Most Azores seashores are of volcanic origin and boast character. Infused lava rocks and ash-colored sand, contrasting with the electrical blue of the wild Atlantic ocean. I’ve picked 13 of the very best and most stunning seashores in Azores to counterpoint your journey.
The Azores islands are a real panorama dream, boasting beautiful sceneries from crater lakes to sizzling springs, from tea plantations to vibrant inexperienced meadows and black sea cliffs.
Regardless of not being a tropical seaside vacation spot in any respect, some of the distinctive landscapes in Azores are its seashores (or in Portuguese: praias).
There are virtually 40 seashores in Azores distinguished with the European Blue Flag for its environmental and high quality requirements. I narrowed it right down to the very best 13.
Probably the most stunning sandy seashores in Azores
Listed here are the highest Azores seashores based mostly on components like high quality, cleanliness, and surroundings. The order is irrelevant.
I’ve additionally included a few of the greatest pure swimming pools in Azores in addition to different essential suggestions earlier than going to an Azorean seaside.
Seashores Azores Map
To your comfort, I’ve pinned all of the seashores above + pure swimming pools on this map:
The highest 13 greatest sandy seashores in Azores
1Praia de Santa Bárbara (São Miguel)
Positioned within the tough northern coast of São Miguel, the waves and currents may be wild in Praia de Santa Bárbara.
In reality, this seaside is dwelling to one of many phases of the World Surf League and has been a hotspot of surfers within the island for fairly a while. Azores Surf Middle has surf classes for freshmen.
This wilderness simply provides to its magnificence, however be sure to take note of the flag colour coding.
After going for a swim, seize one thing to eat at TukaTulá Bar, the seaside bar boasting stunning ocean views. Through the summer season months, there are nighttime concert events right here too.
2Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo (São Jorge)
Now, let’s go to São Jorge. Not solely this place is a wild seaside, but in addition a nature reserve. Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo is sacred for bodyboarders and surfers, however – I’d add – for anybody who appreciates a wow second. As a result of that’s precisely what it’s: a shocking seaside plateau on the foot of huge lush mountains, created by lava landslides.
Getting right here just isn’t simple although: it’s both by boat, quad-bike or a 4km hike. The village has no electrical energy your entire day. It’s a distant spot in a distant island in a distant archipelago, however the reward is likely one of the most idyllic landscapes in Azores.
3Praia de Água D’Alto (São Miguel)
Extraordinarily busy throughout summer season – good luck parking! – Praia de Água d’Alto combines a large stretch of volcanic sand, clear waters, and the dramatic background cliffs. It’s some of the fashionable seashores within the island of São Miguel and for good cause.
Close by, there’s additionally a pleasant little seaside restaurant close by, with superb meals for seaside bar requirements, and the beautiful Pestana Bahia Praia. This resort is the right place to remain if you wish to add a little bit of seaside bum time to your Azores journey, significantly should you include children!
4Praia Porto Pim (Faial)
Together with Almoxarife, Porto Pim is likely one of the hottest seashores in Faial, and simply 5-min away from its world-renowned marina. That includes shallow waters in a pure shelter, it’s a incredible place for a calming day on the sea.
General, it’s a somewhat small seaside – simply 350m – but it surely’s an important place for snorkeling (octopus, manta rays but in addition jellyfish close by!) and to carry the youngsters.
5Vila Franca do Campo Islet (São Miguel)
This islet 1 km off the coast of Vila Franca do Campo is a swimming and bathing paradise. The pure bay has bought with crystal clear waters and protects swimmers from the Atlantic waves. A surprise for teenagers or grown-ups like me who nonetheless really feel like children on the within. Additionally an excellent snorkeling spot.
Word nonetheless you received’t discover a lot consolation to put down or towel. The best choice is to nest subsequent to some rocks or concrete platform – technically the one seaside within the islet will get flooded throughout excessive tide.
Regardless, should you ask me that is nonetheless one the very best swimming spots within the Azores.
ℹHow to get to Vila Franca Islet
You may solely get to Vila Franca’s islet by a small boat departing from Vila Franca’s marina. You might want to purchase your tickets on-line or in a sales space within the marina itself.
I recommend shopping for them upfront because the demand is excessive throughout summer season. Being a Nature Reserve, solely 400 tickets are offered every day and should you don’t get there on the earliest hour, it’s doubtless they’re offered out for the day.
6Praia do Fogo (São Miguel)
One in every of my private favorites, this seaside is only a 20-min drive away from Furnas Valley, within the small city of Ribeira Quente.
Not solely the panorama is superb – in a quiet bay enclosed by large cliffs – and the parking is free, however there’s a distinctive factor about this seaside. It’s proper above a bay of underwater sizzling springs, which suggests the ocean is naturally heated by a number of levels.
7Praia Formosa (Santa Maria)
Because of a distinct geological formation, Santa Maria is the one island within the Azores who options golden sand seashores. Plus, it has the driest and warmest local weather of all of them, giving Mediterranean vibes and standing out because the most interesting island for seaside bums.
Probably the most well-known of Santa Maria’s seashores is Praia Formosa, thought of by many the very best within the Azores. For some cause it interprets as stunning seaside. Sitting on the underside of a tranquil bay backed by beautiful mountains, the water is heat – for Atlantic Ocean requirements anyway – and crystal clear.
8Canto da Areia (Pico)
I used to be on this extraordinarily tiny seaside proper after climbing Mount Pico, so my reminiscences listed below are intertwined with excessive sore muscle mass.
Though it doesn’t maintain a blue flag, the unimaginable views over São Jorge (it’s really the closest level between the 2 islands) ensures it a spot on this record. This and the truth that is the one sandy seaside within the stunning Pico!
⭐ Considering of staying in Pico? ⭐
Adegas do Pico
Gorgeous rural homes oozing attraction. In order for you peace & quiet, that is it. The starred sky at evening is a plus!
Or seek for your self!
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9Praia do Almoxarife (Faial)
On to the neighbor Faial once more. A quiet, small and tranquil spot simply 5km away from Horta, with beautiful views over Mount Pico is the situation of this seaside. Peaceable and clear waters make Almoxarife an important selection for households or anybody seeking to unwind.
The realm additionally has a campsite and a close-by restaurant. And the actual fact the sand strip virtually fully disappears throughout winter makes it much more particular.
10Praia dos Moinhos (São Miguel)
For a minute, I hesitated to place this seaside on this record. I assume a part of me needs to maintain it secluded and never draw any extra consideration. However effectively, right here it’s.
Praia dos Moinhos sits in a beautiful enclosed bay in Porto Formoso, a quaint seaside village in São Miguel island. Though waves right here as not as unhealthy as in different seashores of the northern coast, there are various massive rocks on the ocean flooring so watch out should you resolve to swim farther away.
This volcanic seaside has a mountain climbing path, showers, and an honest seaside bar. The highway to get there’s additional steep and may be difficult to park round throughout summer season. I wouldn’t suggest coming right here should you’re not a seasoned driver.
11Praia da Riviera (Terceira)
Praia da Riviera is a volcanic sandy seaside within the Praia da Vitória district. The spot is surrounded by fowl colonies, giving it a really wild really feel.
Though there are dozens of swimming areas within the Azores with Blue Flag high quality, that is the one seaside with ZERO air pollution, as concluded by bacteriological evaluation of its water. Ocean swims don’t get any higher than this!
12Praia dos Mosteiros (São Miguel)
The colour palette of an Azorean seaside.
On the western tip of São Miguel, not solely the tremendous darkish volcanic sand of Praia dos Mosteiros constrasts with the blue and inexperienced of the environment however can be a incredible place to look at the sundown. The towering rocks rising from the ocean are a beautiful backdrop.
After a day exploring Sete Cidades, come right here for a soothing finish of day.
13Baía de São Lourenço (Santa Maria)
Santa Maria could also be tiny, however actually has a few of the greatest seashores within the islands. Baía de São Lourenço is one in all my favorites, not solely due to the crystal clear waters, however the backdrop of mountains full of terraced vineyards that stretch right down to the ocean makes this a very particular seaside.
What you must know earlier than going to the seaside in Azores?
Don’t underestimate how HOT darkish sand can get. In sunny days, the warmth is absorbed rather more than the normal white sand and it may well really feel like strolling on sizzling lava!
Remember you’re in the course of the Atlantic Ocean, not within the Caribbean or Mediterranean. The ocean in Azores may be tough and large waves and robust currents are widespread. All the time take note of the colour coding of seaside flags.
🚩Seaside flag colours in Azores
- Crimson: not recommendable to enter the water
- Yellow: swimming is disencouraged, though you technically can go into the water for a fast dip.
- Inexperienced: protected for swimming.
What’s the water temperature in Azores?
Sea temperatures vary from the bottom of 14 to 16°C (57 to 63°F) within the peak of winter as much as a most of 25°C (77°F) in August. Some bathings spots like Praia do Fogo and Ferraria could also be hotter as a result of presence of underwater geothermal springs.
Are there jellyfish in Azores?
Brief reply: sure. Jellyfish are widespread on this space of Atlantic, particularly to start with of summer season (Could to July). In some days and relying on the currents, you’ll be able to even see the ocean floor full of these creatures.
In every surveilled seaside of Azores you might even see a fourth seaside flag, unbiased from this colour coding, that indicators the presence of jellyfish – águas vivas – within the water.
The extra seaside flags yow will discover in Azores.
Supply: azores.gov.pt
For those who occur to get stung, don’t panic. Earlier than doing something, contact the lifeguard. And chill: being stung by a jellyfish normally don’t produce critical signs aside from short-term redness, itching, and a warmth/burning sensation on the pores and skin.
Are there sharks in Azores?
It’s true that there are occasional sightings of various species of sharks in Azorean waters (if I needed to guess, 1-2 occasions a yr). That stated, the danger of an assault is extraordinarily low. The final time it occurred was to a scuba diver in Terceira, again in 2013.
For the usual seaside traveler I wouldn’t fear – it’s more likely that you simply’ll see dolphins taking part in at a distance.
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Pure Swimming pools in Azores
With such an appetizing ocean to swim on surrounding you, who says you want sand? Throughout all islands in Azores, yow will discover beautiful pure swimming pools to take a dip. Given the rugged shoreline of the islands, there are extra of those spots – additionally known as piscinas or poços – than really seashores.
Don’t count on tons of consolation although, you’ll in all probability need to discover a area of interest between rocks or concrete platforms. Additionally sea footwear or sneakers are advisable to stroll on the lava rocks.
- Piscinas do Carapacho (Graciosa): enclosed in a small bay, options crystal clear waters and a thermal spa.
- Piscinas dos Biscoitos (Terceira): beautiful spot the place the darkish solidified lava contrasts with the colourful blue of the ocean.
- Ponta da Ferraria (São Miguel): an distinctive spot the place the ocean is geothermally heated by an underwater sizzling spring.
- Poços dos Mosteiros (São Miguel): within the western tip of São Miguel island. Lovely sunsets.
- Piscinas da Madalena (Pico): one in all my favorites. Gorgeous views over Faial island.
- Piscinas do Pesqueiro (São Miguel): not probably the most scenic, however handy for a swim proper within the coronary heart of Ponta Delgada.
- Piscinas da Silveira (Terceira): nice bathing spot near the World Heritage metropolis of Angra do Heroísmo.
- Piscinas Naturais das Cinco Ribeiras (Terceira): lava rock coves forming a pure swimming-pool with direct entry to the ocean.
What seashores are you in search of probably the most?
Let me know which one was your favourite!