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Walter Huwels CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Ilhéu Chão

Island

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.

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In this guide

Ilhéu Chão essentials

Address: Ilhéu Chão, near Porto Santo, Madeira, Portugal
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About Ilhéu Chão

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.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Ilhéu Chão

Best in summer when boat services are most reliable and sea conditions calmer.

Summer
May-September · 20-28°C
Calm seas and warm weather make boat excursions most comfortable.

Weather & Climate near Ilhéu Chão

Climate

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.

Air Quality: AQI 27 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustSeptember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
26°
Warmest Month
13°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Good 16° - 19° 17° 77 mm partly cloudy 76% 4.6 m/s 0.6 moderate 10.1h
February Very Good 15° - 19° 17° 56 mm partly cloudy 77% 4.8 m/s 0.8 moderate 10.9h
March Very Good 15° - 19° 17° 50 mm partly cloudy 79% 5.0 m/s 1.3 high 11.9h
April Excellent 16° - 19° 17° 29 mm partly cloudy 78% 4.7 m/s 1.7 very high 12.9h
May Excellent 17° - 19° 18° 18 mm partly cloudy 80% 4.8 m/s 2.0 very high 13.7h
June Excellent 18° - 21° 20° 8 mm some cloud 82% 5.1 m/s 2.3 extreme 14.1h
July Ideal 20° - 23° 21° 3 mm some cloud 83% 5.1 m/s 2.3 extreme 13.9h
August Ideal 21° - 24° 23° 4 mm some cloud 82% 5.2 m/s 2.1 extreme 13.2h
September Ideal 21° - 25° 23° 34 mm some cloud 79% 4.3 m/s 1.6 very high 12.2h
October Excellent 20° - 24° 22° 62 mm partly cloudy 78% 4.2 m/s 1.1 high 11.2h
November Very Good 18° - 22° 20° 72 mm partly cloudy 76% 4.4 m/s 0.7 moderate 10.4h
December Good 17° - 20° 19° 90 mm partly cloudy 76% 4.7 m/s 0.5 low 9.9h
Getting There & Around

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.