What to Pack for Berlenga Island: Complete Checklist

Going to the Berlenga Islands and not sure what to put in your backpack? This is the definitive list — organised by category — to make sure you don’t miss anything and that your day on the island goes perfectly.

The essentials (what you must NOT forget)

• ✅ BerlengaPass, printed or on your phone — mandatory to enter the island (€3, issued by the ICNF)
• ✅ Boat ticket — confirm your BerlengaTur booking before leaving home
• ✅ ID document (ID card or passport)
• ✅ Cash or card — data connection and payments can be unstable on the island

Sun protection and heat

• ☀️ High-factor sunscreen
• ☀️ Wide-brimmed hat or cap
• ☀️ Sunglasses with UV protection
• ☀️ UV-protection shirt for water activities

Clothing and footwear

• 👕 Swimwear (and a dry change of clothes for the way back)
• 👕 A light jacket or jumper — the Atlantic wind can be cool, even in midsummer
• 👟 Water sandals or neoprene shoes — the piers and seabed are rocky
• 👟 Comfortable footwear for walking the island trail (boots aren’t needed)
• 🎒 A waterproof bag for your phone and documents (the boat spray is real)

Beach and snorkelling gear

The water at the Berlenga has exceptional visibility and rich marine life — bring your gear and you won’t regret it.

• 🤿 Mask and snorkel
• 🦈 Fins (they make exploring much easier)
• 🌊 Beach towel (a small, quick-drying one is the best option)
• 📷 Underwater camera or waterproof phone case

Note: there is no snorkelling-equipment rental on the island. If you want to go snorkelling, bring your own.

Food and drink

There is no restaurant available without a booking, so we recommend bringing:

• 🥪 Sandwiches, fruit and snacks for lunch
• 💧 Enough water (at least 1.5L per person — there’s no public fountain on the island)
• 🚫 Avoid unnecessary plastic packaging — it’s a Biosphere Reserve, leave zero waste

Pocket first-aid kit

• 💊 Travel-sickness tablets (Stugeron or Dramamine, taken 30 min before boarding)
• 🩹 Plasters (the rocky bottom can cause small cuts)
• 🧴 Insect repellent (at the end of the day, near the vegetation)
• 💊 Any regular medication you need during the day

For photography (not essential, but recommended)

The Berlenga Islands are simply photogenic. Deep-blue caves, honey-coloured cliffs, seabirds in flight, the medieval fortress — well worth capturing.

• 📷 Camera with a mid-range lens (for birds and landscapes)
• 📱 Power bank — the day is long and your phone uses more battery on the island
• 💧 A waterproof case is a must — the sea spray is guaranteed

What NOT to bring (or do)

• 🚫 Don’t bring a drone without prior ICNF authorisation
• 🚫 Don’t collect shells, stones, plants or animals — it’s forbidden and harms the ecosystem
• 🚫 Don’t leave litter — the island has no robust waste-collection system
• 🚫 A large suitcase or bulky backpack — the island is walked on narrow trails

Book your visit to the Berlenga Islands

Now that you know what to bring, all that’s left is to choose your pack:

• Pack 1 – Round Trip: complete freedom on the island
• Pack 2 – Caves + Ferry: with a glass-bottom boat through the caves
• Pack 4 – Snorkelling + Caves + Ferry: to make the most of the water