The Beluga Submarine is Madeira´s only glass bottom boat, starting her trips in 2004. And from then, she has been operating ever since with the same company and owner.

  We do two daily trips, each with a duration of around two and a half hours. The trips depart from Funchal Marina, and head East, to the Garajau Nature Reserve, that is the only marine nature reserve on the South side of the island.

  It takes about 45 minutes from the Funchal Marina to Ponta do Garajau. Here, we enter the nature reserve, approaching the cliff that goes vertically, about 30 meters (100 feet) deep to the bottom of the ocean. From here you start seeing fish and other marine life that live along the rock face, we go along the cliff, heading into the shallow waters of the bay. Once in the bay, we stop, and the boat gets surrounded with multiple species of fish that you can see through the glass or from the surface.

  It is also here, in the bay, where we make the stop for those that would like to swim and/or go snorkelling. The water temperature in the summer varies between 22 and 25 degrees Celsius. 

  After visiting Garajau, we head towards deeper waters, in search of dolphins, whales and turtles, that sometimes, are possible to see though the glass, that is a truly unique experience.