Historic Sailing Ship Cruise Madeira

The historic sailing ship

The ship is a wooden replica of the Santa Maria, the vessel associated with Columbus's voyage to the Americas, and it was built on Madeira itself. Walking on its deck, with ropes, timber and sails around you, gives a strong sense of what a 15th-century ship was like. Historic sailing ship cruises like this are popular with families because the boat is an attraction on its own.

Madeira has its own connection with that age of exploration: Columbus spent time in the Madeira islands in the 1470s, and the island was one of the main stops for Atlantic ships. The host on board explains the ship and its background while you sail, and speaks English and Portuguese.

Funchal and Cabo Girão from the sea

From the water the capital looks very different: terraced hills rise behind the harbour, the old town and the cathedral appear among green slopes, and the mountains stand behind. The ship sails along the south coast towards Cabo Girão, one of the highest sea cliffs in Europe, whose scale is much clearer from below.

Along the way you may spot dolphins or whales, although sightings are never guaranteed because they are wild. The cruise lasts about three hours and offers a slow, calm way to see the coast, and morning and afternoon departures give different light for photographs.

Honey cake and time on board

Your ticket includes a traditional Madeira honey cake, the dark, spiced cake that is one of the island's classic sweets and is often eaten around the festive season. It is a light treat rather than a meal, so other food and drinks are not included and should be arranged before or after the cruise.

In summer the ship may stop for a swim off the coast, depending on the sea conditions, so it is worth bringing swimwear and a towel in warm months. Otherwise you can move around the deck, sit in the shade and enjoy the views at your own pace.

Meeting point and boarding in Funchal

Meet at the ship's kiosk in front of the boat in Funchal, where check-in takes place. Boarding starts 30 minutes before departure, so arrive on time; hotel pickup is not included, but the marina area is easy to reach from most parts of the city.

Trips may be cancelled in bad weather, in which case we contact you to arrange another option. The ship is not suitable for wheelchair users because of the ship's steps and layout. Wear flat, comfortable shoes with a good grip for the wooden deck, and bring a light jacket, as it can be breezy once you are away from the shore.