SwimMadeira Swimming Holidays  Reviews 

Went on Swim trip with Mayra and João in Oct.25, not exactly knowing what expected me. After I left the wonderful island leaving two friends there.
The experience was amazing. They both put security of every swimmer in first place. Next comes the warmth of a small family they give everybody.
So- will be back for the October 2026 tour, bringing a swimming friend of mine.

SwimmMadeira is perfect for a watter simming adventure ! Everything was great: The perfect water with the best company! I 'll try again!

You don’t just come here once… you keep coming back 💙🌊

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Swim Madeira – more than a swim camp

Swim Madeira is not just a swim camp – it’s an experience that stays with you, in your body and in your heart.

I first came here in October 2025… and the moment I got home, I booked my next trip. And I already know there will be a third, a fourth, and a fifth.

Over 8–9 days we swam around 30 km in the Atlantic, through some of the most breathtaking and varied environments I’ve ever experienced. Crystal clear water, dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, natural pools, remote islands… every day felt like a new chapter.

The conditions change constantly – calm, choppy, currents, swell – and that’s part of what makes it so real. You don’t just swim, you learn to move with the ocean. And somehow, you always feel safe.

That’s because of Mayra and João.

They don’t just guide you – they see you. They challenge you, support you, laugh with you, and create an atmosphere where you can grow, both as a swimmer and as a person. Their knowledge, professionalism and presence in the water is exceptional.

One of the most special things is the feeling of community. You arrive as strangers and leave as part of something bigger – an ocean family. Warmth, laughter, shared effort, long swims side by side… it’s rare and it’s real.

For me, this journey was also personal. Coming back to swims that had challenged me before – and finding strength, rhythm and flow again. That moment when everything clicks… it happened here.

Swimming in places like Ponta de São Lourenço, Garajau Nature Reserve, and even the protected Desertas Islands is simply unforgettable. And sometimes, if you’re lucky – dolphins join you.

I came for the swimming.
I stayed for the feeling.
And I will keep coming back.

💙🌊

If you want to experience and improve open water swimming, Swimadeira is the place to go. In addition to the coaching provided by the very accomplished swimmer Mayra Santos and the skilled coach Joao Duarte, the experience is fun filled! This amazing couple attend to every detail to ensure a completely positive experience.

Their customer service is superb.

What an amazing experience with SwimMadeira. Mayra is amazing. Her knowledge of the local environment is remarkable. We had so much fun and my swimming improved so much over the course of a couple of hours with her.

This experience is hands down the most unforgettable memory of Madeira! Swimming in the open ocean with Swim Madeira was absolutely magical.
My wife and I took the 4-hour guided swim in the Garajau Natural Reserve, and it felt like swimming in a giant aquarium. The ocean was stunning: crystal-clear blue water, abundant fish life, and beautiful underwater topography.
Our guide, a true elite-level swimmer, was exceptional. From the first minute, we felt 100% safe and secure, and instantly connected with her warm, genuine hospitality. I truly felt right at home.
I also have to praise the super-efficient organization: communication was flawless, the GoPro footage was fantastic, and the social media support was top-notch.
I categorically recommend this! If you are a swimmer—regardless of your level—you absolutely cannot miss this experience. It’s an absolute must-do!

We had wonderful swims at the most amazing spots around Madeira.Very well organised en Mayra and Joao took us to some Madeira highlights and good restaurants for lunch.
They are very helpful to make your stay at Madeira as good as can be.

Wonderful experience swimming with Mayra in the warm waters of Madeira. We swam in the Nature Reserve, hugging the coast, passing shoals of exotic fish, waterfalls, volcanic outcrops. A beautiful experience to be repeated.

Fantastic experience to swim in a clear ocean with the fish, the location and exotic sea life was all around us as we hugged the shore to see all the beautiful sea life. Mayra is an excellent guide with bundles of energy and enthusiasm for open water swimming. Fantastic Location for swim

Mayra and her team organized a fantastic 4 day swim trip tailored for me and my 13 year old son. Absolutely worth it.

It was a privilege to swim in such an incredibly beautiful place with the amazing company and guidance of local expert Mayra. Everything was done to make the experience as enjoyable and safe as possible.

The highlight of my holiday on Madeira was my swim experience with Mayra! I loved swimming along one of the island's stunning coasts with such an inspirational swimmer, knowing that I was safe all the way. Mayra constantly checked that I was OK. She even noticed before me that I was flagging towards the end and provided me with great drafting opportunities, getting me back to shore in an enjoyable and supported manner. Not only that, but Mayra's infectious enthusiasm and continuous encouragement made this a most memorable experience! Oh, and did I mention the dozens of photos and videos she provided me with afterwards?
If you are an open water swimmer and are visiting Madeira, seeking out SwimMadeira is a must for you!
Thanks Mayra - see you next time!

I just returned from a wonderful holiday in Madeira where my friend and I had the pleasure and honour of swimming with Mayra. The swim spots were simply stunning and we were able to relax and enjoy them with Mayra's skilled guidance and encouragement; she really is a uniquely warm, kind and fun person.

Everything was taken care of including hot tea and snacks for after the swim. Later she sent us footage that she had taken during the swim (I really think she's a mermaid because she got pics from all angles and yet she always seemed to be right alongside!), these were fantastic for analyzing technique and lovely reminders of a truly joyful experience.

I highly highly recommend Swim Madeira and cannot wait to go back from some more laughter and adventure!

This is a must for every swimmer visiting Madeira! Spectacular crystal clear waters and views :) Mayra as a professional marathon swimmer is a perfect fit for this experience. You can rely on her that you will be safe. Thank you very much again and see you next time :)

I want to thank you once again for an incredible few days in your company - it was an amazing experience, and you showed us some remarkable swims and your energy and enthusiasm was infectious - we loved every minute of our time with Swim Madeira. 

the trip was wonderful. Mayra and João are hosts who really keep an eye on everything and take care of every request/detail immediately. Going swimming every day with people who love swimming as much as you do is simply indescribable. We were like a school of fish!

Amazing swimming company.
I am just back from Maderia, myself and 6 friends did 3 half day private trips dith this company. The trips were amazing, spectacular scenery.
Mayra, Duarte and Joao were fantastic, super friendly and very knowledgeable.
I highly recommend swim maderia

Oh WOW. What a week. Not only beautiful Madeira, with it’s clear water and amazing sealife, but most importantly meeting a fantastic couple, Mayra and Jaoa. I had not swum in ocean for many years and am now quite old, but I received the most amazing care and attention from this lovely duo. I was gently encouraged to improve my stroke, go a bit further, understand the water, be challenged, all in complete safety under their ever watchful eyes. I was also taken to other places on this beautiful island and the whole week was total bliss. If you are wondering if you should go – GO!
Thank you Mayra and Joao. Unforgettable.

Such a unique and amazing experience to swim in a beautiful, natural aquarium guided by a legendary open water swimmer. I contacted Mayra and let her know the swim experience levels for myself, my wife and our two teens and she customized a half day open water swim experience so we all could enjoy a bit of this paradise. I thought I had swam in some beautiful places, but the clear waters, gorgeous cliff landscape and tropical fish of this São Lourenço area were the best by far. Mayra was a wonderful guide (along with João and our captain Rodolfo), cheery and positive and got lots of fantastic footage so we could remember forever. Not just a great value, but an amazing experience at any price! It was a pleasure! Thank you all!

I was looking for a swimming holiday somewhere warm in Europe during Easter 2024 to get my ‘swimming mojo’ back after a 3-month break from the water. I contacted Mayra from Swim Madeira, the only swimming holiday company I could find in Google, via WhatsApp with zero knowledge of Madeira and what the island offers in terms of swimming.

Before my trip, Mayra was extremely helpful, patient and responsive in helping me curate my bespoke swimming holiday. With the amount of wonderful offerings on their website, and as someone who didn’t know Madeira at all, I told Mayra my goals and expectations for the trip and Mayra did all of the planning - bespoke costs, accommodation, transfers - which took off a lot of pressure whenI didn’t have the capacity to organise my own last-minute trip. I had to make multiple amendments to Mayra’s trip proposal and no eyebrow was ever raised, which made me feel welcomed even before I met Mayra in person.

Mayra was the most hospitable host I could have asked for, who welcomed me with endless positive energy and biggest smile once I arrived at the magical island of Madeira. I swam with Mayra and her local swimmers across 4 days, 6 locations, a mixture of open water and pool sessions, and Mayra delivered in each session above and beyond what I expected. Not only was the swimming itself amazing - Madeira certainly deserves more credentials for its stunning open water swimming choices and pool facilities - but more importantly Mayra and Swim Madeira were what made swimming possible in Madeira:

1. The weather varies significantly across the island. Mayra’s knowledge of the ocean, sea condition and swim facilities was key to ensuring a safe and enjoyable open water experience. Safety - rather than profit - was always no.1 even if it meant a session could not go ahead.
2. Mayra’s astute instinct for the ocean and experience with the island allowed my trip to be well-organised and completely bespoke. I was able to experience the island’s diverse marine life and landscape, particularly as I was without a car, rather than only staying in Funchal which is the main tourist location. Each swim includes high quality video/photo filming which was great for coaching and memory preservation.
3. One of my goals was to improve my techniques and this was addressed in all sessions with Mayra. She paid close attention to my movement in the water and would provide real-time verbal feedback as well as post-swim written analysis. I have gained a ton of insight into my movement pattern as well as plenty of takeaways to work on at home.
4. Mayra’s passion for swimming and her work is incomparable. Apart from being an extremely accomplished swimmer herself (e.g. 91km Double Manhattan finisher, Guinness record holder of a 31-hour endless pool swim), she showed real dedication in helping me enjoy my swims as well as achieve my goals. Even as someone who’s only a weeklong guest, Mayra made me feel part of her Madeiran swim family, with her hospitality from the post-swim hot tea she always brought to welcoming me into her family home.

Mayra was the best swim coach, energetic cheerleader and travel companion I could have asked for in Madeira. I have no hesitation in recommending Swim Madeira to anyone looking to experience swimming in his Portuguese gem - whether it’s a day trip to Seixal or weeklong experience around the island - Mayra and her company is the way to go. Mayra helped me achieve my pre-trip goals and taught me to respect and love the ocean; I am now proudly wearing the Swim Madeira cap at home. I look forward to following Mayra’s own (crazy) swim challenges from afar and joining her for another adventure in person.