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September is summer's second act, and many visitors do not expect it. The Madeira weather September average temperature at the Funchal Observatory is a high of 26.6 °C and a low of 20.4 °C, almost as warm as August, by the IPMA normals. The sea is at its warmest of the year. Rain returns a little, 23.1 mm, and sunshine is about 211 hours.
The warmest sea of the year makes September the month for a trip out on the water.
CatamaranFunchal: Dolphin and Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise
A catamaran cruise from the city
Full dayFrom Funchal: West Madeira Waterfalls and Fanal Forest Tour
The west coast and the Fanal forest
Air, sea and rain in September
Days average 26.6 °C (79.9 °F) and nights 20.4 °C (68.7 °F), a fraction below August's 26.8 °C and 20.7 °C.
The sea normal at the Pontinha pier in Funchal is about 22.9 °C, the highest of any month; September 2024 measured 23.3 °C. It is the month for long swims.
Rain rises to 23.1 mm from August's 1.3 mm, a first sign of autumn, and October jumps to 91.2 mm. Sunshine falls back to about 211 hours. The IPMA forecast is worth watching late in the month.
Against August, September is only 0.2 degrees cooler by day and 0.3 degrees at night, but has about 26 fewer hours of sun and 21.8 mm more rain. Against October, it is 1.4 degrees warmer by day and has 68.1 mm less rain, so it is the last settled month.
- Average high
- 26.6 °C (79.9 °F)
- Average low
- 20.4 °C (68.7 °F)
- Rainfall
- 23.1 mm
- Sunshine
- 211 hours
- Sea at Funchal
- 22.9 °C, the normal
The mountains, the harvest and what to pack
At Queimadas, above Santana, the normals give a September high of 20.4 °C, the warmest there, but rain climbs to 132.4 mm. Walk the north side early in the month.
The Madeira Wine Festival ran to 13 September in 2026, and the Estreito de Câmara de Lobos Wine Harvest Festival recreates the harvest in the first half of September. The Lido's bathing season runs to the end of the month.
Pack summer clothes, a swimsuit and sun protection, plus a light layer and a shell for the mountains. Compare August, October and the whole year on the Funchal weather page.
Planning a September stay
September is one of the best months for a beach-and-walking trip: the sea is at its warmest, the days are still long and hot, and the summer crowds thin after August. The Lido's bathing season runs to the end of the month, at €6 an entry. The wine harvest makes it the month for the vineyards above Câmara de Lobos and for the wine lodges in Funchal. Late in the month the first autumn rain can arrive, so keep a flexible day for the north-side walks and do them early in the stay.
September is the month for the wine harvest in the vineyards above Câmara de Lobos.Common questions
Is September a good month for Madeira?
It is still summer: Funchal averages 26.6 °C by day and the sea is at its warmest.
How warm is the sea in September?
About 22.9 °C at Funchal, the warmest normal of the year.
Does it rain in September?
A little: Funchal averages 23.1 mm, rising towards October.