Azores > Lagos: Farewell Beautiful Azores, We Must Return

The bad news is that we are under engines, BUT the seas are calm, the sun is shining and the dolphins continue to keep us amused.

18 hours out and still see Ela Terciera in the background

The Azores lie about 1,500 km west of mainland Portugal, They really are hidden gem, not somewhere I would have thought of visiting unless I happened to be passing it on a sailboat. They are easily accessible with cheap flights from the UK and Portugal. The people are very welcoming, scenery is stunning, eating out is very reasonable, E.G. A great latte and two pastries for 4.60 Euros!

To tempt you into visiting the Azores

Unfortunately we had to keep on trucking so we only saw pieces of these beauties. Also, the islands are all volcanic, the rise out of a 1km (0.5 mile) deep ocean. The coastline is steep with few beaches or anchorages (unless you have two and a half miles of chain on board).

The Azores lie at the meeting point of three major tectonic plates—the North American, Eurasian, and African. Being volcanic, the islands feature; craters, hot springs, cliffs, and lush valleys. Pico features Portugal’s highest mountain, called Mount Pico (Portuguese: Montanha do Pico), standing at 2,351 meters (7,713 feet) above sea level. São Miguel Island is the “Hot Spring Capital” of the Azores featuring natural and man made pools. The Azores are still a volcanically active region, but eruptions are rare and well-monitored. Earthquakes happen more frequently, but damaging ones are uncommon. The last eruption was on Faial (1957–1958), creating a new peninsula on the island.

Discovered and settled by the Portuguese in the 15th century, the Azores quickly became a critical waypoint during the Age of Discovery. Sailors, explorers, and merchants used these islands as a halfway house between the Old and New Worlds. Over time, the Azores absorbed influences from Flemish settlers, Moorish artisans, and even returning Portuguese emigrants from Canada.

Their location made them vital during the era of transatlantic sailing ships, and today, they are a welcome landfall for those of us crossing the Atlantic under sail.

The Azores is home to resident groups of sperm whales and is on the migration path for most other species found in the Atlantic, including blue and humpback whales.

Whaling then and now:

Whaling in the Azores commenced in the 18th century, heavily influenced by American whalers from New England. These Yankee whalers not only hunted whales but also imparted their techniques to the Azoreans. By the mid-19th century, Azorean communities had established their own shore-based whaling operations, particularly in villages like Lajes do Pico and São Roque do Pico. It is estimated that 25,00 whales were killed, that is 75,000 tons of whale. Surprisingly the last whale was officially hunted in the Azores in 1987, The local sperm whale population is slowly recovering

One of many sightings - Mother and calf

Today the whales are relentlessly hunted by tourists with Cameras. We joined the hunt! On our morning out we saw numerous sperm whales. All females and calves. The females stay in the Azores, while the males take off for "boy" trips and return periodically to do what needs to be done. The adult whales dive to depths of 1000m to feed on giant squid, they stay down for 45 minutes, returning briefly to the surface about a mile away from where they dove. They rest briefly before going back down to hunt. In there resting state they would be easy prey.

The islands have rich volcanic soil and a mild, temperate maritime climate, shaped by their location in the open Atlantic and moderated by the Gulf Stream, never too hot, never too cold, but always a little unpredictable. They are a lush green and there are very neat family farms visible from offshore. Produce includes great wines, cheeses as well as more exotic fare like pineapples. You can find more information here

We must come back