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The Islands

Outras Informações

General Information	Archipelago
Azores Little Guide	Active Turism

Hunting
The original settlers introduced rabbits and they continue to thrive, reproducing in great number. Hence, hunting is permitted all year round on the islands of Flores, Pico, São Jorge and Terceira. Armed with the appropriate licence, you can also hunt rock pigeons, snipes, woodcocks and quail.

Yacht cruises
Cruiser yacht operators working out of the ports of Horta (Faial island) and Ponta Delgada (São Miguel island) provide visitors with the opportunity of going on a voyage of discovery around these viridescent islands set against the backdrop of the deep blue Atlantic.

Golfing
The mild climate ail the year round, the rolling landscape, the green grass and the abundance of flowers are Mother Nature's gifts and make the Azores the ideal location for a spot of golf. Try your luck on the two 18 hole courses on the island of São Miguel or on a third located on Terceira, also an 18 hole course.

Horse riding
Horses riding in Angra do Heroismo (Terceira island), Ponta Delgada and Ribeira Grande (São Miguel island) is an invigorating way of taking a closer look at the beautiful scenery.

Yachting
The Azores are sought out by yachters from all four corners of the globe. The marinas of Horta (Faial island), Ponta Delgada (São Miguel island) and Praia da Vitoria (Terceira island) provide the necessary technical support structures. All the islands possess well equipped harbours thereby allowing cruises to be made around the archipelago.

Diving and underwater exploration
Diving centres with professional assistants operate in Caloura and in Vila Franca do Campo on the island of São Miguel. Nautical clubs to be found on eight of the islands (except Corvo) and companies currently operating on Faial, Graciosa, São Jorge and Terceira are endowed with diving support facilities.

Whale watching
During the months of June to September whales and dolphins feed off the waters between the islands of Faial, Pico and São Jorge where fish are in plentiful supply. Specially equipped boats from Pico and Faial allow these majestic sea mammals to be observed at closer range.

"Surf"
The waves of the island of Santa Maria and São Miguel have received international acclaim from surfing enthusiasts. Surfing it’s also available on the islands of Graciosa, Falal, São Jorge and Terceira.

Tennis
In addition to those tennis courts incorporated in hotel complexes, tennis clubs for tourists can be found in Angra de Heroismo (Terceira island), Horta (Faial island) and Ponta Delgada (São Miguel Island).

Sailing and wind surfing
Naval clubs are to be found on all the Azorean islands except Corvo. Providing keen sailors and wind surfers with information and assistance.

Parasailing and hang-gliding
The rolling landscape of the Azores provides the ideal setting for a spot of parasailing and hang-gliding. Specialised operators are to be found on the islands of Faial, Terceira, Santa Maria and São Miguel whose schools provide assistance and hire out everything you'll need.

Volcanism
The volcanic origins of the archipelago, situated as it is at the meeting point of European, American and African tectonic plates, provide fascinating material for aficionados of volcanic study and speleology. W the beautiful lakes at the bottom of cliffs and craters are of interest for the common tourist, other phenomena await devotees of volcanic study: caves, cliffs, blowholes, laval drains (locals poetically call these 'mysteries') and the marks left by recent eruptions from the volcano of Capelinhos on Faial island. Those interested in the study of cave formations should take a trip to Algar do Carvão on the island of Terceira. A journey through miles of caves and tunnels provides the opportunity to discover magnificent sights of stalagmites, stalactites, and columns and cornices of volcanic origin.

Bicycle tours
Whether biking along the footpaths or searching out other suitable trails, the rough terrain of the Azores calls for the use of mountain bikes, which can be rented on several of the islands.

Discovering the islands on foot
All the islands of the Azores offer appealing walks along the coastline, scaling the hills, unearthing new scenery and horizons. Itineraries are available from the Tourist Offices, which indicate trails of varying degrees of difficulty. Travel Agencies often offer guided walks.

Mountaineering
The 2,351m high volcano on Pico lays down the gauntlet to those who like nothing better than to scale mountains and provides the setting for a stunning sunrise. The other islands are also endowed with mountainous country, the ideal terrain for keeping those muscles toned.

Deep Sea fishing
Blue and white swordfish, tuna, “waboos” and some species of sharks combine to make the Azores an internationally renowned deep sea fishing centre where world and Atlantic records have been set. Specially equipped boats set out for the fishing season June to September from the marinas of Horta (Faial island) and Ponta Delgada (São Miguel island) and the island of Santa Maria

Freshwater fishing
Freshwater fishing is only permitted in the rivers and lakes of the islands of São Miguel and Flores with a licence. There are fair sized rainbow trout, carp, perch, pike and mullet to be had.

Rock fishing
The Azores' plentiful supply of fish makes it an anglers' paradise. Amongst the dozens of species to be found are the sea bream and the kingfish.