Seixal: Madeira's Black-Sand Beach

Seixal, on Madeira’s wild north coast, has one of the island’s most beautiful spots: a black-sand beach beneath towering green cliffs and waterfalls, plus natural rock pools and terraced vineyards. It’s a great stop on a drive to Porto Moniz.

Quick answer: Seixal is about 45 minutes to 1 hour from Funchal, 15 minutes east of Porto Moniz. Swim from the black-sand beach (lifeguards are usually on duty in the summer season) or in the natural pools, photograph the cliffs and waterfalls, and visit the nearby Veu da Noiva waterfall viewpoint. See west Madeira tours.

Why go

Most of Madeira’s coast is rocky, and much of its sand is imported. Seixal’s beach is one of the few with natural sand, and it is jet black. Behind it, steep cliffs covered in green rise straight up, with thin waterfalls running down them after rain. It is small, free and far less busy than Porto Moniz, and it makes a great swim stop on a day touring the north coast. The village is part of the municipality of Porto Moniz.

Things to do

• The black-sand beach: Praia do Porto do Seixal, dark volcanic sand framed by lush cliffs. There are showers, toilets and a beach café. Waves roll in most days, and surf lessons run here. The council has provided lifeguards here since 2025, and in 2026 the bathing season ran from 1 June to 30 September.
• Natural pools: swimming in rock pools by the sea, a short walk from the beach along the small harbour. Rock walls keep the water calmer than the open sea. The Clube Naval pools next to the beach are free, with loungers, a bar and kayak hire.
• Poças das Lesmas: a second set of natural pools a little east, near Praia da Laje, with a big lava arch you can swim under. Steep steps lead down to them. Since 2024 they have had a lifeguard, toilets and a bar, and charge a small entry fee (about €2.50).
• The “Bridal Veil” waterfall: a waterfall tumbling down the cliffs, seen from a viewpoint on the coast road. The Miradouro do Véu da Noiva sits just east of Seixal on the way to São Vicente, and the water falls straight down the cliff towards the sea. The viewpoint is free, flat and paved, with its own small car park. Allow 10 to 15 minutes.
• Vineyards: terraced vines on the steep slopes. Look for the traditional heather (urze) hedges that shelter the vines from the sea wind. The area is known for Sercial grapes, used to make the driest style of Madeira wine. See the Madeira wine guide.
• The village: a short wander past the church and old houses, with views down to the harbour.
• Chão da Ribeira: a green valley above Seixal, filled with laurel forest and small farms. There is a picnic park with barbecues, and walking trails lead deeper into the valley towards waterfalls. Canyoning trips also start here. See Madeira levada walks.

Getting there

• By car: the quickest route from Funchal goes through the mountain tunnels to São Vicente and then west along the north coast road. Allow about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic.
• Parking: there is a small car park at the beach. It is very limited on sunny summer days and at weekends, so arrive early or park in the village and walk down.
• By bus: regional SIGA buses run along the north coast, but services are not frequent. All routes were renumbered in March 2026, so ignore older guides and check current timetables before you plan a day around them.
• On a tour: many west Madeira day tours stop at Seixal or the Véu da Noiva viewpoint.

How long to spend

Two to three hours covers the beach, the pools and a walk along the seafront. A good one-day route from Funchal: drive up to Fanal in the morning for the old laurel trees, go down to Porto Moniz for lunch and the lava pools, then spend the afternoon swimming at Seixal and stop at Véu da Noiva on the way back through São Vicente.

Nearby

• Porto Moniz: see the Porto Moniz pools.
• Fanal: see the Fanal forest.
• São Vicente: a pretty village. Its volcanic caves have been closed since 2020.
• Santana: further east, with its triangular thatched houses. See Santana.

Food

The beach café covers snacks and drinks, and there are a few restaurants in the village and along the coast road. Try fresh grilled fish, limpets (lapas) with garlic butter, espetada and bolo do caco. Finish with a glass of local Madeira wine.

When to go

• Swimming: June to September has the warmest water, the calmest seas and lifeguards on duty.
• Waterfalls: they run strongest after autumn and winter rain.
• Time of day: morning or late afternoon, when the car park is quieter.

Tips

• Sea: the north coast can be rough, so swim only in calm conditions. Check the flag and use the pools if the waves are big. Large waves can arrive without warning, so keep away from exposed rocks.
• Weather: cloudier and cooler than Funchal.
• Hot sand: black sand gets very hot in summer, so bring sandals.
• Bring: water shoes for the rocky pools.

FAQ

Is the sand at Seixal beach natural?

Yes. Unlike some of Madeira’s golden beaches, which use imported sand, Seixal’s black sand is natural volcanic sand that built up beside the harbour.

Do you have to pay for the natural pools in Seixal?

The Clube Naval pools next to the beach are free. The Poças das Lesmas pools nearby have charged a small fee, about €2.50, since lifeguards were added in 2024.

Is Seixal in Madeira the same as Seixal near Lisbon?

No. There is also a town called Seixal across the river from Lisbon. This guide covers the village on Madeira’s north coast, near Porto Moniz.

Can you swim at Seixal in winter?

You can on calm days, but the water is cooler, the north coast is often rough and there are no lifeguards outside the summer season. The natural pools are the safer choice.

More: the Madeira itinerary and getting around Madeira.

See also: the São Vicente caves (closed for now) and the best beaches in Madeira.

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