Canyoning Experience Level I Beginners in Ribeira das Cales
By Discovery Island Madeira · listed in canyoning tours in Madeira for beginners
I'd consider this level 1 trip for a family trying canyoning together. Children can join from age 7 with a minimum height of 1.20 metres. Each booking needs someone aged 18 or over.
The Ribeira das Cales route covers 850 metres through pools and waterfalls. Ask whether you'll go there or to Ribeiro Frio. Check the highest abseil before booking. Be prepared for up to 15 metres.
Boots and gloves come with the canyoning kit. GoPro photos and videos are included alongside bottled water. Hotel pickup is included in the option. Pickup in some towns costs extra.
- Trip type
- Shared activity
- Departure
- FunchalMeeting point and check-in below
- Duration
- 4 hours 30 minutes
- Listed group limit
- up to 20 people
- Price
- from €70 per adultLowest price the operator lists. Your date may cost more.
- Rating
- 4.97/5 from 149 reviews, combined Viator and Tripadvisor; on Viator alone 5.0 from 3 reviews
- Languages
- German, Portuguese, English, French, Spanish
- Details as of
- 13 September 2026
Before you book
- Ages 7 to 60 can book. Each booking needs someone aged 18 or over.
- Children must be at least 1.20 metres tall.
- Ask which canyon you'll visit. Be prepared for an abseil up to 15 metres.
- Pickup in Ponta do Sol or Calheta costs €10 extra per person. The same charge applies in Santana and São Vicente. It also applies in Porto Moniz.
- Bad weather or too few bookings can cancel the trip.
- Give this one a miss if you're pregnant, or if you have a back or spine injury or a heart condition.
- At least one adult (18+) per booking, up to 20 people per booking.
Book through Viator, a Tripadvisor company. Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund.
Programme
- Ribeira das Cales: start near Pico do Arieiro
- Follow 850 metres of stream with abseils and pools, about 3 hours 30 minutes
Photos
Photos from the tour listing on Viator.
Included
- Full Body Suit
- Free GoPro Video and Photos
- Gloves
- Boots
- Helmet
- Rappel Gear
- Bottled water
- Harness
Paid separately
- Pickup in Ponta do Sol, Calheta, Santana, São Vicente and Porto Moniz has added cost of +10€ per pax
Meeting point, pickup and return
Hotel pickup or meet at the start point. Pickup 30 minutes before departure. 36 pickup points listed by the operator.
We will pick you up at your hotel or accommodation; our vehicles are easily identifiable by our distinctive color and logo on the doors. Our driver/guide will be waiting for you outside the hotel reception at the designated pickup time.
When you reach the pink house, take the second entrance on the left. The meeting place will be in the parking lot of the "O Barracão" restaurant. Show in Google Maps
You come back to the same place.
Schedule and confirmation
Usual timetable: Mon, Wed, Fri, at 09:00. Check your date when you book.
Instant confirmation. Book at least 1 day ahead. Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
Cancellation, weather and limits
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- 100% refund when cancelled 1 day or more before
- 0% refund when cancelled less than 1 day before
Bad weather can cancel the trip. The trip can also be cancelled if too few people book.
The operator's conditions, as written
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children under 7 years old and shorter than 1.20 meters are not allowed.
- Child rate: ages 7 to 11
- Youth rate: ages 12 to 17
- Adult rate: ages 18 to 60
Ratings by source
4.97/5 from 149 reviews, combined Viator and Tripadvisor; on Viator alone 5.0 from 3 reviews.
| Source | Average | Reviews | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viator | 5.0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tripadvisor | 5.0 | 146 | 144 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Counts and averages as shown on Viator on 13 September 2026. We don't have the review texts.
From the operator
In Discovery Island Madeira's own words, from the Viator listing.
Our Canyoning Level 1 - Ribeira das Cales activity offers a unique blend of adventure and natural beauty, perfect for beginners and enthusiasts alike. What sets this experience apart is the stunning setting in Ribeira das Cales or Ribeiro Frio, where participants navigate through six captivating waterfalls, each offering its own distinct landscape and challenge. The option to engage in three exhilarating jumps adds an element of thrill, while the 15-meter abseil provides a spectacular finale to the adventure. The entire experience is designed to be accessible, requiring only a brief journey from start to finish, making it an ideal introduction to the thrilling world of canyoning. This activity not only allows participants to immerse themselves in the breathtaking nature of Madeira but also offers a safe and memorable adventure under expert guidance.
Alternatives in the same collection
- Canyoning in Madeira Island- Level 1€5 cheaper · 30 minutes longer · 12 people at most · from €65 per adult
- Level 1 - Canyoning For All - Beginner | Funchal1 hour 30 minutes shorter · 8 people at most · from €70 per adult
- Canyoning in Madeira: Ideal for Beginners and Families1 hour 30 minutes longer · 15 people at most · from €70 per adult
Who checked this
Edited by Roman Antonov. I love Madeira and keep going back. Every detail on this page comes from the operator's own listing on Viator, as of 13 September 2026.
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