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It's so easy to rent a boat or charter a yacht in Azores with Yachtious. Book Now!
It's so easy to rent a boat or charter a yacht in Azores with Yachtious. Book Now!
SAILING IN THE AZORES
SAILING IN THE AZORES
DISCOVER EUROPE’S BEST KEPT SECRET PARADISE
Have you ever thought of sailing the Azores on a beautiful yacht? The wondrous islands of the Azores offer isolated holidays in beautiful volcanic surroundings with verdant green farmland, amazing lakes, and beautiful wildflowers.
The Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal, is an archipelago of nine beautiful islands located in the heart of the Atlantic Ocean, about 932 miles (1,500 km) from Portugal. The nine islands of this enchanting archipelago include Faial, Pico, São Jorge, Graciosa, Terceira, Corvo, Flores, São Miguel and Santa Maria. Each of these emerald green islands features a landscape filled with volcanic cones and craters, set with lush vegetation.
The islands’ temperate, subtropical weather is perfect for plants—you’ll find each island filled with vibrantly colored flowers and lush plant life. You’ll also find conifer forests, hot springs and high, dazzling waterfalls in the mountains dotted across each island. The mountains eventually give way to green lowland pastures with lovely villages scattered along sheltered bays. Each island presents a rainbow of colors, offering a photographic opportunity at every turn!
Navigating the seas around the Azores offers a mystical experience. Sail along each island’s coastline and discover sheltered inlets and beaches. Stop and enjoy a dive into the crystalline waters of the Atlantic—explore the rich reefs filled with wonderous varieties of sea life.
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BEST TIME TO VISIT AZORES
If you don’t like rainy days, January and February might not be the best time to visit. It’s the rainy season for the Azores, plus there aren’t any direct flights during this time. This would require you to stopover in Portugal, which isn’t a bad thing but will add to your trip. The temperatures are pleasant though, but as March ends and April begins, they climb over 20 degrees Celsius. On a positive note though, this is also the time when you’ll find direct flights available plus more ferry accessibility allowing you to explore the islands for spring flowers in bloom.
April and May are also excellent for whale watching, though any time of year you can find both dolphins and sperm whales frolicking in the waters here. By far, June is the best time to visit the Azores if you’re into outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking, or just everyday walking. Rainfall is low at this time, and the temperatures are summer like and pleasant.
You’ll love your yacht charter in the Azores all the more in July and August as the waters are warm and calm, ideal for sailing along with the dolphins and whales. The beaches are merry and filled with visitors, making for a fun scene. While September brings with it more rain, wind-based water sports are the best at this time. However, hurry, because in October, limited ferry timetables are enacted again, and direct flights cease once more. If the stop in Portugal doesn’t bother you, you’ll find your reward in fewer crowds and more affordable accommodations. It’s quite quiet in the Azores during November and December, and seas are rougher, making it not the best time for sailing aboard your yacht charter much less any vessel.
QUICK FACTS
BEST FOR CRUISING: JULY - AUGUST
TIME ZONE: GMT−01:00
LANGUAGE: PORTUGUESE.
CURRENCY: THE EURO
REASONS TO VISIT
CLIFF DIVING
HIKING
HOT SPRINGS
LAKES
NO MASS TOURISM
SMALL TOWNS
SWIMMING WITH WILD DOLPHINS
WATERFALLS
GETTING TO AZORES
Ideally, it would help if you flew into the Azores. The number of direct flights is increasing from the TAP, the Portuguese Official Airline, as well as SATA, the Azorean Official Airline, from all the main European cities, making it easy to get there. Canadians will find flights offered by SATA to the Azores from Toronto year-round and from Montreal during July and August. Travelers from the USA can take SATA from Boston year-round. They can also choose to fly out of Oakland from June to September. SATA offers flights from the major European cities like Arlanda, London, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Paris, Munich, Frankfurt, and Gran Canaria. Flights are also available from Porto, Faro, Lisbon, and Funchal.
International flights typically use Ponta Delgada airport on São Miguel, Horta on Faial, or Lajes on Terceira. Be prepared for delays though. Due to the weather patterns that often switch up fast in the Azores, flights can be delayed or canceled, even in the middle of summer. If you’re flying through Lisbon, the turn-around times are shorter so your baggage may very well arrive on a different flight. Each of the islands has an airport and regular SATA flights, providing connections between them. You can also use ferry services to make your way to the smaller island groups.
You can also rent a private jet and enjoy the freedom of choice, total comfort and flexible terms for your travel.
Always bear in mind that the airline industry is a fluid one and the services detailed here may change, sometimes from month to month. Please do not rely solely on this information for your travel plans. To keep an eye out for any new flights and to search for excellent flight deals, a website such as Tripadvisor can be a handy resource.
EXPLORE OTHER CHARTER AREAS WITHIN WESTERN EUROPE AND THE NORTH ATLANTIC
AZORES
BALTIC
BAY OF BISCAY
BERMUDA
BRITTANY
CANADA
CANARY ISLANDS
COWES
FAROE ISLANDS
HOLLAND
IRELAND
MADEIRA
NORWAY
SCOTLAND
SWEDEN
WALES
WHERE TO STAY IN AZORES
There are many ways to stay in the Azores. Hotels, apartments, guesthouses, hostels, or private homes with rooms available are all options for you.
Hotels
The main island of Sao Miguel or Saint Michael is the place to find hotels. All the major cities on this island have hotels. Cities on other islands will have hotels too, but not all of them. On Pico, look in Madalena; on Faial, look in Horta; and on Sao Jorge, look in Velas. Hotels are the most expensive choice, and when tour groups block off rooms in Ponta Del Gada on Sao Miguel in the summer, it will limit your options.
Hostels
Known as Hospedaria in Portuguese, hostels are ideal for those looking for a more rustic experience. They are very bare-bones and suitable for tight budgets. Backpackers and the younger set usually choose them as they don’t mind the meager accommodations and the shared bathrooms.
Apartments
Called Apartamentos, these can be rented even for one night on the islands. This is a prime option for families who have come for a yacht charter or for anyone who wants to do their own cooking. The Azores is a bit pricey when it comes to dining out, so cooking meals is an excellent way to preserve your budget.
Guesthouses
The Casa de Hospedes, or guesthouse, gives you more of a welcoming feeling. Often, it includes breakfast in the price. The bathrooms though are often shared so if you want more privacy, the apartments are a better choice.
Rooms in Private Homes
One of the best choices is to rent a room in a private home. It’s affordable and quite common to do. The only drawback is that rooms can be vastly different. You should make sure to see the room before agreeing to it or signing anything. Some will include breakfast or use of the kitchen in the rates. Some even include free homemade wine, as much of it as you’d like. Look for Alojamento particular if that’s your desire. Call the properties ahead of time to check the rates and availability but be forewarned that most people don’t speak English fluently. It’s best to arrive at the Azores and get a list of lodging availabilities from the Tourist Office first. Make your calls and choose the best lodging that fits your needs.
WINING AND DINING IN AZORES
Cuisine in the Azores is remarkable. While there are everyday dishes between them, each island has its unique twist. The flavors are centered around seafood, spicy stews, rich dairy products, and sinfully-sweet desserts. The following are some things you shouldn’t miss sampling during your yacht charter to the Azores.
Fish and Seafood
If you love seafood, you’ll love the Azores. Tuna, mackerel, red porgy, swordfish, and forkbeard are very common here. The fresh-caught flavors shine through whether they’re grilled, roasted, in stews, or just made into broth. Lobsters, crabs and other shellfish are also divine. Try limpets served grilled with a Molho Afonso sauce, cooked in rice, or mashed into bread. Love clams? São Jorge is the only place you’ll find them.
Meat
Azorean beef like the Alcatra, better known as the rump, from Terceira Island is very popular. Boiled beef and steaks with regional flavors are also good choices. By far, liver sauce cracklings and sausages are one of the best things you’ll ever taste. Linguiça is also the main course if served with taro root. Blood pudding is a starter as well, served with pineapple.
Cozido Das Furnas
This stew is filled with a variety of meats and vegetables in a pot put into the earth. Other delicacies that abound during the Holy Ghost Festivals like the Sopa do Espírito Santo or Soup of the Holy Ghost, and the Massa Sovada, Portuguese sweet bread, are delightful things to try. Bolos lêvedos, common in Furnas, can be found year-round.
Tropical Fruit
The Azores is home to fresh tropical fruits like pineapples, bananas, and passion fruit. Don’t miss a stop at the A. Arruda pineapple plantation on São Miguel to see the fruits growing and buy fresh pineapples, pineapple liqueur, and other divine products to take back on your yacht charter.
Cheese
The cheese in the Azores is life-changing with Queijo de São Jorge as one of the best for taste and texture. Meals often start with fresh cheese served with red pepper mash or pimento da terra. Cheese can also be served as dessert, and when it is, it’s served with bananas or husk tomato jam, an exotically-flavored treat you will crave forevermore.
Massa Sovada
This Portuguese sweet bread is part of the holidays, particularly Christmas and Easter. You’ll also find it on the mainland. During Easter, it often has hardboiled eggs baked into the center. If you miss donuts, try malasadas, round balls of deep-fried dough rolled in sugar.
Drinks
Try the wine! It’s produced on Pico, Terceira, and Graciosa with a variety of grapes to complement the famed Verdelho wines found here. Beer, fortified wine, fruit liqueur, and brandy round out the list of alcoholic beverages though you’ll find soft drinks available too. Tea is an excellent way to finish a meal too. Grown on São Miguel, it’s a soothing taste from this beautiful land.
