The beautiful landscapes and crystalline waters of the Berlengas
A natural heritage of great value, the small Berlengas archipelago, situated at about 10km distance of Peniche and accessible by sea, is constituted by the Berlenga Grande Island and the adjacent reefs, the Estelas and the Farrilhões-Forcados, classified as a Natural Reserve since 1981. The main island occupies about 2/3 of the entire surface; on the eastern side is situated the so-called “Ilha Velha” (Old Island), separated by the ocean erosion.
The archipelago is presented in an almost pure and wild state, representing an important and rich habitat for the most diversified species, with more than one hundred diversified kinds of plants.
The Berlengas’ flora is endowed with yellow marigold, corn poppy, silene, pulicaria or armerias, among many others that make it a special place. Berlegas’ fauna is composed by many sea species, like the octopus, the starfish, the most diversified species of fish and a very rich avifauna, with species such as the Common Guillemot (the symbol of the reserve), the Calonectris, the European Shag, the Ruddy Turnstone, the House Martin and the much famous and numerous Seagull.
The Berlengas Natural Reserve delights for its great beautiful landscapes, with crystalline waters and charming natural nooks, like the small beach Carreiro do Mosteiro or the Cova do Sonho, among many other special unique places. It is more than worth it to discover the secret places of this natural wonder, through the pedestrian itineraries or by the interesting boat trips into the caves and grottos resultant of the ocean’s erosion over the granite stone.
The island has one restaurant in the “Aldeia dos Pescadores” (fishermen’s village), and accommodation in the São João Baptista Fort, the Mar e Sol Pavilion or on the Campsite (although an afterwards cleaning to the tents is almost mandatory, as they are quite tainted by the seagulls and all the seabirds).
The access to Berlenga is made by boat from Peniche, in, as many say, “a difficult trip”, due to the strong ocean tides. The journey takes about 30-40 minutes. The visits to Berlenga are conditioned to a maximum of 350 visitors a day, in order to maintain the natural environment of this island and all the species that here inhabit.
There are several companies who provide services related to the Berlengas, such as trips to and from the island, exploring the natural caves, snorkeling and even scuba diving.
Viamar is one of them, with more than 60 years of history, encouraging people to explore the beauty of the islands while respecting and protecting nature. They provide quality services within the Berlengas islands, including the trips to and from the islands, trips to the natural caves with glass floor boats, 2-hour open sea trips and even scuba diving experiences. Viamar has an online reservation system, with can be accessed through their website, where you can check the full schedule and prices.
For the full list of certified maritime operators, click here.