We’ll take you to discover one of Porto Santo’s hidden wonders: at the foot of the cliffs, at low tide, magnificent natural pools are revealed with transparent waters and spectacular scenery.
Here are some useful tips for planning your visit to Piscinas das Salemas in Porto Santo.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
Are Porto Santo’s natural pools worth it?
Yes, Porto das Salemas is well worth a visit.
It’s a bit of an effort to get there at low tide, but the scenery is sumptuous, even if you don’t swim in the transparent waters. Beware, however, that the floor is slippery!
In our opinion, this is one of the most beautiful places in Porto Santo.
What you can see
The ravine
Even before discovering the beach, cliffs and pools, you’ll first enjoy a pretty ravine carved out by the force of the water.
We love geological formations, and the rocks are fascinating to observe in this corner of Porto Santo.
There was even some vegetation!
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING YOUR CAR AT Porto Santo
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- The island is small and easy to drive.
- A car gives you plenty of freedom to explore every corner of Porto Santo
- There’s plenty of demand and few cars, so book early.
Porto das Salemas beach
Once out of the ravine, you arrive on a beach with grey rocks and a tiny bit of sand mixed with golden and black grains.
And in front of this beach, you’ll discover a huge area that’s uncovered at low tide with sand, rock (which is slippery, beware) and water holes: the natural pools.
Natural pools
Explore the area!
You’ll discover pools of all shapes and depths.
Some are not large, but have no connection to the mother, so the water is perfectly calm.
The water is emerald in color and extremely transparent. It is fascinating!
We’re sorry, but our photos don’t do this place enough justice. It’s even better in person.
And his colors are really surprising (even if other photographers exaggerate a little with the color processing of their photos…).
Swimming in Porto des Salemas
Some pools are ideal for a dip.
But others are much larger and allow you to swim a little with a view of the sea horizon!
In the photo above, you can see a small island in the distance. This is Ilheu da Fonte de Areia. It has a maximum height of 7m and a surface area of just 3.1 hectares.
There are lots of options, so most of the time there’s something for everyone!
The views
What we particularly liked was the mix of views between the flat horizon of the sea, and the fascinating cliffs all around.
You don’t know where to look!
The sky was overcast when we visited, but when the sun comes out, it makes the water sparkle and the rocks appear in all their colors.
Geology
And last but not least, geology buffs will also be fascinated by the area, with its many different rock structures.
You’ll see volcanic rocks dating back to the Miocene, when eruptions took place underwater.
Note the dykes (veins of rock), which have different directions, thicknesses and lengths.
WHERE TO STAY IN Porto Santo
Option 1 : Vila Baleira (north beach)
For access to a small town and the beach
- Hotel Torre Praia – prices, pictures and availability
- Vista Dourada apartment: see prices, photos and availability
Option 2: Central or southern beach
Tourist areas near the beach
- Pestana Porto Santo, 5 stars – see prices, photos and availability
- Hotel Porto Santo & Spa, 4 stars – prices, pictures and availability
View from the top of the cliffs
You can also admire the area from the top of the cliffs.
Just pull off the main road to the west of the detour to the parking lot.
Porto das Salemas in Porto Santo: access + parking
Where are the Salemas swimming pools?
- North coast of Porto Santo
- From Vila Baleira = 7 min drive
- From Ponta da Calheta = 15 min drive
- A short detour from the ER111 road, where there is a sign for “Porto das Salemas”.
- Here is a map to help you find your way:
Access and parking
On Google Maps, choose Porto das Salemas Parking.
The last 100m are unpaved and take you to a parking area.
Depending on road conditions, the 4WDs can go lower, but it’s very steep and full of holes.
Descent on foot
Once you’ve put the car down, you still have to walk down to the beach. The descent is steep and the ground slippery. We recommend that you wear good shoes, and remember that you’ll have to climb back up!
OUR FAVORITE ACTIVITY IN Porto Santo
Depuis Ponta Calheta, découvrez la côte et les grottes en Kayak.
An unforgettable experience close to the volcanic cliffs.
When to visit + useful tips
Schedules and prices
Free access.
When to visit the natural pools
It is imperative to go down around low tide.
To make the most of it, go down 1 hour before low tide. And get out of the water soon after low tide (as some waves may surprise you).
For the best pool colors, it’s best if the sun is high enough in the sky.
You won’t find tide times just for Porto das Salemas. You’ll need to look up the tide times for Porto Santo in general.
It’s slippery!
Caution: the rocks are extremely slippery, so we advise you to wear swimming or surfing shoes for a more leisurely exploration.
Installations
There are no facilities, it’s a completely wild place.
No restaurant, no toilets.
PLAN YOUR STAY IN Porto Santo
Best of
Best things to do in Porto Santo
The most beautiful landscapes in photos
Porto Santo’s most beautiful beaches
The dunes
Salemas natural pools
Best restaurants
Terra Cha hiking trail
Pico Ana Feireira
Practical advice
How to get to Porto Santo
Getting around Porto Santo
Rent a car in Porto Santo
Where to stay in Porto Santo – best hotels
