Seixal Black Sand Beach - Aerial View

Live views of Madeira's iconic natural black sand beach and coastal waterfalls.

Praia do Porto do Seixal sits on Madeira's rugged north coast, tucked at the foot of near-vertical green cliffs that drop straight into the Atlantic Ocean. Unlike many rocky coves on the island, this shoreline features fine, natural black volcanic sand that feels surprisingly soft underfoot. Driving here from Funchal takes roughly 45 to 50 minutes through the Serra de Água valley and the north-coast expressway tunnels. Along the back of the beach, freshwater streams and slender waterfalls cascade directly down the mossy rock walls, mixing cold mountain runoff into the sea.

Because the towering coastal ridge rises immediately to the south, direct sunlight hits the sand during the morning hours and slips behind the ridge around 14:00, especially outside high summer. Checking this live webcam before setting out helps you confirm whether clear skies prevail or if low north-coast maritime clouds have settled over the water. The small harbor pier adjacent to the sand provides partial shelter from larger open-ocean swells, making it a favorite swimming and bodyboarding spot when southern beaches are crowded.