Beaches on São Miguel Island
The beaches of São Miguel Island are beautiful and usually very frequented. There are several lovely beaches, many of which are deserted, enhancing the island’s unique beauty.
The main highlight of these beaches, and the archipelago in general, is the fact that they are volcanic beaches, with most of their sands having a dark coloration. The beaches are true natural paradises worth visiting.
Discover and see below some of the beaches on São Miguel Island.
Índice de conteúdos
Praia dos Mosteiros
Fotografia de Liliana Borges
Praia dos Mosteiros is located in the parish of Mosteiros. It is a small beach, but with grand beauty. Its sand is dark, like most volcanic beaches, and the contrast of the sand and the black rock with the blue sea is beautiful and leaves anyone surprised.
The waters of Praia dos Mosteiros are warm and transparent. The beach has good access, as well as parking and restrooms.
Location on the Map
Praia do Areal Santa Bárbara
Fotografia de Ricardo Ponte
Praia de Santa Bárbara is located in the parish of Ribeira Seca, in the municipality of Ribeira Grande. This beach is one of the longest in the region, with a sandy stretch of about one kilometer. It is ideal for practicing sports such as surfing and bodyboarding, as it presents favorable conditions for these activities.
(C) ribeiragrande.pt
The beach has good infrastructure to support visitors, such as bars, restrooms, parking, and a great leisure area. It is a popular destination for locals and tourists during the summer on the island.
Location on the Map
Praia do Lombo Gordo
(C) Judith C @ TripAdvisor
Praia do Lombo Gordo is located in the municipality of Nordeste. It has previously held the Blue Flag quality designation and presents characteristics that distinguish it from other beaches. Praia do Lombo Gordo is strongly influenced by ocean currents, which causes a phenomenon of sand settlement, resulting in the beach having distinct sand levels every seven years—seven years of extensive sand and seven years with sand reduced by half.
This beach is part of an important nature conservation area located at Ponta do Arnel and is made up of two zones: the Faial da Terra zone and the Ponta do Arnel zone.
See also: Ponta do Arnel Lighthouse
Location on the Map
Praia das Milícias
Fotografia de Nuno Bicho
Praia das Milícias, also known as Praia Grande, is one of the most frequented beaches on São Miguel Island and is located just four kilometers from the city of Ponta Delgada, on the southern coast of the island.
Praia das Milícias has dark sand, as is common on the island, and its waters are relatively calm, with a good presence of water sports enthusiasts.
The beach has good access and facilities to support visitors, such as parking, sunshade and sunbed rentals, a bar, restrooms, showers, lifeguard services, and access for people with mobility difficulties.
Location on the Map
Praia do Pópulo
(C) Busyworkingmom3 @ TripAdvisor
Praia do Pópulo is located in the municipality of Ponta Delgada. From the 17th to the 18th century, the lands surrounding the beach were designated for vine cultivation, which limited access for visitors to the property owners.
Only in 1950 was a road built on the former vineyard land to facilitate access, and the beach was opened to the public.
The beach is small and tranquil. It has good infrastructure to support visitors, such as a bar and parking.
Location on the Map
Praia da Ribeira Quente
Fotografia de Fabricio Silva
Praia da Ribeira Quente, also known as Praia do Fogo, is located in Ribeira Quente. It is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Azores, and its name comes from the fact that its waters are warm, due to the existence of underwater hydrothermal springs.
The beach has a large sandy area and is stunning. It is located between the mountains and the sea, creating a beautiful natural landscape that contrasts the blue of the sea with the green of the vegetation. Because of this and its warm waters, it is very frequented by visitors to the island.
Location on the Map
Praia dos Moinhos
Fotografia de Bruno Sousa
Praia dos Moinhos, also known as Porto Formoso beach, is located in the municipality of Ribeira Grande, in the northern part of the island. Its sand has a grayish hue, and the waters are a bit rough, but the temperature is pleasant.
The beach is easily accessible, has good facilities to support visitors, and includes a bar on the beach.
Location on the Map
Praia da Vinha D’Areia
Praia da Vinha D´Areia is located in the municipality of Vila Franca do Campo, near the Tagarete Marina. It is not very extensive, with a length of about 320 meters, and its sand has a light coloration.
It is positioned almost directly opposite the Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo. The area has good infrastructure for visitors, including facilities for people with reduced mobility.
Location on the Map
Praia Baixa D’Areia / Praia da Caloura
Fotografia de Bruno Sousa
Praia Baixa D’Areia, known by many as Praia da Caloura, is located on the southern side of the island, in the municipality of Lagoa. It is a small beach with crystal-clear waters.
In the same area, you can also find the Caloura Bathing Zone, which features a small beach next to the artisanal fishing port of Caloura. It is surrounded by green cliffs and also has a natural pool of clear waters.
Location on the Map
Praia de Água D’Alto
Fotografia de ByAçores
Praia de Água D´Alto is located in the municipality of Vila Franca do Campo. It is a very popular beach and considered one of the best on the island.
This beach has an extension of about 560 meters and is set in a beautiful landscape, surrounded by mountains and lush greenery.
The sea is calm and crystal clear. The beach has good facilities to support visitors, such as a bar, restrooms, showers, and access for people with mobility difficulties.
Location on the Map
Praia da Amora
(C) Cris – Original Espaço
Praia da Amora is located in the municipality of Vila Franca do Campo. It has two sandy areas divided by a rocky elevation, making it the only one of its kind on the island.
The beach is difficult to access, as it is located at the bottom of a steep cliff, and the path to it is a narrow dirt road. The path is beautiful, allowing you to appreciate the natural beauty of the area, including the rocks formed by different eruptions in this part of the island.
Location on the Map
Praia da Viola
Fotografia de Maria Catunto
Praia da Viola is located in the municipality of Ribeira Grande, at Lomba da Maia – the northern part of the island. The beach is small and very tranquil. It has coarse sand and stones, and there is a cliff with several freshwater springs.
The waters are not very calm, but on calmer days, it is possible to take a dip. There are several trails that lead to Praia da Viola. The path is beautiful, featuring viewpoints, ruins of mills, and plenty of nature to enjoy.
Location on the Map
The beaches of São Miguel Island are beautiful and deserve proper attention. Each one has a unique beauty. Their beaches stand out among the rock formations and vegetation that create an open natural spectacle available to anyone interested in discovering them.
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