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The Azores
- The Climate in the Azores
- About the Azores
- The Azores' Islands
- Golf in the Azores
- Local Business Directory for the Azores
Set in the Atlantic Ocean and influenced by their latitude and the Gulf Stream, the Azores islands generally enjoy mild temperatures throughout the year. There are no great extremes - summer days are usually warm but never really hot with settled weather occasionally interrupted by storms. In winter, at sea level, there isn't any frost or snow - although the weather can be stormy and changeable.
The sea temperature is more or less stable and the pleasant temperatures are ideal for water sports throughout the year.
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Average values
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Jan
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Feb
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Mar
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Apr
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May
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Jun
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Jul
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Aug
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Sep
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Oct
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Nov
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Dec
|
|
max day temperature °C
|
16
|
16
|
16
|
17
|
19
|
21
|
23
|
25
|
24
|
21
|
18
|
17
|
|
min night temperature ° C
|
11
|
10
|
11
|
11
|
13
|
15
|
16
|
18
|
17
|
15
|
13
|
12
|
|
daily hours of sunshine
|
3
|
4
|
4
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5
|
6
|
6
|
7
|
7
|
6
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5
|
4
|
3
|
|
daily hours of daylight
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
15
|
14
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12
|
11
|
10
|
10
|
|
sea temperature
|
17
|
16
|
16
|
17
|
19
|
20
|
23
|
23
|
21
|
22
|
19
|
18
|
Often described as “Paradise” and a “perfect destination”, the 9 islands that form the Azores archipelago remain relatively unspoiled. However this is probably not the right location for those seeking long, sandy beaches and a hectic nightlife.
The islands’ volcanic origins have created landscapes of deep craters, sparkling lakes, geysers, bubbling springs, lush subtropical vegetation and cascading waterfalls. Gentle bays and inlets, ideal for swimming and sunbathing, pepper the generally rugged coastlines. Inland, vineyards and orchards thrive on gently sloping hill sides, and towns and villages of white washed houses dot the arable farmland.
The Azores is an ideal location for:
- whale & dolphin watching
- scuba diving
- fishing - big game, sea and lake
- sailing
- cycling
- hiking
- horse riding
- tennis
- golf
- diving
- water sports
- caving
- bird watching
- kayaking – crater & sea
The 9 islands are divided into three groups:
- The Eastern Group
- The Central Group
- The Western Group
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Sao Miguel is the largest and most easily accessible of the islands. It is an island of spectacular green landscapes with a chain of volcanic peaks and a great venue for outdoor activities.
The fertile countryside supports cornfields, orange groves, tea and tobacco plantations, and lush pastureland. A series of emerald green lakes can be found in the craters of Sete Cidades, Furnas and Fogo and there are hot sulphur springs on the north coast at Vale das Furnas and Ribeira Grands.
The Azores’ international airport is located on Sao Miguel and the island’s capital is the pretty historic town of Ponta Delgada.
- big game and lake fishing
- horse riding
- tennis
- 2 golf courses
- diving
- ferries to the islands of Santa Maria and Terceira
Santa Maria is the perfect destination for those seeking relaxation and tranquillity. Set at the south of the Archipelago, of all the islands Santa Maria has the most sunshine and least rainfall.
It has a beautiful coastline of fine white sandy beaches and a gentle landscape of flat farmland creating a patchwork of pastures, fields and vineyards and rising to the east to Pico Alto and dramatic cliffs.
The old harbour town of Vila do Porto is the oldest settlement on the island and is a great place to pick up the Island's attractive craft work and pottery.
- water sports
- caving
- big game fishing
- ferry trips to Sao Miguel
This popular island provides discreet tourism and outdoor activities in a beautiful setting. Terceira’s coastline has soaring, rugged cliffs and inland mountains rise to more than 3,000 feet.
There are larges areas of fertile farmland and Terceira is home to the Azores’ largest crater – Caldeira de Cuilherme Moniz which has a 9 mile diameter. Popular with walkers is the broad plateau situated at the east of the island, the lovely lakes and the mountains forming the Serra do Cume.
Terceira’s capital is the harbour town of Angra do Heroismo – a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- caving
- para-gliding
- hiking
- golf
- ferries to Sao Jorge, Pico, Faial and Sao Miguel
The charming island of Graciosa is known as the “white island”. The coastline is scattered with islets and the waters are home to brightly coloured fish. This is a peaceful rural island with a landscape characterised by undulating farmland of wheat and vineyards; and mountains with lovely ocean views across to the island of Terceira, Sao Jorge, Pico and Faial.
Worth visiting is: the crater an extinct volcano - Furna do Enxofre (Sulphur Cavern) with a large lake at the bottom; various other caverns; and the thermal waters at the health spa at Carapacho. There are great views from Carapacho’s lighthouse with views to the islands of Terceira, Sao Jorge, Pico and Faial.
The harbour town of Praia (also known as Sao Mateus) used to be the island’s capital.
The main town now is Santa Cruz where there is a modern swimming pool complex. Monte Nossa Senhora da Ajuda provides lovely views of the town and the airport about 3 kms from the centre of town.
- surfing
- hiking
- bullfighting
- ferries to Terceira
This is an island with wide, open views of lush green landscapes and a popular venue for hikers. Lava flows have created the fertile farmland of the coastal plains where fruit, vines, coffee and bananas grow alongside lush pastureland. Inland, a chain of green peaks, with towering cliffs, waterfalls and forests, provide vantage points with views across to the islands of Pico, Graciosa and Faial.
The two main towns on the island are Calheta and Velas, the latter a picturesque harbour town with a good selection of restaurants. The coastline is peppered with little hamlets and villages and there is an underground lake at Faja do Caldeira do Santo Cristo.
- big game fishing
- swimming
- caving
- ferry services to Fajal, Terceira and Pico
The second largest island in the archipelago, Pico is home to Portugal’s highest mountain – at 7,725 ft expeditions require an experienced guide. An island of vast forests, vineyards, emerald lakes, vibrant flowers and extraordinary lava flows, the landscaped is dotted with tiny hamlets and historic towns.
- diving – more than 30 accessible sites
- caving
- hiking
- whale watching trips
- big game fishing
- ferries to Faial, Sao Jorge & Terceria
The summer hydrangeas are the reason why Faial is known as the “blue island”. The island has a varied coastline – from the steep cliffs of the north coast to the bays of the south coast – and a number of nature reserves.
Set at the foot of the mountains is Faial’s main town - the charming port of Horta is, by Azores’ standards, a busy town. It has a popular harbour and, with the off-shore reefs and caves, it is the centre of the island’s diving.
- dolphin & whale watching
- bird watching
- diving
- big game fishing
- sandy beaches
- swimming
- cruises
- ferries to Pico, Sao Jorge and Terceira
It is true, the island of Flores is isolated but it is well worth the trip. The island has varied and dramatic scenery: the rugged coastline is formed by towering cliffs pitted with caves and tiny islets offshore; volcanic landscapes contain sparkling crater lakes; and valleys of lush green pastures and fertile farmland. Flores is a colourful island with vibrant flowers, deep blue seas, silver waterfalls, sapphire lakes and emerald forests.
The principle town of Santa Cruz has a selection of cafés and restaurants.
- dolphin & whale watching trips
- diving
- kayaking – crater & sea
- fishing – cliff, lake & big game
- hiking
- boat tours
- ferries and flights to Corvo
Corvo is the smallest island in the Azores archipelago and is know as “a green drop in a turquoise ocean”. The island is characterised by: far-reaching views; the unique Moorish black stone windmills; the houses that cling to the sides of a sea-facing ravine; and an uncomplicated and quiet lifestyle.
Worth seeing are: the caldeirao at Monte Grosso – at the bottom of this volcanic crater are two lakes speckled with tiny islets; and the basalt rock formations of Cavaleiro and Marco at the southwest of the island.
There is only one small town on the island - Vila Nova do Corvo – a charming harbour town with narrow streets, restaurant, cafés, post office, supermarkets.
- Sao Miguel Island -
- Batalha Golf Club, Ponta Delgada
- Furnas Golf Course
- Terceira Island -
New courses planned:
- a 3rd course on Sao Miguel
- and courses on the islands of
- Santa Maria
- Faial
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Holes
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18 + 9
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Par
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72
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Restaurant
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YES
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Buggies
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YES
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Driving Range
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YES
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Trolleys
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YES
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Putting Green
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YES
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Professional
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YES
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| Shop | YES | Chipping | YES |
| Balls | YES | Caddies | NO |
Situated on the north coast of the island about 10 minutes outside Ponta Delgada, Batalha Golf Club overlooks the sea. The 27 holes offer players a choice of various combinations to make up the 18 holes. Designed by Cameron Powell it is a mixture of links and woodland with Bermuda fairways and Pennlinks Greens.
FURNAS GOLF COURSE. SAO MIGUEL
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Holes
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18
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Par
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72
|
|
Restaurant
|
YES
|
Buggies
|
YES
|
|
Driving Range
|
YES
|
Trolleys
|
YES
|
|
Putting Green
|
YES
|
Professional
|
YES
|
| Shop | YES | Chipping | YES |
| Balls | YES | Caddies | NO |
The original 9 hole course created by Mackenzie Ross was successfully extended in 1986 by Cameron Powell into a seamless 18 holes. It is set amongst the tropical vegetation and hot springs of the Furnas valley. Golfers are challenged by the generally tree-lined undulating fairways and the mostly elevated greens.
TERCEIRA GOLF COURSE, TERCEIRA
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Holes
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18
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Par
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72
|
|
Restaurant
|
YES
|
Buggies
|
YES
|
|
Driving Range
|
YES
|
Trolleys
|
YES
|
|
Putting Green
|
YES
|
Professional
|
NO
|
| Shop | YES | Chipping | YES |
| Balls | YES | Caddies | NO |
This course is considered the easiest of the courses in the Azores, with fairways and a few bunkers.
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some images courtesy of Vitor Oliveira