On Madeira’s eastern tip, Prainha do Caniçal is a small natural beach with dark sand, clear water and cliffs along the shore. It is a quiet place to swim or snorkel, with red starfish and black crabs among the marine life you may spot. Sunbeds and umbrellas are available to rent from the beach bar. The beach sits near Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço, so it can be a welcome stop after a hike. At high tide, the water can cover the sand, and space is limited.
A rare sandy beach on Madeira
Prainha do Caniçal lies near the eastern tip of Madeira, close to Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço. Its dark sand is unusual on an island with few natural sandy beaches. Cliffs frame the shore, and a basic café is set beneath them.
The beach is a small crescent. At high tide, water can reach the rocks and leave no sand, so the amount of usable shore changes with the tide.
Getting down to the shore
From the free parking area uphill, stairs lead down to the beach. A short walk west along the trail brings you to a view of an arch in the water.
The rocky edges are good places to look for crabs and lizards. In the clear water, snorkeling can reveal marine life such as red starfish. Sunbeds and umbrellas can be rented at the beach bar.
Häufige Fragen
How do you get to Prainha do Caniçal?
Park in the free area uphill, then take the stairs down to the beach.
Is Prainha do Caniçal sandy?
Yes. It has dark natural sand, but high tide can cover the beach and leave little or no sand.
Can you rent sunbeds and umbrellas?
Yes. Sunbeds cost €2 and umbrellas €1.50 at the beach bar.
What can you see while snorkeling?
The clear water gives you a chance to spot marine life, including red starfish.
