The Solar do Bom Jesus is a fully restored historical manor house located in the village of Santa Cruz on the southeast coast of Madeira island, a short walk from Palmeiras beach.
Fully restored and modernised, the 18th century sunny manor house was once the residence of military and diplomatic noble families from Portugal. The property features 31 rooms with two single beds (double or twin configuration) and two suites. Spacious and comfortable they feature modern amenities including cable TV and complimentary WiFi internet access. All rooms feature an en-suite bathroom, air-conditioning and are modestly furnished.
Facilities include a restaurant serving international and regional cuisine, a small fitness suite, shared lounge area and outdoor swimming pool.
Santa Cruz offers visitors numerous eateries and bars, as well as festivals and events throughout the year including gastronomy, theatrical and musical themes. Praia das Palmeiras is a popular pebble beach and a ten-minute walk away. The airport is also close, just a five minute drive.
Dive centres in Madeira all offer a fantastic underwater experience for all, whether breathing your first bubbles, logging a milestone dive, or furthering your diving education. The most popular dive sites are found on the south coast of the island and are mainly volcanic in their topography.
Explore the Eco Park of Funchal and Garajau Marine Park, plus the wrecks off both Madeira and Porto Santo islands with Focusnatura dive centre in Santa Cruz. It is also possible to arrange extended trips to Desertas island for monk seal encounters (permit required).
Underwater highlights include the friendly dusky grouper at sites such as Ginga, incredible wall dives such as Reis Magos as well as the choice of wrecks, some purposefully scuttled such as the Afonso Cerqueira. The volcanic topography has helped create canyons, tunnels and basalt chimneys, all home to an amazing diversity of inhabitants including frog fish, parrot fish, crabs, shrimp, moray eels and octopus. At sites such as Arena, garden eels and rays are found on the sandy bottom whilst shoals of larger fish such as snapper, salema and amberjacks are also observed. Look out for dolphin and sea lions as you journey to some dive sites.
Snorkelling is popular here and there are plenty of protected sites for those who want to learn to dive. Additional local charges apply for certain dive sites and those with fewer than 25 logged dives will need an additional guide. Full equipment rental is available as well as 15 litre tanks and Nitrox.
The average water temperature ranges from 18°C in winter to 25°C in summer. With visibility ranging from 15 – 30 metres, the marine life is easy to spot in the clear blue waters and diving is available throughout the year.
Scuba dive Madeira, a small volcanic island with a temperate climate and a unique natural heritage. Divers of all abilities can enjoy the incredible seascapes and diversity of life in the Garajau Marine Park. Find Out More about Dive Madeira
The subtropical island of Madeira welcomes visitors all year. The capital Funchal offers culture and entertainment whilst the Natural Park is home to unique flora and fauna and the surrounding waters, bountiful with marine life. Find Out More about {acc:title}
