Canyoning Experience Level 2 at Nuns Valley

Canyoning in Madeira is interesting because you trade dry sightseeing for controlled chaos, rope, water, and a real sense of being in the canyon for a few hours. I love how Level 2 keeps things adventurous without being for total beginners, and I love the way guides like Jose and Bruno push safety and confidence right from the start. The main consideration is that you should be ready for full immersion in moving mountain water, plus some scrambling over rocks and boulders.

You walk about 20 minutes first, on a dirt road and along a Levada, so you get warmed up before the action. I also like that this is offered in English with a maximum of 10 travelers, which usually means more attention and less waiting around.

One more thing to plan for: the package includes equipment, a snack, transfer, photos, and insurance, but lunch is not included. And if you wear bigger shoes, check footwear sizing in advance, because wet suit shoes in one case were only up to about size 11.5 UK.

Key Points That Matter Before You Book

• Level 2 features: multiple rappels, including a highest one at 15 meters, plus jumps and slides when you choose them
• You earn the adrenaline: about 20 minutes of walking first along a Levada before the canyoning starts
• Small group setup: maximum 10 travelers, which helps the experience feel more personal
• Safety-focused guiding: guides explain rules clearly, adjust the path to your skills, and keep the pace sensible
• Photo package included: you leave with photos from the day
• Bring a plan for footwear: wet suit shoes may run limited sizing, so bigger feet should ask early

Why Nuns Valley Level 2 Feels Like Real Adventure

This is canyoning where you can feel the day in your legs, not just your camera roll. Level 2 is built for people who want more adventure and want to step outside their comfort zone, but still want solid structure, clear safety rules, and guidance when you meet rope, water, and height.

The canyon tools are simple but thrilling: rappels, moving through sections together, and that choose-your-own-adrenaline vibe when you reach pools. You might do a big jump, a smaller slide, or just settle for the fun of dropping into cool water by choice. Either way, the water and views stay in the foreground, not as a side note.

If you want the confidence factor, this is where the guiding shines. Several different guide names come up for this outing, especially Jose, Bruno, and Miguel. What matters for you is the same theme across names: they explain the rules and safety so you can move without second-guessing yourself, and they keep things fun rather than stiff.

The Start at CR7 Museum, Then Off to Curral das Freiras

Your morning begins back at the CR7 Museum, located at Praça CR7, Av. Sá Carneiro 27, São Martinho in Funchal. The start time is 9:00 am, and the activity ends back at the meeting point, so you are not stuck figuring out transport afterward.

From there, you get transfer as part of the package, which is a practical win in Madeira where timing and roads can add stress. Once you arrive near the canyon area, you will start with setup and instructions before you move. The guides do not treat the rules like a formality. They explain what to do, what not to do, and how your group will move through each section.

Stop time is not described in a stopwatch way, but the day is structured. You will have that initial walking segment before the canyon action. The guides keep you coordinated so you are not wandering around alone with adrenaline.

The 20-Minute Warmup Walk Along the Levada

Before the rope and waterfalls, expect about 20 minutes of walking on a dirt road and along a Levada. This is the part that tells you whether you are going to enjoy the day.

Why it matters: it gets your legs working before you start scrambling over rocks in wet conditions. It also helps you see the setting, so when you reach the canyon sections, you feel like you are moving through a route, not just dropping into random water.

What to watch for: this is not described as a long hike, but it is still active. If your legs tend to cramp easily, or you do not like uneven ground, treat this walk as part of your preparation, not something you can skip mentally.

Curral das Freiras, Madeira: The Canyon Setting

Curral das Freiras is where the day has its first named stop. Think of it as the launch point for getting into the canyon terrain around the valley.

I like that the experience connects you to the Madeira landscape at ground level rather than from a viewpoint. You are walking near water channels first, then moving into a canyon path where the water is part of the route. Even if you are not a hardcore hiker, this pacing helps you stay engaged.

Also, because the day is about active movement, the view factor is built in. The itinerary describes beautiful mountain views throughout, and the guide emphasis in the experience is clear: you are not rushing to tick boxes. You are moving through a natural course with the canyon constantly changing.

Rappels, Pools, Jumps, and Slides: What Level 2 Really Means

Level 2 is where canyoning stops being mostly a novelty and becomes a real activity. This is an intermediate level, suitable for people who want bigger jumps or bigger waterfalls, with the option to take on the more adventurous moments at your own pace.

The biggest headline is the rappel height: the highest rappel is 15 meters. That is tall enough to feel it in your stomach, even if you are comfortable with heights in normal life. The key is that the guides coach you through each action so you are not guessing how to move your body while holding rope. If you are worried about the drop, this is exactly where you want a safety-first guide.

Then come the water features. The day includes refreshing pools where you can jump and slide. The important word here is choice. You can treat the jumps and slides like a buffet, and pick what feels right that day.

Two practical realities of canyoning:

1. You will get wet, fast. Even before the big drops, water and mist are part of the environment.
2. You need a basic ability to clamber over rocks and boulders. One of the most useful review takeaways is that you should be okay with that physical movement, not just floating along.

If you are the type who hates being cold, remember you are in a wet canyon environment. A wet suit and gear help, but mental readiness matters too.

Safety, Humor, and Skill Tweaks That Actually Help

The safety pitch for canyoning is easy to say, harder to live. The best sign here is how the guides behave once you are in the real conditions.

Jose and Bruno are named in one account, with the guide duo explaining rules and safety so the participant felt complete confidence. Miguel and Jose show up in another, with laughter and a steady sense of being safe at each point.

Even more useful: the guidance is not one-size-fits-all. When weather conditions do not look safe, rebooking for a better time is described as easy to handle. And when skills differ inside the group, the guides adjust the canyoning path accordingly. That is a big deal for you, because Level 2 still includes varied comfort levels. If you are nervous, you do not want to be pushed into moves you cannot handle.

Also pay attention to the footwear details, because one review mentions wet suit shoes capped at about size 11.5 UK. If you have bigger feet, you should ask ahead. You do not want your day shaped by a simple gear mismatch.

Group Size, English Support, and the Pace You Feel

This outing caps at 10 travelers. That small-group size matters more than it sounds. With a smaller group, you spend less time waiting and more time moving when it is your turn. It also helps with safety checks and individual coaching.

The tour is offered in English, so you are not trying to translate safety instructions under stress. You might still feel overwhelmed the first time you see rope and wet rock, but you can focus because the guidance is in your language.

Duration is about 4 hours. That is a practical sweet spot. It is long enough to feel like you actually did something, not just a sample. It is short enough that you can recover later, eat, and still have time to explore Madeira.

Gear and What’s Included (And What You Should Plan)

Here is what you get as part of the package:

• all equipment needed
• transfer
• snack
• photos
• insurance
• guide

Not included:

• lunch

For most people, that list is the heart of the value. You are not shopping for gear, not arranging transport, and not adding insurance separately. The photos are a quiet win too, because you are not trying to stop at the wrong moment to make sure you get a shot.

What you might still want to think about:

• Your comfort with being soaked, not just getting wet
• Your ability to move over rocks while wearing wet gear
• Footwear sizing, since wet suit shoes may be limited

The included snack is helpful for energy during the active window, but you should plan your meals around the fact that lunch is not included.

Weather and Rebooking: The Reality Check You’ll Appreciate

This activity requires good weather. If conditions are not safe, the tour can be canceled, and you are offered a different date or a full refund. That policy is not just fine print. It tells you the company is treating safety seriously, not just chasing a slot.

If it changes on the day, it is usually because water and visibility conditions matter for moving around a canyon safely. The guides also mention being able to rebook when weather does not look safe, and that kind of flexibility reduces the frustration factor when you are on a tight Madeira schedule.

So your job is simple: bring a flexible mindset for the day you choose.

Price Value: Why This Package Makes Sense

Even without a price tag in front of you, you can still judge value by what is wrapped into the experience. This package includes equipment, transfer, snack, photos, insurance, and a guide. Most canyoning costs you extra if you have to arrange those pieces separately.

The “small group plus guide time” angle also matters. Maximum 10 travelers means fewer people competing for instructions and attention. That tends to reduce stress, and stress is the enemy of fun in water-based activities.

The final value point is photos and insurance. Photos are not a toy here, because canyon routes are dynamic and you will be concentrating. Insurance means you are not trying to worry about risk on your own trip.

If you are weighing alternatives, use this checklist:

• Are they providing all equipment?
• Is transport included, or do you need your own car?
• Are photos included, or do you only get your own blurry videos?
• Is there real guidance and safety coaching, not just a handoff?

This experience lines up well with that checklist.

Who Should Book Level 2 at Nuns Valley

You should book if you:

• are reasonably fit and comfortable with moderate physical activity
• want intermediate canyoning with bigger rappels and the option of jumps and slides
• feel good about scrambling over wet rocks and boulders
• want the safety and confidence of a guide that explains rules clearly

You might skip or reconsider if you:

• get panicky with heights, even with coaching
• dislike being soaked and moving in streams
• have mobility limits that make clambering difficult
• need specialty sizing in footwear and you cannot get it in advance

On a brighter note, the experience has also been described as family friendly by one group doing Level 2 with children around early elementary ages. That does not mean it is automatic for every kid, but it does suggest that with the right comfort level and guidance, the activity can work beyond just adult adventurers. The guides adjust the path to skills, which is exactly what you want when different ages are involved.

Should You Book Go Explore Madeira Level 2 at Nuns Valley?

If you want a canyoning day that feels structured, safe, and fun rather than chaotic, I think this is a strong pick. Level 2 is the sweet spot for people who have the basics down or who learn quickly, and the 15 meter rappel plus the pool jumps give you real payoff in a short time.

Book it if you like the idea of being active, getting wet, and letting expert guides like Jose, Bruno, and Miguel set you up so you can focus on the experience. If you are on the edge physically, or you worry about footwear sizing, ask questions before you commit. And if weather is uncertain, know that the operator works with rebooking or full refund.

FAQ

What level is this canyoning experience?

This is Canyoning Experience Level 2 at Nuns Valley, an intermediate level for people who want more adventure and bigger jumps or waterfalls than beginner routes.

How long does the tour last?

The duration is about 4 hours.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at CR7 Museum, Praça CR7, Av. Sá Carneiro 27, São Martinho, 9004-518 Funchal, Portugal and ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the experience begin?

The start time is 9:00 am.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

How many people are in the group?

The maximum group size is 10 travelers.

What kind of physical fitness do I need?

You should have a moderate physical fitness level and be able to clamber over rocks and boulders.

What rappels and water activities should I expect?

Level 2 includes various rappels, with the highest being 15 meters, and there are refreshing pools where you can jump and slide.

What is included in the price?

Included are all equipment needed, transfer, snack, photos, insurance, and a guide.

Is lunch included?

No, lunch is not included.

What is the cancellation policy and weather requirement?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. The activity requires good weather, and if it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.