BerlengasPass: how to book your island access

Official ICNF BerlengasPass booking: the quick answer

The BerlengasPass is a personal, non-transferable access title for the terrestrial area of Berlenga Grande.

According to the official BerlengasPass FAQ, visiting or remaining on the island without valid registration and a valid title can constitute an offence.

This is separate from your boat journey. A boat ticket gets you across the water; the BerlengasPass gives you authorised access to the island.

Why is access limited?

The Berlengas Nature Reserve is environmentally sensitive and receives heavy visitor pressure during summer.

The official carrying capacity is 550 people allowed to remain simultaneously on the terrestrial area of Berlenga Grande. That limit comes from the legal framework cited by the ICNF.

For visitors, the practical consequence is simple: do not leave the access title until the last minute on a busy summer date.

Who needs a BerlengasPass?

The official FAQ states that the access title is mandatory for visitors and users of the island's terrestrial area.

There are specific fee rules and exemptions. The current official FAQ says visitors aged six and over normally pay the access fee, while certain residents, authorised workers, operators and official personnel may be exempt.

Because categories and fees are regulatory information, check the official system for the rule that applies to you rather than relying on an old screenshot or third-party blog.

How to get a BerlengasPass

You have two main options.

Book it yourself

Go to berlengaspass.icnf.pt, create an account and issue the access title for your visit date.

The platform asks for visitor information and payment where applicable. The FAQ states that, once a title is issued, payment must be completed within the specified payment window or the title becomes ineffective.

Ask an authorised operator to issue it

The ICNF also states that foreign visitors can ask an economic operator to issue titles on their behalf, avoiding the need to create their own account.

Some boat companies integrate this into their booking process. Do not assume yours does. Check the confirmation email and ask directly if the wording is unclear.

Should you book the boat or BerlengasPass first?

Ideally, check both before committing.

You need a boat with space and valid island access on the same date. In peak season, availability on one side does not automatically guarantee the other.

A sensible workflow is:

• Check BerlengasPass availability.
• Check an authorised boat operator for the same date.
• Complete both bookings.
• Save the confirmations offline on your phone.

Our complete guide to visiting the Berlengas explains the different vessel types and tours.

How much does BerlengasPass cost?

The fee is small compared with the boat ticket, but it can be updated by regulation.

For that reason, we recommend checking the amount directly on the official BerlengasPass platform when you book rather than treating a fixed price in a travel article as permanent.

What if the boat is cancelled?

This is where people often get confused.

Your boat booking and island access title are different systems. If maritime conditions cancel your crossing, follow the operator's instructions and check the BerlengasPass terms for what happens to the access title.

Do not simply move your trip to another day without making sure the pass is valid for that new date.

Does a BerlengasPass guarantee the boat runs?

No.

It guarantees neither a boat seat nor suitable weather. The crossing is an Atlantic maritime journey and departures remain dependent on operating and sea conditions.

For the wider trip, read our complete guide to visiting the Berlengas before leaving Peniche.