New Year’s Eve in Madeira: celebrate at sea
Madeira is known for its incredible fireworks shows. At midnight, the whole bay of Funchal is a spectacle and the best seat for it is on a boat. Here are the trips we’d book for 31 December 2026.
- Midnight · 31 December
- ~8 minutes of fireworks
- Boats from €155 per person
- All from Funchal Jachthaven
The best way to see Madeira’s firework show is from a boat in Funchal Bay. The show starts at midnight, lasts about 8 minutes and is fired from all around the city, so from the water you see all of it at once. Boat trips leave Funchal Marina late on 31 December, last 2 to 2.5 hours and cost from €155 per person. There are boats for all tastes, from luxury yachts to speedboats. Seats are limited, so book ASAP.
Madeira is a lovely city to visit in Winter, being New Year’s Eve a particularly special date. Funchal has become a New Year’s Eve destination thanks to its unique firework spectacle which can best be seen from a boat.
shots fired in 8 minutes from 58 launch points at the 2025/26 show. Guinness named it the world’s largest fireworks display in 2006/07.
New Year’s Eve boat trips in Madeira
Here are six ways to watch the fireworks from Funchal Bay, from a classic Madeiran sailing boat to your own private yacht. Every trip departs from Funchal Marina and is back shortly after midnight.
Top ratedVan €250 per personNew Year’s Eve on a classic Madeiran schooner
- Sparkling wine and Madeiran snacks
A traditional schooner with an open top deck for 360° views, plus a covered area, bar and toilets. Honey cake and croquettes on board; open bar available for €35 extra.
Best priceVan €155 per personNew Year’s Eve fireworks cruise with drinks
- Drinks and snacks included
- Van de haven van Funchal
The lowest-priced way onto the water. The crew positions the boat for the countdown, and life vests and raincoats are on board if the weather turns.
Van €200 per personNew Year’s Eve fireworks speedboat cruise
- Champagne and 12 lucky raisins
- Van de haven van Funchal
A faster, livelier ride out to the best spot in the bay. At midnight you toast with champagne and eat 12 raisins, one for each wish, the Portuguese way.
Van €240 per personFeestvuur op Funchal vanuit een klein bootje
- 10 m RIB or 8 m boat
Weave between the cruise ships anchored for the show, then toast the new year with sparkling wine. You’re welcome to bring your own drinks. You can also book the whole boat.
Open barVan €850 per personNew Year’s Eve catamaran with live singer and open bar
- Open bar, finger food, champagne
The party option: a modern catamaran with a live singer, wine, sangria and beer from the open bar, and a hardtop canopy with side curtains if it rains.
PrivéVan €2,500 per groupPrivate New Year’s Eve fireworks yacht
- Just your group, up to 8 guests
- Skipper, champagne and snacks
A SanRemo 930 flybridge all to yourselves. Cruise the lit-up coast, then take your place in the bay for midnight. Ideal for couples, families and friends.
Prices in euros and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide, checked . New Year’s Eve prices can change as the date gets closer. We earn a commission when you book through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Three tips for New Year’s Eve at sea
New Year is the busiest night of the year on the island. Make sure your night flows smoothly.
Book on time
Every boat has a fixed number of seats and only one departure that night. Hotels are almost full over New Year, and the best-reviewed boats sell out first.
Bring a warm layer
Funchal is mild in winter, around 14°C at night, but the wind picks up on the water. A windproof jacket makes a big difference, especially on a speedboat or RIB.
Get to the marina early
Tens of thousands of people head for the seafront on the night, so traffic is slow. Plan to walk the last part and arrive well before your check-in time.
How Madeira celebrates New Year
The firework spectacle is the highlight of a month of celebrations.
- Early December
The lights go on
Funchal’s streets, squares and gardens are lit with Christmas lights from the start of December until the first week of January.
- 23 December
The Night Market
Locals celebrate Noite do Mercado at the Mercado dos Lavradores and the streets around it, with food stalls and music late into the night.
- 31 December, evening
The bay fills up
Cruise ships drop anchor in Funchal Bay, the seafront fills with people, and the New Year’s Eve boats leave the marina to find their spot.
- Midnight
Eight-minute show
Fireworks rise from the hillside, the seafront and boats in the bay all at once. Ships sound their horns, glasses go up and 12 raisins go down.
Sea or land: where to watch the fireworks
Less crowds: pick a boat according to your needs.
From a boat
- The whole show at once: the full amphitheatre of Funchal in front of you, reflected in the sea.
- No crowds: room to move, take photos and toast without being pushed.
- Drinks included: every trip on this page includes at least a midnight toast.
- Costs from €155 per person.
From land
- Free: the seafront along Avenida do Mar is right in the middle of the show.
- Viewpoints: Pico dos Barcelos looks over the whole bay from above; hotel terraces in the Lido area face it too.
- Very crowded: arrive several hours early for a good spot.
- You only see the part of the show in front of you.
Veelgestelde vragen
What time are the New Year’s Eve fireworks in Madeira?
The fireworks start at midnight on 31 December and last about 8 minutes. They are launched from dozens of points around Funchal’s amphitheatre-shaped bay at the same time, so the whole city lights up at once.
Waar is de beste plek om de vuurwerkshow van Madeira te bekijken?
Van een boot in de baai van Funchal. Vanop het water zie je het hele amfitheater van de stad en zijn weerspiegeling op de zee, zonder de drukte.
How much does a New Year’s Eve boat trip in Madeira cost?
In november 2026 kosten gedeelde boten tussen de €155 en €250 per persoon, een catamaran met open bar en live muziek kost ongeveer €850 per persoon, en een privéjacht voor maximaal 8 gasten kost ongeveer €2.500 voor de groep. De prijzen op GetYourGuide kunnen eerder wijzigen.
Is Madeira’s New Year’s Eve show really the biggest in the world?
Guinness World Records named Madeira’s 2006/07 show the largest fireworks display in the world, with more than 66,000 fireworks. The show has grown since: the 2025/26 display fired about 97,000 shots in 8 minutes from 58 launch points, including 5 on boats in the bay.
Where do the New Year’s Eve boats leave from?
Alle boten op deze pagina vertrekken vanuit de jachthaven van Funchal, in het centrum van Funchal, naast de kustlijn. Het exacte ontmoetingspunt en de inchecktijd staan vermeld in uw GetYourGuide-boeking.
What is the weather like on New Year’s Eve in Madeira?
Gematigd voor de winter: meestal rond de 19°C overdag en 14°C 's nachts. Het kan windig en bewolkt zijn aan het water, dus neem een warme, winddichte laag mee. De schoener en de catamaran hebben overdekte ruimtes.
Can I cancel a New Year’s Eve boat trip?
De meeste van deze reizen bieden de mogelijkheid om tot 24 uur voor vertrek gratis te annuleren op GetYourGuide. Controleer de annuleringsvoorwaarden in de advertentie voordat u boekt.
Are New Year’s Eve boat trips in Madeira suitable for children?
Many are. The schooner is popular with families and life jackets are provided on board. Some trips are not suitable for children under 2 or for people prone to seasickness, so check the listing.
Ready to welcome 2027 on the water?
New Year’s Eve boats in Funchal have one departure a year. Pick yours while there are still seats.