A bay on the west coast, between Cabeço das Flores and Morenos: a small pebble beach hemmed in by steep cliffs, two rocks standing in the middle of the bay and very clear turquoise water. It is a geosite: its submarine basalts show the island's finest pillow lavas, formed by undersea eruptions before Porto Santo emerged. Access is difficult and for sure-footed walkers only: at the junction for the Miradouro das Flores a road branches off towards Zimbralinho, then a steep path drops to the cove, some 930 m from the last paved road; look for snail fossils in the rock on the way. No services: bring water, wear closed shoes and take care in heavy swell. The beach is in shade in the afternoon. It can also be reached by kayak from Ponta da Calheta, and the snorkelling is renowned in calm seas. A natural area of strongly restricted use under the municipal master plan.
Pebbles
Pillow lavas
Snorkelling
Difficult access
Local secret
Price
Free
Duration
2–3h
Crowds
Quiet
GPS
33.03289, -16.38750
🧭 How to get there
The place stands 284 m from the sítio of Ponta, the nearest one (Porto Santo). The regional geodiversity service rates it hard access, 930 m from the nearest paved road.
🅿️ Parking
The nearest public car park is 987 m away.
🕒 When to come
Observation conditions are satisfactory, per the regional geodiversity service.
📖 History and nature
At Zimbralinho, the island's finest pillow lavas, frozen under water. At Morenos, lava dykes, 30,000-year-old fossil dunes with their root casts, and the shells of snails now extinct.
Zimbralinho and Morenos — Pillow lavas born under the sea
At Zimbralinho, the island's finest pillow lavas, frozen under water. At Morenos, lava dykes, 30,000-year-old fossil dunes with their root casts, and the shells of snails now extinct.
