Madeira Aquarium, Porto Moniz (Madeira)

Aquarium in Porto Moniz (Madeira)

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Karelj

Madeira Aquarium (locally called Aquário da Madeira) is set inside the Fortaleza de São João Baptista, a striking basalt-stone fort built to protect Porto Moniz from pirate raids. The setting alone is memorable: you're not walking into a generic aquarium building, but into a coastal stronghold that feels woven into the island's volcanic landscape.

Inside, the visit is modest in scale but surprisingly rewarding, especially if you're travelling with kids or want a quick, weather-proof stop between swims and viewpoints. For many visitors it becomes one of the things to do in Porto Moniz that adds variety to a day otherwise focused on the natural pools.

History and Significance of the Madeira Aquarium
Things to See and Do in the Madeira Aquarium
How to Get to the Madeira Aquarium
Practical Tips on Visiting the Madeira Aquarium
Where to Stay close to the Madeira Aquarium
Is the Madeira Aquarium Worth Visiting?
FAQs for Visiting Madeira Aquarium
For Different Travelers
Nearby Attractions to the Madeira Aquarium

History and Significance of the Madeira Aquarium

The aquarium’s character is shaped by its location. The fort dates to 1730 and was constructed with local basalt, designed as a defensive response to the vulnerability of this exposed north-coast settlement. Visiting today, you can still feel the logic of the site: thick walls, a commanding coastal position, and the Atlantic always present just beyond.

Madeira Aquarium opened in 2005 with a focus on the archipelago's marine biodiversity, showcasing native species that reflect the waters around Madeira rather than importing a global mix. That emphasis makes it a good “context stop” for the island-after you've seen the dramatic coastline, you get a clearer sense of what lives in the surrounding seas.

The result is a small attraction with a strong identity: part fort, part local marine showcase, and part family-friendly break that fits naturally into Porto Moniz's broader coastal experience.

Things to See and Do in the Madeira Aquarium

The aquarium is centred on 12 tanks featuring species found around Madeira, and the highlights tend to be the sharks and rays, which draw most visitors' attention immediately. The compact layout works in its favour: it's easy to move at your own pace, circle back to favourites, and keep children engaged without the fatigue that can come with larger aquariums.

Beyond the headline animals, look for the quieter details-smaller fish, textures, and behaviours that mirror what you might spot if you snorkel in Madeira’s calmer bays. If you’ve brought a mask for the natural pools, the aquarium can actually sharpen your eye for marine life in the wild afterwards.

For travellers who want something more immersive, Madeira Aquarium also offers an in-tank diving experience with an instructor, designed so you can participate even without a diving certification. It's a controlled way to get close to the larger species, and it can be a standout upgrade if you're already planning a Porto Moniz day and want one unique “only here” activity.

How to Get to the Madeira Aquarium

Most visitors arrive via Madeira Cristiano Ronaldo Airport (Funchal) and then travel to Porto Moniz on the island's north coast. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Porto Moniz (Madeira) on Booking.com.

Public buses run between Funchal and Porto Moniz, but journeys can be slow and schedules matter, so it's worth planning your return time before you commit to a long stop.

If you're travelling by car, Porto Moniz is reachable by well-maintained island roads, but expect winding sections and rapid weather changes as you cross higher ground. If you are looking to rent a car in Portugal I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you.

Once you're in Porto Moniz, the aquarium is centrally located by the seafront and is easy to reach on foot from the natural pools area.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Madeira Aquarium

Suggested tips: Treat it as a 45-90 minute stop between the pools and viewpoints, and go earlier in the day if you want a quieter, more relaxed visit.
Best time to visit: Late morning or mid-afternoon as a break from wind and spray on the seafront; winter and shoulder-season days are ideal when you want indoor variety.
Entrance fee: Adults: €8.00
Opening hours: Daily 10:00 to 18:00.
Official website: https://www.portomoniz.pt/en/visit/points-interest/aquarium
How long to spend: 45-90 minutes for a standard visit; longer if you have children who want repeat loops around the tanks.
Accessibility: The site is designed with visitors in mind, but the fort setting can include uneven surfaces; take extra care on wet days.
Facilities: Keep expectations modest-this is a small aquarium; plan meals and longer breaks at the nearby seafront cafés.
Photography tip: For the best overall memory shot, photograph the fort exterior first, then capture a few tank details rather than trying to shoot every display.
Guided tours: If you’re interested in the diving experience, book ahead where possible, and allow extra time for briefing, equipment, and post-dive wind-down.
Nearby food options: Pair your visit with a simple local lunch in Porto Moniz-this is an easy stop to sandwich between swimming and a sit-down meal.

Where to Stay close to the Madeira Aquarium

If you want to visit the aquarium and the natural pools at the calmest times, staying in Porto Moniz makes the biggest difference-you can go early, avoid day-trip peaks, and return for a second swim when the crowds thin. Aqua Natura Madeira is a particularly convenient base for a pool-and-aquarium-focused stay.

For a practical, central option close to the seafront, Hotel Euro Moniz is well placed for walking between the main Porto Moniz sights.

If you prefer a straightforward local stay with easy access to the village and coastal viewpoints, Hotel Salgueiro is another solid choice nearby.

Is the Madeira Aquarium Worth Visiting?

Yes, if you go in with the right expectations. It's not a sprawling, all-day aquarium, but it is a well-located, family-friendly stop that adds variety to Porto Moniz-especially on breezier north-coast days when you want something sheltered between outdoor viewpoints and swims.

It’s also worth considering if you’re curious about Madeira’s marine environment. The focus on local species gives it a sense of place, and the optional instructor-led dive can turn a short visit into a genuinely distinctive experience.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

3.3 (1,499)

Aquário da Madeira on R. do Forte de São João Baptista is a compact, well-maintained aquarium where a large central tank houses small sharks, rays, morays and other native Madeiran fish; visits typically take 10–20 minutes and there's an option to dive in the big tank for a more immersive experience. Reviewers praise its charm and suitability for children and highlight guided, interactive experiences, though some note maintenance issues like algae on the glass and a few lethargic-looking fish, and that parking in the town can be limited.

Stanislav Degtjarjov

3 months ago

"Tiny space but it covers the most popular species. The price and value is not fare, but keeping facility in shape takes resources. The mostattractive part is a huge aquarium with small sharks, moray eel and other fishes. The entire visit takes 10-20 minutes, depends on “seek & hide” game and show/action performed by species. Note: in the city there is no or few free parking...."

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Lela Avraam

4 months ago

"A small but well-maintained aquarium with a lot of charm! There's also an option to dive in the large tank for an unforgettable experience. Highlyrecommended, especially if you're visiting with kids – they'll absolutely love it!!..."

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Lisa Young

5 months ago

"Decided to explore since we didn’t end up at the natural swimming pool. Walked up the ramp thinking the aquarium was there? Instead we had anothergreat view with nobody there at all! If in the area worth checking out and was free to enter...."

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FAQs for Visiting Madeira Aquarium

Yes. Aquário da Madeira is the local name, and many visitors refer to it in English as Madeira Aquarium.

It’s relatively small and easy to visit in under two hours, making it a good add-on rather than a full-day attraction.

The sharks and rays are the standout favourites, along with the variety of native Madeira marine species.

Yes. The compact layout is manageable, and the tanks keep kids engaged without long walking distances.

It is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00.

Usually no for standard entry, but booking ahead is sensible in peak season or if you’re combining the visit with a diving experience.

Yes, there is an instructor-led experience designed to allow participation without prior certification, subject to basic safety rules and suitability checks.

Yes. It’s located within the historic Forte de São João Baptista, which adds atmosphere to the visit.

It is visitor-oriented, but the fort setting can involve uneven surfaces; if mobility is a concern, plan extra time and choose calmer, drier conditions.

Yes. It works well as a short break from wind and sun, and it adds a different angle to your Porto Moniz day.

For Different Travelers

Families with Kids

Madeira Aquarium is a strong family add-on because it's short, structured, and naturally interesting. It also works well as a “reset stop” between swimming sessions-especially if children need a break from the sun, wind, or saltwater.

To keep it smooth, combine it with a simple plan: aquarium first, then pools, then a meal. That sequencing avoids rushing kids out of the water because you’re trying to make an opening time.

Couples & Romantic Getaways

For couples, the aquarium is best treated as a quick cultural interlude rather than a headline attraction. The fort setting adds atmosphere, and it can be a nice way to slow down the pace of a west-coast drive day.

If you're looking for something more memorable, the instructor-led dive can turn a simple visit into a distinctive shared experience, particularly if you want a “Madeira-only” story beyond the usual viewpoints.

Budget Travelers

Madeira Aquarium can be good value if you use it intentionally: a compact paid activity that adds variety without consuming the whole day. It's especially helpful on a north-coast day when the weather turns and you want something reliable to do.

To keep costs controlled, treat the dive experience as an optional splurge rather than a default, and pair the visit with free highlights nearby like seafront viewpoints and coastal walks.

Nearby Attractions to the Madeira Aquarium

Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools: The island's most iconic lava pools, ideal for a sea-fed swim with dramatic Atlantic scenery.
Seixal Black Sand Beach: A photogenic north-coast beach where volcanic sand and cliffs create a striking landscape.
Fanal Forest: A misty laurel-forest plateau known for atmospheric walks and surreal-looking trees.
Achadas da Cruz Cable Car: A dramatic ride down to a remote coastal fajã with expansive ocean views.
Ribeira da Janela Viewpoints: Rugged coastal scenery with rock stacks and sweeping north-shore perspectives.

The Madeira Aquarium appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Porto Moniz (Madeira)!

Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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