If you are a fan of water, adrenaline, and fun, Aquaparque Madeira is the perfect place to be. Located in the municipality of Santa Cruz, on the east coast of Madeira Island.
Check out other activities in Funchal Things To Do and more information about the island in Things To Do Madeira.
- Coordinates: 32.684329, -16.797079
It is one of the most popular leisure facilities on the island. Here, we enjoy a day of diving and fun in the various pools and slides.
Address
Ribeira da Boaventura 9100-138 Santa Cruz.
Phone
291 524 412.
Map
When to visit?
It is open every day from the last week of June to the first week of September. However, choose a sunny, warm day to enjoy the water activities.
Madeira island has a subtropical climate with mild temperatures throughout the year, but there may be some cloudy or rainy days.
How to get there?
There are several transportation options available. If you have a rented car, you can take the VR1 expressway and follow the signs to the water park. There is free parking available on site.
If you prefer public transportation, you can take a bus from the SAM (Sociedade Automóveis da Madeira) company that connects Funchal and Santa Cruz, with a stop near the park. The ticket costs around 4 euros per person.
Opening Hours & Price
The opening hours of Aquaparque Madeira are from 10am to 6pm every day, except on Sundays when it’s open from 10am to 9pm.
The ticket price varies according to the age and height of the visitors. Adults pay 15 euros, young people between 12 and 17 years old pay 12 euros, children between 4 and 11 pay 9 euros, and those under 4 years don’t pay.
There are also discounts for groups, large families, and residents of Madeira Island. We can buy tickets online on the park’s website or at the entrance ticket office.
Amenities and Features
The Aquaparque Madeira offers a variety of water slides for all tastes, from the most thrilling ones as the Water Slides or the Black Hole. There are more tranquil ones: the Lazy River and a vast pool.
The little ones will be delighted with the bird show, which is beautiful. The staff is super friendly and attentive.
However, not everything was perfect.
The park has a limited variety of slides, and the queues were long and slow. We had to wait over half an hour to go on one.
Overall, we would say that the Aquapark is mesmerizing for young children but not so much for adults. It is conveniently located near the airport.
Where to Stay?
We can choose a hotel, apartment or vacation home that fits our budget and needs. Here are our suggestions:
- Albatroz Beach & Yacht Club. This is the perfect place for those seeking relaxation and pampering in Santa Cruz. You’ll feel like a VIP with a pool, spa, tennis court and private beach access.
- Hotel Solar Bom Jesus. An affordable hotel is a perfect fit for those seeking practicality and comfort. Includes breakfast, Wi-Fi and parking.
- Santa Cruz Village Hotel. This 4-star hotel is ideal for those looking for price and quality. You’ll feel at home in this hotel with a heated outdoor pool.
Where to eat?
Luckily, the park has a bar where we buy refreshing drinks, snacks, and light meals such as sandwiches, salads, or hamburgers.
The bar is next to the main pool, with a terrace overlooking the sea. We can sit here and savour our food while enjoying the view.
Outside, we recommend the Restaurante O Professor or the Restaurante O Moinho. They are great places to taste the skewered meat on bay leaves, the bolo do caco with garlic butter or grilled limpets.
Things to do nearby
If you have some time and energy after visiting Madeira Aquapark, you can go to the centre of Santa Cruz and its main church or the municipal market.
The Church of São Salvador is an architectural gem that shines in Santa Cruz. It was built in the 16th century by King Manuel I’ in a Gothic-Manueline style.
For a budget-friendly option, there’s the Ribeira da Boaventura bathing complex with its two crystal clear pools.
Palmeiras Beach is a summer dream where you can admire the picturesque landscape of Santa Cruz and planes taking off at the airport.
Garajau is a sanctuary of peace and harmony blessed by the Christ statue (Cristo Rei) at the top of the cliff.
Machico Beach is a pearl in the bay of Machico, the first city on Madeira island. It’s an invitation to relaxation, with its yellow sand imported from Morocco.
Ponta de São Lourenço is a spear of land that juts out into the sea, challenging winds and waves. It’s the easternmost point of Madeira island.
