Porto Moniz, Madeira
The small town of Porto Moniz on the northwest coast of Madeira is famous for its volcanic rock pools which are ideal for safe sea bathing.
An agricultural center, Porto Moniz is on two levels with the main civic buildings, shops and banks set around the Igreja Matriz church on the higher level and the lower level devoted to bathing and eating.
The main lava pools which fill at high tide are the Piscinas Naturais do Porto Moniz and the Piscinas Naturais do Aquário near the islet of Ilhéu Mole.
The town is included on most bus tours of Madeira and coaches usually arrive from around 11 am to 3 pm. Outside those hours Porto Moniz is a lovely place to linger for a few days.
The total population of Porto Moniz is less than 3,000 inhabitants.
History
Porto Moniz is named after Francisco Moniz O Velho one of the first settlers on Madeira.
An aristocrat from the Algarve region, Moniz was related through marriage to João Gonçalves Zarco, the first captain of Funchal, appointed by Henry the Navigator.
During the development of the island Porto Moniz was somewhat isolated from the rest of Madeira.
The town was a center of the whaling industry until the 1980s.
Lava Pools & Beaches
The main lava pools in Porto Moniz are the Piscinas Naturais do Porto Moniz and the Piscinas Naturais do Aquário.
The Piscinas Naturais do Porto Moniz have been developed into a lido facility and are the safer of the two for families with young children.
The Piscinas Naturais do Aquário near the town's aquarium in the old castle and Ilhéu Mole are left in their natural state.
The black basalt rocks are sharp so care should be taken.
Other places for swimming are the Foz da Ribeira da Janela near the camp site with showers and the Piscinas do Clube Naval do Seixal in Seixal also with showers, a small bar/cafe and kayaks and diving gear for rent.
Praia do Porto de Abrigo do Seixal is a beautiful, black sandy beach with showers, a bar/cafe and kayak rental.
Calhau das Achadas da Cruz is a small pebble beach with wonderfully clear water, west of the main town.
Poças das Lesmas is another fine beach with clear and crystalline waters set in a beautiful landscape.
Aquarium
The small Aquario da Madeira is set within the old castle, the Forte de São João Baptista de Porto Moniz.
The fort is made from the local basalt stone and dates from 1730. It was built to protect the town from piracy.
The aquarium, which opened in 2005, has 12 tanks containing marine creatures from the waters surrounding Madeira.
The small sharks and rays are the standout attractions. It is also possible to go diving in the tanks with an instructor to get up close and personal with the fish.
Don't come expecting a huge facility, the aquarium is small but still of interest especially for children.
It is open from 10 am to 6 pm daily.
Viewpoints (Miradouro)
Porto Moniz is overlooked by several viewpoints (Miradouro) which afford superb views of the town and surrounding ocean.
These include the Miradouro da Santa (Miradouro da Santinha) with great views of the town and Ilhéu Mole, the Ribeira da Janela Viewpoint with views of Seixal, São Vicente, and Ponta Delgada, the Pico Viewpoint and the Parque de Merendas Viewpoint with incredible vistas of the Ribeira da Janela valley.
The Miradouro do Teleférico das Achadas da Cruz is the view from the cable car here.
For walkers the main trail here is the Levada da Ribeira da Janela south of the town through rich forest and taking in waterfalls and more great views.
Eat & Drink
There are several good places to eat and drink in Porto Moniz to sample the local cuisine. The seafood here is some of the best on the island.
Some recommended cafes and restaurants include Conchinha at Rua dos Emigrantes 4 serving both lunch and a variety of delicious cakes.
Sea View Restaurante as the name suggests has great views plus outdoor seating. It is at Vila do Porto Moniz Rotunda das Piscinas No 3.
The nearby Restaurante Polo Norte serves seafood as well as vegetarian options with excellent local wine.
O Cachalote on Frente de Mar de Porto Moniz ranks as one of the best if not the best seafood restaurant in Porto Moniz.
Accommodation
If you visit to stay in Porto Moniz, there are several possibilities, ranging from top-end hotels to guesthouses and rental apartments.
Hotels include the recommended, four-star Aqua Natura Madeira with Atlantic Ocean views and the Aqua Natura Bay, also four-star, complete with gym, outdoor swimming pool, a sauna, a Turkish bath, and a hot tub.
For those on a budget try the Centro de Juventude do Porto Moniz (Youth Hostel) or Pensão Fernandes, a short drive southwest of the main town.
See here for a complete listing of accommodation in and around Porto Moniz.
Access
Porto Moniz is 50 km northwest of Funchal.
From Funchal Rodoeste operates the #80 bus to Porto Moniz once a day leaving Funchal at 10 am on weekdays and 10.10 am on weekends and public holidays. Return buses from Porto Moniz to Funchal depart at 4 pm. The journey takes 2 hours and 40 minutes stopping at many places along the route.
The #139 bus also goes to the town from Funchal and is more frequent but slower.
There are departures every day at 7.35 am, also from Monday to Saturday at 1.30 pm, from Monday to Friday at 2.10 pm, 6. 20 pm and 7.05 pm, and Saturdays at 5.35 pm.
The journey time is around 3 hours with a change of bus and wait of about 30 minutes in São Vincente.
By car the quickest route is along the VE4 and VE2 highways north through the interior and then west along the coast from São Vincente. Driving time is about 50 minutes depending on traffic.
Coming on the southern route via Ponta do Pargo along the coast on the VR1 and VE3 highways takes around 90 minutes.
