V29 - New Year's Eve Madeira Fireworks and Sailing

Voyage description

Join us for a New Year’s Eve Madeira fireworks and sailing extravaganza aboard the Santa Maria Manuela. Get into the party spirit in nautical style with old friends and new as we set sail from the beautiful island of Funchal to the stunning anchorage and golden sands of Porto Santo.

Swapping long cold winter nights of Mainland Europe for Madeira’s semi-tropical warmth, we hoist our sails and head east under the shadow of the ancient volcanic island of Madeira with the Christmas lights of Funchal illuminating the night sky. As we leave the lee of the island and the rolling swell begins to flow under our hull we get the first sense that we are indeed in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The water is so blue here that it almost seems the gods spilt a pot of ink when designing the archipelago.

During our short passage between the islands, you're invited to fully engage in all aspects of sailing, from helming to trimming sails and from navigation to going aloft.

Porto Santo’s nine golden kilometres of pristine sand, bathed by the turquoise Atlantic waters, offer a breathtaking panorama. Anchoring before this beach, voted "the best dune beach" by '7 Wonders: Beaches of Portugal' in 2012 and said to have medicinal qualities, promises a rejuvenating experience. After a dip in the tepid waters of Porto Santo, unwind amidst the sand dunes before returning to the ship for sundowners.

Leaving Porto Santo, we sail past the Ilhas Desertas Nature Reserve—three uninhabited islands in their purest state: Deserta Grande, Ilhéu Chão and Bugio. Home to the mystical Shearwater, which is known to nest on the rocky shores of this moon-scaped island, Desertas islands are home to a colony of Mediterranean monk seals, also known as sea wolves, the rarest seal in the world.

We return to Funchal just in time for our New Year’s Eve feast, where guests and crew gather under the glittering lights illuminating the ancient volcanic slopes—a truly magical backdrop. Across Madeira's volcanic slopes, the air resonates with the sound of celebrations, building anticipation for one of the world's most spectacular fireworks displays; a tradition celebrated in the Guinness World Records. Multiple launch points ignite a magnificent show against the backdrop of Madeira's stunning landscape, with the Santa Maria Manuela at the heart of the action.

New Year’s Day offers a chance for relaxation aboard or, after a hearty breakfast, to walk off night’s celebrations ashore. Explore Funchal’s famous festive markets, adorned with lights and enlivened by countless live bands, or discover the island's botanical gardens for a serene start to the new year.

Weather:
While many destinations experience long, cold, and dark nights, the weather in Madeira boasts mostly sunny skies and pleasant temperatures year-round. Average temperatures typically hover around 20 degrees Celsius during December and January, making it especially ideal for avid outdoor enthusiasts.

When preparing for your voyage please bear in mind:

• Your passport must have at least 6 months validity at the time of travel
• The SMM is granted no flexibility for the embarkation and disembarkation times from the customs authorities
• All guests must be between the age of 14 and 80 yrs at the time of travel