Madeira turns canyoning into pure action. This Level Two tour mixes hiking through wild canyons with waterfall jumps, slides, and rappels, all led by a professional team that keeps things fun without cutting corners.

I also like the practical setup: you get the full canyoning kit and safety coverage, and the group stays small (up to 12 people). The main drawback to consider is that this is still a physical adventure, and it is not suitable if you have back or heart problems, are pregnant, or are over 70.

Key highlights at a glance

• Small group (max 12): more time with your guides, less waiting around
• Waterfall variety: jumps, slides, and abseils down cliffs
• Remote canyon feeling: you really get away from Funchal for a few hours
• Gear included: neoprene suit, helmet, harness, and rappelling equipment
• Optional challenge points: including a reported 20-metre upsailing spot

Level Two in Madeira: what makes it feel worth the effort

Madeira canyoning is not just about getting wet. What I like about Level Two is that it feels like a genuine step up from a first-timer experience. You still do not need prior canyoning experience, but you are expected to be comfortable with a more active route: hiking stretches, then the main event at the water features.

This tour is built for people who want a little uncertainty in a good way. You do not spend the time looking for something to do. The canyon delivers it for you. You jump when you choose, slide when it looks fun, and rappel when the route asks for it. And because the guides are there the whole way, you get the confidence to say yes to the moves you are unsure about.

The other thing that makes it feel worth it is the time in the action. The full tour is about 3.5 hours, with around 2.5–3 hours actually in and around the canyon route. That is a big difference compared with activities where most of the day becomes transport and waiting.

Getting from Funchal Cable Car to the canyon without drama

Your day starts at the Funchal Cable Car area. From there, you meet up with the Epic Madeira team at the starting point, then you transfer by van for about 30 minutes.

That van ride matters more than people think. Madeira can be steep and twisty, and going with a group keeps your energy for the canyon. You also avoid the “what do we do next” stress when you do not have a car. The tour is designed so you can show up and be guided from the first minute.

After the canyon session, you do the same van transfer back, again about 30 minutes, and end near the Cable Car meeting area. In practice, that means you can plan the rest of your day in Funchal without needing a complicated return strategy.

The pre-canyon safety briefing: the part that makes the rest easy

Before you jump into the water stuff, you get a safety briefing at a local bar for about 30 minutes. This isn’t just paperwork talk. It is where you learn how the gear works on your body and how the group moves through the canyon.

Because the tour includes harnesses, carabiners, descenders, and lanyards, it is crucial that everyone understands the basics before the first rappel. I like this order: you get clarity first, then you earn your adrenaline after.

You also get safety insurance and a defined safety protocol, plus professional guides who stay with you throughout. Level Two still includes challenge, but it is not a do-it-yourself vibe. The whole experience is built around controlled movement, not chaos.

Inside the canyon: jumps, slides, rappels, and spring water breaks

The heart of this tour happens at a secret stop in the canyon area, where you get about 2.5 hours of guided route time. You will hike through canyon sections, then hit the water features that make this activity memorable.

Here is the lineup you should expect:

• Waterfall rappels (abseiling): you descend down cliff faces using the provided equipment
• Natural water slides: you slide through water where the canyon shape does the work
• Jump options: you may have optional jumps depending on the spot and conditions
• Natural swimming pools and spring waters: the canyon creates quiet moments between the action

I found the pacing to be a big part of the fun. You do not just go from one adrenaline moment to the next without breaks. You get stretches of hiking, then you hit something exciting, then you reset. That rhythm makes the whole thing feel achievable even when you are doing harder moves than a beginner tour.

One additional detail I really appreciated is the report of a 20-metre upsailing spot as part of the route options. Even if you end up choosing alternatives, knowing there are bigger challenges available helps explain why Level Two feels like a real adventure rather than a quick splash.

The guides make or break it, and this team is the real deal

This is one of those tours where the guide style affects your entire day. The professional team keeps the group safe, but they also keep the mood light.

On my day, I got the impression that the guides do two things well: they watch your technique closely, and they make the experience feel like a shared outing instead of a drill. Names to remember: Ronaldo, Johnny, and Raffa. If you see any of them on your tour, you are likely in for a guide who balances clear instruction with humor.

Languages offered are English, Portuguese, and Spanish, and that matters because canyoning is not the place for guesswork. You want to understand directions, hand signals, and what a move requires before you commit.

Gear and what to bring so you stay comfortable

The best value here is that you are not expected to arrive with a closet full of canyoning gear. Included items cover the core safety and comfort needs:

• neoprene suit
• shoes
• neoprene socks
• helmet
• harness
• carabiners, descenders, and lanyards
• free photos
• safety insurance and permits

What you still need to bring is simple. The tour lists:

• swimwear
• towel

Also note that sunscreen is not included, so bring it if you want it for the non-canyon parts of the day. Food and drinks are not included either, but the tour does provide an energy bar or chocolate to keep your energy steady.

Practical tip: plan for the fact that you will be in wet conditions. A towel helps a lot for the transition back after the canyon time ends.

Price and value: is $97 fair for a 3.5-hour action tour?

At $97 per person, this canyoning experience is priced like an activity with real costs behind it: professional guides, safety insurance, permits, and the gear setup. What makes it feel like good value is that you do not pay extra for the essential equipment, and you get free photos from the experience.

Also, the tour avoids long, wasteful travel windows. The day is built around a short transfer, a meaningful briefing, then a long slot in the canyon. If you tried to replicate this on your own, you would spend time figuring out route access, gear safety, and supervision. Even if you found the right location, the safety and permit side would still be a big question mark.

In other words, the price mostly buys you certainty: safety systems, trained guides, and the actual canyon time.

Who should book Level Two (and who should skip it)

This tour is meant for an intermediate mindset, not necessarily an intermediate fitness level. You might love it if you:

• have done canyoning once before or want a step up from basic adventure
• enjoy water action like jumps, slides, and controlled rappels
• want a guided route through Madeira’s more remote nature

It is not for everyone. Based on the stated limits, skip it if you have back problems, heart problems, are pregnant, are over 70, or need wheelchair accessibility. It is also not suitable for children under 10.

If you fit the recommended group profile, this is the kind of tour that makes Madeira feel real. Instead of just views from a viewpoint, you experience the island from inside the canyon systems that shape it.

Timing, group size, and what to expect on the day

Pickup is set for 09H30 at the Cable Car area, and the total time is listed around 3.5 hours. Starting times can vary, so check availability before you lock in other plans.

Group size is limited to 12, which I consider a sweet spot. Too big and you lose momentum at the water features. Too small and the logistics can get awkward. Here, the format supports a guided flow through the route.

You should also expect an English/Portuguese/Spanish live guide, and the tour is designed to move as a unit. That keeps it smoother than trying to coordinate multiple independent groups in remote canyon terrain.

Should you book EPIC Madeira Canyoning Level Two?

If you want a Madeira activity that is active, guided, and built around real canyon features, I would book it. Level Two hits a nice balance: you get enough challenge to feel like you did something, but you are never left guessing what to do next because the guides handle safety and technique.

Skip it if you know the physical side is not for you, or if any of the stated health limits apply. Also, if you are the type who hates getting wet and dealing with water conditions, this may test your patience.

But if you are game for waterfall jumps and slides, and you want rappels handled with proper gear and supervision, EPIC Madeira Canyoning Level Two is a strong pick for a half-day of high-value adventure.

FAQ

How long is the EPIC Madeira Canyoning Level Two tour?

The tour duration is about 3.5 hours.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at the Funchal Cable Car area and ends back at the same meeting point.

How much does it cost?

The price is $97 per person.

Do I need previous canyoning experience?

No experience is necessary for this intermediate Level Two tour.

What activities are included?

You can expect hiking through canyon areas plus jumping, sliding, and abseiling/rappelling down waterfalls, with time in natural swimming pools and spring waters.

What gear is included?

Gear included covers a neoprene suit, shoes, neoprene socks, helmet, harness, carabiners, descenders, and lanyards.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. Sunscreen is not included, so if you want it, plan to bring it too.

Is there a limit on group size?

Yes. The group is limited to 12 participants.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

No. It is not suitable for people with back problems, heart problems, pregnant women, people over 70, wheelchair users, or children under 10.