Ilhéu Chão
Island Small islet near Porto Santo in Madeira
A tiny islet off Porto Santo (Madeira) reachable by short boat trips. Visitors come for coastal walks, seabird viewing and quick swims in calm Atlantic waters.
Ilhéu Chão is a small, uninhabited islet in the Madeira archipelago, located close to the island of Porto Santo. It forms part of the volcanic island group that makes up Portugal’s Autonomous Region of Madeira.
Visitors approach the islet by boat from Porto Santo to enjoy short visits, coastal views and swimming in the surrounding clear waters. The islet itself is low-lying and sparsely vegetated, used mainly as a natural outing rather than a developed recreational site.
The islet has no recorded history of significant settlement and has been used historically for local navigation and occasional small-scale resource use; it is primarily a natural feature associated with Porto Santo. No major historical structures are located on the islet.
Ilhéu Chão lies off the coast of Porto Santo in the Madeira region of Portugal, in the North Atlantic, and is visible from parts of Porto Santo’s shoreline.
- Access: Access is generally by boat from Porto Santo, and the islet is uninhabited and largely undeveloped, offering clear waters for swimming and snorkeling.
How to Get to Ilhéu Chão #
Access is by small private or charter boats from Porto Santo’s Vila Baleira; scheduled excursions operate in summer when seas are calm.
Tips for Visiting Ilhéu Chão #
- Local boat tours from Porto Santo or Vila Baleira can include a circumnavigation or landings when sea conditions allow - book through local operators.
- Bring water and shade - the islet offers little shelter and the sun can be strong in summer.
- Respect protected marine life and regulations; many small islets have protected zones with restrictions on landings.
Best Time to Visit Ilhéu Chão #
Best in summer when boat services are most reliable and sea conditions calmer.
Weather & Climate near Ilhéu Chão #
Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in September) and mild winters (coldest in March). Temperatures range from 15°C to 24°C. Moderate rainfall (503 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is the coolest month with highs of 18°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 16°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is mild with highs of 19°C and lows of 17°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 21°C and lows of 18°C. Almost no rain.
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July
July is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 20°C. The driest month with just 3 mm.
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August
August is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 21°C. Almost no rain.
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September
September is the warmest month with highs of 24°C and lows of 21°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm).
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October
October is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 20°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is mild with highs of 22°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is mild with highs of 20°C and lows of 16°C. The wettest month with 90 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
