The beaches of the Azores are incredibly varied, everything from soft black sand to rugged rocky platforms with access to thermal pools.
While this place isn’t strictly a beach holiday destination – it’s more about the landscapes, the volcanoes and the natural attractions – the weather is just about warm enough to swim in the Azores if you’re a hardy type. And while the waters of the Atlantic are undoubtedly chilly, science says a cool water dip is remarkably good for our health and wellbeing. Once you’ve acclimatised, you’ll find it exhilarating!
As far as beach weather’s concerned your best bet is to visit the Azores bang in the middle of summer, when there’s the least risk of rain. Although it might rain while you’re there. This isn’t a hot weather destination. The climate is as unpredictable as it is in the UK. But that’s all part of the adventure.
Just watch out for the jellyfish in the sea or washed up on the sand. The infamous Portuguese Man of War jellyfish has a really nasty sting and global warming is bringing more of them to the islands.
If sand and sea are your thing, here are some cool beaches to while away a day or two on, many on the biggest island of Sao Miguel and each with its own personality.
Santa Barbara beach on Sao Miguel island
Sao Miguel’s picture postcard perfect Santa Barbara Azores beach offers a beautiful dramatic shoreline, big dark cliffs and powerful waves, a top spot for surfing but not too good for swimming.
You’ll find the beach at Ribeira Grande on the island’s north, a place people enjoy for the gorgeous views and the thrill of watching skilled surfers conquering the waves. There are surfing lessons at the local surf school along with board rental, plus a restaurant and food stall on a deck with marvellous ocean views.
Carapacho beach on Graciosa island
Carapacho beach on Graciosa is protected from the wild ocean by a natural wall of rocks, providing a calm place to swim safely in a beautiful pool kept at a nice, warm temperature. Now and again the currents mean it isn’t safe to swim but most of the time it’s a safe bet to bob around in the beautiful clear water. Or simply lounge on the pool’s wide concrete edge in the sunshine. The Termas do Carapacho thermal baths are just a stone’s throw away.
Praia De Agua D’Alto beach on São Miguel island
Praia de Agua D’Alto is a beautiful curved stretch of sand protected by two arms of rock pointing out to sea. Find your way to Agua d’Alto parish, in the council of Vila Nova do Campo, to discover this wide stretch of black volcanic sand, a haven for walking, sunbathing and swimming. The sand, fine and soft, is a pleasure to lounge on and it’s in a lovely unspoiled area featuring a little car park and a small beach bar.
Fajã Grande beach on Flores island
Fajã Grande beach is in the west of Flores Island, loved by local people as a holiday spot. The beach is small, offering the islands’ signature volcanic black sand and set between the scenic old port and the cliffs. There are restaurants and cafes, places to picnic areas and free parking. And it’s a good place for young children, with a safe pool for them to enjoy. The sunsets here are incredible.
Corpo Santo Beach on São Miguel island
Make your way to Vila Franca do Campo to find this lovely little beach, perfect for a chilling session after exploring the surroundings. The town itself is gorgeous with its pretty chapel – Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Paz – and the scenic Vila Franca Islet. Because the beach is so sheltered the water is calm and safe, studded with tiny coves where your little ones can play and offering basic loos and changing rooms.
Praia dos Mosteiros on Sao Miguel island
Another beach loved by local people, Praia dos Mosteiros on São Miguel’s west coast is a big attraction, busy and bustling during the peak holiday season, a sociable and friendly place. You can walk to the beach from the bus stop and there’s also free parking if you’ve hired a car.
Surfers adore this beach with its big waves breaking into the rocks, making surfers a thrilling thing to watch as they navigate the crashing seas. There are two monster stacks of rock out to sea to provide drama along with a couple of rocky islets, all making wonderful photos.
Praia Do Fogo on São Miguel island
Praia do Fogo delivers absolutely stunning natural beauty, located just south of Furnas in Ribeira Quente. The water is always unusually warm compared to other beaches thanks to the volcanic violence taking place deep underneath and the underwater hydrothermal springs it creates.
Add a backdrop of immense, lush green mountains and the lovely blue waters of the bay and this must be the best beach for eye candy. The swimming is lovely, there are free beach umbrellas to shelter under, and there’s good parking as well as a beach bar serving food and drinks.
Praia Grande on Terceira island
Prai Grande is, as the name suggests, enormous! One of the largest beaches in the archipelago and a popular place for swimming, it lies directly below the town’s lovely old centre. This is a popular place to stroll and run as well as lounge and swim, making it an all-weather destination. The currents are gentle compared to some beaches and the water a bit warmer, adding to its popularity. Perfect for sociable beach outings with lots of people, it can attract large crowds.
Praia do Moinhoson on Sao Miguel island
Go here for perfect peace and tranquillity. Praia do Moinhos is small, off the beaten track and known for being quiet, complete with a beautiful waterfall that makes it even more Instagrammable. The beach itself is a feast for the eyes with its soft black sand that soaks up the sunshine, hanging onto the sun’s warmth. The water’s great for swimming and there’s a lifeguard for peace of mind when you’re with the kids. Just watch out for big waves. The beach offers a sweet terrace cafe, loos, showers and very little parking, one of the reasons it doesn’t get mobbed. But you can easily park nearby and walk to the sands.
Praia da Areia on Corvo island
The tiny island of Corvo, aka Crow Island, features just one lovely sandy beach, complete with warm waters. It’s just 700m from the town centre and more or less at the end of the island’s runway, an airport where there are only a couple of flights a day so the planes don’t disturb the peace. The beach is small and curved, hugging the coastline with a dramatic mountainous backdrop and epic ocean views.
Praia Da Caloura on São Miguel island
The quiet fishing village of Caloura on the island’s south side offers Caloura Beach with its swimming pool located out on a rocky arm poking into the little bay. The ocean views are stunning and the water calm, nestled in a cove for protection. It rarely gets crowded and there’s excellent diving and snorkelling as well as various natural pools to bob around in. Near to Lagoa with handy parking, there are changing rooms, loos, showers and a cool waterside restaurant.
Poça Simão Dias on Sao Jorge island
Poça Simão Dias is the island’s best-loved natural swimming pool, down a rocky path and offering startlingly clear turquoise waters. The contrast with the back rocks and vivid greenery is startling and very lovely, so it’s no surprise it can get crowded. Arrive early to pick the best spot.
The sharp rocks around the pool mean this isn’t a place for sunbathers, it’s more about the water, the swimming and snorkelling. When the sun rises over the cliffs in the afternoon it warms up beautifully. This has to be one of the most photographable beaches in the islands, uniquely dramatic.
Praia de Porto Pim on Failal island
Protected by the Monte da Guia hill and a defensive wall, this beach is just a short drive from Horta. Loved by the locals, Praia de Porto Pim offers lovely calm seas and plenty of places to eat nearby. The 2019 hurricane, Lorenzo, managed to damage the beach badly but it’s recovering nicely, a perfect place for relaxation backed by the islands’ signature dramatic cliffs and extraordinary greenery.
This is just the tip of the iceberg, with many more Azores beaches to discover. Which will you visit first?
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