Porto Santo is an island located in the archipelago of Madeira, Portugal. It is the second largest island in the archipelago, with a total area of 42.17 km². The island is located in the North Atlantic Ocean, about 40 kilometers northeast of Madeira Island. It is part of the Madeira Autonomous Region.
The island has a population of over 5,000 people, most of whom are of Portuguese descent. The island is known for its stunning white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, and lush vegetation. It is also home to the famous Vila Baleira, a small coastal town with a picturesque harbor.
Porto Santo was discovered by Portuguese explorer João Gonçalves Zarco in 1418. He named it after the nearby city of Porto Santo, which is located on the mainland of Portugal. The island was then colonized by the Portuguese and became an important trading post for the region.
During the 16th century, the island was a popular stop for Spanish and Portuguese ships. In the 17th century, the island was used as a base for the Portuguese navy. The island was also a popular destination for wealthy Europeans, who built luxurious villas and gardens on the island.
In the 19th century, the island became a popular tourist destination and was visited by many famous people, including Queen Victoria. In the 20th century, the island became a popular holiday destination for the Portuguese.
Today, Porto Santo is a popular destination for tourists, who come to enjoy its beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters, and lush vegetation. It is also home to a number of historical sites, such as the Fort of Santa Cruz, which was built in the 16th century. The island is also home to a number of museums, including the Museum of Porto Santo, which houses artifacts from the island’s history.
Experience Porto Santo with unforgettable activities by our partner GetYourGuide. The offer is also ideal as a special gift idea for family and friends who are planning to visit Porto Santo. Cancellations are possible up to 24h before the start of the activity (unless otherwise stated in the activity description), with a full refund of the booking price.
The climate in Porto Santo in Portugal is generally mild and pleasant all year round. In the summer months, temperatures range from 20 to 25°C and there is very little rainfall. In the winter months, temperatures can drop to around 15°C and there is slightly more rainfall. The spring and autumn months tend to be mild, with temperatures ranging from 15 to 20°C and moderate rainfall. In general, the weather in Porto Santo is sunny and mild, making it a great destination to visit year-round.
Our weather forecast for Porto Santo helps plan your stay according to the weather. For sunny days, pack light and breathable clothes, swimwear, and sunscreen. For winter weather, it's recommended to bring warm clothes, gloves, a hat, sturdy footwear, and a raincoat.
| Date | Icon | Temperature | Wind speed/gusts | Cloudiness/Visibility | Air humidity/pressure | Sunrise/Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May. 17th 2026 May. 17th 2026 | max: 18.1 °C min: 16.2 °C |
21.6 m/s 30.2 m/s |
63.8 % 24.1 m |
70.3 % 1,024 hPa |
07:04:41 20:59:29 |
|
| May. 18th 2026 May. 18th 2026 | max: 18.1 °C min: 17.2 °C |
17.3 m/s 23.0 m/s |
57.6 % 24.1 m |
72.7 % 1,024 hPa |
07:04:03 21:00:11 |
|
| May. 19th 2026 May. 19th 2026 | max: 18.8 °C min: 17.4 °C |
13.0 m/s 21.2 m/s |
71.7 % 24.1 m |
76.0 % 1,024 hPa |
07:03:26 21:00:54 |
|
| May. 20th 2026 May. 20th 2026 | max: 19.6 °C min: 18 °C |
17.6 m/s 21.2 m/s |
66.6 % 24.1 m |
76.3 % 1,021 hPa |
07:02:50 21:01:35 |
|
| May. 21st 2026 May. 21st 2026 | max: 18.7 °C min: 18.1 °C |
24.6 m/s 32.2 m/s |
26.9 % 24.1 m |
79.9 % 1,020 hPa |
07:02:16 21:02:17 |
|
| May. 22nd 2026 May. 22nd 2026 | max: 18.7 °C min: 18.3 °C |
26.8 m/s 35.3 m/s |
6.9 % 24.1 m |
84.3 % 1,021 hPa |
07:01:44 21:02:58 |
|
| May. 23rd 2026 May. 23rd 2026 | max: 18.4 °C min: 18.1 °C |
31.7 m/s 39.6 m/s |
2.6 % 24.1 m |
79.2 % 1,024 hPa |
07:01:12 21:03:38 |
|
| May. 24th 2026 May. 24th 2026 | max: 18.7 °C min: 18.2 °C |
33.7 m/s 46.8 m/s |
0.9 % 24.1 m |
83.4 % 1,024 hPa |
07:00:43 21:04:18 |
|
| May. 25th 2026 May. 25th 2026 | max: 18.4 °C min: 17.8 °C |
35.6 m/s 43.9 m/s |
46.1 % 24.1 m |
83.4 % 1,023 hPa |
07:00:15 21:04:58 |
|
| May. 26th 2026 May. 26th 2026 | max: 18.4 °C min: 17.7 °C |
25.9 m/s 28.1 m/s |
0.1 % 24.1 m |
80.0 % 1,020 hPa |
06:59:48 21:05:36 |
|
| May. 27th 2026 May. 27th 2026 | max: 18.7 °C min: 17.6 °C |
20.9 m/s 22.3 m/s |
5.3 % 24.1 m |
83.8 % 1,019 hPa |
06:59:23 21:06:15 |
|
| May. 28th 2026 May. 28th 2026 | max: 18.2 °C min: 17.6 °C |
27.4 m/s 29.2 m/s |
81.1 % 24.1 m |
82.4 % 1,018 hPa |
06:58:59 21:06:53 |
|
| May. 29th 2026 May. 29th 2026 | max: 18.2 °C min: 17.5 °C |
42.1 m/s 45.4 m/s |
59.7 % 24.1 m |
74.3 % 1,019 hPa |
06:58:37 21:07:30 |
|
| May. 30th 2026 May. 30th 2026 | max: 17.7 °C min: 17.2 °C |
40.3 m/s 43.0 m/s |
48.6 % 24.1 m |
65.3 % 1,023 hPa |
06:58:17 21:08:06 |
Would you like to travel to Porto Santo on a cruise ship or would you just like to know when a certain ship will dock there? Here you will find an overview of the cruise ships that will be calling at the port of Porto Santo.
| Date | Ship | Passaengers (min - max) | Arrival | Departure | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct. 19th 2026 Monday, 19th of Oct. 2026 | HANSEATIC spirit | 199 - 230 | 09:00 pm | 12:00 am | |
| Oct. 20th 2026 Tuesday, 20th of Oct. 2026 | HANSEATIC spirit | 199 - 230 | 12:00 am | 06:00 pm | |
| Oct. 20th 2026 Tuesday, 20th of Oct. 2026 | MS Amadea | 508 - 624 | 07:00 am | 01:00 pm | |
| Dec. 12th 2026 Saturday, 12th of Dec. 2026 | Silver Dawn | 576 - 691 | 08:00 am | 04:00 pm | |
| Apr. 24th 2027 Saturday, 24th of Apr. 2027 | Scenic Eclipse II | 228 | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
| Apr. 26th 2027 Monday, 26th of Apr. 2027 | Silver Endeavour | 252 | 07:00 am | 10:00 pm | |
| May 8th 2027 Saturday, 8th of May 2027 | MS Europa | 408 | 07:00 am | 07:00 pm | |
| Jul. 9th 2027 Friday, 9th of Jul. 2027 | LE BOREAL | 224 - 264 | 12:30 pm | 06:30 pm | |
| Jul. 26th 2027 Monday, 26th of Jul. 2027 | LE BOREAL | 224 - 264 | 12:30 pm | 06:30 pm | |
| Oct. 1st 2027 Friday, 1st of Oct. 2027 | Scenic Eclipse II | 228 | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
| Oct. 14th 2027 Thursday, 14th of Oct. 2027 | HANSEATIC nature | 199 - 230 | 02:00 pm | 11:59 pm | |
| Nov. 1st 2027 Monday, 1st of Nov. 2027 | MS Hamburg | 394 - 420 | 08:00 am | 01:30 pm | |
| Mar. 30th 2028 Thursday, 30th of Mar. 2028 | Silver Spirit | 608 - 648 | 07:00 am | 06:00 pm | |
| Apr. 21st 2028 Friday, 21st of Apr. 2028 | Scenic Eclipse | 228 | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
| Apr. 23rd 2028 Sunday, 23rd of Apr. 2028 | HANSEATIC nature | 199 - 230 | 07:00 am | 11:00 pm | |
| Jun. 11th 2028 Sunday, 11th of Jun. 2028 | MS Amadea | 508 - 624 | 07:00 am | 02:00 pm | |
| Jun. 16th 2028 Friday, 16th of Jun. 2028 | MS Europa | 408 | 07:00 am | 06:00 pm | |
| Oct. 9th 2028 Monday, 9th of Oct. 2028 | HANSEATIC spirit | 199 - 230 | 10:00 am | 11:59 pm |
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.| Port | Distance |
|---|---|
| Desertas Islands in Portugal | 61,78 km |
| Funchal - Madeira in Portugal | 66,76 km |
