What to expect at the beach in Porto Santo: best time to visit, water temp, and safety
It wasn’t until I talked to my cousin that I realised that I had not made an article about Porto Santo’s beach. How’s the water temperature? What’s the best time to visit Porto Santo? Are the waves rough or is it okay for children? So many questions, so little information on my blog. My bad. Let’s address the issue asap: here’s all the information you need about Porto Santo’s beach.
What’s the best time to visit Porto Santo?
The best time to visit Porto Santo is from late May to mid October. Most people assume the best time to visit would be August, but the ocean is often warmer in September and you’ll avoid the crowds.
Some Madeirans also like to visit during Easter time, around April, and I’ve read on some blogs that you should visit in April to “get better prices and avoid crowds”. What they don’t tell you is that there are usually quite a few Portuguese men o’war at the beach during Spring, so you need to be extremely cautious.
What’s the average water temperature in Porto Santo?
The water temperature rarely goes below 17ºC in Porto Santo. The coldest months tend to be February to March. In April and May the temperature starts to rise, but you can still expect days with ocean temperatures of 17-18ºC, which is less than ideal.
The warmest months are August, September and October, with minimum temperatures of 22ºC and maximum temperatures of 24ºC on average. During these months, the water temperature tends to be similar to air temperature, which gives the water an even warmer feel.
Can you swim in Porto Santo?
Of course you can swim in Porto Santo! During the off-season (from November to March) the ocean can be rougher and there may be some waves, so you may not be able to. But during Spring and Summer, Porto Santo tends to have calm waters with gentle waves that are perfect for swimming.
That said, Porto Santo does have a little more waves than Madeira and usually scores higher on the Beaufort scale (3, 4, 5). Beaches in Madeira often have breakwaters, which means sometimes you can hardly feel the waves at all.
Are there lifeguards in Porto Santo?
Some beaches, like Praia da Fontinha, usually have lifeguards from June to October. This beach is also wheel-chair accessible and it has showers and changing rooms, so it’s a great spot for families.
Praia do Ribeiro Salgado, a favourite among locals, and Praia do Cabeço de Ponta (they’re so close you’ll have trouble telling them apart) also have lifeguards, a first aid spot, and bathrooms.
Other beaches, such as Calheta, are unsupervised, and you’re advised to exercise some caution since tides may change quickly.
Is Porto Santo safe for kids?
Yes. In fact, I’d recommend it for families with children in a heartbeat. The island is calm even in the high season, so most people let children run around and have fun without too much worry, which is something you cannot do in the Algarve, for example.
During the low tides, children can play in the water safely and they’ll still touch the bottom for quite a while. During high tides, there are often small ponds of water in the sand, which babies usually delight in. In August, you’ll see whole families holidaying at the beach, from 0 to 99 years old.
Plus, remember that there are 9 km of sandy beach to choose from: there’s always space to build sand castles, play beach tennis, or improvise a football match. And of course, food and safety standards are great, so you don’t need to worry about contaminated ice or spoiled ice cream.
Sounds like paradise. Are there any drawbacks?
Mother Nature comes close, but perfection does not exist. Porto Santo’s beach can get quite windy, even in the Summertime. While this gives you a reprieve from the scorching Sun, it’s not too pleasant when you get out of the water. From October to May the sky also tends to be cloudy which, along with the wind, gives it a cooler feeling.
Are there umbrellas and sunbeds at the beach?
Yes, but not a lot. Praia da Fontinha has a few umbrellas and sunbeds which used to be free [from September 2025, there may be a 4 eur fee], but during peak season they’re taken in the morning. There are a few more sunbeds at Praia do Ribeiro Salgado for a fee, and some hotels have umbrellas as well.
Are there lockers to leave my stuff?
Porto Santo feels so safe that most people just leave their belongings on their towels while they swim. However, although pickpocketing is not a problem, you should still use some common sense to avoid problems.
Once, when I had my whole backpack with me, I asked the lifeguards at Praia da Fontinha where I could leave it, and they gently offered to watch it for me. If you ask people at the beach bars, or the lifeguards, they’ll usually try to help.
Are there showers, bathrooms and changing rooms at Porto Santo beach?
Some beaches have showers, bathrooms, and changing rooms. Praia da Fontinha has what I call “vintage” facilities, but they’ll do the trick if you just need to change. Likewise, Praia da Calheta has showers and changing rooms that you can use for free. Praia do Ribeiro Salgado has bathrooms and showers, but no changing rooms.
TL; DR? The best time to visit Porto Santo is from late May until mid October, which is when the water is the warmest and the ocean tends to be gentler. The beach is extremely safe, an excellent spot for families, and completely free. If you’re staying close to the city centre, your best bet will be Praia da Fontinha. If you’re staying a little further away, I recommend checking out Praia do Ribeiro Salgado.
If you’re unlucky and the weather doesn’t allow for sunbathing and swimming, here are some cool activities you can try in Porto Santo.
Enjoy your trip to Porto Santo, because that’s Madeira too!