Set in Atlantic Ocean on parallel 33 the Madeira archipelago is about the same latitude as Casablanca and Bermuda.
Garajau area it’s a miniature of Rio de Janeiro’s statue of Christ of Redeemer was erected on the wild rocky headland at the southern end of the village 1922.
The terns (Garajau in Portuguese) that gave their name to the village can still be seen from the ziggas path that winds down the cliff face to a pebble beach below the head land.
Due the Gulf Stream flows past the islands allowing water temperatures hanging from 18 Cº in winter to 24 Cº in summer, perfect for swimming, diving and every kind of waters sports.
Garajau is the tip of a large underwater mountain. Just five kilometres of the coast of the ocean floors plunges to a dept three thousand metres, which explain why we can see so many huge creatures swimming so close to land.
Whales can be sight from many view points on the Island.
The dolphin species, common dolphin, bottle nose dolphin can be seen once providing a boat trip.
The underwater landscape of Madeira composed of shallow rocks and reefs, caves and drop off make it an especially attraction.
The maritime reserve of Garajau, East of Funchal was created in 1986. Considered till today the first maritime reserve in Portugal. It is an extraordinary reserve. Among the existing fauna fish of big sizes can be found as grouper, devil fish and manta, whose gracious movements turns the place into International attraction, along with the great diversity of coastal species.
Fish accept peaceful the human presence and allow the freedom of swimming among them, which is an excellent opportunity of taking rare photos.
