Praia dos Reis Magos

 

The Praia dos Reis Magos is a public bathing area in Caniço. There's a pebble strand with some wooden platforms for lying on and parasols to shelter under as well as a stretch of blue-painted concrete: if you want a traditional golden beach, those at Calheta and Machico have (imported) sand. 

There's a bathing lagoon - partly protected from the sea, changing facilities, showers, a café and a dive school/shop.

Depending on the time of year, there may or may not be a lifeguard in attendance.

 

A pleasant seaside promenade leads from the "beach" to the remains of the 18th century fort that once protected the coast from pirate raids.

The immediate area is known as Caniço de Baixo - Lower Caniço - and offers the usual services as well as containing a large number of hotels and holiday apartments.

Getting there

Caniço de Baixo is separated from Caniço by the Via Rápida which provides convenient access to both. There's public parking close to the Reis Magos beach.

EACL bus 155 (or, occasionally, 157) serves Caniço de Baixo and Reis Magos from Funchal. The intermediate route varies, but roughly half of the buses also pass by the Christ the King statue and Garajau beach below it.