Ilhéu das Cabras – Terceira Island

The Ilhéu das Cabras is located on the southern coast of Terceira Island, near the parish of Feteira, municipality of Angra do Heroísmo, Azores archipelago, and belongs to the Special Protection Zone of Ilhéu das Cabras, covering an area of 29 hectares, where the Ilhéu Pequeno and Ilhéu Grande are located, standing at 84 meters and 147 meters tall, respectively.

Considered the largest islet in the Azores, the two islets that make up Ilhéu das Cabras are approximately a 15-minute boat ride from the Port of Angra do Heroísmo. The best time to visit is during the summer, with boat tours available to the site, but there are restrictions on the number of visitors.

In this area, it is possible to observe a variety of bird species that have made this place their habitat, including the cagarro, the common tern, the roseate tern, the great egret, the seagull, and others. In addition to the birds, small cetaceans, such as the common dolphin and turtles, are also prominent. All these animals are protected by regional decree.

Ilheu das Cabras, Porto Judeu
Fotografia de Luis Reis

When visiting Terceira Island, include Ilhéu das Cabras in your travel itinerary, a place of peculiar beauty that is definitely worth a visit. A tip: from the parish of Feteira, you can enjoy a very beautiful panoramic view for photographs. Enjoy!

History of Ilhéu das Cabras

Ilhéu das Cabras originated from volcanic remnants resulting from the contact of basaltic lava with water, a result of the surtseian volcano eruption, forming coastal volcanic cones that have eroded due to marine erosion and tectonic movements, becoming today, historic icons of Terceira Island.

The formation of these cones occurred due to the contact of water with lava, which instantly transforms into steam, pulverizing the basaltic eruption material into fine fragments. Consequently, a glassy light-colored material emerges, subsequently leading to the formation of tufts or volcanic rocks.

Ilha da Terceira
Fotografia de andreia almeida

An interesting fact is that these rocks resemble palagonite and have been observed among the regoliths that are part of the surface of planet Mars, providing evidence that there was once abundant water on this planet. In 1980, the earthquake that struck the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo caused a small part of the Ilhéu Pequeno to collapse, altering its appearance since then.

Ilhéu das Cabras
Fotografia de Filipe Bem

Some historians report that during World War II, a German submarine took refuge between the two islets to avoid American attacks. This is because there is significant depth in the waters between the two islets, serving as a hiding spot.

The name Ilhéu das Cabras originates from the past when goats and sheep were grazing there, but without much benefit, due to the poor surface of the location, where the low vegetation is not endemic.

Visiting Ilhéu das Cabras – Attractions

One option for tourists is to visit Ilhéu das Cabras for snorkeling, allowing you to swim in the delightful sea and closely observe the various marine species that inhabit the area and receive special protection.

Ilhéus das Cabras – Ilha Terceira
Fotografia de Ricardo Brum

There is also the Cave of Ilhéu das Cabras, also known as the Cave of the Toads, where diving in the cave is the main attraction, allowing you to observe a large number of marine species inside, such as Thalassoma pavo, popularly known as the parrotfish, and Taeniura grabata, known as the big ray, which is very common in the summer.

The entrance to the cave is located 15 meters deep, and the most fantastic aspect of diving into the dark interior of the cave is the spectacle of light rays penetrating through the cave entrance, creating fascinating shadows of the rays present in the area.

Farol das Contendas
Fotografia de Filipe Bem

For visitors who do not like to dive or swim, they can explore the islets on a boat tour, entering the cave and discovering all this historical volcanic formation of Ilhéu das Cabras. A must-do excursion!