by Portugal Getaways Team
July 15, 2026 • 6 min read
Porto Santo, in short
What is Porto Santo?
Porto Santo lies about 40 km northeast of Madeira and is the quieter, flatter, drier of the two islands. Where Madeira is all mountains and levadas, Porto Santo is about the beach and the sea. Its small capital, Vila Baleira, has a relaxed square, cafés and a marina, and the whole island has an unhurried, off-season feel even in summer.
The beach and its therapeutic sand
The island's south coast is one long, gently shelving beach of fine golden sand running roughly 9 km (5.5 miles), with warm, calm, shallow water. The sand is famous for its mineral content and has long been used for therapeutic sand treatments (heliotherapy and psammotherapy), said to ease aches and joint complaints. Whether or not you try a sand treatment, it is simply one of the best swimming and sunbathing beaches in the region.
How to get to Porto Santo
- By ferry: the "Lobo Marinho", operated by Porto Santo Line, sails from Funchal in about 2 hours 30 minutes, usually daily (with fewer sailings in the off-season). It carries cars if you want to bring one.
- By air: Binter operates short flights of around 25 minutes between Madeira and Porto Santo, with several a day.
A day trip is possible using the ferry, but staying one or two nights lets you enjoy the beach at its quiet best, early and late in the day. Confirm current ferry and flight times before you plan. See our guide to getting around Madeira.
Things to do in Porto Santo
Beyond the beach, the island has more than you might expect:
- Golf: Porto Santo Golfe is a 27-hole facility (an 18-hole championship course plus a 9-hole pitch and putt) designed by golf legend Severiano Ballesteros.
- The Columbus connection: Christopher Columbus lived here in the late 1470s, and you can visit the Casa Museu Colombo (Columbus House Museum) in Vila Baleira.
- Watersports: calm, clear water for swimming, paddleboarding, diving and boat trips.
- Viewpoints and walks: low peaks like Pico do Facho and coastal trails give wide views over the beach and out to Madeira.
- Slow evenings: dinner by the marina and a stroll along the sand as the sun goes down.
Best time to visit
Porto Santo is drier and sunnier than Madeira, and the sea is at its warmest from late spring through autumn, which is the prime beach season. It is quieter and cheaper outside the July to August peak, while still pleasant in the shoulder months.
Frequently asked questions about Porto Santo
How long is Porto Santo beach? It is a single, unbroken stretch of golden sand running about 9 km (5.5 miles) along the island's south coast.
How do you get to Porto Santo from Madeira? By the Lobo Marinho ferry from Funchal, which takes about 2 hours 30 minutes, or by a short Binter flight of around 25 minutes. Confirm current times before travelling.
Is Porto Santo sand really therapeutic? The sand is known for its mineral content and is used in traditional sand treatments said to ease aches and joint complaints. It is a long-standing local wellness tradition, though results vary by person.
Is Porto Santo worth visiting? Yes, especially if you want a beach day or a calm escape. It is a striking contrast to Madeira's mountains, and its long golden beach is among the best in the region.
Can you visit Porto Santo as a day trip? Yes, using the ferry from Funchal, but staying one or two nights lets you enjoy the beach when it is quietest, early and late in the day.
Ready to Visit Porto Santo?
Porto Santo trips are tailor-made. Let Portugal Getaways build yours around the beach, with hotels, ferries or flights and transfers included, and all-in pricing with no surprises.
