4.8·1,388 reviews
Aerial view of the Forte de São João Baptista on its islet at Berlenga Grande, linked to the island by a narrow stone bridge over turquoise water
May to October · UNESCO Biosphere

Berlengas: An Astonishing
Biosphere Reserve

A private Berlenga Island day trip from Lisbon, with the boat and the ICNF island permit arranged for you.

  • 100% Private
  • Hotel pickup
  • Driver-guide
  • Free cancel 24h
+1.4k
★★★★★ 4.8

1,388+ reviews on TripAdvisor

Featured on

Tripadvisor Viator GetYourGuide Musement Headout Klook Tiqets Civitatis Hellotickets

The Swingo way

An island most visitors never reach.

Berlenga Grande is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve 15 km off Peniche, and reaching it is the hard part. Landing needs the ICNF island permit, the boat is a separate ticket, and the Atlantic can close the crossing with little warning. We handle all three, door to door from your Lisbon hotel, cruise terminal or airport.

Boat and permit included

The round-trip crossing with Feeling Berlenga and your ICNF island permit are arranged for you and included in every rate. Nothing to book or pay on the day.

100% private

Just your group for the drive and the day. No coach, no rush to a schedule that isn't yours.

Door to door from Lisbon

Your hotel, the cruise terminal, the airport or a private address. Bottled water and Wi-Fi on board.

Weather-watched

If the sea closes the crossing you get another date or a full refund. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before, for any reason.

What you'll see

Wild island, clear water, sea caves.

Berlenga Grande from the air, with the sea fort, the cliffs and the clear water of the reserve
UNESCO Biosphere

Berlenga Grande

The only inhabited island of the archipelago and a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve since 2011. Pink granite, nesting seabirds and some of the clearest water in Portugal, on an island 1.5 km at its longest with a legal cap of 550 visitors at a time.

Inside the Forte de São João Baptista, the vaulted casemates and terrace looking out to the Atlantic and moored boats
National Monument

Forte de São João Baptista

A sea fort on its own islet, reached by a narrow stone bridge. Ordered built by King João IV in 1651 and finished in 1656, it held out against a Castilian fleet in the siege of 1666 and has been a National Monument since 1938.

Boats moored at the landing cove of Berlenga Grande, under the island cliffs
The crossing

Peniche and the crossing

The fishing town and peninsula where every Berlenga boat leaves from, about 1h15 north of Lisbon. The crossing takes around 25 minutes on the cabin cruiser and about 20 on the rigid inflatable, across open Atlantic water.

Your day, hour by hour

The day, hour by hour

About 9 hours door to door, with roughly 1h15 of driving each way, the crossing on top and three to four hours on the island.

  1. 08:30

    Pickup in Lisbon 15 min

    At your hotel, the cruise terminal, the airport or a private address.

  2. 08:45

    Drive north to Peniche about 1h15

    Up the Oeste coast to the fishing town and peninsula where the Berlenga boats leave from.

  3. 10:00

    Peniche: check-in and boarding 30 min

    Check-in and boarding with Feeling Berlenga. Your permit and your seat are already booked.

  4. 10:30

    The crossing to Berlenga Grande 20 to 25 min

    Open Atlantic water, about 25 minutes on the cabin cruiser and around 20 on the rigid inflatable, depending on the boat and the sea.

  5. 11:00

    Berlenga Grande 3 to 4 hours

    Ashore for the Forte de São João Baptista and its bridge, the Duque de Bragança lighthouse, the trails and a swim at Carreiro do Mosteiro. Your pack runs here: the sea caves by glass-bottom boat, the guided island walk or the snorkelling session.

  6. 14:45

    Return crossing to Peniche 20 to 25 min

    Back across to the mainland.

  7. 15:15

    Óbidos 60 min

    A stop inside the medieval walls on the drive back, included in every rate.

  8. 16:30

    Drive back to Lisbon about 1h15

    South along the A8, arriving in the late afternoon.

  9. 17:30

    Drop-off

    At your hotel or another address of your choice.

What's included

Everything taken care of.

  • Private multilingual driver-guide (English, Portuguese, Spanish, French, Italian)
  • Door-to-door pickup and drop-off: Lisbon hotels, cruise terminals, the airport or a private address
  • Private vehicle, fuel, tolls and parking
  • Round-trip boat crossing with Feeling Berlenga, according to the pack you choose
  • ICNF island permit (BerlengaPass), arranged and included
  • Sea-cave tour, guided island visit or snorkelling kit, according to the pack you choose
  • Medieval Óbidos on the drive back
  • Bottled water and free Wi-Fi on board
  • Insurance and taxes

Not included: lunch, food and drinks (cafés on the island and in Óbidos), the small fort entrance on the island of about €1 paid on site, and gratuities.

Tickets and add-ons: Every admission on this day is included in the rate and reserved in advance. The boat and the ICNF island permit are booked for you as part of the tour, and there are no monument tickets to buy. Optional on site, paid locally: the island fort, about €1. Your guide points you to it and you decide on the day.

Accessibility: not wheelchair accessible. The island trails are steep and uneven in places and moderate fitness is recommended. Infant seats are available for the drive, on request. The snorkelling pack is for travellers who can swim, and children must be supervised by an adult in the water.

Four boat packs, one private day

Prices are per group, not per person. The total for your group appears before you pay.

Most popular

Island Crossing (Boat + Island Permit)

About 9 hours door to door · the round-trip crossing with Feeling Berlenga, the ICNF island permit and free time ashore

from

€348

total for the group, 1 traveller

Book Island Crossing (Boat + Island Permit)

Island Crossing + Sea Caves

Everything in Island Crossing, plus a 30-minute glass-bottom boat tour of Furado Grande and the Gruta Azul

from

€363

total for the group, 1 traveller

Book Island Crossing + Sea Caves

Island Crossing + Sea Caves & Guided Visit

The crossing and the sea caves, plus a guided island walk of 45 minutes to an hour along the Cações path and up to the fort

from

€371

total for the group, 1 traveller

Book Island Crossing + Sea Caves & Guided Visit

Island Crossing + Sea Caves & Snorkeling

The crossing and the sea caves, plus mask, snorkel and fins with a staff briefing, for the clear water of the reserve

from

€379

total for the group, 1 traveller

Book Island Crossing + Sea Caves & Snorkeling

Full day · about 9 hours

  • Island Crossing (Boat + Island Permit) from €348

    The round-trip crossing to Berlenga Grande with Feeling Berlenga, your ICNF island permit included, and free time ashore for the trails, the fort, the lighthouse and the coves.

  • Island Crossing + Sea Caves from €363

    Everything in Island Crossing, plus a 30-minute glass-bottom boat tour of the sea caves, including Furado Grande and the Gruta Azul. The right choice for a first visit.

  • Island Crossing + Sea Caves & Guided Visit from €371

    The crossing and the sea-cave tour, plus a guided island walk of 45 minutes to an hour along the Cações path and up to the Forte de São João Baptista.

  • Island Crossing + Sea Caves & Snorkeling from €379

    The crossing and the sea-cave tour, plus mask, snorkel and fins with a staff briefing, for the clear water of the reserve. You need to be able to swim, and children must be supervised by an adult.

Before you book

Accessibility, capacity and where we meet you

Accessibility

Not wheelchair accessible. The island trails are steep and uneven in places and moderate fitness is recommended. Infant seats are available for the drive, on request. The snorkelling pack is for travellers who can swim, and children must be supervised by an adult in the water.

Capacity

From 1 to 15 travellers, and the price is for the whole group. Up to 8 travellers share one vehicle; from 9 to 15 we run two. Above 15 the day is quoted as a custom private tour.

Meeting point

Any address in Lisbon: your hotel, the cruise terminal, the airport or a private address. If you have not booked accommodation yet, we agree the pickup point when you confirm. Drop-off at the same place or another of your choice.

Season and the sea

Boats run roughly from May to October, weather permitting, and Berlenga Grande has a legal cap of 550 visitors at a time. If the sea closes the crossing you are offered another date or a full refund.

Travellers' photos, across all Swingo tours

Real moments from real travellers.

Tripadvisor ★★★★★ 4.8 · 1,388 reviews across all Swingo tours
Travellers on the Swingo Sintra tour
★★★★★ Steve H May 2026 · "His love for Portugal shows in wealth of knowledge"
Sintra private tour group photo
★★★★★ Julia H Nov 2025 · "Susana put in 110% effort"
Pena Palace photo by a Swingo guest
★★★★★ James N Jul 2025 · "Ricardo surprised our son with local pastries"
Sintra historic centre, traveller photo
★★★★★ L I Jun 2025 · "Amazing guide Susana, shared her love of the places"
View over Sintra from the Pena Palace terrace
★★★★★ Giuseppina Jul 2025 · "Adriano's history knowledge was excellent"
Cabo da Roca cliffs, traveller photo
★★★★★ Megan M Dec 2024 · "Ricardo was wonderful, full of local tips"
Quinta da Regaleira gardens
★★★★★ Colleen R Aug 2024 · "Nearby visitors tried listening in to our guide"
Sintra hills seen from the Pena park terraces
★★★★★ Mitch C Nov 2023 · "Miguel took amazing pictures and videos for us"
Couple on the Sintra tour
★★★★★ Vicki L Mar 2023 · "Diogo is a storyteller, history came alive"
Pena Palace towers photographed by a Swingo traveller
★★★★★ Ash Apr 2023 · "Ricardo simply perfect and knowledgeable"
Sintra Pena Palace by a Swingo traveller
★★★★★ Pavol Oct 2022 · "An unforgettable day with a brilliant guide"
Atlantic coastline near Cabo da Roca
★★★★★ Lisa Z. Oct 2025 · "Diogo was the best tour guide I have ever had"
★★★★★ 4.8 · 1,388 reviews across all Swingo tours

Travellers love their days with Swingo.

★★★★★
"His love for Portugal shines through his extensive knowledge about every destination. Highly professional and responsive throughout."
Steve H May 2026 · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
"Susana delivered exceptional service with a clean van and attentive care. Put in 110% effort to get us to difficult-to-reach spots."
Julia H Nov 2025 · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
"Our guide's historical passion was so captivating that nearby visitors tried listening in discreetly. We learned so much from her."
Colleen R Aug 2024 · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
"Our tour guy was Adriano. Very well spoken, knowledge of history. We really enjoyed spending three days together exploring Lisbon and Fatima."
Giuseppina Aug 2025 · TripAdvisor

Book your tour

Reserve your private day to the Berlengas.

We pick you up at any address in Lisbon: your hotel, the cruise terminal, the airport or a private address. Instant confirmation, free cancellation up to 24 hours before, and secure card payment at checkout. If the sea closes the crossing, you get another date or a full refund.

  • Instant confirmation, usually within minutes
  • Secure card payment. Powered by Stripe, 256-bit SSL
  • WhatsApp support, talk to a real person
  • Free cancellation up to 24h before, full refund
Adult
1
Child
0
Infant
0

By submitting you agree to our privacy policy. No spam, ever.

Questions

Common questions, answered.

Do I need a permit to visit Berlenga Island?

Yes. Landing on Berlenga Grande requires the BerlengaPass, the ICNF reservation and fee booked at berlengaspass.icnf.pt. It costs €3 per adult, €1.50 for ages 6 to 18 and over 65, and is free under 6, who still need a registration. It is separate from the boat ticket. On this tour we arrange both.

When is the Berlenga season, and when does it sell out?

Boats run roughly from May to October, weather permitting. Berlenga Grande has a legal cap of 550 visitors at a time, so daily slots sell out weeks ahead in July and August. May, June and September give the best balance of warm sea, space on the island and calmer crossings. We secure your slot when you book. For the full picture, read our guide on how to visit Berlenga Island from Lisbon.

How long is the boat crossing, and how rough is it?

Feeling Berlenga crosses in about 25 minutes on the cabin cruiser and around 20 on the rigid inflatable, depending on the sea. It is open Atlantic water and can be choppy, so travellers prone to motion sickness should take medication beforehand. Calm mornings and the May, June and September window usually mean an easier ride.

What happens if the sea closes the crossing?

Crossings are cancelled when the sea is unsafe, and it happens. We watch the forecast for your date and, if the boat is called off, you are offered another date or a full refund of the tour. Free cancellation also applies up to 24 hours before the start, for any reason.

What is included in the price?

The private driver-guide, door-to-door pickup and drop-off in Lisbon, the vehicle, fuel, tolls and parking, the round-trip boat with Feeling Berlenga, the ICNF island permit, and the cave, guided-visit or snorkelling activity of the pack you choose. Bottled water and Wi-Fi on board. Lunch and the small fort entrance are not included.

Which boat pack should I choose?

Island Crossing is the crossing and free time ashore. Sea Caves adds a 30-minute glass-bottom tour of Furado Grande and the Gruta Azul, and suits most first visits. Caves and Guided Visit adds a 45 to 60 minute island walk. Caves and Snorkeling adds mask, snorkel and fins for swimmers.

What is there to do on Berlenga Grande?

You have three to four hours ashore. The island is 1.5 km at its longest and holds the Forte de São João Baptista, built between 1651 and 1656 on its own islet, the Duque de Bragança lighthouse of 1839 to 1841, walking trails, and clear coves such as Carreiro do Mosteiro for swimming.

Is the tour suitable for children or reduced mobility?

Children are welcome and infant seats are available for the drive. The tour is not wheelchair accessible: the island trails are steep and uneven in places and moderate fitness is recommended. The snorkelling pack is for people who can swim, and children must be supervised by an adult in the water.

How long is the day, and does it include Óbidos?

The day runs about 9 hours door to door, with roughly 1h15 of driving each way, the crossing on top and three to four hours on the island. The medieval walled town of Óbidos is a stop on the drive back and is included in every rate, not an extra.

How much does a private Berlenga tour from Lisbon cost?

Prices are per private group, not per person, and start at €348 for the Island Crossing rate. The four packs start at €348, €363, €371 and €379. One vehicle carries up to 8 travellers and two vehicles cover 9 to 15, with the total shown before you pay.

Make it more than a day trip

Browse every private tour across Portugal, or read our local travel guides to plan the rest of your trip.

Reserve your private day to the Berlengas

Instant confirmation. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Secure card payment.

Last updated . Prices and opening hours are checked against our booking system and official sources.

Book your tour
Book Berlengas Tour · from €348