The Reserve covers a large proportion of Madeira Island (about two thirds of its territory), including areas of total and partial natural preservation, protected landscapes and leisure zones.

Main Protected Areas in the Madeira Nature Reserve

Ilhas Desertas Nature Reserve

The Ilhas Desertas (total area of 1 421 hectares) include the Ilhéu Chão, Deserta Grande and Bugio. They are at about 22 miles to the southeast of the town of Funchal. The islands constitute the last refuge of the monk seal named MonachusMonachus. The presence of these mammals led the Regional Government of Madeira to create the protected area of Ilhas Desertas in 1990. In 1992 the European Council classified these islands as Bioenergetics Reserve. It is important to mention that the total ban of scuba fishing in this reserve. Advance permission from the park authorities is also needed before any vessel can anchor or visit Deserta Grande Island. No boats are allowed to sail through the southern part of the reserve.

Ilhas Selvagens Nature Reserve

The Selvagens islands include two groups of small islands. Most notable of these are Selvagem Grande, Selvagem Pequena and Ilhéu de Fora. They are about 180 miles from Madeira Island and form the southernmost territory belonging to Portugal.
Ilhas Selvagens Nature Reserve was created in 1971 and is one of the oldest in Portugal. Today, it’s the only Portuguese reserve formally classified as such by the EC.
The flora of the Selvagens Islands at its most impressive on Selvagem Pequena and Ilhéu de Fora; here grazing animals have never been introduced. Amongst the ninety species that make up the plant heritage of the Selvagens Islands, ten are endemic.
Because of the favourable nesting conditions for seabirds, these islands are also known as bird sanctuaries.

Parcial do Garajau Nature Reserve

This reserve, created in 1986, is on the south coast of Madeira Island, at the extreme east of Funchal Bay. It is a marine park that includes a strip running from the high tide line and into the sea to a depth of 50 metres. Amongst the fauna of this park are larger fish such as the Epinephelus guaza (mero in Portuguese) and also a variety of other coastal species. Groups of Atlantic manta rays (manta birostris) can be seen here every year. Their size and graceful movement has transformed the area into an international attraction. Any fishing activity is forbidden inside the park. Navigation is also highly controlled. Only small boats are allowed to approach the beaches. There is infrastructure and support for skin-diving.

Rocha do Navio Nature Reserve

This area falls under the administration of Santana, and was the last park to be created in 1997. It was established in response to demands from the local population and includes a strip of sea, a potential habitat for sea wolf and a small island on which one can see rare plants that inhabit the cliff habitats of Macaronesia.
There is open access by boat, but underwater fishing and the use of fishing nets are forbidden.