{"id":3458,"date":"2026-07-19T00:01:59","date_gmt":"2026-07-18T23:01:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/guiailhadamadeira.com\/seixal-black-sand-beach\/"},"modified":"2026-07-19T00:02:01","modified_gmt":"2026-07-18T23:02:01","slug":"playa-de-arena-negra-de-seixal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/guiailhadamadeira.com\/es\/seixal-black-sand-beach\/","title":{"rendered":"Playa de Seixal, Madeira: la cala de arena negra y las piscinas naturales de la isla"},"content":{"rendered":"

Seixal is home to one of Madeira’s only natural sand beaches, a strip of black volcanic sand tucked beneath cliffs on the wild north coast.<\/strong> Just a few minutes away, lava-carved natural pools known as Po\u00e7as das Lesmas offer sheltered swimming beneath a dramatic stone arch, while the V\u00e9u da Noiva waterfall spills into the Atlantic a short drive down the coast road. In this updated guide: what makes Seixal’s beach different from Madeira’s pebble coves, how to reach the village and its pools, what the water and weather are really like on this side of the island, and the practical details to plan a half-day or full-day stop.<\/p>\n

\"Black
Seixal’s black sand beach, framed by the steep green cliffs typical of Madeira’s north coast. Image: frame from the video by Rutas del Mundo, embedded below<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u00bfQu\u00e9 hace que la playa de Seixal sea diferente?<\/h2>\n

Most of Madeira’s coastline is pebbles or man-made shingle, so a stretch of genuine black sand is unusual enough to draw visitors from across the island. The beach is described as an unrivalled stretch of black sand on the north coast, with a notable length that allows for a swim in fresh, clear water with a striking view where the green of the mountain meets the blue of the sea. This beach stands out from others thanks to its magnificent black volcanic sand and dramatic landscape of towering green cliffs. It sits right next to the small fishing harbour, so boats, nets and the working rhythm of the village are part of the scene, not a backdrop.<\/p>\n

Po\u00e7as das Lesmas: las piscinas naturales<\/h2>\n

The Seixal Natural Pools, also known as Po\u00e7as das Lesmas, are found near Laje Beach, often referred to as “Jamaica Beach,” in a sheltered area where volcanic rock formations create natural pools with a unique shape. The dark tones of the rocks contrast beautifully with the turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean. A lava arch separates the main pool from smaller, shallower ones nearby, and even if you don’t swim, it’s worth walking the paths between the lava rocks for the views over the sea and the lush cliffs so typical of Madeira.<\/p>\n

Access has changed recently. In 2024 the Seixal Natural Swimming Pools began to have lifeguard supervision, an improvement that justifies paying an entrance fee. The parish council now charges two euros fifty to enter the Po\u00e7as das Lesmas beach, money that goes towards the lifeguards who keep bathers safe at one of Madeira’s more hazardous beaches. Residents of the parish keep free access; everyone else pays the small fee at the gate. Take care at high tide and in strong winds, when larger waves can break into the pools even if the water between them looks calm \u2014 so be careful.<\/p>\n

C\u00f3mo llegar<\/h2>\n

Seixal se encuentra en la carretera costera ER101, entre S\u00e3o Vicente y Porto Moniz, al otro lado de la t\u00faneles<\/a> that cut through Madeira’s mountainous interior. It’s roughly a 41-kilometre drive taking around 40 minutes from Funchal, following the VR1 motorway towards S\u00e3o Vicente and then the coastal road westward. Public buses do reach the village, but journeys from Funchal can take upwards of two and a half hours with transfers, so a rental car is by far the most practical option if you want to combine Seixal with other north coast stops in a single day.<\/p>\n

Aparcar es el principal reto una vez que llegas. Hay algunas plazas de aparcamiento encima de las piscinas, pero la carretera de acceso tiene una pendiente pronunciada de 33%; como alternativa, hay algunas plazas de aparcamiento a lo largo de la carretera en la parte alta, aunque son limitadas, por lo que se recomienda llegar temprano. En cuanto a la playa en s\u00ed, hay un aparcamiento cerca del puerto, y para bajar hasta el nivel del mar se puede optar por una carretera asfaltada con mucha pendiente o por unas escaleras.<\/p>\n

Surf, kayak y el complejo de playa<\/h2>\n

Seixal isn’t only about swimming. The free-access Complexo Balnear do Seixal has a natural pool and support bar, where you can rent kayaks and diving equipment. Being next to the shelter harbour and Clube Naval do Seixal gives access to facilities including kayaks, a support bar and showers, and it’s a spot with strong year-round demand from bodyboarders, stand-up paddlers and kayakers. A local surf school also operates from the beach for lessons in the whitewater close to shore, making this a good introduction point for beginners away from the busier south coast breaks.<\/p>\n

\"Po\u00e7as
The lava arch and natural pools of Po\u00e7as das Lesmas, a short drive from Seixal’s black sand beach. Image: frame from the video by Rutas del Mundo, embedded below<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

En las inmediaciones: el mirador de V\u00e9u da Noiva y la realidad de la costa norte<\/h2>\n

Just along the coast towards S\u00e3o Vicente, the V\u00e9u da Noiva viewpoint gives one of the north coast’s most photographed scenes. The waterfall that falls down the slope towards the sea was named for its height and the abundance of water gushing out, resembling the romantic veil of a wedding dress against its green surroundings. The viewpoint is open 24 hours with no entrance fee, just like many other nature attractions in Madeira, and the viewing platform is easy to reach and even wheelchair friendly. On a clear day you can also see back towards Seixal itself from here.<\/p>\n

El tiempo es el \u00fanico inconveniente de todo este tramo de costa. La costa norte de Madeira recibe muchas m\u00e1s nubes, viento y lluvia que la protegida Funchal, y las condiciones pueden cambiar r\u00e1pidamente a lo largo del d\u00eda. Las ma\u00f1anas suelen ser el momento m\u00e1s tranquilo para fotografiar la arena negra y las piscinas naturales antes de que el viento arreci\u00e9 por la tarde; consultar la previsi\u00f3n meteorol\u00f3gica a corto plazo antes de salir es m\u00e1s \u00fatil aqu\u00ed que en casi cualquier otro lugar de la isla.<\/p>\n

Datos pr\u00e1cticos de un vistazo<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Ubicaci\u00f3n<\/strong><\/td>\nParroquia de Seixal, municipio de Porto Moniz, costa norte de Madeira<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Distancia desde Funchal<\/strong><\/td>\nUnos 40 km, aproximadamente entre 40 y 50 minutos en coche por la VR1\/ER101<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tipo de playa<\/strong><\/td>\nArena volc\u00e1nica negra natural, sin vigilancia<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Precio de la entrada a Po\u00e7as das Lesmas<\/strong><\/td>\n2,50 \u20ac para los visitantes (gratis para los vecinos de la parroquia de Seixal)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Instalaciones<\/strong><\/td>\nDuchas, aseos, bar y alquiler de kayaks y tablas de surf en el Clube Naval do Seixal<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mirador del \u00abV\u00e9u da Noiva\u00bb<\/strong><\/td>\nEntrada gratuita, abierto las 24 horas, peque\u00f1o aparcamiento y quiosco de recuerdos<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
La mejor \u00e9poca para visitarlo<\/strong><\/td>\nBuenos d\u00edas, fuera la tormenta invernal se intensifica<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n
    \n
  • Ve temprano para encontrar aparcamiento<\/strong> \u2014 Los aparcamientos situados junto a las piscinas y al puerto se llenan r\u00e1pidamente en cuanto llegan los autocares tur\u00edsticos, y la empinada carretera de acceso obliga a los que llegan tarde a dar vueltas durante un rato.<\/li>\n
  • Lleva calzado acu\u00e1tico con suela de goma<\/strong> \u2014 Las rocas volc\u00e1nicas que rodean Po\u00e7as das Lesmas pueden ser afiladas, y el fondo de la piscina es irregular en algunos puntos.<\/li>\n
  • Comprueba la marea y el oleaje antes de ba\u00f1arte<\/strong> \u2014 Las olas pueden entrar de forma inesperada en las piscinas cuando el mar est\u00e1 agitado, incluso aunque el agua parezca tranquila desde lejos.<\/li>\n
  • Comb\u00ednalo con \u00abV\u00e9u da Noiva\u00bb<\/strong> \u2014 El mirador est\u00e1 a solo unos minutos por la carretera de la costa y la visita es gratuita.<\/li>\n
  • Trae dinero en efectivo para pagar la entrada y para el bar del puerto.<\/strong> \u2014 Los dat\u00e1fonos no siempre son fiables en este rinc\u00f3n rural de la isla.<\/li>\n
  • Ll\u00e9vate un jersey, incluso en verano<\/strong> \u2014 La costa norte es notablemente m\u00e1s ventosa y fresca que Funchal, sobre todo cuando el sol se oculta tras los acantilados por la tarde.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    V\u00eddeo: Seixal<\/h2>\n

    Para que te hagas una idea visual de la arena negra, los acantilados y las piscinas naturales antes de ir, este cap\u00edtulo de una gu\u00eda m\u00e1s amplia sobre Madeira muestra Seixal en su contexto, junto con el resto de la costa norte.<\/p>\n