Twenty seconds of The Eastern Edge, written for this very spot. On the tour it plays by itself as you arrive.
One of the few natural sand beaches in Madeira, and the best known on the east. This sand formed here from local volcanic basalt erosion, unlike other dark beaches where sand arrives by currents. Small protected cove, rarely crowded, no facilities whatsoever. Faces south-southeast so gets good sun from morning to mid-afternoon. The path down is steep and rocky. No flip-flops. Combine with the Ponta de São Lourenço peninsula hike (PR8), trailhead 5 min by car. Very close to the airport: low-flying planes on approach add an unexpected soundtrack.
