Baía de São Lourenço – Santa Maria Island

São Lourenço Bay is located in the parish of Santa Bárbara, on the island of Santa Maria. The bay was formed in a volcanic crater and has an amphitheater shape, surrounded by vineyards and featuring a fantastic natural pool.

In its waters, it is possible to practice observation diving, despite its average depth being 12 meters. It boasts a great biodiversity and covers 113 hectares of stunning beauty.

(C) 7 Wonders of Portugal

Due to its diversity and the quality of its natural and environmental heritage, in 1987, São Lourenço Bay was classified as a natural reserve. It is reassuring to know that such a wildlife-rich area, with its flora and fauna, is being properly protected.

The bay is considered one of the most beautiful in the world, with crystal-clear waters that can be admired from the various viewpoints, offering a panoramic view that will be forever etched in memory.

History of São Lourenço Bay

São Lourenço Bay served as a shelter for ships and fishing fleets, with the port being a crucial resource for the crews’ water supply. It also served as an alternative port to Vila do Porto until the mid-20th century.

There once stood a fortification, the Fort of São Lourenço Bay, located at the northern tip of the bay, which served as defense against pirate and corsair attacks, which were very common in this region of the Atlantic Ocean. Today, only remnants of the old walls remain.

São Lourenço
Fotografia de Helena Botelho

What to See in São Lourenço Bay

São Lourenço Bay features a series of attractions that should be visited during your stay, including:

São Lourenço Beach

São Lourenço Beach is one of the largest in the archipelago, located at the end of an ancient volcanic slope and surrounded by vineyards that produce São Lourenço wine. It boasts an extensive sandy area, some rocks in the sea, and very clear water. It is worth visiting and enjoying this unique beach.

São Lourenço Islet (South)

São Lourenço Islet, also known as Romeiro Islet, is located on the northeast coast of Santa Maria Island, south of São Lourenço Beach, adjacent to Ponta Negra. It is a rocky structure with a peak that rises 92 meters high. It is covered with small vegetation and features a small cave accessible only by boat, which is home to the only endemic mammal of the Azores, the Nyctalus azoreum.

Vineyards

The famous vineyards are lined along the slope where São Lourenço wine is produced. They are located on the cliff at São Lourenço Beach and extend to the south towards São Lourenço Islet, adjacent to Ponta Negra.

Throughout the bay, there are other small beaches to enjoy, with crystal-clear waters that have shallow depths, allowing for safe swimming for several meters. In the bay area, there are some restaurants to savor the Azorean cuisine, as well as visitor facilities with showers and restrooms.

Baía de São Lourenço
Fotografia de Rodrigo Pereira Aguiar

Curiosities

São Lourenço Bay also has some interesting curiosities worth highlighting, including:

• The bay is also referred to as the “Bay of the Rising Sun,” as its location is on the easternmost coast of the archipelago.
• The houses in the parish surrounding the bay resemble those in Alentejo, as they are white with blue details.
• It is believed that the first settlers in the region came from southern mainland Portugal, which explains why some houses have Algarve-style chimneys.
• Santa Maria Island is the oldest in the archipelago and exhibits fewer Azorean characteristics. It receives more sunshine than the others and is also drier. The São Lourenço Bay region, located east of the volcanic peaks, has a greener and more humid landscape, differing from the other side of the island.
• Currently, fewer than 20 people live in the village that encompasses São Lourenço Bay;
• From São Lourenço Viewpoint, one can see one of the most beautiful views of the island, São Lourenço Bay. Before heading down to the beach, it’s worth stopping for a photo to capture a unique moment and the breathtaking landscape of the island.

Baía de São Lourenço (2006)
Fotografia de ByAçores

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São Lourenço Bay is a paradise on earth that deserves to be visited and appreciated for its stunning natural beauty and grandeur.