Areal de Santa Bárbara – São Miguel Island

The Areal de Santa Bárbara is located in the Bandejo neighborhood, in the parish of Ribeira Seca and municipality of Ribeira Grande (São Miguel Island). The beach is one of the longest in the region, stretching about one kilometer.

Santa Bárbara beach has excellent leisure facilities, attracting many locals and tourists. In addition to leisure and swimming, the beach is also widely used for various sports, such as Surf and Bodyboard, due to its favorable conditions for these activities.

Areal de Santa Bárbara, Ribeira Grande
Fotografia de ByAçores

Santa Bárbara Beach

In the past, the Areal was used for extracting aggregates, but in 1992 the extraction of sand was prohibited, and it became a popular area for leisure and recreation.

Due to its large expanse, pleasant waters, and good infrastructure, it has become a popular leisure area for both locals and tourists.

Areal de Santa Bárbara, Ribeira Grande
Fotografia de ByAçores

Santa Bárbara Beach features good leisure and tourism facilities, including parking, showers, and a bar and restaurant for refreshments.

The beach is accessible for people with reduced mobility and is monitored for safety. Throughout most of the year, the average water temperature is around 23ºC, making it a highly sought-after beach destination during the summer months on the island.

Areal de Santa Bárbara
Fotografia de Henrique Faria

Surf at Santa Bárbara Beach

The Areal de Santa Bárbara boasts excellent waves, reaching up to 2.5 meters, making it ideal for Surfing and Bodyboarding.

(C) Miguel Rezendes / VisitAzores

The Areal is world-renowned as a surf point, attracting many surfers and bodyboarders to the beach, which is known as the surfers’ beach.

São Miguel Island is one of the best in the archipelago for surfing, with the sport being viable year-round. Santa Bárbara Beach hosts surfing championships every year, with the ASP World Tour stage (held every September, featuring surfers from around the world) being one of the most significant.

Passeando pelo Areal de Santa Bárbara
Fotografia de ByAçores

Casemates of Areal de Santa Bárbara

The Areal is also known for its casemates (fortified installations designed to withstand enemy projectiles) from World War II.

In 1942, casemates were built to house coastal artillery batteries during World War II. Most of the structures to the west were destroyed by coastal erosion, while those built to the east still stand, albeit some in ruins and poorly preserved.

The casemates were intended to defend the coast and the Santana Aerodrome. Over time, the casemates were completely abandoned and covered with sand, stone, and debris. However, in 2008, the Parish Council of Ribeira Seca initiated a cleaning and conservation project for the casemates, allowing safer access to their interior.

In addition to being a tourist destination for sun and sea leisure, it is an excellent spot for sports, attracting hundreds of tourists each year.

Location on the Map

Photos

Beach Club Areal de Santa Bárbara, Ribeira Grande
Fotografia de ByAçores

Costa norte vista do Areal de Sta Bárbara
Fotografia de ByAçores

Passeando no Areal de Santa Bárbara, Ribeira Grande
Fotografia de ByAçores

Areal de Santa Barbara
Fotografia de Ricardo Ponte

Video

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The beauty of the beach and the extensive area divided by World War II casemates showcase the grandeur of a place that was once an isolated destination off the tourist path, but today attracts many tourists and locals wishing to enjoy the best that São Miguel Island has to offer.