Quinta do Lorde

Spot whales, dolphins and other marine life off the beautiful coast of Ponta de São Lourenço in Madeira on a small group boat trip with a crew of marine biologists. Climb aboard the sleek, 700hp speedboat and listen to an informative commentary on Madeira's marine life and sights as you set off. Meet different groups of dolphins, whales and turtles in the water. Watch as they breach and splash in the water and learn amazing facts about them from your marine biologist guide. See endemic marine birds and get up close to the unique rock formations along the coast as you cover great distances in a short time. If you are visiting in summer, get the chance to snorkel and swim in Ponta de São Lourenço.

Your adventure begins with a pickup from your accommodation. As we drive towards the Ponta de São Lourenço area in Caniçal, we might pause at a quaint local spot for a brief refreshment break, though this stop is not guaranteed. Upon arrival, our hike begins along the eastern peninsula of Madeira Island. The trail offers stunning views and unique vegetation distinct from the rest of the island, including Everlasting (Helichrysum devium Johns) and the Ice Flower (Mezembryanthemum crystallinum). Classified as a partial natural reserve and part of the Natura 2000 network, Ponta de São Lourenço is home to several protected seabirds such as Cory's shearwater, the Madeiran storm-petrel, Bulwer’s petrel, and the common tern. You may also spot other bird species like the Berthelot's pipit, goldfinch, and canary. This 6km walk, with an elevation gain of around 100 meters, is of easy-moderate difficulty and typically takes around 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete. As we walk, you'll be amazed by the fantastic scenery, with views of the Deserted Islands to the south and the Islands of Porto Santo to the north, weather permitting. This hike allows you to see both the northern and southern coasts of Madeira simultaneously. Upon reaching Casa do Sardinha at the end of the path, we'll take a few minutes to rest before returning along the same trail. This tour offers a comprehensive experience of Madeira's natural beauty, perfect for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts alike.

Departure from Marina Quinta do Lorde by Zodiac boat to Cais do Sardinha, where we have the kayaks. Your guide will accompany you, helping you with anything you need and giving you advice on how to get the most out of the kayak. When you are finished, head off to explore a bit of the mountain and enjoy the breathtaking views while having a coffee or snack at the Casa do Sardinha Nature Spot Cafe. You can also take a dip in our crystal clear waters and enjoy the beach a little longer while you wait for the boat to return to the marina.

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.

Your scuba diving adventure will begin with a short theory lesson about the practice of diving before doing your first trial in the shallow waters of the swimming pool.  Once you feel comfortable and know how to handle the equipment, you’ll be ready for the real deal. Your diving instructor will take you for a dive out in the sea to explore the spectacular underwater world of our private reef in the Ponta de São Lourenço Protected Area at a maximum depth of 12 meters!!! Our great location offers easy access to our private reef, just a few steps away from our dive shop. This is a great and lovely dive, interesting for beginners and experienced divers to start discovering Madeira's waters. Encounters with octopuses, parrot fish, young groupers, garden eels, trumpet fish, rays, cuttlefish, sea horses and moray eels are all common. At the end of the tour, you’ll receive a certificate of participation to make your next underwater adventure an absolute breeze.

If you are too tired after the hike to Ponta de São Lourenço, or just want a different view on the way back, take a speedboat with us! Once in Cais do Sardinha, after enjoying the breathtaking views of Ponta de São Lourenço and visiting the Casa do Sardinha Nature Spot Café for a coffee or snack, you will board our Zodiac boat to enjoy the views from the sea and get a closer look at the mountains of Baia d'Abra while our guide explains all about the landscape. The tour ends at Marina Quinta do Lorde. It is also possible to do it the other way round, from Marina Quinta do Lorde to Cais do Sardinha.