The sea temperature at Madeira today is 21.8 °C (71 °F) – cold to refreshing water, better for a short swim. The usual October average is 23.2 °C. Over the last 30 days the sea has cooled from 24.4 °C to 21.8 °C. Swimmable all year – the sea averages 18 °C or more in every month. Source: Sea Temp Map (seatempmap.com) – NASA MUR satellite data and the Copernicus Marine sea forecast.
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 18.8°C / 65.8°F | 19.4°C / 66.9°F | 20.2°C / 68.3°F |
| February | 18.3°C / 65.0°F | 18.8°C / 65.8°F | 19.7°C / 67.4°F |
| March | 17.8°C / 64.1°F | 18.4°C / 65.2°F | 19.0°C / 66.3°F |
| April | 18.1°C / 64.5°F | 18.9°C / 65.9°F | 19.4°C / 67.0°F |
| May | 19.6°C / 67.2°F | 19.9°C / 67.9°F | 20.3°C / 68.6°F |
| June | 20.4°C / 68.6°F | 21.1°C / 69.9°F | 21.6°C / 70.9°F |
| July | 21.6°C / 71.0°F | 22.5°C / 72.4°F | 23.2°C / 73.8°F |
| August | 22.5°C / 72.5°F | 23.3°C / 74.0°F | 24.2°C / 75.5°F |
| September | 23.2°C / 73.8°F | 23.6°C / 74.6°F | 24.3°C / 75.7°F |
| October | 22.5°C / 72.5°F | 23.2°C / 73.7°F | 24.0°C / 75.2°F |
| November | 21.7°C / 71.1°F | 22.0°C / 71.6°F | 22.5°C / 72.6°F |
| December | 19.9°C / 67.8°F | 20.5°C / 68.8°F | 21.1°C / 70.0°F |
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14.6°C / 58.3°F | 15.2°C / 59.4°F | 16.4°C / 61.5°F |
| February | 14.0°C / 57.2°F | 14.7°C / 58.5°F | 16.2°C / 61.2°F |
| March | 13.7°C / 56.6°F | 14.8°C / 58.6°F | 16.4°C / 61.5°F |
| April | 14.4°C / 57.9°F | 15.8°C / 60.4°F | 17.8°C / 64.0°F |
| May | 15.6°C / 60.0°F | 17.1°C / 62.7°F | 19.2°C / 66.6°F |
| June | 17.2°C / 62.9°F | 18.7°C / 65.7°F | 21.0°C / 69.8°F |
| July | 18.7°C / 65.7°F | 20.8°C / 69.4°F | 23.6°C / 74.5°F |
| August | 19.6°C / 67.3°F | 21.6°C / 71.0°F | 24.6°C / 76.2°F |
| September | 19.6°C / 67.3°F | 21.0°C / 69.8°F | 23.0°C / 73.4°F |
| October | 19.1°C / 66.3°F | 20.3°C / 68.5°F | 22.3°C / 72.1°F |
| November | 17.1°C / 62.7°F | 17.9°C / 64.2°F | 19.3°C / 66.8°F |
| December | 15.6°C / 60.0°F | 16.1°C / 61.0°F | 17.2°C / 62.9°F |
5-year averages (2021–2025). Min/Max are typical daily lows and highs, not record extremes. (Copernicus ERA5)
Madeira holidays
Madeira is a Portuguese island in the Atlantic, about 1,000 km south-west of Lisbon and roughly 700 km off the coast of Morocco, rising steeply from the sea to peaks above 1,800 m. The capital, Funchal, climbs the south coast in terraces, and the island's ancient laurel forest, the Laurisilva, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Beaches
Being volcanic, the island has few natural sandy beaches; most are dark pebbles or black sand, and many people swim in sea pools and at lidos instead. Praia Formosa, on the western edge of Funchal, is a long beach of pebbles and dark sand. The sea temperature on this page is measured off the north coast near Santana. On the north coast, Seixal has black sand below green cliffs and Porto Moniz has natural pools in the lava rock. For golden sand, Calheta and Machico have imported beaches, and the neighbouring island of Porto Santo has about 9 km of natural sand.
Things to do
Walking the levadas, irrigation channels that contour around the mountains, is the classic Madeira activity, and the PR1 trail links Pico do Areeiro with Pico Ruivo, the highest point at 1,862 m (booking and a fee required, one-way on the main section). From Funchal a cable car climbs to Monte, where wicker toboggans steered by two drivers slide back down the streets, a tradition dating from the 19th century. The Mercado dos Lavradores sells fruit and flowers, wine lodges pour Madeira wine, and the CR7 Museum on the waterfront celebrates Cristiano Ronaldo, who was born in Funchal.
Weather and best time to visit
From June to December the sea at Madeira is warmer than 20 °C / 68 °F.
The climate is mild all year, so Madeira is as much a winter destination as a summer one; the north and the mountains are wetter and cloudier than the sunny south coast around Funchal. The New Year's Eve fireworks over Funchal's bay are the highlight of the winter season.
Hotels and where to stay
Most hotels are in Funchal, especially in the Lido hotel zone west of the centre, close to the sea pools and the promenade; the old town (Zona Velha) has smaller hotels and restaurants. Caniço, Calheta and Ponta do Sol suit a quieter stay, and the north coast is the base for walkers.
Signature hotels: Reid's Palace (Funchal) · Savoy Palace (Funchal)
Airport and getting there
Madeira's Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport (FNC) is at Santa Cruz, about 20 km east of Funchal and a 20 to 25 minute drive. Part of its runway stands on pillars over the sea, and strong winds sometimes delay landings. A ferry links Funchal with Porto Santo in just over two hours.