Canyoning Level 2 – Ribeira do Cidrão- Madeira Island

Curral das Freiras is the kind of place where the mountains feel close and the water sounds like it’s everywhere. This Level 2 canyoning route turns that dramatic setting into action, with eight rappels including an 18 meter waterfall moment, plus water jumps and a natural slide.

What I like most is how the day blends challenge with good control, especially thanks to the two certified guides and a small group. You’ll also get free photos and videos so you can focus on the descent, not your phone. One consideration: if you want lots of jumps back-to-back, this course has two water jumps, then you shift into slides and rappels, so manage expectations before you go.

Key points before you go

• Curral das Freiras terrain gives you mountain views throughout the descent
• Eight rappels on a guided route, including a tallest 18 m waterfall drop
• Two crystal-clear water jumps plus a 6 m natural toboggan
• Small group size (max 10), with two certified guides for hands-on pacing
• Gear is included, from helmet to harness to Adidas canyoning boots
• Free photos and videos help you relive the day without distractions

Why Curral das Freiras makes this Level 2 canyoning special

This canyoning day happens in the Curral das Freiras area, a valley surrounded by steep mountains. The setting is more than pretty, because it is part of why the water and rock feel so intense. Long before canyoning, the valley was used as grazing ground for cattle, and in 1566 nuns used the remoteness as refuge during a pirate attack on the island’s main city.

That history matters because you feel the isolation immediately. You are not in a landscaped park, you are in a rugged, working-with-nature environment where water and rock do the talking. When you’re suspended and looking out during the rappels, the mountains read as huge and close, not far in the background.

Getting There: Funchal or Caniço pickup and the 25-minute van ride

The whole experience runs about 4 hours, with most of it focused on canyon time. You can choose pickup from Funchal or Caniço, then you ride in the van for about 25 minutes to the start area.

This matters because it sets your rhythm. You start with enough time to settle, then you go straight into gear and a safety briefing before the first descent moves. If you’re prone to rushing, this schedule actually helps, because there’s no long wait with nothing to do.

Also, the activity is guided in English and Portuguese, so you’re not guessing when the important instructions come. The guides run the pace, so you can listen, adjust, and go.

Gear Up: Equipment, fitting rules, and what to bring

The tour includes high-quality canyoning kit: helmet, neoprene wetsuit and socks, harness, and Adidas canyoning boots. That is a big value point, because buying or renting the right gear for slippery rock is annoying. It also helps you feel more protected from the start.

You do need to provide your height, weight, and shoe size ahead of time. That is not busywork, it helps them fit you safely and makes gear placement faster when you arrive. If you show up with unknown measurements, the schedule can get less smooth.

What to bring is simple: swimwear and a towel. The wetsuit does the cold-water work, but you still need a towel for after, and probably for the ride back. You cannot bring alcohol or drugs, which is exactly what you want for something hands-on and outdoors.

The Descent Plan: eight rappels, an 18 m waterfall, and guided rhythm

Your canyoning time is about 2.5 hours with guidance throughout. The descent is built around eight rappels, and each one gives a different angle on the rock and water. On a day like this, the sequence matters: you get time to get comfortable before the bigger vertical moments.

The headline is the 18 meter waterfall rappel. That drop is where you can feel the difference between “I think I can” and “I know I can” once your harness is locked in and the guide is controlling the technique. Even if heights are not your favorite thing, Level 2 is designed to keep you moving step-by-step rather than throwing you into chaos.

Between rappels, you’ll keep transitioning across the course. You’re not just hanging in the harness, you’re learning the rhythm of moving safely from one point to the next. That makes the day feel active instead of repetitive.

And yes, you’ll get panoramic mountain views during the descent. That’s part of the payoff here. You don’t just go from point A to point B, you go down while seeing the valley open up around you.

Water Jumps and the 6 m Natural Toboggan (and why you might repeat it)

After the rappels, the fun shifts into water entries. The route includes two jumps into crystal-clear waters. Whether you treat them as a challenge or just a quick reset, they are the moments that feel like pure release after the vertical work.

Then comes one of the most memorable parts of this canyon: a 6 meter natural toboggan. You slide down smooth rock into a pool. This is a different kind of adrenaline than rappels, because you’re more in motion than in control-by-step. Still, the guides keep it safe and paced.

A neat detail: you can repeat the toboggan or the jump if you want an encore. That is worth paying attention to, because some people enjoy doing the “big moment” once, others want a second run while their confidence is high. If you like to master a move, ask your guides what’s possible for your group that day.

Photos, Videos, and how to capture your adventure without ruining it

You get free photos from the activity, and the experience also highlights photos and videos being captured for you. That’s a smart setup because canyoning can be a hands-and-safety kind of day. Your job is to move safely, not manage a phone on wet stone.

Also, the tour includes a bottle of water and a KitKat during the activity. It sounds small, but it helps keep energy steady. After a day of wet gear and exertion, having a quick boost matters more than it sounds.

My practical take: if you want to enjoy the slides and rappels, let the camera team do the heavy lifting. You’ll remember the feeling better when you’re not trying to line up a shot.

Safety and Who Should Skip This One

This is real canyoning, not a walk in the park. So you should be honest about your body and comfort level.

This activity is not suitable for:

• Children under 14
• Pregnant women
• People with back problems
• People over 120 kg (264 lbs)
• People with recent surgeries
• People over 70 years

Level 2 still involves vertical movement, harness use, and transitions in and out of water. If your balance is shaky, or your doctor has put limits on impacts, ask questions before booking. The guides also operate with insurance according to Portuguese law, which is a reassuring baseline for a professional operation.

One more practical note: bring a calm mindset. If you arrive tense, the day can feel louder. If you arrive ready to listen, follow, and take each step as it comes, the whole course flows better.

Price and Value: is $94 worth a half-day of gear and guidance?

At $94 per person for around 4 hours, this has solid value if you compare what you’d otherwise need to do yourself. You’re getting:

• Round-trip pickup from Funchal or Caniço
• Two certified guides
• Full canyoning equipment, including specialized Adidas canyoning boots
• Insurance
• Water and a small snack during the activity
• Free photos, plus video coverage

What is not included is lunch and a towel. That’s easy to handle. Plan to eat after, not before the canyon. And if you forget your towel, you’ll feel it on the ride back.

To decide if it’s worth it for you, ask one question: do you want a guided, gear-included day built around rappels, jumps, and a natural slide? If yes, the price is fair because the hardest parts are already handled for you.

If you’re looking for a purely gentle “scenery only” outing, you’ll probably feel the difference fast. This is action, and it asks for your participation.

Should you book Madeira Harmony in Nature’s canyoning in Curral das Freiras?

Book it if you:

• Like hands-on adventures and you’re comfortable following instruction
• Want a course with real vertical work and a memorable natural toboggan
• Appreciate a small group dynamic, with two guides keeping things controlled
• Value having photos and videos so you don’t miss the moments

Skip it if you fall into the listed non-suitable categories, or if you know you struggle with heights and you do not want that kind of challenge today. Also, if you’re specifically chasing lots of repeated jumping, you might find the balance is more about rappels plus a couple of water jumps, with the slide giving you the extra hit of fun.

If you want a practical adventure day that feels like a genuine slice of Madeira outside the typical viewpoints, this is a strong choice. You get a powerful setting, clear guidance, and enough variety to keep the adrenaline switching gears.

FAQ

Where are the pickup locations?

Pickup is available from either Funchal or Caniço.

How long is the canyoning experience?

The total duration is about 4 hours, including the pickup and drop-off time.

How much of that time is guided in the canyon?

You get a guided tour of about 2.5 hours in Curral das Freiras.

What equipment is included?

You receive a helmet, neoprene wetsuit and socks, a harness, and Adidas canyoning boots.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Yes. A towel is not included, so you should bring one.

What should I wear and bring to participate?

Bring swimwear and a towel. You should not bring alcohol or drugs.

Do I need to provide any measurements before the activity?

Yes, you must provide your height, weight, and shoe size.

What is the minimum age to join?

Children under 14 are not suitable for this activity.