Start your day trip to Berlenga Grande Island by meeting your guide at your Lisbon hotel. Then, climb aboard your air-conditioned minivan and head to the seaside fishing town of Peniche where a boat will be waiting for you. Once aboard, cruise to Berlenga Grande and admire the rocky arcs and bends of this petite yet striking island. As you lounge on the sunny deck, listen to commentary about the hidden caves and other factoids about the Berlenga Archipelago. Don’t hesitate to ask questions, your guide is happy to accommodate your interests.
Arrive at Berlenga Grande after a 40-minute cruise and stop for some food and drinks at a beachside joint (own expense). Next, lap up more island views and coastal charm as you motor to St John the Baptist Fort (Forte de São João Baptista).
A true spectacle of the Berlenga Grande Island, visit this 17th-century fortification and learn how it was erected using the bones of the island’s old monastery. Listen as your guide tells tales of pirates and invaders sieging the fort and vanquishing the monks out. Then, observe seabirds in the Berlengas Nature Reserve (Reserva Natural das Berlengas) and appreciate the thousands that use this tiny island as a nesting ground.
Hop off the boat and explore the pristine walkways enjoying the reserve’s UNESCO Biosphere Heritage–listed scenery. Watch the skies as your guide helps you discover guillemots and other birds types. Head back to the island port for lunch (own expense) and free time. Eat local fare at a seafood restaurant or if you brought picnic eats head the sandy beach to enjoy.
Next, swoop some snorkel gear from your guide (provided) and swim through the calm waters capturing scenic sea life. Afterward, hop into a kayak to journey through the island’s caves or perhaps see the cave and life below on a sleek glass-bottom boat.
After a fun day at Berlenga Island, voyage back to your hotel in Lisbon where your private day trip ends.
