Porto Santo
Porto do Porto Santo · Vila Baleira anchorage · Porto Santo Marina
33°03.3'N 16°19.1'W
Depth
3–7m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
65m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
65m
65m in 3–6m on excellent white sand. Avoid the ferry manoeuvring zone (yellow buoys). E exposure means strong easterly brings uncomfortable swell — departure to the island's W coast anchorages in this situation.
About This Anchorage
Porto Santo is a small island (42km2) 27nm NE of Madeira — famous for its extraordinary 9km golden sand beach, the longest in the Portuguese Atlantic islands. While Madeira is volcanic, lush and mountainous, Porto Santo is drier, sandier, and lower-lying — a complete contrast. The harbour provides a good sheltered anchorage in the SW corner, with white sand holding. The Porto Santo Line ferry arrives daily from Funchal at approximately 10:00 and departs in the late afternoon — its manoeuvring zone is clearly marked with yellow buoys. The sand beach is excellent for dinghying ashore and relaxing. Porto Santo is Christopher Columbus's island — he lived here briefly before his 1492 voyage (Columbus House museum in Vila Baleira).
Protected From
N · NW · W · SW · S
Exposed To
E
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free (outside ferry manoeuvring zone)
- Permit required
- Yes
- Permit details
- MANDATORY REGISTRATION via simplifica.madeira.gov.pt before sailing to Porto Santo. All vessels must comply with Madeira regional sailing regulations.
Restrictions: DO NOT ANCHOR in the yellow-buoy delimited ferry manoeuvring zone. Porto Santo Line ferry arrives ~10:00 daily — be clear of the manoeuvre zone by 09:30. Some metal buoys at harbour entrance — approach with care. Registration via simplifica.madeira.gov.pt mandatory.
Hazards
- !Porto Santo Ferry manoeuvring zone (yellow buoys) — anchoring here creates collision risk with the daily ferry; position carefully clear of the buoys
- !E exposure: strong easterly winds (unusual but possible) develop bad swell in the harbour — monitor forecasts
- !Metal buoys at harbour entrance — approach slowly and identify all buoy positions before anchoring
Skipper's Tips
- →The 9km golden sand beach is best reached by dinghy — land on the beach W of the harbour and walk the stunning stretch
- →Vila Baleira has the Casa de Colombo (Columbus House museum) — reportedly Columbus lived here briefly; interesting piece of Atlantic exploration history
- →Hire a bicycle or scooter from the marina area for a full-island tour — 3 hours is sufficient for Porto Santo's gentle landscape
- →Porto Santo is an excellent layover between Madeira and the Azores — provisions, fuel, and water all available; good weather often makes the anchorage calm and pleasant
Facilities
Several restaurants in Vila Baleira along the seafront. Fish restaurants very good — fresh tuna and local specialities. Airport-style supermarket near marina for provisioning.
Nearest provisions: Vila Baleira town supermarket (0.5nm)
Best Months & Season
April, May, June, July, August, September, October
April–October is the main season. Porto Santo is drier than Madeira and the beach is spectacular in summer. The NE trade wind provides reliable sailing on the Funchal–Porto Santo run. November onward: more variable weather; the island's exposure increases in Atlantic frontal systems.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 65m
When Madeira's mountain winds kick up overnight, Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your position continuously. Porto Santo's 9km beach is stunning — but the E swell can make it uncomfortable.
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