Tier 2 segment
Family-Friendly Fishing in Madeira
Booking a family fishing trip in Madeira goes wrong in two predictable ways: either too long (kids cooked after 4 hours) or wrong format (big-game bores kids who want action, not waiting). Below: what actually works.
By Miguel Pereira, licensed sea captain · Last updated
The right format for families
- Trip type: bottom / inshore (steady action, multiple species)
- Duration: 3 hours max for kids under 10. 4 hours OK for 10+.
- Port: Calheta Marina is calmer than Funchal in busy summer mornings
- Price: €200-350 per family typical
- Best months: Apr-Oct for calm seas; avoid days with 20+ knot wind
Age guidelines
- Under 5: not recommended — life-jacket fit, attention span, seasickness risk
- 5-7: short half-day (2 hours), calm-day only, in-shore close to port
- 8-10: 3-hour bottom-fishing trips work well — kids reel in keepers, see different species
- 11-15: can handle 4-hour bottom or even half-day big-game if motivated
- 15+: full big-game days work if they're keen anglers
What to bring
- Reef-safe sunscreen (high SPF — reflection off water adds intensity)
- Light long-sleeve UPF top + hat with strap
- Layers — mid-sea is windy and 5°C cooler than the marina
- Snacks + water bottles (operators provide drinks but kids snack constantly)
- Motion-sickness medication for any kid who's been sick on a car winding road. Take 1 hour before boarding.
- Closed-toe non-slip shoes (boat decks get wet + slippery)
Captains who do families well
- Native Crew — Fishing & Tours: 22ft boat, 4-angler capacity, 4.9/5 across 113 reviews — small, family-friendly captain.
- Capt David Fishing Madeira: diverse fishing offering including bottom-fishing setups suitable for kids.
- Madeira Big Game Fishing (Xareu): Calheta-based, multiple boat options including smaller family-suitable craft.
Honest advice
If you have a 6-year-old who's never been on a boat, don't try a 4-hour fishing trip. Try the swim-and-snorkel boat tour first (3 hours, dolphin sightings, swim stop). If that goes well, try bottom-fishing the next year. Marlin trips with under-12s tend to be 4 hours of "are we there yet."