Calheta

Calheta Vila or the centre of Calheta is near the sandy beach with a small marina , Restaurants and Bars. Here is the only big supermarket, the "Pingo doce", a souvenir shop and the Hotel Calheta Beach. From here one can go on a "Big game" fishing tour or Dolphin and Whalewatching with the old fisherboat "Ribeira Brava". You should visit the old sugar cane factory ( only working in March/April but opened all year long) as well as the old church beside the sugar cane factory. The southwestern coast of Madeira is ideal for all those, looking for unspoilt nature and part of the island with the warmest climate, far away from the usual tourism centres of Funchal.In the winter season it offers still very moderate temperatures so that you can even swim in the atlantic nearby. You reach the sea by an artificial sandy beach, built in 2006 with imported sand from Marocco. Beside the beach you find the Marina with some bars and restaurants and elegant yachts. From here you can start several excursions by boat : big game fishing or whale and dolphin watching.
An old sugar cane factory is working once a year ( march/april)but open throughout the whole year :you can taste the products made in the factory.
For all those who like to walk here is the ideal place to start : the national park Rabaçal - Worlds nature heritage ( UNESCO) - is perfect for some Levada walks ( 25 fontes / Risco waterfall).Here you find Madeiras "Laurissilva" - Laurel forests and enjoy the unspoilt Madeira, as it was at the time it was discovered.....