Day Three was our last full day in Madeira, so we had a full day of activities. The day started with a boat ride around the Atlantic Ocean where we got to see the island from a different perspective. We were casually riding around when suddenly the driver started to slow and said he thought he caught a glimpse of a dolphin jumping out of the water. After positioning the boat so we could have a good view of them, he turned off the engine, and we sat and waited. After a couple minutes, we saw a couple of them jumping out of the water and doing little flips. We watched them for a little bit until they moved to a different spot and we had keep moving. Afterwards, we made our way to a little area where we could dock the boat and go for a dip if we wanted to. When we left for the boat ride, it was kind of gloomy out, so none of us wore a bathing suit. We still sat there and put our feet in the water, which was a little cold but still felt nice.

While we were sitting there, we looked up at the cliffside and noticed we were right by the Cabo Girão, the cliff lookout we were at the day before. It was crazy seeing it from below. It looked so high, and it was hard to believe we were actually all the way up there. After a little while we had to start heading back to the dock. We drove past our hotel on the way back, and it was cool to see it from the other side; you could really tell how big it was. We also saw that the hotel had a diving board and swimming area in the ocean, so we decided that we wanted to jump in the ocean later that day.

Once we made it back to the dock, it was time to head to lunch, where we enjoyed a delicious meal. After lunch we went to one of the local markets to wander around for a little bit and do a coffee and chocolate tasting – which was so good!

Next on the list was a Madeira wine tasting at the local Blandy’s, one of the oldest distilleries on the island. After a quick tour of the grounds where we learned about the history and how the Madeira is made, we sat down to do our tasting. I thought the wine was going to taste more like a wine but instead it reminded me more of a brandy. I still liked it, though! We were even given mini bottles to take home with us.

After the wine tasting, it was time to head back to the hotel for some free time before we were to meet the hotel’s manager for a cocktail hour. During that time, my friend Remy and I decided we wanted to head down the cliffside of our hotel and take advantage of the ocean diving board. It was higher than it looked, but we decided it was now or never, and it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance, so we took the plunge. I’m so glad I did it – it was so fun! We floated around in the water for a little while just enjoying the moment.

When it was time to go, I headed up to my room to get ready for the cocktail hour and then dinner afterwards.

Dinner was at Audax, a MICHELIN Guide restaurant. The restaurant takes a unique twist on traditional Madeiran dishes. We were able to order the tasting menu so we could taste a little bit of everything the menu had to offer. Everything was so delicious. If you are ever in Madeira, I highly recommend eating there.

I was very sad it was our last day on the island, but the trip was amazing, and I already couldn’t wait to come back!

— Mary Melnick, social media & editorial manager