Berlengas

10 hours ago
2 min read

We recently spent half a day exploring Berlenga Grande, the largest island in the Berlengas archipelago, about six miles off Portugal's coast. From our home, it's only about an hour's drive to the harbor in Peniche, followed by a fast 20-minute boat ride to the island.

People have been visiting this islanc since ancient times. Phoenicians, Romans, Muslims, Vikings, and privateers all left traces of their activities. Today, there are no full-time residents. The Berlengas are designated as a national park devoted to conservation, research, and carefully managed tourism.

Tim and I made the 20-minute ride by speed boat to Berlenga Grande with three friends (pictured below). Once on the island, we switched to a small boat for a guided visit into caves and to see rock formations.

The Fort of São João Baptista is now a guest house. Guests must bring everything they might need, including sheets, towels, and food. There is a small concession stand open from 10 am to 4 pm during the summer.

The island of Berlenga Grande consists of pink granite, which is very rare in Europe. Erosion has created interesting landforms, numerous caves, and marine tunnels.

At least 44 species of fish have been identified in the waters around the island. We saw only a few varieties from our glass-bottomed boat in the shallows by the shore.

After the boat tour we explored some of the island by foot. Only 1.5 kilometers long, the island is easy to hike. Young gulls still have gray feathers that will gradually turn white as they mature. These siblings were not yet ready to fly.

It was refreshing to be out on the water on a hot July day. We'd love to return during a cooler season and stay overnight so we can explore the entire island at a more leisurely pace.