Updated in September 2026, this Madeira Aquarium guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking, transport, accessibility and what to see.
The Madeira Aquarium is a small marine aquarium in Porto Moniz, on the north coast of Madeira, Portugal. As of September 2026, standard adult admission is €7, and the aquarium occupies a rebuilt 18th-century fort rather than a purpose-built building. Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official Porto Moniz council website in September 2026, when this guide was last updated.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Daily, 10am–6pm, year-round |
| Ticket prices | Normal €7; single ticket €8; group (5+) €5; junior (5–14) €4; senior (65+) €4 |
| Address | Rua Forte S. João Baptista, 9270-095 Porto Moniz, Madeira |
| Nearest transport/parking | SIGA bus to Porto Moniz; free car park near the village centre |
| Typical time needed | 45 minutes – 1 hour |
Madeira Aquarium opening hours
The aquarium opens every day from 10am to 6pm.
Unlike many of the island’s outdoor attractions, these hours stay the same year-round, with no seasonal variation published on the official website, and no closure dates listed.
Madeira Aquarium ticket prices
A normal adult ticket costs €7, while the council’s own “single ticket” costs €8; the official website does not explain the difference between the two categories. Group tickets for five or more visitors cost €5 per person, and junior (5–14) and senior (65+) tickets cost €4 each; groups of five or more juniors or seniors pay €3 per person.
The Madeira Aquarium is not currently part of a multi-attraction city pass scheme; it is a council-run facility, and tickets are bought directly at the door.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in September 2026. Read more.
Top Madeira experiences to book in advance
- 🚙 Northern Madeira jeep tour combining ocean pools, cliffs and mountain views on this guided off-road adventure
- 🍷 Funchal food and wine tour for a relaxed way to feast in the capital on this small-group tasting experience
- 🐬 Dolphin and whale watching cruise on a luxury catamaran tour
- 🌲 West Madeira highlights tour visiting waterfalls and the Fanal Forest on this full-day scenic island trip
- 🚶 Old Funchal walking tour covering the historic heart of Madeira’s capital with a local expert guide
How to get to the Madeira Aquarium
The aquarium stands on Rua Forte S. João Baptista, in the centre of Porto Moniz, about 48km from Funchal.
By car, the fastest route from Funchal follows the VE1/VR1 expressway via Ribeira Brava and São Vicente, taking around 50 minutes. A slower western route runs via Calheta and passes through Achadas da Cruz before reaching Porto Moniz. Public buses run from Funchal via SIGA – Transportes Públicos da RAM, though the journey by bus takes over two hours.
Parking at the Madeira Aquarium
A free municipal car park serves Porto Moniz village centre, a short walk from the aquarium and the natural pools.
This car park fills up quickly on busy days, particularly around midday when coach tours arrive, so an early or late visit makes parking easier. The official website does not list a paid car park specific to the aquarium.
How long to spend at the Madeira Aquarium
Most visitors spend 45 minutes to an hour inside the Madeira Aquarium, given its 12 exhibition tanks.
The aquarium is often combined with a visit to the adjoining natural lava pools or the nearby Centro Ciência Viva, making a half-day out of the village centre.
Accessibility at the Madeira Aquarium
The official website does not publish detailed accessibility information for the Madeira Aquarium.
As the aquarium occupies a rebuilt historic fort, visitors with mobility needs may encounter uneven or stepped surfaces; contacting the aquarium directly on +351 291 850 340 before visiting is advisable for anyone needing step-free access.
Inside the Madeira Aquarium
The aquarium is set inside a replica of the São João Baptista Fort, originally built in 1730 to defend Porto Moniz against pirate raids and rebuilt by the council from 1998.
Twelve exhibition tanks hold more than 90 native marine species, drawn from the waters around Madeira and shared with the wider Macaronesia region, including the Azores, Canary Islands and Cape Verde.
Displays include moray eels, octopus, rays and small sharks such as the tope shark (caneja), alongside reef fish including sargo, salema and parrotfish (bodião).
Invertebrates on show include starfish, sea urchins, spiny lobsters and hermit crabs, reflecting the rocky shoreline habitats of the north coast.
The aquarium also runs a scuba diving partnership with the local Turtle Diving Center, offering a discover-diving experience for visitors without a diving certificate.
Practical visitor tips
| Focus | Tip |
|---|---|
| Timing | Arrive at opening time or in the late afternoon to avoid coach-tour crowds around midday. |
| Crowds | Porto Moniz is a popular day-trip stop, so summer weekends bring the heaviest footfall. |
| Layout | The 12 tanks are arranged across a single fort building, making the visit straightforward to complete in one loop. |
| Entry process | Tickets are sold on-site only; there is no online booking system. |
| On-site logistics | Combine the visit with the adjoining natural pools, reachable on foot in a couple of minutes. |
Frequently asked questions about the Madeira Aquarium
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Madeira Aquarium suitable for children? | Yes. Junior tickets (ages 5–14) cost €4. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance? | No. Tickets are sold only at the door, with no online booking. |
| Is the Madeira Aquarium open on Sundays? | Yes. It opens daily, including Sundays, from 10am to 6pm. |
| Are there discounts for seniors? | Yes. Visitors aged 65 and over pay €4 for a normal ticket. |
| Is the Madeira Aquarium included in a Madeira city pass? | No. It is a council-run facility with its own ticketing. |
Things to do near the Madeira Aquarium
- Piscinas Naturais do Porto Moniz — the village’s famous volcanic lava swimming pools, a short walk from the aquarium.
- Centro Ciência Viva do Porto Moniz — a science centre a few minutes’ walk away, with hands-on exhibits.
- Miradouro da Santa — a viewpoint over the village and its pools, a short drive away.
- Ribeira da Janela — a coastal viewpoint over small rock islets, about 10 minutes east.
- The Achadas da Cruz Cable Car — about 15–20 minutes’ drive west, descending to a cliffside plateau.
Alternative attractions
- Museu da Baleia, Caniçal — about 1 hour 30 minutes away, on the island’s whaling history and marine life.
- Grutas e Centro de Vulcanismo de São Vicente — about 30 minutes away, volcanic caves with a hands-on science centre.
- Jardim Botânico do Funchal — about 1 hour away, with an exotic plant collection and a natural history museum.
- Parque Temático da Madeira, Santana — about 40 minutes away, an open-air museum on island traditions.
- Jardim Tropical Monte Palace, Funchal — about 1 hour away, a large tropical garden with lakes.
More Madeira travel
Other Madeira travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Guides to Madeira’s north coast highlights, including the Miradouro do Véu da Noiva, the Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools, the Miradouro Ribeira da Janela, Seixal Beach and the Fanal Forest.
- Guides to Madeira’s best south coast attractions, including Cabo Girao and Ribeira Brava Beach.
- Survey the mountains from Madeira’s Boca da Encumeada Viewpoint.
- Funchal travel guides: The Madeira Botanical Garden, Funchal Cathedral, Monte Church and Monte Palace Tropical Gardens.
- Madeira’s cable cars: Guides to the Madeira Cable Car, Botanical Garden Cable Car and Achadas da Cruz cable car in Madeira.
