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Don’t expect to find perfect, white sand beaches in Terceira island. Nope. On Terceira Island there are several swimming areas with natural pools in the middle of the rocks, and you can get around them via concrete walkways and paths. So, they are not beaches in the strict sense of the word, but rather areas where you can swim and sunbathe. For the purpose of this article we are going to call them the “best beaches in Terceira”, because that is what the locals do.
This being said, these so-called beaches are all very well equipped: most have parking, changing rooms, outdoor showers, small cafés, etc. They are also supervised by lifeguards (only during the bathing season, which lasts until September 15th), and some of them are even accessible to people with reduced mobility. So it is really worth discovering the best beaches in Terceira! 🙂
No time to read a long article? Here’s a summary
These are the best beaches in Terceira island for:
- Natural beauty lovers: Biscoitos natural pools
- Good swimmers: Silveira swimming area
- Families with children: Riviera beach
- Urban beaches: Prainha (Angra do Heroísmo) and Grande beach (Praia da Vitória)
Discover how to get to the best beaches by reading my guide about How to get around Terceira Island.
Best beaches in Terceira
Biscoitos natural pools
The natural pools of Biscoitos, in the far north of the island, are perhaps the most popular “beaches” on Terceira. Basically, they consist of a series of natural pools, interconnected by concrete walkways and paths, where people take the opportunity to lay down their towels. Perhaps the most famous pool is the one with the inscription “Belo Abismo” graffitied on one of the rocks, but I personally have never gone in there because it is the most unprotected pool, with stronger sea currents.
Biscoitos is one of the best beaches in Terceira due to its excellent infrastructure: in addition to a large car park and children’s playground, it also has public toilets and showers, a café and several stalls selling fresh fruit and souvenirs.
Biscoitos natural pools’ overview
Nearby Car park: Yes
Cafes: Yes
Quatro Ribeiras beach
Less than 10 minutes by car from the Biscoitos natural pools are the Quatro Ribeiras natural pools, which I personally still like more. This is because the Quatro Ribeiras have a greater number and variety of natural pools, and some of them have fabulous views, and where it is easier to find a more private corner to enjoy the place in peace.
Another fantastic thing is that it has an artificial pool, which can be very useful for families with children.
There are some disadvantages to the Quatro Ribeiras’ beach, however:
– the car park is small, so it is not very easy to park there in the height of summer.
– to access both the natural pools and the natural pool you have to go down a good flight of stairs. The natural pools, unlike Biscoitos, are not all on the same level, so you have to go up and down several flights of stairs to dive into the water.
Quatro Ribeiras beach’s overview
Nearby Car park: Yes, a small one.
Cafes: Yes, a small one.
Silveira swimming area
I have some friends who spend their lives at the Silveira bathing area, one of the best beaches in Terceira. It is basically a small bay, and access to the sea can be via a ramp that used to be used by an old fishing port, or via stairs on the pier. The water is clear and very calm, but there is no foothold anywhere, which made me a little anxious (I am not a very good swimmer).
In addition, and like practically the entire island, it is an entirely cemented area, where people lay out their towels.
On the other hand, Silveira has very satisfactory support facilities, namely changing rooms, outdoor showers (which are very useful when you get out of the water), a bar and a parking area very close by.
Silveira swimming area’s overview
Nearby Car park: Yes
Cafes: Yes
Refugo natural pools
I personally LOVE the natural pools at Refugo. It’s actually just a pool in a tiny bay with crystal clear water. This area is quite sheltered from the sea, so I always feel quite safe swimming there. You can also choose to take a dip in the sea, right next to the natural pool.
Flanking the pool is a huge cement amphitheatre, easily accessible even for people in wheelchairs.
The natural pool at Refugo is located right next to a narrow street with several parking spaces, in a herringbone pattern. It also has a small beach café and a restaurant right next door, Baía, but I’ve never had lunch there.
Refugo natural pools’ overview
Nearby Car park: Yes
Cafes: Yes, a small one.
Porto Martins natural pools
The natural pools of Porto Martins, almost at the eastern tip of Terceira, are very popular with both locals and tourists. It has a very large and protected natural pool, which is accessed by a ramp, which makes it very easy for people with reduced mobility.
You can also go for a swim directly in the sea.
One of the advantages of this, which is one of the best beaches in Terceira, is that it has an excellent restaurant right next door, Búzius, as well as many accommodation options in the small fishing village where it is located, Porto Martins.
Porto Martins natural pools’ overview
Nearby Car park: Yes
Cafes: Yes as well as an excellent restaurant, Búzius.
Salga Beach
Baía da Salga is one of the most pronounced bays in Terceira island. Perhaps for this reason, the bathing area has a large sun terrace and two pontoons with steps leading to the sea. Like others, it also has a semi-natural swimming pool that is very popular with children. On the opposite side of the road, there is a bar that serves quick meals and, with an internal connection to the bathing area, you can find a campsite with good facilities.
There is a monument and a tombstone on site that commemorate the famous Battle of Salga, where the landing of Castilian troops in 1581 was stopped by the local population using wild cattle to repel the invaders.
Salga beach’ overview
Nearby Car park: Yes
Cafes: Yes, called Make me Nuts – Bar da Salga, which makes good sandwiches.
Prainha beach, in Angra do Heroísmo
Prainha is one of the few sandy beaches in the island and is therefore one of the best beaches in Terceira. It also has the great advantage of being located right next to the Angra do Heroísmo Marina, very close to numerous restaurants and fantastic hotels.
It is a very small beach, perfect for taking a break after visiting the city or exploring Monte de Brasil. You can also enjoy an ice cream at Quinta dos Açores, which is right next door.
Pro tip: don’t visit Prainha during high tide, because then the beach practically disappears.
Prainha beach’ overview
Nearby Car park: No. It’s actually quite difficult to park here.
Cafes: Yes, called Quinta dos Açores, with ice creams, crepes and gaufres.
Riviera beach
Praia da Riviera is one of the four fine sand beaches with warm, calm waters, making it one of the best beaches in Terceira.
It is an excellent beach, especially for children, as it is a beach that allows you to walk far from the shore. There is plenty of space to play and to lay out towels. There are no big waves, just small ones that allow families with children to have fun safely :)
In addition, there is a walkway that allows you to walk or cycle from the beach to the fishing port or even to Praia da Vitória, with an incredible and relaxing view of the bay of Praia da Vitória. The walk takes 15 to 30 minutes, depending on your pace and where you stop.
Riviera beach’ overview
Nearby Car park: Yes.
Cafes: Yes, and several restaurants too.
Grande beach
Located right in the center of Praia da Vitória and just a few minutes from Lajes airport, Praia Grande is one of the most popular beaches among locals and also one of the best beaches in Terceira.
Its location is really convenient, as it is surrounded by many restaurants, bars and souvenir shops.
I personally prefer more secluded areas, but if you are traveling with children or if you really feel like going to a proper sand beach, then I recommend this beach. If you are staying in Praia da Vitória, it is the best place to go swimming.
Pro tip: right next to Praia Grande is the so-called Praínha bathing area, affectionately nicknamed “Praia dos Americanos”, which the locals really like.
Grande beach’ overview
Nearby Car park: Yes.
Cafes: there are plenty of restaurants and cafes nearby.
Cinco Ribeiras bathing area
Cinco Ribeiras is, in my opinion, one of the best beaches in Terceira, if not the best.
It is a fantastic area, with high-quality water. It has three natural pools that are continually refreshed by the waves of the sea, all three of which are quite safe and have a foothold. There are also two small coves: one of them flanked by cement jetties, the other is a beautiful natural bay, and both are very safe to dive in (in fact, it is the only place on the entire island where I, who am quite afraid of the open sea, dare to dive).
It is an area with fewer people than the others, perhaps because there is a long flight of steps before reaching the water. On the other hand, it is one of the few bathing areas without cafés or restaurants, which is a bummer. In this sense, I recommend that you bring your own drinks and snacks to nibble on.
Cinco Ribeiras swimming area’s overview
Nearby Car park: Yes, but it’s a small one.
Cafes: Unfortunately, no.
Negrito swimming area
The Negrito swimming area is located right next to a very wide bay, so access to the sea is very protected and safe. On the other hand, there is also an artificial pool, but it is fed by sea water, ideal for those who do not want to venture into the sea. The pool is very shallow, so it is not possible to dive in, so it is ideal for families with children.
There is a car park, two terraces next to a small children’s playground and plenty of space (paved) to spread towels.
Negrito swimming area’s overview
Nearby Car park: Yes
Cafes: Yes, two of them.
