MADEIRA
Galo Resort
Active Wellness Hotel and Spa
About Galo Resort
Galo Resort is an active wellness resort on the south coast of Madeira, set on a clifftop above a private bay in Caniço de Baixo, 15 minutes from Funchal. Two Sentido hotels share the site — Sentido Galomar, an adults-only hotel and the first 100% energy self-sufficient building in Madeira, with the Ashoka Spa, a seawater pool and the Lido Galomar bathing complex on the cliff edge above the reserve, and Sentido Galosol, the island's first active hotel, suited to families and active guests. The resort sits directly above the Garajau Underwater Nature Reserve — Portugal's first marine reserve, created in 1986 — with Manta Diving Centre on the waterfront below, nearly 50 group fitness classes weekly in the Galo Active Health Club, and outdoor activities including mountain biking, canyoning, kayaking and dolphin watching through Lokoloko, the resort's activity partner.
Book This Hotel
Speak to a specialist for availability, pricing and a tailored itinerary.
15 mins
FROM FUNCHAL AIRPORT
2
ROOMS & SUITES
40+
WEEKLY GROUP CLASSES
4
HOUSE REEF DIVE SITES
Wellness Programmes
Wellbeing
4 nights
from £595pp
A calming spa programme combining gentle therapies and restful activities to ease stress
Pilates Break
5 nights
from £750pp
A Pilates programme for all levels focusing on posture, alignment and full-body conditioning
Yogic Health
5 nights
from £795pp
A yoga programme blending group and private sessions to deepen practice and restore calm
Sustainable Relaxation
7 nights
from £895pp
A balanced week of spa treatments, yoga and personalised fitness to gently reset
Who It's For
Galo Resort suits guests looking for an active wellness resort in Madeira where diving, fitness and spa sit alongside two distinctive hotels above the Garajau Marine Nature Reserve. It's particularly suited to:
01
Those seeking an adults-only coastal retreat
Sentido Galomar — adults-only, 100% energy self-sufficient — with the Ashoka Spa, a seawater pool and the Lido Galomar bathing complex on the cliff edge above the marine reserve.
02
Active guests wanting a full resort experience
Sentido Galosol with nearly 50 weekly group fitness classes in the Galo Active Health Club — Les Mills, yoga, Pilates, squash and a heated indoor pool.
03
Divers and water sports enthusiasts
Manta Diving Centre and Freediving Madeira on the waterfront below, with four house reef dive sites within the Garajau Underwater Nature Reserve.
04
Those wanting outdoor adventures in Madeira's natural landscape
Mountain biking, canyoning, hiking, kayaking and dolphin watching through Lokoloko — with three of Madeira's finest golf courses within easy reach.
Hotel Facilities
Galo Resort sits on a clifftop above a private bay in Caniço de Baixo, with the Garajau Underwater Nature Reserve directly below — Portugal's first marine reserve, established in 1986. Three outdoor pools across the two hotels include a seawater pool at the Lido Galomar bathing complex, where Manta Diving Centre and Freediving Madeira are based, with four house reef dive sites, night diving and courses from beginner to instructor level. Mountain biking, canyoning, hiking, kayaking, dolphin watching and jeep safaris are all on hand through Lokoloko, and three of Madeira's finest golf courses — Santo da Serra, Palheiro and Porto Santo — are within reach through the resort's golf concierge.
Wellness Facilities
The Ashoka Spa in Sentido Galomar draws on the five elements — fire, water, air, earth and space — blending Ayurvedic and European therapies in treatment rooms and saunas that look directly out over the Atlantic. Panoramic Finnish and Bio saunas, an infra-red sauna, a steam bath and an ocean-view relaxation room sit alongside four treatment rooms including a couples suite.
The Galo Active Health Club brings nearly 50 group classes weekly to a 710sqm sports complex — Les Mills programmes, yoga, Pilates and Zumba alongside three squash courts, a Pilates studio with one reformer, a cross-training room, a jogging track and a heated indoor pool with jacuzzi. The Desertas Room, a 150sqm yoga studio with sea views, runs additional sessions, and private yoga and Ashoka Ayurveda group sessions are available on request.
Dining
Ondamar is the main buffet restaurant at Sentido Galosol — breakfast and themed dinner buffets daily on a panoramic sun terrace with sea views.
Atlantis is the à la carte restaurant at Sentido Galomar, suspended from the cliff above the ocean and serving inspired Madeiran cuisine at breakfast, lunch and dinner.
O Galo is the resort's Italian restaurant — authentic Italian cuisine with a carefully chosen wine list, open to the public for dinner daily and lunch at weekends.
Blue Bar serves poolside snacks, cocktails and chilled drinks throughout the day.
Capoeira Lounge Bar overlooks the ocean with cocktails, light snacks, live music and sports broadcasts in the evenings.
Good to Know
Accommodation
Galo Resort has two Sentido hotels on the same clifftop site — each with a distinct character. Sentido Galomar is adults-only, Madeira's first 100% energy self-sufficient hotel, with a seawater pool and the Ashoka Spa set on the cliff edge directly above the marine reserve. Sentido Galosol has 124 rooms and suites designed around a "Living and Wellbeing" philosophy, with garden, side-sea and full sea views — the more active of the two and well suited to families and groups wanting the full Galo Active experience on their doorstep.
Location
Galo Resort sits in Caniço de Baixo on the south coast of Madeira, 15 minutes from Funchal and 15 minutes from the airport. The resort overlooks the Garajau Underwater Nature Reserve and the private bay below, with Funchal's restaurants, botanical gardens and cultural attractions a short drive away. Madeira's network of levada walks, mountain trails and dramatic coastal paths are all within easy reach, with Lokoloko arranging guided outdoor excursions across the island.
Offers
We don't have any offers at the moment but watch this space!
Book through The Wellness Holiday Boutique and receive:
Enquire About a Stay
Reviews
OUR VISIT
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Galo Resort and what makes it special?
Galo Resort Madeira is an active wellness resort in Caniço de Baixo, 15 minutes from Funchal, set on a clifftop directly above the Garajau Underwater Nature Reserve — Portugal's first marine reserve, established in 1986. Two Sentido hotels share the same clifftop site — Sentido Galomar, adults-only and Madeira's first 100% energy self-sufficient hotel, and Sentido Galosol, the island's first active hotel — with Manta Diving Centre, Freediving Madeira and the Galo Active Health Club all based at the resort.
What wellness and fitness facilities are available?
The Galo Active Health Club offers nearly 50 group classes weekly — Les Mills programmes, yoga, Pilates and Zumba alongside three squash courts, a Pilates studio with one reformer, a cross-training room, a jogging track and a heated indoor pool with jacuzzi. The Desertas Room, a yoga studio with sea views, runs additional sessions. The Ashoka Spa in Sentido Galomar offers Ayurvedic treatments in four treatment rooms including a couples suite, alongside panoramic Finnish and Bio saunas, an infra-red sauna and a steam bath.
What diving is available at Galo Resort?
Manta Diving Centre and Freediving Madeira are both based at the Lido Galomar bathing complex below the resort, with four house reef dive sites within the Garajau Underwater Nature Reserve. Night diving and courses from beginner to instructor level are available, with PADI, SSI and CMAS certifications offered.
What outdoor activities are available?
Mountain biking, canyoning, hiking, kayaking, dolphin watching and jeep safaris are all available through Lokoloko, the resort's outdoor activity partner. Three of Madeira's finest golf courses — Santo da Serra, Palheiro and Porto Santo — are within reach through the resort's golf concierge, and Madeira's network of levada walks and mountain trails start within minutes of the resort.
Is Galo Resort suitable for families?
Sentido Galosol is the more family-oriented of the two hotels, with 124 rooms and suites designed around a "Living and Wellbeing" philosophy. The Galo Active Health Club, outdoor activities through Lokoloko and the bathing complex below make it well suited to active families. Sentido Galomar is adults-only throughout.
When is the best time to visit Galo Resort?
Madeira's mild climate makes Galo Resort a year-round destination. The south coast where the resort sits tends to be sunnier and drier than the north of the island throughout the year. Spring and autumn are particularly rewarding for levada walking and outdoor activities, while the fitness classes and diving programme run consistently in every season.