Porto Santo Day Trip – Boat Trip, Transfers & Tour

• Days available: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday (mid-February to December)
• Languages: Portuguese, English, French
• Duration: approx. 13–16 hours
• Pick-up time: 06:35–07:20 (Caniço) | 06:55–07:33 (Funchal)*
• Drop-off time: 21:30–23:30 (same location as pick-up unless otherwise arranged)
• Departure point: confirmed by email after booking
• Requirement: punctuality is essential — arrive at least 30 minutes before ferry boarding

*To help protect the environment, there is no need to print your ticket — simply show your electronic voucher to the staff.

• Valid ID
• Comfortable shoes
• A camera
• A coat or jacket for cooler weather
• Swimwear and towel
• Changing clothes
• Non-slippery shoes (recommended)
• Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses

Activity level

• This is a full-day tour. The ferry crossing takes approximately 2h30 each way.
• Sea conditions can vary; if you are prone to seasickness, consider preventive medication or motion-sickness patches.
• The island tour includes several viewpoint stops with minimal walking required.

During your free time

• Porto Santo is small and easy to explore. You can tailor activities to your comfort level: relax and have lunch on the beach, walk along the 9 km golden sandy beach, or explore the town centre with short walking distances.

Swimming and safety

• Swimming skills aren’t required to enjoy this tour; many guests prefer viewpoints and the town by the beach. If you decide to swim, please follow these guidelines:

1. Be confident in your swimming abilities, as sea conditions can change quickly.
2. Supervise children closely when near or in the water.
3. Assess conditions if no flags are displayed — avoid swimming if unsure.
4. Most beaches with lifeguards in Madeira and Porto Santo are supervised from June 1 to September 30 (varies by location).
5. Respect warnings and instructions from lifeguards, drivers or locals, and never cross safety barriers.
6. Follow the beach flags when present:
   🟢 Green: safe to swim
   🟡 Yellow: swim with caution; stay close to shore
   🔴 Red: swimming prohibited due to dangerous conditions
   ⬛⬜ Black & White: no lifeguard on duty — swim at your own risk

We handle every detail — Porto Santo Line ferry tickets, hotel transfers in Madeira and a guided island tour — so your day runs smoothly from start to finish. Our experienced team knows the best viewpoints, the most relaxed beach spots and the most convenient timings, helping you make the most of your time on Porto Santo.

The day started early — pick-up was just before 7:00 — but everything was well organised, and the staff made sure we had our ferry tickets and ID ready before boarding. The ferry crossing was calm, and we grabbed a coffee while watching the island slowly appear through the morning light. Seeing the airport runway built on giant pillars was a surprise — definitely something you don’t see every day.

Once we arrived in Porto Santo, the guide met us at the harbour and took us on a short but informative island tour. We stopped at a few viewpoints with stunning views over the island and the sea. It was the right balance — enough to get a sense of the landscape, but not too long to feel rushed.

After the tour, we had several hours of free time. The beach and the town are side by side, so we had options. We went to Restaurante Mercado Velho, inside the old market, which had been recommended for its fresh grilled fish — and it didn’t disappoint. The dessert was divine, and the Poncha they served was the best I’ve ever had.

We spent the rest of the time walking by the sea and relaxing on the sand. The 9 km golden beach is one of the nicest I’ve seen — clean, quiet, and easy to enjoy without too many people. The water was clear and perfect for swimming.

The return ferry was in the late afternoon. We were tired by the time we got back to Funchal, but it was a good kind of tired. No stress about tickets, schedules, or transport — everything was sorted for us.

Would I do it again? Yes, especially if you want to experience a different side of Madeira without needing to plan anything. It’s a long day, but completely worth it.