Things to do in Porto Santo

Ilheu de Cima Tour with Picnic

The second largest of the islets lying off Porto Santo is the destination for this morning tour. Ilheu de Cima lies a 20-minute boat trip to the east. On landing, follow a scenic trail to the summit and the clifftop lighthouse. Here, take in views over the islet and enjoy a picnic of local products. There's time to snorkel, too, before returning to Porto Santo.

Try Dive

This is your chance to see what all the fuss is about when it comes to scuba diving without having to commit to a full course. With a whole world to discover underwater, now's the time to try your very first scuba dive. Choose whether you want it to take place at the swimming pool or in the shallow waters just around the coast of Porto Santo, and get used to the equipment with the help of a guide every step of the way. You'll be able to feel the exhilaration of breathing underwater, and once you've done it once, you'll have the bug to keep on going.

Porto Santo Golf

Designed to blend in with Madeira's natural landscape, Porto Santo Golf Club and Course offers just the right terrain to challenge golfers. The 18-hole course is spread out over 6,434 metres with a par 72, with the north route taking you along the top of cliffs, and the south route by lakes. The 9-hole pitch and putt course is ideal for training and trying to perfect your drive, while the club house features all the amenities you could need – a sauna, Jacuzzi and golf shop.

Pirates and Corsairs Tour

Windsurfing - Porto Santo

The warm Atlantic waters and pristine sands of Porto Santo's uncrowded beaches provide ideal windsurfing conditions. The windsurfing conditions are generally so good on this small island that it is often referred to as “Europe's best kept windsurfing secret”. Your friendly, English-speaking instructor will give you personalised instruction on how to balance on your board and navigate it through the various points of sailing. Once you're comfortable with the basic techniques and the equipment, it's time to take to the water to apply your newly-acquired skills.

Island Tour Porto Santo

The small island of Porto Santo is all pristine beaches, volcanic rock formations and sleepy villages. On this morning tour, you'll explore gold-sand beaches and the dramatic volcanic coastline, before getting a snapshot of unhurried, everyday local life as you drive through the little villages of Ponta, Campo de Baixo, Campo de Cima and Lombas. Then, it's on to the north of the island and the charming village of Serra de Dentro, where you'll sample some of the island's best, sun-filled wine. At the last stop, Portela viewpoint, you'll find windmills and the best views across the whole island.

Pico Branco Morning Hike

The unspoilt wilderness of Porto Santo's mountains offer excellent hiking trails, with magnificent views over the island and the Atlantic. Set off on a rural path that leads up to Pico Branco – the second-highest mountain in Porto Santo. Following the path up the mountain, you'll enjoy panoramic views over the whole island, taking in the surrounding flora and cypress trees on your way. This part of the island is also a haven for sea birds, so keep an eye out. From here, you'll head to a second peak, Terra Cha. Here, you'll get a great introduction to the island's unique plant life.

City Bubble Car Rental

There's no better way to explore an island as tiny as Porto Santo than a Bubble Car. These two-seater eco-friendly vehicles allow you to zip around in comfort and safety. They have a roof but are open-sided. With the Bubble Car, you'll be able to nip from sight to sight in no time. Flores lookout point at Cape Calheta, the capital, Vila Baleira, and the hamlet of Camacha will all be within easy reach. Bubble Cars have up to 100km of electric drive range – about for roundtrips of the island – on a full charge and reach a top speed of 90km/h. They are fun, safe and easy to drive.

Surfing - Porto Santo

Situated right out in the Atlantic Ocean, the golden sands of Madeira are the perfect place to learn how to surf. Madeira has become one of Europe's premier surf destinations, and is a haven for all water sports enthusiasts. This surfing tour gives you a great introduction to the thrilling world of surfing – with some beach-based instruction in the fundamentals before you take to the water. Then, don your wetsuit and head out into the white water, where your expert instructor will coach you on paddling out and popping up on your board to harness the power of the Atlantic surf.

Pico Facho Walking Tour

A morning hike that's both easy and rewarding, Pico do Facho offers a bit of everything. Setting off on your morning hike up Pico do Facho, you'll follow an easy trail past the sea, central mountains and pretty villages. We'll walk around the peak along a flat path that with every turn offers up changing panoramic views over the entire island of Porto Santo and out to sea. Keep an eye open for all the different plants from the region – dragon trees, heather, juniper and Lebanese cedar, to name just a few. What's more, it's also a hotspot for native birds.

Porto Santo RIB Speedboat Experience

There's no better way to describe this experience than as an adventure at sea. Leaving the port behind you, you'll head out into the azure waters where your captain will steer a course for the islet of Ilhéu de Cima. The boat is fully seated, so you can enjoy the passing scenery as we go, or even watch for signs of dolphins and whales that may join us along the way. We'll cruise along the south coast and drop anchor just off the islet Ilhéu de Baixo where you'll get the chance to grab the on-board snorkelling equipment and jump right in.

Paddle Surf in Porto Santo

The sheltered warm waters off Porto Santo's golden sands are tailor-made for stand-up paddle boarding. Paddle boarding is one of the world's fastest-growing water sports because it's a mellow way to travel across the water – and it doesn't take too long at all to master the basics. And, because Porto Santo's beaches are wonderfully uncrowded, it's the perfect place to give it a go. Your expert, English-speaking instructors at this premium Porto Santo water sports centre will give you just the right amount of beach instruction before leading you to the shallow waters.