September has Madeira's warmest sea of the year – 23.7°C – alongside a 26.6°C daily high and a 20.4°C overnight low in Funchal. Rain returns but stays low, at 23.1mm on IPMA's 1991–2020 average, and the Madeira Wine Festival runs to 13 September 2026. It's one of the island's best all-round months, for swimming and for the harvest.
What's the weather like in Madeira in September?
September is still summer in all but name. Funchal's daily high averages 26.6°C, the overnight low 20.4°C – barely below August – and sunshine holds at 7 hours a day, with 12 hours of daylight.
Rain does come back, and it's the question most people ask about September. The honest answer: 23.1mm for the month, up from August's 1.3mm but still lower than any month from October through May. Expect the odd shower, most likely over the north coast and mountains, rather than washed-out days.
Is September a good time to visit Madeira?
Yes – September is one of the island's strongest months. April to June and September to October are Madeira's busiest months, along with the Christmas and New Year fireworks week, when Funchal sells out completely, and September's warm sea and harvest festival are a big part of why.
It's also the last month of British Airways' official May-to-September peak season, but crowds ease once the August school-holiday rush ends. Book ahead for the Wine Festival weekends, when Funchal and Câmara de Lobos are at their busiest.
The trade-off is small: a slightly higher chance of rain than midsummer, and prices that stay high until the season turns. For most visitors, the warmer sea more than makes up for it.
What's the sea temperature in Madeira in September?
The sea averages 23.7°C in September – the warmest reading of the entire year. It peaks now, not in July or August, because the ocean lags the air by weeks and keeps storing summer's heat after the hottest days have passed.
That makes September the best month of the year for swimming, snorkelling and long days at the sea pools. The water stays close to this warm into October, at 23.1°C.
What should you pack for Madeira in September?
Pack for summer with a backup: swimwear, light clothing and sun protection, plus a light rain jacket for the odd shower and for the peaks. Sturdy walking shoes still matter for the levadas.
Daylight falls to 12 hours, so start longer hikes in the morning. Every classified PR trail needs a pre-booked SIMplifica slot, so reserve ahead rather than relying on a walk-up booking.
Things to do in September
The Madeira Wine Festival runs 23 August – 13 September 2026, and September is when it comes alive: Concerts in the Vineyards on 5, 6, 12 and 13 September, and the traditional grape-treading festival in Câmara de Lobos on 10–13 September. The grape harvest is under way across the island, so this is the month when Madeira wine is most visible.
Beyond the festival, September's warm sea makes it prime time for boat trips and sea-pool swims, and cooling evenings bring the trails back into play for anyone who found August too hot to hike.
September gives you the year's warmest sea and the harvest in the same trip.
For how September compares with the rest of the year, see when to visit Madeira.
Featured image: VillageHero from Ulm, Germany / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0
