Porto Moniz Natural Pools: Everything to Know Before You Go
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The Porto Moniz Natural Pools are an iconic attraction for locals and tourists alike in Porto Moniz, Madeira. These pools formed by volcanic rock are perfect for swimming in on a sunny day. You can lounge by the ocean and enjoy stellar views without actually swimming on the extremely rocky coastline.
If you’re ready to book a tour for the Porto Moniz Natural Pools, head straight to browsing tour options at this link or choose from the list below!
Note there are both paid and free natural pools in Porto Moniz! This post largely focuses on the paid attraction and speaks to the amenities and facilities. For information about the free natural pools in Porto Moniz, skip to that section of this post!
To keep learning about the paid complex for the Porto Moniz Natural Pools and nearby activities, keep reading and check out these sections below!
Book early to get the best prices on your next flight to Madeira!
History of Porto Moniz Natural Pools
Madeira is a small Portuguese island about 500 miles southwest of Portugal. It actually sits closer to Morocco in Africa than Europe! Its location in the Pacific Ocean ensures the island has a wonderfully moderate climate year round. Temperatures are in the 50s to 70s generally and October to March bring slightly cooler temperatures.
Porto Moniz sits on Madeira’s northern coast. The Porto Moniz Natural Pools are the town’s main attraction, bringing in thousands to hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. They are certainly a top destination to visit for locals and international travelers alike.
Looking to stay in Porto Moniz? Check out lodging options on Booking.com.
As Madeira itself is an island formed by a dormant volcano, it’s no surprise the Porto Moniz Natural Pools are formed from volcanic rock over the centuries as well. The natural formations are due to years and years of erosion and impact from the Atlantic Ocean. The pools are still actually open to the ocean too which means fresh seawater is constantly replacing the water within the pools. Even with all the amenities surrounding the swimming area, the pools themselves are still largely left to nature.
Why You Should Visit the Porto Moniz Natural Pools
The rock formations of the pools make for a fun swimming area that provides a different experience than your typical swimming pool or beach. There are lots of different pockets to explore and you can hunt for the perfect spot to set up your towel. You’ll enjoy a dip in the water and time spent relaxing in the sunshine.
These are a great alternative to a sandy beach day and are amazing for the whole family! With the amenities (see the Amenities section below), both kids, couples, and solo travelers can enjoy a day spent at the Porto Moniz Natural Pools. And even if you aren’t into lounging by the pool all day, Porto Moniz is still worth the visit for its natural beauty.
The Porto Moniz Natural Pools are quite literally on the rocky Madeira coastline. Visiting the Porto Moniz Natural Pools means you have unbeatable views and can enjoy the sounds and smells of the ocean without compromising your safety. You’ll enjoy all the amenities of a public swimming area without the sand and currents of the beach. The best part is hearing the crashing waves on the coast as you are relaxing next to the pools.
As you might expect, the Porto Moniz Natural Pools definitely get busy! You’ll want to arrive early to claim your ideal spot. I would also be prepared to be set up near other visitors as there is only so much free space around the pools.
Visitor Information for Porto Moniz Natural Pools
Operating Hours
The Porto Moniz Natural Pools are open year round! In the summer hours are 9am-7pm while in winter they are 9am-5pm. There are lifeguards, a first aid station, and disability access available at the pools to ensure everyone’s safety.
Entrance Ticket
You need a ticket to enter the public swimming area at any time during the year. The ticket is only 3 euros (as of 2026) and it allows you access to all the amenities of the facility as well as access to the pools for as long as you’d like. Note I have found mixed reviews on whether you can leave the facility and return on the same ticket so if you are considering exploring town and want to swim again, double check whether your ticket is good for the whole day or if you will have to purchase a new one upon your return.
It is not necessary to book tickets to the Porto Moniz Pools ahead of time. You can easily walk up and purchase a ticket the day of!
Parking
Parking immediately next to the pools can fill up fast. However, you’ll only pay 5 euros for the day which is fantastic if you are exploring Porto Moniz into the afternoon.
There is additional parking throughout Porto Moniz. Some is paid and some is free and it also depends on whether you visit during a weekday or not. A bit more detail on parking in the municipality of Porto Moniz can be found on the Porto Moniz website. You’ll want to have small coins on hand because most of the meters take coins and you need exact change or end up overpaying!
Don’t forget to look at rental cars and book early so you have great transportation for your vacation! Rental cars can be picked up from Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport so you get to start exploring immediately!
Food and Amenities
Yes, there is food inside the public swimming area in Porto Moniz! Guests can enjoy ice cream, packaged snacks, bottled water, soft drinks and more for purchase.
Amenities at the Porto Moniz Natural Pools include locker rooms, changing areas, restrooms, indoor showers and outdoor showers for rinsing after your swim. The paid natural pools are also family friendly with a children’s pool and playground. You can rent chairs and umbrellas to use during your visit as well which is detailed on Visit Madeira.
Lastly, the Porto Moniz Natural Pools are right at the heart of Porto Moniz. When you are finished swimming you can always walk into town to explore. There are more food options, local hiking trails, and shops to check out. See More About Porto Moniz below.
Best Time to Visit Porto Moniz Natural Pools
You can visit the Porto Moniz Natural Pools any time of the year! Due to Madeira’s moderate climate, there are no exceptionally cold or rainy months that prevent you from enjoying the pools. Of course in the winter temperatures may be a little cooler. However, in the summer, the pools will also be a lot busier!
I recommend arriving early in the day to avoid the afternoon heat and crowds. You can grab breakfast in town, swim for a while, then leave to continue your exploration of the town or island. As with any popular attraction, you will also notice that the pools are significantly busier on the weekend than if you stop in earlier in the week.
Tours Including the Porto Moniz Natural Pools
If you’re looking to add the Porto Moniz Natural Pools to your trip itinerary but maybe don’t have a car, check out some of these tour offerings! You can get picked up from a variety of locations and enjoy a half or full day around the island with a stop at the pools included. Double check whether your tour includes your entry ticket to the facility or not!
Interested in reading about another top attraction in Madeira? Learn more about the Madeira Botanical Garden by reviewing my blog post here.
More about Porto Moniz
Where to Stay
Porto Moniz is a small town on the island of Madeira. Many visitors stop in simply to spend time at the Porto Moniz Natural Pools. However, if you’re looking to spend some more time exploring town, there are a few restaurants and shops you can check out!
You can also stay in Porto Moniz if you’re looking to spend more time at the pools (maybe you want to check out the paid pools one day and the free another) or if you want a jumping off point for other activities on Madeira’s western or northern coasts. Visit Booking.com to find your perfect Porto Moniz stay near Madeira’s beautiful coast.
Free Cachalote Natural Swimming Pools
If you are doing any research about the Porto Moniz Natural Pools, you will hear over and over again about the two options available: paid or free. You really can’t go wrong with either option, but it all depends on what you are looking for and what you enjoy! As I am writing this, I can say I have only done the paid option (as I didn’t know the free option existed when I visited) but if I am lucky enough to return one day I’ll certainly check out the Cachalote pools!
The paid facilities in Porto Moniz get you all the amenities such as washrooms, lifeguards, snack bar, etc. It is a maintained area where you don’t really have to worry about anything once you’re in.
On the other hand, the free pools on the east side of town are a little more wild and even more natural. It can be harder to find a place to set up for the day and I would consider a child’s swimming ability before bringing them there, but you can’t deny they are beautiful. You can come and go as you please if you want to return but are hoping to explore more in town that day.
Madeira Info has a great comparison post between the paid and free pools in Porto Moniz.
Restaurants
La Cochinha was a fantastic breakfast spot we visited on our trip to Porto Moniz. We sat outside on a terrace in the sunshine and had a delicious meal! I had a salmon tartar with strawberry juice while Ben had chocolate cake for some reason (let’s say it was brunch haha) and a strawberry mango smoothie. Of course we had a couple espressos as well!
Some other restaurants include Olhos D’Água, Sea View Restaurante, and Cantina Esmeralda Brilhante. There aren’t too many options in Porto Moniz, but enough to fill up a day trip certainly! A few snack bars and small cafes are nearby as well.
Shopping
There are a few souvenir shops a short walk from the Porto Moniz Natural Pools as well for little mementos or gifts. There are Portuguese-made art pieces, clothes, postcards, and homegoods. As I’ve said, it is not a large town, but it certainly is beautiful and well worth a visit during your time in Madeira.
I hope this post was helpful in planning your trip to the Porto Moniz Natural Pools! They are a beautiful swimming area that I highly recommend including in your Madeira adventure! If you’re looking for more to do around the island of Madeira, be sure to browse all my Madeira, Portugal posts.
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