How’s the ferry from Madeira to Porto Santo?
If you’re in Madeira and want to travel to Porto Santo, I’m the first one to say go! But first, you need to figure out the logistics.
You can either fly with Binter Canarias on one of their two daily flights to Porto Santo (averaging 15 minutes), or take the ferry. Most people, including Madeirans, take the ferry.
For one, it's cheaper. Second, it has a more generous baggage allowance. You can even take your surfboard! But how much does the ferry from Madeira to Porto Santo cost? How long does it take from Madeira to Porto Santo? And is the sea rough? Here’s all you need to know.
How long does the ferry take from Funchal to Porto Santo?
The ferry departs from the Funchal ferry terminal (where all the cruises depart from, so you can’t miss it) and arrives in Porto Santo 2 hours and 30 minutes later. But here’s the catch: you should check-in an hour to half an hour beforehand, which means you’re stuck on the boat for three hours minimum. And since the ferry departs early, there aren’t many public transportations either, so you probably need to catch a taxi in the wee hours or book a transfer.
All things considered, you should account for four hours from the time you leave your accommodation until you’re firmly on Porto Santo’s downtown.
How much does the ferry from Madeira to Porto Santo cost?
Porto Santo and Madeira residents have access to discounted fares. But for mere mortals, the roundtrip costs 69.70€ from April to September, and 57€ from October to March. If you want to buy a single trip, it’s 42.42€ or 35.93€ in the high and low seasons, respectively. The plane is usually double the price, especially during the Summer months, and you still have to pay for the trip to the airport.
Porto Santo Line also has so-called one day cruises that include transfers from your hotel in Funchal or Caniço. This package costs 75.50€ (roundtrip) during the high season or 63.70€ in the low season. However, is it worth it? If you’re taking the ride and spending that much money, I’d recommend staying at least for a night or two in Porto Santo. But of course, it's up to you. I’ve previously made an easy, one day itinerary to make the best of your day trip.
How many ferries are there from Madeira to Porto Santo?
You’d think there are a handful of daily connections between Madeira and Porto Santo, but there aren’t. There’s a single boat, called Lobo Marinho, working this route. There’s usually a ferryboat in the morning (at 08:00), although the schedule changes on weekends. To return from Porto Santo to Funchal, there’s usually a boat in the evening (at 18:00). You can check the schedule on Porto Santo Line’s website or at their offices.
What does the ferry from Funchal to Porto Santo look like?
Lobo Marinho is a boat from 2003, so it’s not exactly new. It does have a cinema, a children’s playroom, a newspaper stand, a play room, a video game room and several bars and restaurants with a signature early 00s décor. You can see which movie is on today at the reception, and there’s usually a voice announcement too. As for the bathrooms, they’re usually clean and well-supplied.
Is the sea usually rough between Madeira and Porto Santo?
From April to October, the sea is usually calm and it’s smooth sailing. However, remember that nobody controls the weather. Sometimes there are storms and the sea may be rougher. Locals call the worst part of the journey, in high seas, “a travessa”. Crossing the travessa takes usually an hour and a half, and once it’s over you’ll hear everyone saying with relief “já passámos a travessa”.
That said, the journey from Porto Santo to Madeira tends to be more pleasant than the ride from Madeira to Porto Santo, thanks to the tides. If you’re worried about seasickness, I recommend staying towards the middle or rear-end part of the boat, on deck 6, either at the Bugio Bar, the Desertas lounge, or outside. Most people tend to stick around on deck 5, so on rougher days it’s not pleasant.
How do you get to Vila Baleira after you Exit the Ferry to Porto Santo?
Some people actually walk from the port to the beach, but it’s much easier to get downtown if you take a taxi or the bus.
Being among the first out of the boat will help you catch the couple of taxis that are usually available. Buses are synched with the boat schedule, but you may need to wait for the second one if you don’t rush.
There are usually only a couple of taxis available and they keep coming back and forth. If you aren’t one amongst the first ones out of the boat, you may need to wait a little. However, it’s usually cheaper than trying to arrange a transfer with your hotel or AirBnB. The taxi from the port to Vila Baleira takes around five minutes and should cost only 6€. If you’re staying at the hotel area, it should cost between 12€ and 18€.
The alternative is the bus, which goes directly downtown, and costs 2€ per person. The only issue is that it only takes around 50 people each time so, again, if you’re not amongst the first out of the boat, you may need to wait for a second bus. Still, it’s Porto Santo, so you have time on your hands. Just relax, because there will be more than enough time to explore the island.
5 key tips to survive the ferry ride from Madeira to Porto Santo
if you tend to get nauseated, try to seat at the rear of the boat or outside;
if you’re afraid of vomiting, stock up on some Vomidrine before travelling;
if you feel like you’ll throw up, there are sickness bags available in every bathroom;
try to eat at least two hours before the journey, and wait half an hour before you eat again in Porto Santo (it’s about the time it takes to disembark and reach the city center anyway!);
once the boat is approaching Porto Santo, make your way to the reception on deck 5 and prepare to exit. Facing the reception, the door to your left should say “Porto Santo” and that’s where people start queuing. Being one of the first out of the boat will ensure you’ll be able to catch a taxi and the first bus out.