Where Should I Swim?
It's not easy to find long sandy beaches on Madeira since it's a volcanic island. However, there are a few artificial beaches, and in addition, you can find everything from coarser pebble beaches, some black sand beaches, low cliffs with ladders, and natural tidal pools. There are many more than what we mention here, but these are the ones we personally prefer or have been recommended. Be aware that for some of the pebble beaches, it might be useful to bring water shoes, as it can be a bit challenging to get into the water without receiving a serious foot massage along the way.
It might be helpful to download the Windy app, as Madeira is influenced by a lot of local weather, and it makes it easier to see where on the island you should head for calmer, clearer, and turquoise water. Wind can come from all directions, and as you know, wind can bring waves and potentially murky water.
The water temperature will be around 23-24°C (73-75°F) in September.
Praia do Sardinha
Only by hiking or boat.
Porto das Salemas natural pools
Only accessible on foot, Salemas Beach is a real natural paradise, which reveals itself especially at low tide. At this time, it's possible to observe the appearance of numerous natural pools, with a vibrant turquoise blue. This hidden oasis is located on the northern part of the island of Porto Santo, in Porto das Salemas. It's a small cove framed by a wonderful scenery of rocks and natural pools. To get here, just head for Fonte da Areia and then follow the signs to Porto das Salemas. Then, you will have to walk along a dirt track until you reach an open space, where you are advised to park your car. This is the starting point of the path, which is made on foot along a steep road, sometimes with loose stones. It's therefore advisable to take some precautions.
Praia da Maiata
It's mainly a surfing beach, and people come from all over Europe (and the world) to enjoy the waves here. Depending on the day, it's suitable for beginners to intermediate surfers. It might look like a rocky beach, but after a few meters, the bottom becomes sandy, and you can stand comfortably. This also makes Praia da Maiata less dangerous for beginners.