Garajau Nature Reserve

Sitting on Madeira's leeward south coast below the Ponta do Garajau cape, the site is shielded by the island landmass from the dominant NW Atlantic groundswell, so the north-through-west sectors are effectively blocked. The exposed window faces open water to the south, where southerly swell and southerly wind-waves can build and stir up surge along the wall. Conditions are usually calm and diveable, with the boat trip from Funchal cancelled mainly during strong S–SE blows.