Get onboard the historic Santa Maria replica of Christopher Columbus ship for a 3-hour trip alongside the pretty coast. You will feel you had gone back in time with the crew dressed in period costume and enjoy a very relaxing time. Along the way, there will be some stops at specific points and some history and wildlife facts. The ship continues as far as Cabo Girão, the highest sea cliff on the Island, where you can see the geological rock formations and remnants of the cooled lava flow after the volcano erupted. Although not a dedicated whale and dolphin trip, who knows, you will be rewarded with a pod of dolphins or spot a whale or a turtle too! You will be able to take a swim if you want (Summer), and the crew will serve you a small glass of Madeira wine and some Madeira Honey cake included in the price. This trip is an experience like no other. BOOK NOW!
Did you know?
With seven local artisans, Mr Robert Mijntje built this magnificent replica of Christopher Columbus’, the symbolic vessel Santa Maria de Colombo Funchal Portugal.
They built it at the fishing village of Câmara de Lobos, and the construction took a year to finish in July 1998.
Santa Maria de Colombo Madeira represented Madeira Wine at Expo 98 in Lisbon.
Most of the people call it the pirate ship.
How to say it in …
Português: Nau Santa Maria de Colombo.
Français: Caravelle Santa Maria de Colombo
Italiano: Santa Maria nave di Colombo; Galeone Santa Maria de Colombo
Deutsch: kolumbus flaggschiff Santa Maria de Colombo
Please consult our FAQs section, where we have the answers to the most asked questions.
The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance
What is included in this tour?Items that are included in the cost of tour price.
Professional crew
Taxes and Fees
Available: Masks and snorkel are borrowed free of charge.
What is not included in this tour?Items that are not included in the cost of tour price.
Pick-up from the hotel. Please note that we can arrange transportation under an extra charge per reservation for pickups and drop-offs.
There’s a bar and toilets on board if you also need to change clothes.
Commentary in Portuguese and English. The crew will explain the rules.
There are also snorkels available onboard for a quick swim under Cabo Girão (one of the highest viewpoints in Europe).
The ship was built in 1997 in the fishing village of Câmara de Lobos and uses an inboard motor for cruising. If the wind is favourable, the crew will raise the sails.
Secure your seat, with pre-purchased tickets, as current capacity can fill up quickly. The staff is friendly, multilingual, knowledgeable and ready to answer any question. However, bear in mind this is not a narrated tour. The boat is comfortable and spacious. There are life jackets on board, and the crew makes sure you are all safe and sound!
Nature is unpredictable, and we can’t guarantee sightings.
The boat crew care about the wildlife and environment and collect plastic and other rubbish out of the sea during the trip. There are limitations: they’re not allowed to move near the pods with their engines sunning and can only watch them for 10 mins.
We stop for 20 minutes to swim in a calm ocean. If the sea is rough, the boat won’t leave the harbour.
In the case of the Santa Maria ship, yes, since there is only one.
Regarding the Catamaran, it can be the same boat or another within the same category since the transportation company owns several boats.
Please remember this is a relaxing boat trip.
However, the crew knows Madeira’s wildlife species and provides plenty of information to people who ask more about them.
The boat has enough room for everyone. The capacity during the pandemic is 2/3, but because of the stable situation and low COVID-19 case numbers on Madeira and Porto Santo islands, 100%. However, there may be changes to the allowed capacity at any time. If you have questions, please contact us.
If it’s a hot day, there is room for everyone in the shade. It can turn chilly at sea, so take something to cover up.
We can provide transportation at a different rate.
You can park close, on the underground of the Cristiano Ronaldo museum, if you have a car.
Even though we can’t guarantee sightings, this company will do their best to find wildlife and employ a “spotter” on the top deck. We can see common dolphins, whales, turtles, sunfish, and seabirds.
There is no way of knowing where the cetaceans will be. However, our spotters always try their best to find them.
A 3-hour trip worth doing! When the temperature is inviting, we pause for a dive in the ocean below Cabo Girão, and when there are favourable winds, we turn off the engines and hoist the sails, which means less pollution and more relaxation. Reserve your place and bring your cherished ones along!
Yes, the catamaran is suitable for children.
Besides our tours for mainland travellers, we also offer great value options for people who travel by cruise ships. You can choose one of the existing tours or create your own customized itinerary. Get in touch to arrange your tour!
Please get in touch as soon as you become aware you may be unable to make your trip, so we can try to accommodate you. If you are unable to make your reserved trip for reasons out of your control, and we have spaces on the trip for the following day, we will happily change your booking free of charge. Please see our Policy for further detail.
We will make every effort to try to re-schedule your trip if you are unable to make it for reasons out of your control. In the instance you wish to cancel your trip altogether, please see our Cancellation Policy for details on refunds.
Prices for all our shared services are quoted per person, except in the case of our private services.
Madeira island holidays are the ideal getaway all year round. Madeira weather in coastal areas is temperate and mild with no great extremes-although the temperature can drop the higher you go on the island so, whatever time of year you visit, be sure to bring warm clothes when visiting the mountains. Obviously, rainfall is higher in the winter and you’ll probably need to pack a raincoat or umbrella. Madeira’s average temperatures range from 18C in winter to 25C in summer, with sea temperatures being nearly the same due to a warm Gulf Stream that surrounds the Island all year round, 18C to 22C.
The dress code for our tours is comfortable and casual. Dressing in layers gives most comfort as you can shed and add items when the climate varies. Consider packing.
It is the ultimate travel guide to Madeira and has all you need to know + Access to a digital map + calendar of events and much more:
✅ Things to do in Madeira
✅ What to eat
✅ Restaurants in Madeira
✅ Places to go and worth a visit
✅ How to get there
✅ How to get around the island
✅ Where to stay
✅ Best time of the year to go
✅ Madeira’s hidden gems that most people don’t know about
Don’t miss this great opportunity to explore Madeira with local expertise.
