I’ve spent so much time there walking around pregnant and at first month of my baby, that this place is absolutely special to me and I cannot resist to put it in the first places to see.
My husband has a surf school in Porto da Cruz, which is teaching all year around and the waves are good for everybody – first time comers, beginners and intermediate surfers. I’ll tell you below about the conditions, and now lets go back to Porto da Cruz itself.
It is a very small rural village, which has many attractions around – lots of mountain walks and mountain bike routs end here, there are few surf schools and a paragliding spot. The place is known for producing wine and there is a rum factory that you can visit.
Things to Do:
Walk Around: If you arrive to Praia de Lagoa – there is a beautiful walk that you can do with your baby, which can take you around one hour. Start from the beach – go to the Rum factory and walk around it, then pass the swimming pools and go up to Mayata beach. If you are with the backpack or you baby walks already you can have beautiful time at Mayata watching ways and observing surfers. Its one of the most beautiful beaches on the island, in my view.
If you are with the baby carriage – you can walk up to the small river in the beginning of Mayata beach, or you can return to the same route, or simply cut between the restaurants, pass Pipa restaurant and you are back where you started.
Swimming Pool: The Porto da Cruz Seashore Advanced contains two swimming swimming pools one for adults and the opposite for kids. It has bogs, showers, WCs, a kiosk, everlasting solar loungers and sunshades for rent and on-street parking. The smimming pool is seasonal and opens in the summer.
Surf: The sandy beach of Porto da Cruz is one of the few safe and equipped places that allows the beginners to surf in Madeira. There are few surf schools which you can easily find in the internet. But of course I will tell you about my husband’s surf club that functions here since 2001. Surf Clube da Madeira is run by Miguel Costa and João Febrer. The guys will pick you up in Funchal at jardim de Santa Luzia, the surf lessons are for everyone, new comers, beginners and intermediate surfers. Book your lesson 48 hours before the day, the lesson require a minimal of 4 pupils and a max of 10, if the pupil is below the age of 8 he/she should have a private lesson
Included: Transportation (to and from the beach) – Insurance – All the surf material needed (surfboard, wetsuit and leash)
Not included: – Meals or snacks, swimsuit, towel or sunscreen
Prices: – 25 € per lesson/per person – 45 € Private lesson
Contacts:
– João Febrer: +351 963 356 674 – Miguel Costa: +351 967 132 850
Rum Factory: There’s the Engenho do Norte Sugar Cane and Rum Museum. It is built in the beginning of the 20th century (1927) and equipped with machinery from the 19th century.It is dedicated exclusively to the production of sugar cane rum according to the original process, including the “Branca” rum and the “Envelhecida 970 Reserva” rum.
The factory is open 9am until 6pm every day apart from Sundays and it’s free. There is a small tour of the steam-powered machinery and a shop where you can taste and buy some rum. You can see the full process of rum production from March to May when there is a season of sugar cane harvesting.
Here’s the link to the factory’s website http://www.visitmadeira.pt/en-gb/explore/detalhe/northern-milling-company-sorum.
Restaurants: I will name only two which are worthy to visit in my opinion.
Snack Bar Pipa – is my favorite, probably one of the best on the island. Always fresh fish, super tasty Polvo burger. Please check the opening days and hours and take cash with you – they don’t accept foreign bank cards. ☏ +351 968527400. Tu–F 12:00-00:00, Sa Su 09:00-22:00. €30 covers mains for two including drinks.
Snackbar Praia da Alagoa. Daily 10:00-23:00. Bar, restaurant and events venue next to the Alagoa Beach. I wouldn’t recommend the food there but it’s a good place to have a drink or poncho after surfing
Snackbar Piscinas Daily 10:00-21:00. There is a claster of restaurants near the swimming pools. I wouldn’t recommend food or drink at any of them, but it’s a good sea-view spot.
