The beach is 2 km long and is divided into four sand and pebble beaches known as Nova, Formosa, Namorados and Areeiro. The quality of the sea water is certified by the European Community Blue Flag.

The beach is accessible to everyone, regardless of age or mobility limitations. It is also the only beach that has been adapted for the visually impaired, which won it the 2015 “Accessible Beach” award.

Formosa Beach is a favourite of Madeirans and tourists alike.

Accessibilities:

- Adapted for the blind, providing the Audioplage system. This system allows blind or handicapped swim freely, in full autonomy and in excellent safety conditions with the help of the following equipment available:

         - Line floats equipped with sensors that inform the users, through beeps, the depth of the sea, also indicating the distance from the beach and its direction.

         - Strap which allows to know exactly where the user is located in relation to the floats and are provided with buttons that, when pressed, allows the location relative to one of three buoys. Also contains an                  emergency button that, when activated, alerts a lifeguard.

- There are three wheelchairs that help in the process of entering the sea: one named as "leisure hipocampe" and two of "Tiralo" model.

- Also available sets of amphibious crutches.

- The entry and exit process is performed in the sea through a platform of wood, allowing to help people with reduced mobility to reach the sea. Over the platform there are information boards either for the blind and for the general public with information in Portuguese, English and Braille.

This beach has the Accessible Beach 2015 Award and, has an easy and free from obstacles pedestrian access from the public road to the organized parking with places reserved for vehicles for persons with disabilities up to the pedestrian access available to the swimming area. Sanitary facilities are adapted and there is a first aid post and also a lifeguard.