📹Porto Santo Island
Porto Santo •Offline
Southeast
Commuter traffic flow stays unpredictable. Regional aviation offers a quick airborne alternative when the primary ferry is delayed. The concrete runway splits the eastern dry zone from the western rocky hills, but offers little protection from crosswinds.
Afternoon gusts regularly delay small propeller planes, as the exposed central tarmac provides no wind shelter. Funchal residents view the peak season with skepticism due to expensive ferry tickets. The live view from the webcam indicates when to venture outside, helping everyone plan around transport delays.
Afternoon gusts regularly delay small propeller planes, as the exposed central tarmac provides no wind shelter. Funchal residents view the peak season with skepticism due to expensive ferry tickets. The live view from the webcam indicates when to venture outside, helping everyone plan around transport delays.
About this webcam
Porto Santo stays very dry year-round. Town pipes transport processed water everywhere, and desalination plants run near the main port. Rainfall rarely hits the low central peaks; Pico do Facho rises just 517 metres above sea level and blocks very little moisture. Clouds often float overhead without breaking.
When large August crowds arrive on the morning ferry from Funchal, the local population of 5,500 permanent residents increases significantly. This strains town water pressure, causes ticket prices to rise, and the heat radiating off the yellow sand becomes quite intense. I find smart visitors target the early September window instead. The ocean remains warm, crowds vanish, and facilities remain open but quiet.
When large August crowds arrive on the morning ferry from Funchal, the local population of 5,500 permanent residents increases significantly. This strains town water pressure, causes ticket prices to rise, and the heat radiating off the yellow sand becomes quite intense. I find smart visitors target the early September window instead. The ocean remains warm, crowds vanish, and facilities remain open but quiet.
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Highlights
- ✓The main ferry terminal and harbor facilities.
- ✓The famous 9km golden sand beach stretching past Vila Baleira.
- ✓Current sea state and approaching winter swells.
Key Features
- •Check if the ferry from Funchal has docked.
- •See how busy the primary parking areas are near the main pier.
- •Verify wind conditions across the exposed southern beach.
Porto Santo Beach Weather
Microclimate: Calcarenite Platform Matrix
- Geologically distinct basal structure lacking the large mountain lift vectors that generate constant rainfall on the main island
- Features a 9-kilometer golden sand beach, one of the longest in Europe, famous for its warm fine sand
- Maintains a hyper-arid surface microclimate resulting in consistently elevated ambient temperatures and lower humidity indexes
- Important practical data point for evaluating active sea ferry operations navigating the exposed inter-island oceanic channel