THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Set sail from Funchal aboard the Lobo Marinho to spend a day soaking in Porto Santo’s golden beaches and volcanic landscapes. MB Tours offers a seamless boat transfer and free time to discover this tranquil island at your own pace.
Set sail from Funchal aboard the Lobo Marinho to spend a day soaking in Porto Santo’s golden beaches and volcanic landscapes. MB Tours offers a seamless boat transfer and free time to discover this tranquil island at your own pace.
Book with MB Tours
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by MB Tours · Funchal, Madeira
Situated off the coast of Madeira, Portugal, Porto Santo is an island defined by its striking golden beaches and calm turquoise waters—an ideal retreat for anyone drawn to coastal landscapes and laid-back island life. MB Tours invites travelers based in Funchal to embark on a distinctive journey aboard the “Lobo Marinho,” a vessel tailored for comfort and panoramic viewing. This boat transfer and excursion package offers a seamless and scenic crossing across the Atlantic, approximately 43 kilometers east of Madeira.
The trip kicks off early with a hotel pickup in Funchal, ferrying guests to Pontinha port by 8:00 AM for boarding. As the boat gently cuts through crystalline waters, passengers are treated to uninterrupted ocean vistas dotted with soaring seabirds and occasional glimpses of marine life. The arrival at Porto Santo pier around 10:30 AM signals the start of several hours for self-guided discovery.
Porto Santo’s charm rests heavily on its wide, sandy beaches stretching seven kilometers, nurtured by mineral-rich sands believed to have therapeutic qualities. The island also features volcanic hills and verdant fields, providing a subtle contrast to Madeira’s more rugged terrain. Visitors can stroll along the palm-lined promenade, visit the charming village center, or hike quieter inland trails with views over the Atlantic. Cultural heritage is reflected in small museums that honor the island’s link to Christopher Columbus, who reputedly spent time here.
After a day’s leisure, the return cruise back to Funchal re-centers the journey’s appeal: relaxed ocean travel with wide-open sky and sea. MB Tours’ expert local knowledge and customer focus make this trip accessible and comfortable, enhancing an already unique island experience. This excursion stands out in the Madeira archipelago for combining convenience, natural appeal, and the rare chance to immerse in Porto Santo without the hassle of arranging multiple transport modes, making it essential for ocean lovers and island adventurers alike.
easy.
8 hours.
Suitable for most fitness levels; mainly involves light walking during the island visit.
The crossing lasts about 2.5 hours each way aboard the Lobo Marinho.
No, meals are not included; guests are free to dine on the island at their leisure.
Yes, the trip allows free time on Porto Santo with a scheduled return on the same boat.
Accessibility details are not specified; contacting MB Tours directly for accommodations is recommended.
Morning light during the crossing and late afternoon on the island offer soft, scenic lighting.
Yes, guests are welcome to swim during their free time on the island.
Porto Santo is historically noted as an early stop for Christopher Columbus, who reportedly recovered here before his voyages.
Efforts are in place to maintain the island’s delicate beach ecosystem and manage tourist impact sustainably.
MB Tours is a Madeira-based tour operator that offers a comprehensive selection of guided day trips, levada walks, vereda hikes, coastal excursions, island ferry transfers and cultural evenings. The business lists a wide variety of experiences by name, including Levada - Prazeres - Ponta do Pargo, Levada - Rabaçal, Levada - Queimadas/Caldeirão Verde and Vereda - Pico do Arieiro - Pico Ruivo, which focus on the island’s signature irrigation-path treks and scenic walking routes. MB Tours also operates viewpoint and sightseeing excursions such as Pico dos Barcelos/Eira do Serrado/Cristo Rei and coastal journeys to Porto Moniz and the west coast, offering panoramic views of Funchal, Curral das Freiras and Atlantic lookouts. The operator provides scheduled ferry transfers to Porto Santo on the vessel Lobo Marinho (noted departure at 08:00 with arrival around 10:30 in the provided schedule) and manages round-trip day visits that connect with return services to Funchal. Transfer services include airport-to-accommodation options between Funchal Airport and destinations listed in their offerings, such as Santo da Serra, Machico, Ponta do Sol, Monte, Ribeira Brava, Porto Moniz and other locations. Cultural programming includes the Noite Típica evening with a traditional Espetada dinner, a folklore group performance and nighttime views over Funchal. All descriptions are based directly on the supplied trip names and summaries, giving travelers clear, factual choices between levada treks, viewpoint tours, coastal excursions, Porto Santo ferry options and practical transfer services across Madeira.
Book with MB Tours