We left Vila do Porto just after seven in the morning.

Nice sailing all the way, a beam reach under full sail and we made an average speed of 6,2 knots arriving at Punta Delgada in the afternoon of May 13.

Punta Delgada is a big city, compared to Vila do Porto anyway, lots of shops and restaurants and quite busy with a lot of traffic.

There were a lot of available berths in the marina but swell made it uncomfortable.

We rented a car for two days and went for excursions and hikes, one day together with the crew of sy Salt.

Sailed distance 56,6 nautical miles

We left Funchal late in the afternoon and motored westward along the south coast of Madeira.

When we reached the Ponta do Pargo the northerly wind hit us and we sailed close hauled with just the jib in about 25 knots of wind and quite heavy seas. The second day the wind eased and turned more easterly as predicted and we could set more sail and have some less uncomfortable sailing. The last 100 miles or so we could run downwind with just the code.

After 3 and a half days we arrived at Vila do Porto.

Santa Maria is a small island with only about 5000 inhabitants, very laid back compared to Funchal and very few tourists.

The “capital” Vila do Porto is small with only a few shops and a couple of restaurants.

We did some boat maintenance and went for a couple of very nice hikes.

Sailed distance 492,9 nautical miles

We really liked Rubicon and Lanzarote but after spending a month there it was time to move on.

The course was set for Funchal, Madeira.

Nice sailing the first 24 hours and then the wind disappeared and we motored the last day and night and arrived at Funchal half past eight in the morning of the third of April after two days at sea.

Our friends on sy Lazy Frog arrived from La Palma just before us.

Funchal is a lively, rather touristy city with lots of nice streets and buildings.

We went to the botanical garden and on the way back we tried the traditional slay ride.

The market “Mercado dos Lavradores” is a vibrant place and we went there several times to by fruits, spices, vegetables and fish.

We went for several hikes and walks along the levadas and of course strolled around in Funchal, often together with Anki and Janne from sy Lazy Frog.

Spending a month in Funchal is no problem at all. We saw quite a lot of Madeira when we were here in November but there is still a lot to be seen here. We will be back.

Sailed distance 283,6 nautical miles