About Faial

Faial is part of the Central Group in the Azores, a Portuguese archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean. The coastline has some beautiful volcanic beaches, whilst the western shoreline has dramatic cliffs plunging into the bright blue ocean. Out on the seas, you can enjoy a wide range of activities like windsurfing, kayaking, diving and whale watching. The inland is dominated by an enormous crater which was the location of the most recent major volcanic activity in the Azores, adding roughly 1 kilometre to the landmass in 1957. You can even traverse the scenic, hilly terrain on mountain bikes or on a guided 4x4 SUV tour. From the vibrant port town of Horta on the southeast coast, you can choose from a wide range of sailings to most islands in the Azores. Given the archipelago is spread sparsely in the North Atlantic, the journey times to each island can vary considerably.

About Santa Maria

Santa Maria is the oldest and southernmost island of the Portuguese Azores archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean. Known locally as ‘the island of the sun’ and ‘the yellow island’, Santa Maria boasts the sunniest climate of the Azores and a landscape characterised by dry vegetation and sandy shorelines. The island has a rich cultural heritage, too, which is evident in the town of Anjos, the first landfall of Christopher Columbus on his return voyage from the Americas. Also, each traditional home in Santa Maria’s villages has a distinctively coloured chimney in order to contrast with the whitewashed masonry. Santa Maria also claims the best swimming spots in the archipelago, with a wide choice of stunning beaches and refreshing tidal pools. The most popular beach is Praia Formosa on the south coast which also offers excellent surfing, water skiing and sailing conditions. Santa Maria is well connected to the other Azorean islands by ferry, with numerous routes provided from its port on the southwest coast to almost every island.