Baía da Maia, Santo Espírito – Santa Maria Island

The parish of Santo Espírito is located in the municipality of Vila do Porto. Vila do Porto is the only municipality on Santa Maria Island and holds significant historical importance, boasting a rich cultural, natural, and architectural heritage.

Santo Espírito features architectural characteristics similar to those of Baixo Alentejo and the Algarve, regions from which most of the settlers in this area originated.

Pitoresca freguesia da Maia, Ilha de Santa Maria
Fotografia de Carla Dias

See also: Places to visit on Santa Maria Island

Maia is a holiday area on the southeast coast of Santa Maria Island, in Santo Espírito. Its location is privileged, being close to a cliff that forms a bay, the Bay of Maia, which has been classified as a Natural Reserve.

The Bay of Maia features a natural pool that is highly visited by locals and tourists alike. This location is cherished for its beauty and tranquility. The natural landscape of the region, nestled between the sea and the mountains, is filled with vineyards, natural pools, and a grand waterfall that creates one of the island’s most beautiful scenes.

Must-See Places in this Area:

Gonçalo Velho Lighthouse – Santa Maria Island

Vista para o Farol da Maia (Farol de Gonçalo Velho)
Fotografia de Carla Dias

The Gonçalo Velho Lighthouse, also known as the Maia Lighthouse, is located at the tip of Castelo.

The lighthouse stands out due to its location and the scenic backdrop that guarantees beautiful photos for visitors. It is undoubtedly a unique viewpoint on the island, offering breathtaking views.

History

The Gonçalo Velho Lighthouse commenced operations in November 1927. Initially, it was called the Lighthouse of Ponta do Castelo, where it was installed.

However, in 1930, it was renamed Gonçalo Velho Lighthouse in honor of the navigator who discovered the island. In 1934, another residence was constructed, as it was believed that two lighthouse keepers were insufficient for its operation. From that date, the lighthouse operated with three keepers. In 1991, the lighthouse was electrified with public grid energy.

Farol Gonçalo Velho
Fotografia de Helena Botelho

Characteristics

The lighthouse is situated at an altitude of 114 meters above sea level, and its tower stands 14 meters tall. The structure consists of a lighthouse and the lighthouse keepers’ residences.

Aveiro Waterfall

The Aveiro Waterfall is located in the Lugar da Maia. This spot is frequently visited and is one of the island’s most charming attractions. Due to its beauty and magnitude of approximately 100 meters in height, the waterfall attracts the attention of photography and nature enthusiasts.

This location is peaceful and pleasant for spending an afternoon. Besides all the natural beauty, it features a picnic area, ideal for enjoying a snack close to one of the tallest waterfalls in Portugal. In the lagoon formed by the waterfall, visitors can also observe ducks swimming around the attraction.

The Aveiro Waterfall is geologically significant and is located in an area along the slope of a cliff, offering views of the beautiful Bay of Maia and the vast Atlantic Ocean, along with the entire natural landscape of the region.

(C) exploresantamaria.eu

To reach Aveiro Waterfall, you can take a hiking trail that allows you to appreciate all the rich natural beauty of Santa Maria Island. Alternatively, you can drive along the road to Maia until you reach the parking area, which is the endpoint. The journey to the waterfall is spectacular, offering stunning views of the waterfall and the lagoons formed by it.

Maia Pools

Piscina da Maia
Fotografia de Carla Dias

The Maia bathing area features a landscape filled with vineyards, a grand cliff, and consists of a natural pool created from seawater.

The area offers good infrastructure to support visitors and a spectacular view of the Maia Lighthouse from afar at the top of the cliff.

The Natural Pool of Maia has calm, clear waters and is separated from the sea only by a strip of land. It is surrounded by volcanic rocks and lush greenery.

(C) exploresantamaria.eu

The natural pool is part of the sea, with some human interventions to make it more practical and to enhance the user experience. Many prefer to use the pools instead of the beaches due to their calmness and available infrastructure.

The Maia and Santo Espírito region is rich in natural landscapes. Upon arriving on the island, visitors encounter numerous opportunities for unique experiences. These places hold great cultural and scenic importance, contributing to the beauty of Santa Maria Island.