Madeira Canyoning For Beginners Nun’s Valley Level 2

A rainy-day dare that feels like pure freedom. In Madeira’s Nun’s Valley, this Level 2 canyoning turns a half-day into a hands-on mix of abseiling, water play, and mountain views with guides like Jose and Bruno keeping you confident and moving.

What I like most is how the experience is structured for people who want more adventure but still need clear coaching. You’ll also get optional jumps and refresh-you-in-the-pools moments, so you can choose your comfort level without killing the fun.

One consideration: this is physical outdoor time. Even at Level 2, you’ll be wet, climbing in and out of spots, and doing rope work, so you’ll want decent fitness and a willingness to get cold water on day one.

Key highlights in Nun’s Valley Level 2 canyoning

• Four abseils, with the biggest one at 15 meters for a real “okay, we’re doing this” moment
• Optional jumps and slides in refreshing pools, so you can go bigger or skip specific drops
• A 20-minute approach walk on dirt and a levada path, before you even hit the water action
• Jose and Bruno style of coaching, clear instructions paired with humor, plus safety-first teamwork
• Photos included, so you’re not stuck trying to film your own courage

Madeira canyoning Level 2: what you’re actually signing up for

This is Nun’s Valley Level 2 canyoning in Madeira, Portugal, set in the Curral das Freiras area. The key idea of Level 2 is that it’s not the “casual” version. You’re stepping into more vertical terrain, more water features, and bigger choices in the canyon.

You can expect a route built around rope descents. There are four abseils, including the largest at 15 meters. Across the day, the canyoning reaches about 10 to 15 meters of height, depending on the specific drop. Some jumps are also possible, but they’re not forced, which is important if you’re new to canyoning or just nervous about committing.

A big plus is variety. You won’t just rappel and call it a day. The route includes walking sections, water crossings, and pools where you can jump, slide, or choose the safer option offered by the guide. And throughout, you’re not stuck staring at a wall. You get mountain views during parts of the route, which makes the experience feel like more than an obstacle course.

Price-wise, at about $61 per person for roughly 4 hours, it can feel good value when you consider what’s included: gear, qualified guidance, transfers, insurance, and photos. The time commitment is short enough to fit into a Madeira itinerary without wrecking your next day.

Getting there from Funchal, CR7 Museum, or Ponta do Sol

Logistics matter on a canyoning day, because you start earlier than you think and you do not want to be searching for the trailhead in wet shoes.

This tour offers pickup from the CR7 Museum area (Capela de São Rafael, Portugal’s CR7 Museum). You’ll also see pickup noted from Ponta do Sol, depending on the option selected. Drop-off is back to Capela de São Rafael, Portugal’s CR7 Museum.

If you have a car, you’ll probably find it simpler to drive directly to the canyon location. The plan notes that this is more convenient, and parking is free. If you do that, you should select the Capela location option.

One small timing reality: pickup times are confirmed the day before. That’s normal for active tours because they have to match the group, guide schedule, and conditions. Build a little buffer into your day so you’re not rushing.

Walking in along the levada before you rappel

A lot of canyoning tours jump straight to the thrill. This one still gives you the “arrive and warm up” phase, and that’s part of why it feels like an adventure rather than a factory line.

Before the canyon action begins, you walk about 20 minutes. The route is described as a walk on a dirt road and then along a levada. If you’re unfamiliar with Madeira levadas, they are irrigation channels that shape how people move through the island. Walking along one of these corridors gives you that unmistakable Madeiran feeling of being part of the working landscape, even while you’re gearing up for water drops.

This walk also matters for your body. It’s not long, but it helps you wake up your legs and get comfortable with the kit. Once you’re in the canyon, you’ll move faster and commit quicker to the next obstacle.

Jose and Bruno: the guide style that makes Level 2 work

Level 2 canyoning is where many first-timers feel a little nervous. That’s also where guide quality becomes the difference between fun and stress.

From the experience details and repeated patterns in the feedback, the guides lean into clear briefing, step-by-step instruction, and confidence-building. Names that show up again and again include Jose and Bruno. They’re described as experienced, encouraging, and very aware of safety. They also manage the group energy well, mixing serious technique with humor so people relax.

What you should look for in the way they coach:

• Clear explanation of how to handle the rope and where to place your feet
• Encouragement that lets you decide on optional jumps instead of pushing you
• Attention to pacing, especially when the canyon gets slippery
• Safety checks that feel normal, not dramatic

This is also where age diversity shows up. The groups you’ll be with may include people in their 50s alongside younger fit participants. The takeaway for you: Level 2 is adventurous, but it’s not only for thrill-seekers who train like athletes. It’s for people who want structure, coaching, and the chance to build confidence.

If you’re worried you’ll be the slowest person, you’ll likely appreciate that Level 2 often lets you progress at your pace. Several details point out that you can skip specific jumps while still enjoying the core canyoning: walking sections, slides, rappels, and water movement.

Rappels and the 15-meter moment in Nun’s Valley

Let’s talk about the “big teeth” of the route: the abseils. The tour describes four rappels, and the largest is 15 meters. Even though Level 2 includes smaller drops too (roughly 10 to 15 meters total range), that 15-meter segment is the one most people mentally prepare for.

The way to think about it is not just height. You’re dealing with wet rope, a harness and system, and the body mechanics of controlling your descent. Guides handle the setup and technique cues, but your job is to stay present and follow instructions.

Here’s why this is a good Level 2 target:

• It’s big enough to feel real and memorable.
• It’s still coached for beginners who want more than the easiest route.
• Optional moments let you choose where you commit more fully.

The route also includes natural features that make the descent feel integrated into the canyon, not like separate “events.” You go from one obstacle to the next, building a rhythm. That matters because the best canyoning doesn’t feel like a series of panic moments. It feels like progression.

Optional jumps and waterfall-style water fun

In the canyon, the water features are where the adventure turns playful. Level 2 includes several spots where you can jump and slide into pools. There are also optional choices, so you can pick your level of risk.

What’s most helpful for you: treat these as options controlled by the guide and your comfort. If you’re okay with jumps, you’ll get those adrenaline hits. If you’re not, you can still participate through other parts of the route, including slides and controlled entries.

Also, water tempo changes everything. Pools can be refreshing after ropes and climbs, but they also make footing slippery. That’s another reason good guide supervision matters. The tour experience is built around being accompanied and coached continuously, not just handed a rope and sent on your way.

If you like being active but you’re not chasing every “stunt,” this balance is exactly what Level 2 is for. You still get the vertical work, and you still get the water action, but you stay in control of your personal risk level.

Pool slides, refreshing breaks, and how the canyon keeps moving

Between abseils, you’ll hit the water-based sections that make canyoning different from climbing or zip-lining. In the route description, there are refreshing pools where you can jump and slide, plus natural slides that help move you through the canyon.

This is where you get that mix of thrill and reset:

• After a rope descent, a pool moment lets your body catch up.
• Slides keep you moving without needing extra vertical effort.
• Natural water channels make the route feel like a system, not random obstacles.

One practical point: bring a towel and plan to dry off later. Changing rooms are not included. So treat this as a wet activity you will need to manage. If you’re used to “dry outdoor tours,” canyoning will feel messier. That’s normal.

Also, your comfort isn’t just about fear. It’s about preparedness. When you’re wet, your hands can slip, and your shoes can feel slick. That’s why the gear matters, and why guides keep helping you through each section.

Gear, wetsuits, and photos you’ll actually want

The tour includes all equipment required for the activity. While the details list equipment in general, feedback notes highlight good quality wet suits, which is a big deal. Wet suits keep you warm enough to focus on technique rather than shivering through the hardest parts.

You do need to bring your own:

• Swimwear
• Towel

That’s it for what you’re explicitly asked to bring. No towel means you’ll be drying with whatever you have on hand later, and no changing rooms means you’ll need to plan your clothes and comfort accordingly.

Another included value-add: photos. In a canyon, you can’t always aim your phone, because you’re focused on safety, hand placement, and the next descent. Having photos taken for you removes a lot of pressure. Several comments reflect that being able to get pictures without worrying about your own camera is a real bonus.

If you care about memories, this matters. Canyoning is the kind of activity where your best moments happen quickly, and photos help you remember which part was the big one.

Price and value: why $61 for 4 hours can be fair

At around $61 per person for about 4 hours, the value depends on what’s included and what would cost you extra elsewhere.

Here’s what you’re getting for the price:

• Qualified guide for safety and technique coaching
• All required equipment
• Insurance
• Transfers/pickup and drop-off (including options around CR7 Museum and Ponta do Sol)
• Photos

Equipment and guiding are the biggest costs in active tours, and those are included. Insurance also matters because canyoning isn’t just scenic hiking. It’s vertical and wet.

So the “value math” is pretty straightforward: if you were to rent gear, arrange transport, and pay for guided rope instruction separately, the cost would usually rise quickly. This package keeps things bundled.

My practical suggestion: if you’re comparing options, compare what you get, not just the headline price. In this case, the included photos and transfers are small things that add up to a smoother day.

Who should book Level 2 Nun’s Valley canyoning (and who should skip)

This is designed for people who want more adventure than beginner canyoning but are still open to coaching and instruction. The Level 2 description emphasizes big jumps or big waterfalls as choices, with several rappels and the highest being around 15 meters.

You’ll likely enjoy it if you:

• Want to try canyoning for the first time or the second time and move up a notch
• Like the idea of optional jumps so you can choose comfort
• Are okay with wet conditions, physical effort, and rope-based work
• Enjoy outdoors time with regular breaks in pools and slides

You might want to reconsider if:

• Heights and rope systems make you shut down completely. You might still participate by skipping jumps, but you should be honest with yourself about comfort with abseils.
• You don’t have any fitness base. Even at Level 2, the day includes walking, equipment, and active movement.

Important safety note from the provided info: it’s not suitable for pregnant women. That’s a clear line, and you should respect it.

One more reality check: you’ll need to send sizes ahead of time, including your height (cm), weight (kg), shoe size (EU), and age. That means you should be able to communicate those details in advance.

Quick planning checklist (so your canyon day stays smooth)

Here’s what you’ll want to handle before you meet the guides:

• Swimwear ready
• Towel packed
• Be ready to send your sizes (height, weight, shoe size, age)
• Avoid alcohol and drugs during the experience

Also, plan your clothing and schedule. Changing rooms are not included, so think through how you’ll get back to your next stop feeling human.

Language-wise, you’ll get live guidance in English, Portuguese, or Spanish. If you’re choosing a tour time, English availability may depend on the group, but those are listed as offered languages.

If you’re a car owner, consider selecting the Capela location option and drive yourself to take control of your timing. Free parking is noted, which helps a lot.

Should you book this Level 2 canyoning in Nun’s Valley?

If you want a Madeira adventure that mixes real vertical moments with water play, this is a strong pick. The combination of 15-meter abseiling, optional jumps, coached technique, and included photos makes the experience feel complete rather than just a checklist of thrills.

Book it if you like the idea of:

• a half-day format (about 4 hours)
• guided rope work in a controlled setting
• choosing how adventurous you get inside the canyon

Skip it if you want a purely relaxed scenic tour, or if you’re not comfortable with wet, physical, rope-assisted activity. And if you’re pregnant, the provided info says it’s not suitable, so look for another Madeira option.

Bottom line: for value, safety coaching, and that mix of courage and play, this Nun’s Valley Level 2 canyoning is the kind of day you’ll remember long after the photos arrive.

FAQ

What is the duration of Madeira Canyoning For Beginners Nun’s Valley Level 2?

The tour lasts about 4 hours, with guided time listed as 3.5 hours.

Where are the pickup and drop-off locations?

Pickup and drop-off options are listed around Capela de São Rafael, Portugal’s CR7 Museum. Pickup is also mentioned from Ponta do Sol.

What should I bring for the canyoning?

Bring swimwear and a towel. Towels, swimwear, and changing rooms are not included.

What is included in the price?

Included are all equipment required, a qualified guide, insurance, transfer, and photos.

Is this tour available in English?

The live tour guide is listed as available in English, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Do I need to provide my body measurements?

Yes. You need to send sizes including height (cm), weight (kg), shoe size (EU), and age.