Yes, you can swim in Madeira in winter, and November is the best month for it. The sea off Funchal averages 22.6°C in November and 21.1°C in December, at or above the 21°C we use as the line for comfortable swimming without a wetsuit. From January to March it cools to between 19.2°C and 20.2°C, with March the coolest. That is below our comfortable-swim line, so the water feels fresh.
For comparison, the same water reaches 24.6°C in August. Below you'll find the sea and air month by month, how Madeira compares with the Canaries, the Algarve, Malta and Cyprus, and what it all means for a winter trip.
Madeira Sea Temperature in Winter, Month by Month
| Month | Madeira sea | Funchal high | Funchal low | Funchal rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November | 22.6°C | 22.8°C | 17.0°C | 80 mm |
| December | 21.1°C | 21.0°C | 15.5°C | 95 mm |
| January | 20.2°C | 20.0°C | 14.3°C | 67 mm |
| February | 19.5°C | 19.9°C | 13.9°C | 72 mm |
| March | 19.2°C | 20.6°C | 14.3°C | 62 mm |
Sea figures are the average sea surface temperature off Funchal for 2023 to 2025, from the Open-Meteo marine model. They describe the open water near the coast, not a reading at any one beach, so sheltered water on a calm day can feel a little different. Air and rain figures are IPMA's official 1991 to 2020 climate normals for Funchal. For air temperatures and rain across the whole year, see Madeira weather in winter.
November and December: The Swimming Months
In November the sea is 22.6°C and Funchal averages 22.8°C by day, so you can swim in the morning and still have lunch outside. December is a step cooler: 21.1°C in the water and 21.0°C in the air. It is also the wettest month of the winter in Funchal, with 95 mm over about 9 rainy days on average, so plan swims around the weather rather than a fixed day.
See Madeira weather in November and Madeira weather in December for the full month pages.
January to March: Swimmable, but Fresh
From January the water drops below 21°C: 20.2°C in January, 19.5°C in February, 19.2°C in March. Daytime highs in Funchal stay around 20°C, so it is pleasant on land, but getting into the sea takes a moment. If swimming is the main reason for the trip, go in November. If you mostly want mild walking weather with the option of a quick dip, January to March works.
How Madeira Compares With Other Winter Sun Spots
| Place | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Nov to Mar average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tenerife | 23.3°C | 22.1°C | 21.0°C | 20.3°C | 20.4°C | 21.4°C |
| Gran Canaria | 23.0°C | 21.5°C | 20.7°C | 20.0°C | 20.0°C | 21.0°C |
| Madeira | 22.6°C | 21.1°C | 20.2°C | 19.5°C | 19.2°C | 20.5°C |
| Lanzarote | 22.1°C | 20.8°C | 20.0°C | 19.0°C | 19.0°C | 20.2°C |
| Cyprus (Paphos) | 23.7°C | 20.7°C | 19.1°C | 17.8°C | 18.0°C | 19.9°C |
| Malta | 22.3°C | 19.1°C | 17.4°C | 16.1°C | 16.2°C | 18.2°C |
| Algarve | 18.0°C | 16.6°C | 16.5°C | 15.8°C | 15.6°C | 16.5°C |
Over November to March, Madeira's sea averages 20.5°C, about 4°C warmer than the Algarve and about 0.9°C cooler than Tenerife. Cyprus is warmer than Madeira in November, but from December both Cyprus and Malta are cooler. If you want a slightly warmer sea, Tenerife edges it. See which Canary Island is warmest in winter. For air temperatures across Portugal, see the warmest place in Portugal in winter.
Plan a Winter Swim Trip to Madeira
- Best month to swim: November, with the sea at 22.6°C.
- Christmas: the sea is around 21°C, but December brings the most rain. Our Christmas sun holidays guide compares other options.
- January to March: expect around 20°C water, below our 21°C comfortable-swim line.
- Check before you go: the where is hot in Europe in November page puts Madeira next to the rest of Europe.
Choosing between Madeira and the Canaries usually means a pile of saved videos and half-remembered tips. In Dream Trip your saved places sit on one map, so you can see swimming spots, hotels and restaurants side by side. Subscribers can import TikTok and Reels links.
Dream Trip is an iPhone app, free to download on the App Store. After you sign in, you need a Dream Trip Pro subscription to use the app. Dream Trip Pro prices are shown in the app and on the App Store before you buy, and can vary by country.
Save your Madeira shortlist in Dream Trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you swim in Madeira in November?
Yes. The sea averages 22.6°C in November, the warmest of the winter months, and Funchal averages 22.8°C by day.
Can you swim in Madeira in December?
Yes. The sea averages 21.1°C in December, right around the 21°C comfort line. December is the wettest winter month in Funchal, so leave room in your plans.
What is the coldest month for the sea in Madeira?
March, at 19.2°C on average over 2023 to 2025.
Is the sea warmer in Madeira or the Algarve in winter?
Madeira, by about 4°C on average from November to March: 20.5°C against 16.5°C.
