On the East coast of Madeira the blue flag has been awarded to the following beaches: Palmeira beach in Santa Cruz, Reis Magos in Caniço and Ribeira do natal in Machico.
Praia Dos Reis Magos (Caniço)
Located in Caniço, this beach has an enclosed swimming area surrounded by boulders for secure swimming. It also has a pier with a ladder for access to the sea. You can either sit on the concreted area or on the beach, but this is very stony. There is a long promenade with two piers which is pleasant to walk along.
Facilities
Changing Rooms
Toilets
Showers
Two beach restaurants
Life Guards
Entrance Cost
Free
There is also a diving centre located on this beach.
Praia Da Palmeira (Santa Cruz)
Continuing along the Eastern Coast from Funchal, is the Praia da Palmeira in Santa Cruz. Another popular beach in the summer it has a children’s swimming pool and main swimming pool, as well as access to the sea from the rocky beach. There is a busy beach restaurant, and a long promenade.
Facilities
Changing Rooms
Toilets
Showers
Two beach restaurants
Life Guards
Entrance Cost
Free
Ribeira do Natal Beach (Machico)
One of the best beaches on the island, as it has a yellow, sandy beach and thus is very accessible obviating the need to clamber over rocks and pebbles as is the case with many of the other beaches in Madeira. The sand was imported from Morocco and is very fine and soft. It has also been enclosed by a breakwater made of enormous boulders making it very safe and although very popular in the summer, if you arrive in the early evening you will find plenty of parking and not many people on the beach.
It is wheelchair friendly and for those with mobility problems there is a amphibious chair available, free of charge.
