Porto Moniz Natural Pools: Worth the Hype?

On the north coast of Madeira, the sun beats down on a set of black, volcanic rock pools: the Porto Moniz natural pools.

Formed by old lava runs from thousands of years ago, the Porto Moniz swimming pools are also called lava pools or volcanic rockpools.

Surrounded by the terraced northern coastline and with views of the ocean’s never-ending horizon, they are one of Madeira’s most popular attractions. However, are they worth the hype?

Let me explain the key differences between the two Porto Moniz pools and whether they are really worth visiting.

The Porto Moniz pools are two out of four natural pools in Madeira.

Check out how to visit the Doca do Cavacas Funchal natural pools while you’re browsing.

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What is a Natural Swimming Pool?

A natural swimming pool does not require chemicals to stay clean. They are self-replenishing and self-cleaning.

In the case of the Porto Moniz lava pools, the water is constantly replenished by the ocean at high tide. The pools contain natural seawater with no additional chemicals.

History of the Porto Moniz Swimming Pools

The Porto Moniz volcanic pools are located in Porto Moniz, a small town on the northwest coast of Madeira.

The town was first colonised by Portugal at the end of the 15th century. Its main industry was whaling until 1981. Nowadays, it’s mainly sustained by tourism.

The Porto Moniz pools were formed long before these dates. Millions of years ago, the island of Madeira was formed by volcanic eruptions. During the last phase, around 25,000 years ago, lava trickled down the valleys to Porto Moniz.

The lava cooled and hardened, forming a series of pools which were worn down further by coastal erosion.

Where are the Porto Moniz Natural Pools?

There are two natural swimming pools in the town of Porto Moniz.

The first is the main lava pool complex, the Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools. They are located on the west side of Porto Moniz in front of Hotel Aqua Natura Madeira and the Orca restaurant.

The second is the Cachalote Natural Swimming Pools (Aquarium Pools). They are located on the east side of Porto Moniz next to the Madeira Aquarium. They are less than a 10-minute walk from the main pools.

How to get to the Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools

The easiest way to reach the Porto Moniz natural pools is by driving.

The only difficulty with driving to Porto Moniz is that there is limited parking. Porto Moniz has four car parks, which are usually full by midday during the busy tourist season. Arrive early or late in the day for the best chance at securing a parking spot.

Parking at the Porto Moniz Lava Pools

There are four main car parks in Porto Moniz:

1. Parque de Estacionamento Porto Moniz is the closest free car park to the pools. However, it is hard to get a space unless you arrive before 9 or 10 am. 
2. Porto Moniz Public Parking is the main paid car park in Porto Moniz. It costs €5 per day. As it’s so close to the main swimming pools, it quickly fills up.
3. Public Parking Porto Moniz: There are a very small number of free public parking spaces along the promenade. Again, they are usually full.
4. Pools Park: Pools Park is a short walk from the Cachalote pools and within walking distance of the paid Porto Moniz pools. I found the most success parking at Pools Park. It is open between 9:00 am and 9:00 pm. Parking costs €5 for the day or €1 per hour.

The car parks are cash-only. Bring small change, including coins.

The Bus to the Porto Moniz Natural Pools

From Funchal, you can take the Rodoeste no. 80 bus service to the Porto Moniz natural pools.

Journey time: 2.5 – 3 hours

One-way cost: €6

Departure: 10am daily

Bus stop: Go to the Rodoeste Bus Stop in Funchal to buy a ticket from the kiosk and ask for the 80 service.

The 80 service begins in Funchal but also stops at and picks up passengers from:

• Lido, Funchal
• Ponta do Sol
• Jardim do Mar (weekdays only)
• Paul do Mar (weekdays only)
• Ponta do Pargo
• Porto Moniz

The bus arrives in Porto Moniz between 12.30 pm and 1:00 pm.

You can check the up-to-date bus timetable for the 80 service from Funchal to Porto Moniz on the Rodoeste website.

Tours to Porto Moniz

If you don’t want to hire a car or take the long journey by bus, you can take a day tour to the Porto Moniz pools from Funchal.

Tours can be booked online or by visiting a tour agency in Funchal.

What to Expect at the Porto Moniz Pools

The Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools are one of Madeira’s most popular tourist attractions. So, first things first, you should expect large crowds during the summer. 

The average water temperature of the pools is 20 – 21 °C, a gorgeous but refreshing temperature for swimming.

During stormier and windier weather, huge waves crash over the sides of the pools. Sometimes this will result in the pools being closed. However, most of the time, the pools are gentle and rocked only by the occasional rogue wave.

Since water constantly enters and leaves the pools, fish and crabs also live in the pools. If you wear a pair of goggles or snorkels, you can spot fish under the surface. There are deep and shallow pools, as well as rocks under the surface in some areas.

Both pools have access to a restaurant and a bar, so you don’t need to search hard for refreshments. Since so many of the beaches in Madeira are prone to currents and waves, the pools are very popular with families. Don’t expect a big party.

Down below, I’ve provided a quick summary of the two lava pools in Porto Moniz and their main differences.

Let’s dive into the two pools in more detail and whether they are worth the hype.

1. The Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools

The Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools are the largest lava pools in Porto Moniz. The pools are up to two metres deep and surrounded by a large, disjointed sunbathing area (measuring 3217 sq.m.). Sunbeds are available to hire or you can lay down on a towel.

One of the main attractions is the view of the terraced coastline. The pools are also separated from the Atlantic ocean by a large wall. Large waves crash over the edge of the wall, often soaking swimmers.

This is a huge attraction for many people, but it doesn’t mean you should be blasé about safety. Anyone who sits or stands on the wall risks being dragged out into the open ocean, where there are sharp rocks and no easy return route.

As a paid attraction, the Porto Moniz Natural Pools have a good number of facilities, including a changing area and showers. There is also a bar-restaurant serving snacks, meals and other refreshments.

On the east side of the pools, a diving board is open on calm days. The blue springboard is suspended around three metres above the sea, allowing swimmers to catapult into the sea. There’s a blue ladder attached to the rocks where you can climb back up to the pools.

Are the Porto Moniz natural pools worth it?

Visit the Porto Moniz Natural Pools if you want to sunbathe, swim and admire the views. Just bear in mind that they won’t be peaceful. They are packed with tourists and families on sunny days during the spring, summer and autumn. 

2. Cachalote Natural Swimming Pools (Aquarium Pools)

The Cachalote Natural Pools (Aquarium Pools) are free natural swimming pools in Porto Moniz.

They are less busy and smaller than the main pools. Most people bathe in the main Porto Moniz volcanic pools because they have a greater number of facilities. The Cachalote pools don’t have toilets or changing rooms.

At the Cachalote pools, the swimming alleys are narrower and there is less space to sunabthe. For some, this is part of the attraction. They feel wilder. The other pools feel, well, more like a commercial pool.

Although there is less bathing space, there is a large restaurant terrace where you can relax before or after your swim.

The Cachalote pools don’t have a great of a view of the town or the coast, although they look towards the other lava pools and a small island with the Farol do Ilhéu Mole lighthouse.

Are the Cachalote pools worth it?

The Cachalote pools may be free, but they lack sunbathing space and the views aren’t quite as exceptional as those from the main Porto Moniz volcanic pools. However, for a quick swim and a ‘wilder’ experience, they are a good option.

Which is the Best Natural Pool in Porto Moniz?

Porto Moniz Natural Pools	Cachalote Natural Pools
✓ Great views of the Porto Moniz coastline. ✓ A large number of facilities, including changing rooms and showers. ✓ They have a bar-restaurant for refreshments.	✓ Free entry. ✓ Located next to the Cachalote Restaurant. ✓ The pools have a wilder feel. ✓ Less busy.
✖ An entry fee is required. ✖ Very busy during high season.	✖ They only offer outdoor showers. ✖ Less space for sunbathing.

Are the Porto Moniz Swimming Pools Safe?

The Porto Moniz Swimming Pools are as safe as you make them.

The main thing you want to avoid is sitting or standing on the wall at the edge of the lava pools. This wall was specifically built to protect swimmers from being hit and dragged out to the ocean by waves.

Still, a number of people try to sit or stand on the walls for the views or the ‘perfect photo’. They risk being hit by a rogue wave and knocked into the ocean.

Once you’re in the ocean, there’s no way out except for holding onto a ring and swimming out to wait for an expensive rescue boat. People have drowned or been injured on the rocks because they’ve ignored lifeguards’ warnings.

As long as you practise common sense, the Porto Moniz lava pools are perfectly safe for swimming. That being said, you should be a confident and capable swimmer.

There’s a first-aid station located at the main pools. Your biggest chance of injury is scratching your feet on the volcanic rocks. There are shallow rocks within some parts of the pools, so try not to kick your legs around too violently when you’re swimming.

During very dangerous stormy or rough weather conditions, the pools are closed. Rogue waves can make the water more volatile, but usually it is fairly calm.

Is it Worth Staying in Porto Moniz?

The area around Porto Moniz is often described as the ‘real Madeira’. I’m not a huge fan of this term, as while it praises the beauty of rural Madeira, it forgets that almost half of the population live in Funchal.

The cities are just as ‘real’. They just have a completely different atmosphere, having embraced modernities more so than the rural communities. It’s up to you which setting you prefer. If you want a quiet stay surrounded by hills, farms, cottages and hikes, staying near to Porto Moniz is a good idea.

The town of Porto Moniz itself gets incredibly packed during the daytime, which is due to the natural pool attractions. It has a very busy, touristic feel. It’s often difficult to find a seat in a coffee shop or a restaurant at lunchtime.

Most of the crowds disappear in the evening and you’re left with gorgeous starry skies and a peaceful atmosphere in complete contrast with the busy streets of Funchal.

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