Seixal, the black beach under the cliffs
A north-coast village with a black-sand beach, pools in the lava rock and vines growing on terraces above the sea.
Seixal at a glance
A north-coast village with a black-sand beach, sea pools in the lava rock and vines on terraces above the sea.
- Where
- Porto Moniz, on the north coast
- From Funchal by car
- about 50 min
- Time to allow
- 15 minutes, or 1 to 2 hours with a swim
- The beach
- by the harbour, free, with a bar and showers; lifeguards June to September
- Natural pools entry
- €2.50
Go there with us
- West Madeira: Porto Moniz, Seixal and Fanal Private tour 8 h €2501–4
- Wine Way: the lodges and the vines Private tour 8 h €2801–4
- Cruise day, 6 to 7 hours Private tour 6–7 h €2301–4
- Surf lesson day at Porto da Cruz Private tour 5 h €2151–4
Prices are for the whole car, not per person. Each page has the price for 5 or 6.
What you see and do
Seixal sits on a low headland of lava on the north coast, with steep green slopes behind it. By the harbour is a beach of black sand, by the harbour, free, with a bar and showers; lifeguards June to September. West of the harbour, the natural pools sit in the rocks by Praia da Laje, with a bar and toilets. The Clube Naval by the harbour has a free pool too.
The vines grow close to the sea here, on stepped terraces under trellises, sheltered by heather hedges. Just east of the village, the Véu da Noiva viewpoint is on the old coast road east of Seixal, facing a stream that falls off the green slope towards the sea.
Before you go
- Three places to swim. The harbour beach is free, the natural pools cost €2.50, and the Clube Naval pool is free.
- Watch the sea. At the natural pools, large waves can arrive suddenly even when the sea looks calm. Stay away from the outer rocks.
- The north coast is windier and wetter than the south, so bring a layer.
- Searching on a map? There is another Seixal near Lisbon. Look for Seixal, Porto Moniz.
Seixal with us
Our west Madeira day stops by the beach for about 15 minutes on the way to Porto Moniz, after the Véu da Noiva viewpoint. The Wine Way starts its day at the vine terraces here. For a swim and a slow afternoon, take a day with a driver and set the stops yourself.
Nearby, on the same day
All places-
Porto Moniz
A village at the north-west tip with seawater pools in the black lava rock: a paid complex and free pools nearby.
-
Fanal
Centuries-old til trees standing in open grass on the plateau above Seixal, often in fog.
-
São Vicente
A north-coast village at a river mouth, with a 1692 chapel built inside a basalt rock; its lava caves are closed.
-
Ribeira da Janela
Sea stacks off a pebble beach at the mouth of Madeira's longest river; a hole in one islet gave the place its name.
Seixal questions
Is Seixal beach free?
Yes. The black-sand beach by the harbour is free, with a bar and showers next to it. The natural pools west of the harbour charge €2.50.
Is Seixal good for swimming?
In calm weather, yes: lifeguards watch the harbour beach from June to September. The north coast gets bigger waves than the south, and at the natural pools large waves can arrive suddenly, so check the sea before you go in.
How far is Seixal from Funchal?
About 50 minutes by car, through the tunnels to São Vicente and west along the coast.
Seixal on the west day
Seixal, Porto Moniz and the Fanal forest in one day from your hotel. Send us a date and we reply within 60 minutes, 07:00–22:00, with the price for the car.
West Madeira: Porto Moniz, Seixal and Fanal €250 per car for 1 to 4 people, €290 for 5 or 6