Casas do Baleeiro – Whaler's Houses is a group of five one-bedroom holiday houses at Rua de São Sebastião 20 in Caniçal, registered as local accommodation 113178/AL. Each unit has its own kitchen, and the village sits about 3.6 km in a straight line from the start of the Ponta de São Lourenço trail. It suits walkers who want to self-cater close to the island's eastern tip.
Where exactly is it?
Caniçal is the last village on the road east before the Ponta de São Lourenço peninsula, in the municipality of Machico. In a straight line, the houses are about 3.6 km from the PR 8 trailhead at Baía d'Abra, about 2.3 km from Prainha do Caniçal and about 3.4 km from Machico's beach. The listing gives about 8 km to the airport. The East region guide covers Caniçal and Machico.
How do you get there and around without a car?
Under the SIGA numbering in force since 9 March 2026, Companhia de Autocarros da Madeira (CAM) runs line 702 Funchal / Caniçal – Baía d'Abra. It passes Caniçal and ends at the PR 8 trailhead, so a car-free walking day on the peninsula is possible from here. Check the SIGA timetable for current departures and the stop nearest Rua de São Sebastião. Our guide to getting around Madeira without a car explains tickets. The property also offers a paid airport shuttle.
What are the houses like?
According to the property listing, all five units are one-bedroom houses with one bathroom, an extra room and a private kitchen:
| Unit | Size | Outdoor space |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 63 m² | Ground floor, private terrace, private entrance |
| 2 | 62 m² | Ground floor, private terrace, private entrance |
| 3 | 45 m² | Private terrace, mountain view, private entrance |
| 4 | 40 m² | Balcony, mountain view |
| 5 | 40 m² | Balcony, mountain view |
Kitchens include a coffee machine, microwave and oven, and there is a washing machine. Wi-Fi is free throughout, there is a shared terrace with outdoor furniture and a minimarket on site.
What should walkers plan for?
Because no breakfast is included, stock up the evening before an early start on PR 8. Check the trail status on the IFCN website before setting out, as trails can close after storms, and see our trail booking and fees page for current rules on the island's paid trails.
Practical notes
Check-in is from 14:00 to 00:00 and check-out until 11:00. Pets are not allowed, and a damage deposit of up to EUR 500 may be charged after check-out, per the listing. Parking is not mentioned in the listing, so ask before arriving by car. Distances are straight-line values calculated from map coordinates, except the listing's airport figure.
