Posted by Don Amaro
Ferry between Madeira and Portugal
Many have asked if it was possible to go by boat to Madeira. The answers were:
Yes, with your own boat and at your own risk; Yes, but then it is with a organized cruise voyage and you will only be able to visit Funchal for 1 day Yes, but then you need to work in a freight ship or transatlantic container; Yes, by joining the Funchal 500 Tallships regatta that will take place this year;
But this summer of 2008 we can add a new answer …
Yes, you can visit Madeira Islands and Canary Islands by ferry departing from the Portuguese port of Portimao, coast of the Algarve (Portugal)..
A new ferry Volcano of Tijarafe of the Armas shipping company will travel once per week between Funchal (Madeira) and Portimao (Portugal). This will be a start for e new era of traveling to the Madeira Islands.
This will be a historical moment for Madeira as this will be the first ferry connection between the island and the mainland Portugal after 30 years. A new alternative to visit the islands … and taking your own car. The duration of the trip between Funchal and Portimao is less than 24 hours and will take place in the weekend.
We expect to hear more of this connection in the future. You can go to the Naviera Armas website and check if tickets are available.
Update: We just had contact with Naviera Armas and they confirmed that the tickets sale for the ferry between Funchal (Madeira) and Portimao (Portugal) will start on 23rd of April 2008. The voyage of the ferry Volcán de Tijarafe between these two ports will start from 14th of June 2008.
Posted by Don Amaro on Madeira Blog on 9 April 2008.
Madeira today Getting to Madeira: flights, airports and ferries How to fly to Madeira, how long the flights take, which airport you land at, what happens if the wind closes it, and how to get on to Porto Santo.