Gretchen Stuppy Carlson
Madeira was on my bucket list for a long time, so when I finally got the chance to visit, I was ready to soak up every last minute. I loved exploring the island and hiking but I also wanted to make sure we spent some time enjoying the coast including some of the nature swimming holes. Below you can see exactly how to visit the Seixal Swimming Pools on the North Coast of the Island.
If you are looking for some incredible hikes on the island – here are our 3 favorites:
- How to Watch the Sunrise from Pico do Arieiro Trail, Madeira
- How to Hike to Levada do Caldeirão Verde
- How to Hike Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8)
What are the Seixal Swimming Pools
Madeira is famous for its dramatic coastline and volcanic landscapes, and one of the most unique places to experience this is at the Seixal Swimming Pools on the island’s north coast. Formed by black volcanic rock and filled with crystal-clear seawater, these natural pools offer a more peaceful and scenic alternative to the better-known Porto Moniz pools. The water here is chilly and there is a small fee to enter.
Many people choose to visit the Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools which are a bit west of Seixal.
It’s important to note that on the other side of the town of Seixal there is a natural swimming pool and black sand beach that are also great to visit. There is no fee to visit these pools but they aren’t quite as naturally prettier at the Piscinas Naturais do Seixal. The image below is the Black Sand Beach.
Getting to the Seixal Swimming Pools
The road down to the Seixal Swimming Pools is very steep. It’s best to park on the main road above the pools and walk down to the bottom. There is plenty of parking along the road and a restaraunt at the top. You can’t drive all the way to the pools so will need to walk the last part no matter what.
From the road, walk the steep road downhill. About halfway down there is a gate and you will need to pay a fee to enter (when we visited in 2025 the fee was 2.5 euros). Once inside there are several pools, a changing room and a snackbar.
Seixal Swimming Pools – Practical Checklist
- Location: North coast of Madeira.
- Accessibility: Short drive from Funchal and Porto Moniz.
- Parking: Available nearby; check for limited spots during peak season.
- Facilities: Minimal—few cafés/restaurants, limited bathrooms/showers, no lifeguards.
- Cost: Free entry.
Best Time to Visit:
- Summer for swimming; off-season for fewer crowds.
- Mornings for calm water and quieter pools.
- Check weather and tide conditions (pools affected by surf).
Tips for Visiting:
- Wear water shoes for volcanic rocks.
- Bring sunscreen, hat, and shade.
- Be cautious of slippery rocks and waves.
- Pack towels, snacks, and optional snorkel gear.
Our Visit to the Seixal Natural Pools
We spent the morning at the pools before heading up to the Fanal Forest. It was a bit cool and since the water was cold we didn’t do a lot of swimming. When the tide is right the water flows in and over to the natural swimming pools.
There are two sides to the pools, one is more of a beach with a large pool and the other side has an archway into a pool. The rocks are very sharp and slippery in both pools. We decided not to eat at the snack bar at the pool and drove to the other side of town for lunch at Avista Navios (we highly recommend this spot with a great view).
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