more than 1 hour and 30 minutes out at sea learning about these fascinating mammals, you’ll return back to the pier, marking the end of your whale and dolphin watching experience.

Full-Day Ponta de São Lourenço Natural Reserve

6. Full-Day Ponta de São Lourenço Natural Reserve

This walk runs along the eastern peninsula of Madeira Island, where you can see different vegetation from the rest of the island with its lack of trees and low vegetation such as the Everlasting (Helichrysum devium Johns) and the Ice Flower (Mezembryanthenmum crystallinum).  The Ponta de São Lourenço is classified as a partial natural reserve and part of the European network of important community sites - Natura 2000. At this location, several protected seabirds such as the Cory's shearwater, the Madeiran storm-petrel, the Bulwer’s petrel and the common tern nest here. You can see other bird species such as the Berthelot's pipit, the goldfinch and the canary. Along the way, you will be amazed by the fantastic scenery with Deserted Islands to the south and the Islands of Porto Santo to the north (if the weather permits). From this walk, it is possible to see the northern and southern coasts of Madeira. When arriving to the end of this path, you will reach Casa do Sardinha. After a few minutes of rest, return by the same path.

Quinta do Lord: Baia d'Abra Water Taxi

7. Quinta do Lord: Baia d'Abra Water Taxi

Travel easily between Marina Quinta do Lorde and Cais do Sardinha with this water taxi service. On the horizon to the south you will be able to see the Ilhas Desertas (Deserted Islands) and to the north, the Porto Santo Islands.  You will also be able to enjoy the sea views of Ponta de São Lourenço bay, and the Baía d’Abra. From the pier at Cais do Sardinha you will be able to walk to visit the Casa do Sardinha Natur Spot Café. You can do a one-way tour if you decide to do the walk to Ponta de São Lourenço and want to come back by boat. You can also book a one-way boat in the opposite direction, or a return service to do both.

Other Sightseeing Options in Quinta do Lorde

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What people are saying about Quinta do Lorde

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 539 reviews

Madeira allows a 10 minute contact with a group of dolphins. In the meantime, everyone who wants to snorkel must get into the water. Four are allowed to enter the water at the same time, lying in the water on ropes attached to the boat. So you don't have that much time. However, I think the regulation is very good and that it is being implemented. Because it is about the welfare of the animals and that is really important. We also saw sperm whales with babies on the tour. And that in December. We were also looking for other groups of dolphins, but unfortunately we had no luck there. Still, it was a great experience. For people with seasickness (like me), the small boat is really at the mercy of the waves when standing still. I was sick as hell. I would still do it again if I was there again. Wetsuits were provided free of charge. The biologist who accompanied us was very nice and explained everything well.

Great experience! Pick-up was on time and on the way to the hike we stopped two times for pictures, a bathroom break and the opportunity to buy some food at a bakery. The hike had a medium difficulty. It's a one way track with a loop at the end. Through out the hike you have amazing views and enough time to take pictures. The guide makes occasional stops at the most picturesque places. He also gave us lots of interesting information about the plants. Overall IT was one of the best hikes and Samuel was the best hiking guide we had in Madeira.

Incredible experience where we could spot whales (three meters from the boat!!!) and swim next to the dolphins dragged by the speedboat! Beautiful how much the tour is based on respect for the animals' tranquility, each step is done with the utmost care so as not to disturb their peace! Thanks to all the staff!!!

It was very beautiful. The boat ride alone was fun. We saw a lot of pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins. Unfortunately we didn't find any other dolphins to surf into the water with. It was still worth it. I was there at the end of December.

Great trip! We got to see dolphins and a fin whale, which was a rare sighting. I got to see the dolphins under water from a distance. It was great to get in the ocean and have that experience.