Spearfishing in Madeira
In Madeira, spearfishing is mostly about choosing the lee. The south and southwest coast around Funchal, Caniço and Porto Santo is sheltered, clear and usually protected from north swell, while Porto Moniz represents the exposed side. Garajau is a major dive landmark, but it is a no-take reserve. Doca do Cavacas, Zimbralinho and reefs outside protected limits require attention to authorisations, reserve boundaries and depth.
TL;DR
- The south coast and southwest Porto Santo are the calmer leeward options.
- Garajau is no-take, with all fishing banned inside the reserve.
- Porto Moniz is exposed volcanic north coast, mainly for summer calms.
Madeira is described as a deep volcanic archipelago rather than a shallow continental shore. The most forgiving line is the leeward side: Funchal, Caniço and southwest Porto Santo face south to southwest, roughly 165 to 180 degrees, and are usually sheltered from north swell. This gives warm, very clear water, deep drop-offs close to shore and usable conditions for much of the year when the island's lee is chosen for the wind. Porto Moniz is the contrast. It faces north at about 340 degrees, with exposed volcanic rock and a more serious open-coast entry that fits summer calms. The named access points are also clearly separated by rules. Doca do Cavacas at Ponta da Cruz sits outside the western edge of Garajau and requires moving away from the guarded pools onto the rock reef. Zimbralinho on Porto Santo is named as a good departure point, with volcanic pillow lavas and crystalline water on the leeward southwest coast. The Funchal to Caniço line is sheltered and clear, but Garajau itself is a dive landmark, not a hunting spot.
Top spots
| Spot | Nearest city | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Doca do Cavacas (Ponta da Cruz) | Funchal | rock reef by bathing complex |
| Zimbralinho Beach (Cabeço da Ponta) | Porto Santo | volcanic pillow-lava reef |
| South-coast leeward reefs (Funchal / Caniço line) | Caniço / Garajau | sheltered deep drop-off |
| Porto Moniz volcanic north-coast reef | Porto Moniz | exposed volcanic rock |
Reserves & no-take zones
- Reserva Natural Parcial do Garajau — No-take marine reserve on the south coast (7 dive sites: Lazareto, Pináculo, Mamas, Praia do Garajau, Baía dos Porcos, Arena, Galo). ALL fishing banned, sailing restricted — a dive landmark, NOT a hunting spot. West edge at Ponta do Lazareto.
- Rede de Áreas Marinhas Protegidas do Porto Santo — Protected Marine Areas Network — access must be authorized/licensed by the Madeira Natural Park Service (SPNM); fishing not allowed in the protected areas.
Cities in this region
FAQ
Is spearfishing allowed in Garajau?
No. The Garajau Partial Nature Reserve is a no-take marine reserve on the south coast, and all fishing is banned there. It is listed as a dive landmark, not a spearfishing spot.
What is the best season for Madeira?
The leeward south coast is marked as usable most of the year if you pick the island's lee for the wind. Porto Moniz on the north coast is exposed and mainly suited to summer calms.
Does a DGRM licence cover Porto Santo?
In Madeira, the explicit requirement in Porto Santo is authorisation or licensing by the Madeira Natural Park Service for the protected marine areas, where fishing is not allowed.
Where is the clearest legal Funchal access?
Doca do Cavacas at Ponta da Cruz is described as the westernmost Funchal entry and clearly outside the Garajau reserve. The instruction is to move off the guarded pools onto the rock reef.
How demanding is Porto Moniz access?
Porto Moniz is an exposed north-coast volcanic reef. It is a serious open-coast entry, mainly diveable in summer calms.