The Santa Bernarda

The ‘Santa Bernarda’ has a rich maritime history dating back to its construction in 1968 on the French Atlantic coast in Bayonne as the fishing vessel ‘Le Trident’.

After years of service in the North Atlantic, it retired from fisheries in 1992. In 1995, the vessel found a new purpose as a tourist attraction when it was acquired by our company, Santa Bernarda Cruzeiros Lda. Extensive renovations and modernisations were undertaken at the giant shipyard near Portimão's old bridge, to preserve its heritage while enhancing its functionality with modern sailing equipment and on-board conveniences.

Since October 2020, the ‘Santa Bernarda’, has operated regularly from the Port of Portimão, where is it affectionately referred to as the ‘Pirate Ship’. Due to its uniqueness and distinct character the ship has also been featured in TV commercials for brands including Doritos and KFC.

Offering cruises that not only showcase its history but also reflect the company's ethos of environmental responsibility and sustainability, Santa Bernarda Cruzeiros is committed to caring for the marine environment, and strives to provide memorable experiences while doing its best to preserve the natural beauty of the Algarve coast.