Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools

Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools

Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools
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Duration: 2-3 hours
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  • Laura T
    Middlesbrough, United Kingdom7,002 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    picturesque natural swimming pools by the sea
    There are a number of extremely picturesque rock pools located along the seafront which you can swim in, although the water is cool - 18degrees when we visited in April. These pools are very popular so recommended to visit early on morning or later in afternoon. A small fee of €3 each to enter. There are male and female changing areas, with showers and toilets. There are lockers, but as it was very quiet when we visited we just left our bags on one of the large ledges near to the swimming area. Note: if the sea is particularly wavy the lave pools will be closed, so make sure to go on a calm day. Located on the east of the Island. I had read that the nearby Aqua Natura Hotel Restaurant is recommended as the views over the volcanic swimming pools and ocean from the balcony seating area are incredible, but we did not have time to visit ourselves. We had a little stroll through Porto Moniz, which looked like a pleasant tourist town with lots of little shops and cafes and restaurants. There are nice view points overlooking the pools, with the photo frame to take the popular touristy photo. Mid-April the water was cold at 18degrees, but pleasant enough to swim in for a short while. Then we relaxed in the sun for a while, before continuing on our action packed touristy day - next stop the black sand beach at Seixel.
    Visited April 2022
    Written March 20, 2023
  • JFH123
    Edinburgh, United Kingdom56 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lovely swim in fabulous natural surroundings
    We visiting in mid March and stayed a few days in Porto Moniz. I swam a few times in the beautiful lava pools - very few people around - especially good in the late afternoon when visiting trips had left. Had it all to myself at times! A little chilly to get in but gorgeous swimming.
    Visited March 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written March 31, 2023
  • Stretts
    Atherstone, United Kingdom315 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Stunning
    We are arrived early and there may have been a delay in opening the pools due to the state of the sea which was pretty rough but the seas were mesmerising to watch. The waves crashed against the rocks but as they went back out to sea, those waves would crash against the incoming waves. I hope you get what I mean but the photo should explain better. The facilities for changing etc are good at the pools but there was some confusion over how to pay for a locker and it seem most people didn't bother. The life guards did their best to dissuade people from standing on the outer walkways,even kneeling down, I got bowled into the water by the incoming waves. For some reason, the older sea pools were not open but the newer pools are safer with a man made floor. Well worth a visit.
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written April 17, 2023
  • StAlban123
    St. Albans, United Kingdom169 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Loved it
    Loved it. We stopped off on a whim and had a swim after we’d been on a long hike. We were very pleasantly surprised. Don’t get these natural pools ( lava now eroded) confused with the concrete ones at the other side. These ones do not have an facilities so we drove back to the hotel in our swimsuits as we couldn’t be bothered to change again.
    Visited June 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written June 3, 2023
  • Lenka K
    Beroun, Czech Republic3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing place to swim and stay!
    Amazing place, nature and comfort in one place. Very well based next to ocean. Uou can seim in the ocen either in the natural swimming pools. There are two places to swim. Next to the ocean museum is swimming for free and in the pools of Moniz you pay and have all the service available. Showers, toilets, life guards - all for a very friendly price.
    Visited July 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written July 6, 2023
  • Emi
    Romford, United Kingdom5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful Porto Moniz
    Went on a tour of the west part of the Island and Porto Moniz was on of the greatest parts. Natural pool is amazing for swimming and jumps. Also it was a festival at the time with good music and good street food!
    Visited July 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written July 31, 2023
  • 766betty
    Silsden, United Kingdom215 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wonderful experience
    Visited here as part of a all day tour with Antonio a taxi driver. He brought us here for 2 hours so we could swim and enjoy this fantastic experience. i would definitely recommend a visit and the tour with Antonio. He was pleasant, informative and very accommodating
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written August 19, 2023
  • Roam628835
    Sheffield, United Kingdom20 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Good day out
    Good day out. €3 per person entry and €5 for a locker (plus €5 deposit which is refundable on exit). Good value for money. Plenty of changing facilities / showers. Water slightly cold on entry but fine once warmed up. Would recommend
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written August 27, 2023
  • Jane W
    Sheffield, United Kingdom15 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Good snorkelling too!
    Reviews here say it's great (and it is!) but not sure any of them mention you can also go outside these pools and snorkel in the sea quite safely as there are rocks mostly enclosing where you go. People are jumping off here lots and there is a ladder for you to go down. The snorkelling here was the best we have experienced on Madeira - deep, very clear sea and a good number of different fish species. Loved it.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written October 11, 2023
  • Viktorija A
    Vilnius, Lithuania21 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Unforgettable experience
    It was way better than we expected.. The little fishes swimming together with ypu, little and big crabs around, the views were amazing. Although, the water was a little cold, you get used to it. To swim in a pool formed in a volcanic rocks is beyond words! Just be very careful, at one moment the sea waves got crazy big and just washed strongly away all of the spectators swimming by the edge, that scared all of the people.. Also, the rocks underwater are very slippery, people were painfully falling and they are very sharp, we cut our fingers and feet by accident. Plus, there was a restaurant. I tried espada with grilled bananas for the first time and I loved it! Delicious food, tasty coffee, good prices. The pools are free, just enjoy and be careful.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written November 4, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles3,148 reviews
Excellent
1,997
Very good
931
Average
180
Poor
23
Terrible
18

David D
Devon, UK20,544 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2021 • Couples
Tuesday 15th June we visited Ponta Moniz and walked along the seafront promenade (Frente) from one end to the other.

These pools, at one end of the Promenade,  they are more structured and manufactured unlike the rugged natural Piscinas Naturais Velhas at the other end.

This is €1.50 to enter via the restaurant after 19.00 admission is free. There is a limited to the number of visitors allowed in at one time.

Unlike the Velhas Pools, which are a quick dip pools, visitors can spend more time here, swimming, sunbathing, relaxing and enjoying the sunshine. Also an opportunity to admire the wonderful coastal scenery.

There is also a restaurant attached for food and refreshments.

On our way to  Porto Moniz we stopped at Miradouro da Santinha, which overlooks the Town, the Pools were visible from that great height.
Written July 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

VivianFoodie358
New York City, NY101 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2020
Although we visited on a cloudy day, these pools were spectacular! For only 1.50 euros each person, you can relax by or in these natural swimming pools with their water coming in right from the Atlantic. They are watched by lifeguards and if you're in the pools and away from where the waves are coming in, you are safe. I will definitely return next time in Madeira and on a sunnier day!
Written July 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Scorpio101
Andover, UK18 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2021 • Couples
We went to the Lido end first €1.50 entry and hired loungers, €1.50 each. Spent a great time there the sea started to roll in over the walls, as it became more rough people took their belongings to the higher decks. After lunch at the lido we left and walked to the more natural side. This is free to enter and also great fun swimming between the natural rocks. There is a free car park on some rough ground or there is pay to park next to the big lido.
Written September 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Muriel B
Kent, UK74 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2020 • Family
We spent a couple of hours at the natural pools at the end of October. Very easy to park nearby, it wasn't too busy. We had a great time in the water, there were amazing waves crashing behind us on the other side! A great experience. Note changing rooms are closed due to Covid but easy to change in the toilets in the same building and lockers are available.
Written October 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

vinchy
leeds239 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2021 • Family
Absolutely a wonderful place - one of a kind - Volcanic natural sea water pools !
A bit a blue lagoon in Iceland but it’s sea water , large clean & at €1.50 entry it’s nothing . Lockers are €3 to rent / use the changing rooms
Restaurant on site ..
We enjoyed 2 hours here .. must visit -go for it !
Written September 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

acorna
Vilnius, Lithuania4,465 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2021
This is about the free pools next to the aquarium. We had a limited time between lunch and departure back to Funchal, but it was still marvelous. It is not too deep and water though not really warm (end of September) was still entirely acceptable. Note that there are no changing cabins or lockers there, so it is advisable to carry a larger towel and leave your valuables somewhere safe.
Written October 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MIKECHRISManchester
Manchester, UK568 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2021 • Couples
Well worth a visit, the lava pools are brilliant to swim in although be careful as you are well out of your depth in a large section of it. It is well organised with walkways clearly marked. Some people left their bags around the rocks or you can hire a locker for 3€[10€deposit]
Written October 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Alan M
1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022 • Family
Stop charging people extra for drinks. Was overcharged when paying in cash. My madeiran partner questioned the price. He confirmed it as 1 euro more than the actual price. After stating the priceless I was refunded, thinking it a simple error.i then checked the 2 previous drinks via my bank and realised I was overcharged before. I went back and the person( a young, male, venzualan) was the person in charge. We challenged him again in front of other staffed and smiled whilst saying he overcharged me before. The point is not a few euros, that he was knowingly skimming money
Written May 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Georgia M
Lincoln, UK270 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022
These pools are amazing!
We didn't realise, but there are two groups of pools.

On the east, the pools are much more rocky and natural. They have steps in at places and you can navigate to the different entrances via pathways.

On the west, the pools are still natural, I believe (we didn't go to these ones), but have had a bit of man made input and are more child friendly (but have nicer views looking back towards the cliff faces). So it depends what you would like really, but you have a choice!

We went to the rocky, natural pools and they were so beautiful and refreshing. I could have swam in there all day!

I'd really recommend! If you are going to these ones, though, it may be a good idea to bring water shoes. We didn't have them, but would probably be better!
Written July 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

outoford
Chicago, IL328 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022 • Couples
We definitely wanted to check out this pool and visited as part of a day tour. We were so disappointed when we arrived to learn that no towels were provided — thought we could rent some. Really too bad the tour company didn’t tell us to bring some. Yes towels were for sale at the adjacent shop but for 33 EUROS each!
Luckily someone on our tour had an extra hand towel so we both shared it to dry off a bit but could not take a shower.
The pool and its setting are quite spectacular and not crowded at midday in Oct. Water temp was about 22–refreshing and not too cold. You can rent a locker or take your bag out poolside. Worth a stop …. and, go watch others from the viewing deck if you don’t want to jump in,
Written October 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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