About Terceira

Terceira is the easternmost island of the Central Group in the Portuguese Azores. It was the third Azorean island to be discovered, hence its name which means ‘third’ in Portuguese, and is currently home to the second largest population of the archipelago. Also, in 2012, the island received the ‘Quality Coast Gold Award’ for its eco-tourism efforts, thanks to its immaculate beaches and crystal clear waters, ideal for scuba diving. The capital, Angra do Heroismo dates back to the 16th Century and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It played an important role in the country’s history thanks to its conveniently located port in the North Atlantic, but, today, it boasts picturesque streets and alleyways alongside impressive palaces and monuments. The island’s main ferry terminal is in the village of Praia de Vitoria on the east coast, which offers a few sailings each week to almost every island in the Azores.

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.