"Berlenga Island" a Ilha da Berlenga Travel Page by haiamisa

The story how I found out about Berlenga island goes back to the year 1980 and to the old postcard I had got back then and kept for all these years.

We cruised to Berlenga on the 25th of September, the morning after we had arrived in Peniche. We checked out from the pension and left the car parked by the pension - no problems of parking there. I don't remember the exact times but I think we left Peniche at about 9.30AM, arrived in Berlenga 45 minutes later and returned at 3.30PM. (After that we continued to Colares where we were to spend the night) That was enough time to see the island and have a wonderful grilled fish meal there.

The Ilha Berlenga is just 10 km offshore from Peniche and just visible from there. It is like an island from the north transported magically to the warmer climate. It is just two and half squre kilometers in extent and is the largest island of the tiny archipelago. It has a coastline of grottoes, miniature fjords and special rock formations. In the summer the sea is calm, crystal clear and perfect for snorkeling and diving, which is rare in the Atlantic Ocean.

The only people permitted to live on the island are a couple of dozen fishermen, as the whole island has been declared a NATURAL RESERVE, being the home of thousand upon thousands of sea birds, including gulls, puffins and cormorants, perched in every conceivable cranny and clearly plotting to leave their mark on every possible victim. Makeshift paths are marked with stones and guardians watch out for visitors straying into the prohibited areas and disturbing the birds.
About how to get to the island, please read my transportation tip.