It has already become my personal tradition. Every year, when my birthday approaches, I do something that surprises many people. Instead of big parties or crowded dinners, I usually choose to leave. I travel alone, explore somewhere new, and give myself the gift of time, space, and memories. Every year looks different, but the idea remains the same: I want to mark another year of my life with experiences, and this birthday in Madeira became one of the most meaningful ones so far.
Discovering Porto Moniz
This time, that tradition brought me to Porto Moniz, a small coastal town on the northwestern edge of Madeira, known for its volcanic landscapes and natural ocean pools.
When I first arrived in Madeira, Porto Moniz was not part of any carefully prepared plan. I learned about it slowly, through conversations with locals and late-night browsing online. Again and again, photos of turquoise water framed by black volcanic rocks appeared on my screen, each one more tempting than the last. My curiosity was officially activated.
Atlantic ocean
Atlantic ocean
Lava formed rocks in the Atlantic ocean
What made the decision even easier was realizing that my hotel was located just steps away from those famous pools. Sometimes, travel feels like a series of lucky coincidences, and this was one of them. At that point, I realized that my birthday in Madeira was slowly turning into something very special.
What’s the fuzz about Porto Moniz?
So what is so special about Porto Moniz and lava pools? Porto Moniz is located in a UNESCO Geopark area, and its main treasure is something nature created a while ago. Thousands of years ago, volcanic eruptions shaped the Northern coastline of Madeira. Lava flowed into the ocean, cooled, and hardened into massive basalt formations. Over time, these rocks created natural basins that now fill with Atlantic seawater. The waves constantly refresh them, while the solid walls protect swimmers from strong currents. In other words, nature built its own swimming pools.
Standing there, watching water pour in through narrow openings in the rocks, I felt both excited and slightly nervous. Swimming in the Atlantic in February is not something I do every day. Yet once I stepped in, the experience felt strangely comforting. It felt like swimming inside nature’s own spa. The water was cold, around 15 degrees, but clean and energizing. This was the most memorable experience of my trip.
Famous Porto Moniz lava pool with the water from the Atlantic
Famous Porto Moniz lava pool with the water from the Atlantic
A Birthday Morning Straight Out of Instagram
I stepped onto my balcony with a cup of coffee and stood there for a long time, simply watching the ocean. Even though it was early February, the sun was already warming the air. Waves moved rhythmically below, leaving thin lines of white foam before pulling back again. Spending my birthday in Madeira like this, with nothing but the ocean in front of me, felt unreal. And yes, I know how that sounds – very Instagram “influencer fantasy.” But hey, we create our own reality, right? 😉 To celebrate that reality, I opened a bottle of champagne and toasted to another year of life, adventures, and courage to keep choosing myself.
From there, the day slowly unfolded on its own. Between swimming, walking along the coast, sitting by the water, and simply doing nothing for a while, time passed in the most pleasant way possible.
A Table for One, with a View
By the time evening arrived, Porto Moniz was wrapped in soft golden light. I chose a small restaurant by the ocean and sat down at a table facing the water. In front of me, waves reflected the colors of the sky, which slowly shifted from blue to pink, from pink to purple, and finally to deep orange. That night, I was my own date.
My dinner arrived and my glass was filled. While eating, I kept thinking: why do we wait for someone to organize romantic surprises, when the Atlantic Ocean is already putting on a show? It is all out there. You just have to be brave enough to claim the best seat with a view.
Before leaving, I made one wish: for more travels, more courage, more stories, and more moments that remind me how beautiful this world can be.
A Storm on the Horizon
Madeira is famous for many things. Green landscapes, a wild ocean, endless tunnels, and one of the most challenging airports in Europe. That evening, none of that crossed my mind. I was thinking about memories, photos, and stories I would later share. I was still floating in birthday bliss, grateful for every moment of the day. My birthday was perfect. And sometimes, that is exactly when life decides to add a plot twist. While I was enjoying my sunset and dinner by the ocean, I had no idea how complicated my journey back to continental Europe would soon become.
What came next was a completely different story.
To be continued…
✈️🌊