Azores

[tri39]

I know of the Jester Azores Challenge and the Baiona Angra race.
But any cruisers heading from UK / Iberia to the Azores in the next two months?

 

[fergie_mac66]

Met a bloke in Truro on a cat heading for the azores in next.. Soonish don't know name might be Dutch.


He's moored by the Truro harbour office
Edit I only spoke to him for 2 or three min harbour master could put you in touch.the bloke speaks English slowly

 

[srm]

Have been based in Praia da Vitoria since arival in July 2014. Cruised to four other islands last summer. Do you want info, or just company on the passage?

 

[James Marinero]

I'll probably be there late summer (from Canary Islands). Fifth visit.

 

[jav301]

Three of us going from UK in a Nic 35. Starting first week of june.

 

[tri39]

Good to hear from you. Boat names would be great to spot each other. Mine's Aqua Blue!

 

[Peroo]

4 of us on Jetstream (Contest 44 - blue in colour) will be heading to the Azores via Madeira this week - hope to be somewhere in the Azores late May/early June!

 

[jav301]

We're planning to spend 2 weeks exploring by boat with some hill walking thrown in. Would appreciate your views on good places to visit, things to do, things to bring etc.

Thanks

 

[srm]

Hi Jav301

We spent two to three weeks on each of the 4 islands we visited last year.

Weather was changable, a bit like the west and north coasts of Scotland plus 10 or more degrees C. We are in the middle of the Atlantic!

Good walking from all the smaller harbours. Ponta Delgada on Sao Miguel is the main city so only urban walking there, To a lesser extent this applies to Angra do Heroismo and praia da Vitoria, although bikes extended our range. Worth hiring a car to see each island as bus timetables are often into the main town early morning and back out in the evening. Terceira has more flexible bus timetables. We did the 'jeep safari' on Santa Maria and had a very good day with a local guide, mostly off road.

Whale watching and swimming with dolphin trips were fun. With spotters on the shore directing the skipper most trips end with good results. Also, local regs mean private boats are not supposed to try to follow whales. If you find yourself near whales they should be given a wide berth keeping behind them.

Most islands have walking trail publications from tourist info office. However, many are one way trails so drop off and pick up will need organising.

If you are thinking of climbing Pico it was in the clouds most of the time we were on the island, however we did see the summit a few times from Sao Jorge.

Many of the marinas are small, so you may have a problem getting a berth for a multihull, and there is not much by way of anchorages. In Lajes do Pico we were slotted in the gap between two resident boats on marina fingers! Praia da Vitoria has an outer pontoon that you may be able to berth on, or the bay provides a reasonably sheltered anchorage in the summer.

Wherever you get to, I am sure you will find it worth while.

Hope this helps.

 

[jav301]

Thanks

That's exactly the kind of information I was after. Might see you around. We're a light blue Nic 35 with a white sprayhood.

 

[capnsensible]

To replace broken bits, Mid Atlantic Yacht Services (MAYS) in Horta is outstanding. Worth a visit to book swap and get the forecast if nothing else.

Cafe Peter Sport is the most over rated spot on the planet.

The Azores are, in my opinion. fab. Enjoy!

 

[Neil_Y]

A few years ago went to Graciosa and anchored just outside Praia harbour, great crab restaurant next to harbour and an interesting walk into the crater through a tunnel.

 

[James Marinero]

Change of plan. Heading up later this week from Lanzarote. Landfall Santa Maria. Schooner, Blue Hound.