Porto Santo

Hi everyone,

We had a great day today exploring Porto Santo with the help of Destination Porto Santo Tours.  With Terry and Mike of sv ReVision II and Steph and Luciano of sv Matusadona a people-mover van was a fun way to see the island.  And our guide Matais knew his stuff.

A view of Porto Santo island from its western side

Unfortunately is was a cloudy day but the views were spectacular nonetheless.

Ilheu de Baixo off SW coast

Fresh Water Spring

The island is volcanic and places where the land has sheared away reveals the layers of volcanic activity.  Morenos on the west coast is one such location.

Morenos on W coast

Volcanic formations at Morenos on W coast

At Pico Ana Ferreira the volcanic rocks reminded us of Tasman Island's 'organ pipes'.

Mugearitic rocks at Pico Ana Ferreira

The airport and harbour were built by NATO during the Cold War.  They're used for both civilian and military flights, with two military transports on the ground there today.

View over NATO-built airport aprons

One of the elevated parts of Porto Santo is sandy with embedded coral reef structures.  Apparently the long beach along the south coast of the island was formed from sand blown down from these hills.

The hills in the central north are uplifted coral reefs!

From the 'coral hills' we could see a HF radio station, complete with two large static antenna and a big steerable yagi.  HF's still a good comms medium!

Military HF station

We visited a farm museum which shows the nature of the original farms on the island.  The structures - dwellings and animal pens - are constructed from stones.  For centuries Moorish pirates regularly raided the island to plunder crops so the islanders hid them in wells called Matamorra.  The farmers hid in the hills or in coastal caves.

Museum farm forecourt with Matamorra

Rocks, Coral and Fossils in the museum

Windmills Porto Santo style

The NATO-built harbour is very safe and suffered much less damage than others in the islands during violent storms during the last 20 years.

Harbour with small marina, moorings and small anchorage

Zen Again, Matusadona and ReVision II in the outside anchorage

We ended our tour in Vila Baleira, the main town on Porto Santo.  It is a pretty town and we had a good lunch with local cider.  We tried out the local bread Bolo do Caco which turns out to be very large and tasty crumpet!

Vila Baleira church

Central Vila Baleira

Central Vila Baleira square

Twas a great day tour.  Back at the marina the staff are very friendly and helpful.  The cafe in the marina is good and cheap.  And the anchoring fee, which includes use of the dinghy dock, facilities and free laundry, was E6.35 per night.

Thanks to Matais and Destination Porto Santo Tours!

Tomorrow we plan to sail to Baia d'agra on the eastern peninsula of Ilha Madeira.  That'll be a short day sail.