Porto Santo · Madeira
Porto Santo Beach
Nine kilometres of therapeutic sand on the island where Christopher Columbus lived between 1478 and 1479.
Beach Information
About the Beach
Porto Santo Island offers one of the longest beaches in the Macaronesian archipelago — 9 km of uninterrupted fine golden sand, south-facing and sheltered from northerly winds. The sand contains an exceptional proportion of minerals and coral and shell fragments, with documented properties for relieving rheumatic and joint pain — the Instituto do Mar Porto Santo administers balneotherapy treatments recognised by Portugal's Directorate-General of Health.
Christopher Columbus lived on Porto Santo between 1478 and 1479, having married Filipa Moniz, daughter of the island's first governor. The Casa-Museu de Cristovao Colombo in the village centre preserves documentation about the navigator's stay and his role in planning the Atlantic voyages.
Porto Santo is accessible by daily ferry from Funchal (2h30) or a 15-minute flight. In low season (October to April), the island primarily attracts health tourism and tranquillity seekers; the beach remains usable year-round with water temperatures between 19 and 24 degrees.
Experiences in the region
See experiences in Porto Santo on GetYourGuide →Beach equipment
Editorial references
Wikipedia (Porto Santo) · Instituto do Mar Porto Santo · Casa-Museu de Cristovao Colombo · DGS
Editorial content curated by the Portugal Travel Hub team. Water quality per official APA analysis.
Before you go: confirm lifeguard hours, road access and capacity — especially in high season and after heavy rain.
Last updated: 2026-05-19.