Praia do Fogo (Fire Beach) is a nice little black-sand beach protected inside a beautiful bay of green cliffs contrasting with the blue ocean. It is also known as Praia da Ribeira Quente, named after the village it is located in.
This welcoming and idyllic beach has a particularity that makes it unique and attracts many locals and travellers from all over the world: it has underwater hydrothermal springs that warm up the oceanic water.
Let’s see more about this naturally beautiful beach and why you should go there on your trip to São Miguel island in the Azores.
What is Praia do Fogo?
Geology & Volcanology
Praia do Fogo is in Ribeira Quente, which is located between the Caldera of Povoação, which is 6.5 km in diameter and about 820,000 years old; and Furnas volcano, with a diameter of 7 km and is 30,000 years old. The latter is rich in thermal mineral springs and has a great hydrothermal system underground.
On the south flank of the volcano, where Ribeira Quente lies, there is a group of fumaroles going all the way to the ocean. That is how we can explain the famous hydrothermal springs making the water warmer than normal.
History & Geography
Ribeira Quente was not one of the first settlements on the island, but it began to be populated right after Furnas. In 1630, an eruption from Furnas volcano shaped the village differently due to landslides. It was only in 1936 that the two tunnels you can see today were built to make access easier. Those are the only tunnels for cars in São Miguel island.
In 1943, Ribeira Quente was officially declared a parish. It had several consequences like works to get a better fishing harbour (as fishing was the main economic activity of this part of the island), and also the high population. In fact, at that period, there were approximately 2,000 inhabitants in Ribeira Quente, compared to about 800 today.
Praia do Fogo is located in the fishing town of Ribeira Quente, in the area called Fogo. This belongs to the county of Povoação, on the south coast of São Miguel island.
Fauna & Flora
At the beach, you will most probably hear and see seagulls flying around. You can also spot several other species of sea birds depending on the season and time of day.
👉 Post related Best Beaches in the Azores Islands. Read more
In the ocean, if you take your snorkeling gear you might find small fish all around, but also bigger ones. Who knows, maybe off the coast if you look with some binoculars you can even find dolphins or whales passing by!
Culture & Festivities
Festival do Chicharro is a live music festival right at the beach of Praia do Fogo. It happens every summer and this year (2023), it is on the 6,7 and 8 of July. This is one of the most popular summer festivals on the island. It began in 1988 and locals as well as travellers love to go there for the week-end and spend the day at the beach while listening to the music.
Not only will you hear Portuguese and international music but also you will taste local food including chicharros (mackerel) in all its shapes and forms.
What To Do at Praia do Fogo?
Relax at the Beach
The thing to do at Praia do Fogo is lay down on your towel and enjoy the Azorean sun. Be careful as we are in the middle of the Atlantic, the sun can be very strong so always bring your sunscreen.
Read a book, do a sand castle, play with the waves, walk around, and simply live your best life on this amazing beach. Right next to the beach in the parking lot, you can find toilets and showers for your comfort. The beach also has access for disabled people. It is a Blue flag beach, which means that it is of good quality. In the bathing season (June to September) a lifeguard is watching.
Find the Warm Spots
The water at Praia do Fogo can reach about 23ºC in the summer. However, thanks to the underwater hydrothermal vents only found at this beach – and also at Ponta da Ferraria hotsprings – it can be much warmer in some spots. If you bury your feet in the sand when in the water, you can find yourself with your feet suddenly very hot.
Snorkel Around
The Azores are a very popular destination for diving and snorkelling. Praia do Fogo is a good spot to start if you bring your mask and snorkel.
You will certainly be able to see some wrasses, pufferfishes, triggerfishes, parrotfishes, and groupers, and if you are lucky maybe you will spot a turtle or some rays.
Have a Drink With a View
Between the beach and the parking lot, you will find ‘Bar da Praia’ (the beach bar) where drinks and some food can be served while you are looking at the ocean. Sometimes in the parking lot, you will also find the ice cream truck ‘Estrela do Mar’ (which means sea star).
Best Time To Visit Praia do Fogo
Best Time of the Day
If you want to avoid strong sun rays, it is advised to go before 10 am and after 5 pm. It is also around those times that the beach has fewer visitors so you will have more space to lay your towel.
However, this is not one of the most crowded beaches on the island, due to its location far away from the main city of Ponta Delgada. You can go at the time you prefer as it is so good to swim in the ocean and relax on the beautiful black sand at any time of the day.
Plan Your Visit To Praia do Fogo
How To Get To Praia do Fogo
There are some buses to go to Ribeira Quente with the company Varela, but we do recommend going there by car as there are few buses and the schedule can change. From Ponta Delgada, it is about 50 kilometres away, for 1 hour of driving. The best option is to go via the north coast and then through Furnas.
Praia do Fogo is located about 7 kilometres away from the town of Furnas, southwards, using the road EN2-2A. You will need to cross the whole village before arriving at the beach. Park at the parking lot right next to the beach and walk for less than a minute to get your feet to the sand.
What To Bring To Praia do Fogo
At Praia do Fogo, bring your swimsuit, a hat, some flip-flops or water shoes, your towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and maybe a beach umbrella to protect yourself from the sun.
Also a good book, some snacks and water are good to have with you. For some underwater adventures, bring your snorkelling equipment and why not a waterproof camera?
Where To Eat Near Praia do Fogo
If you need somewhere to eat near Praia do Fogo, click here. In this link, you’ll find the 10 best restaurants on Tripadvisor.
Where To Stay Near Praia do Fogo
To make your life easier, we’ve filtered the search by:
Pro Tips For Praia do Fogo
Don’t stay only at the beach, go explore the lovely fishing village around. It is known for its good restaurants and mostly for its yummy ‘pão de alho’ (garlic bread) and chicken wings. Talk to locals, they all know about it.
Also, be careful with the dark sand as it is usually much hotter than the regular yellow sand and can burn your foot. During springtime and early summertime, beware of the Portuguese man-o-wars, small creatures that sting you in the water, but you can usually see them floating.
What To Do Around Praia do Fogo
Walk Along the Coast of Ribeira Quente
The parish of Ribeira Quente is by the seaside, enjoy a walk in this typical Azorean village while listening to the waves of the Atlantic. The village is divided into two parts: Fogo and Ribeira.
Ribeira is where the river of Tambores joins the ocean. It is at the harbour that you will see the fishermen showing their catches of the day. At Fogo, you will see the church of São Paulo and the beach of course.
Hike the Trail of Agrião
In the old times, this same trail was used by farmers who worked on the fertile lands of the area. Nowadays, it is an important point of passage for the pilgrims walking the entire island every year. This off-the-beaten-track way passed by the southeastern coast of São Miguel Island. The starting point is at Lomba do Cavaleiro, in Povoação county. Did you know that Povoação was the first place to ever be settled on the island?
Did you know
Agrião is not the type of trail where you will see crowds of tourists. It is a well-kept secret by locals and real adventurers.
Wonderful landscapes are to be discovered as well as incredible views and abundant nature. Indeed, sweet pittosporum, acacia and Persea indica are displayed along the way, in addition to pastures and an old mill.
The linear trail is about 3 hours long (4.5km) one way and not very hard if you walk only one way. Otherwise, you will need more time and energy to get back to the starting point.
Pro Tip
It is better to go on this adventure with a driving guide as you will not have to walk both ways. Plus, the trail is about 1h away from Ponta Delgada by car. Our guide will drive you safely while you can relax and enjoy the views.
At Ribeira Quente you can swim at the beautiful beach of Praia do Fogo mainly enjoyed by locals on sunny days. The perfect way to cool down after a hike.
Discover the Waterfall Between the Tunnels
In Ribeira Quente you can see the only tunnels made for cars on the island. Along the road from Furnas to Ribeira Quente you will follow a river. And who says rivers, says waterfalls!
Right between the two small tunnels, there is this magnificent waterfall in the middle of a small jungle. It is an improbable place to see a waterfall. But don’t risk stopping your car in the middle of the road. Park it farther and go by foot. It is only a short walk to go see the waterfall from a closer point.
Explore Furnas
Furnas is a hidden pearl on the island of São Miguel, boasting one of the largest hydropolis in Europe, featuring a diverse array of thermal spring waters and boiling water spots. The valley is situated within a massive volcanic crater, one of the most active on the island, offering visitors an opportunity to drink these unique volcanic waters, at least 22 varieties.
The area is a hub for agriculture and tourism, and it’s easy to see why. With unlimited beauty and a peaceful atmosphere, it’s a popular destination for locals as well as travellers seeking a tranquil weekend or holiday getaway.
Complementary Information
Useful Tools & Apps
The weather in the Azores can be variable, so it’s helpful to use some apps before visiting the islands. Spotazores offers live camera feeds from the main tourist attractions, letting you check the weather and plan your visit. For accurate weather predictions, use Windy or Windguru — they provide the most reliable predictions.
How to Get to São Miguel Island
São Miguel Island is easily accessible with numerous flight routes. Lisbon and Porto are the main entry points to the continent, with direct flights to Ponta Delgada available. To find the best flight, use search engines like eDreams or Skyscanner.
These platforms allow you to compare prices and schedules from different airlines in one place. For more details on how to get to the Azores, look at our guide. Once you find the perfect flight, book it! You’ll reach one of the world’s most beautiful island groups in a few hours.
Best Season to Visit São Miguel Island
São Miguel Island, part of the Eastern Group of the Azores Archipelago, has a unique climate shaped by various factors. This climate fosters the island’s lush vegetation and stunning landscapes. Temperatures stay mild year-round, with only slight variations.
In spring, temperatures average 16 °C, summer peaks at 21 °C, autumn cools to 18 °C, and winter hovers around 14 °C. For more details on the weather in the Azores, take a look at the following links:
- The weather in the Azores in January
- The weather in the Azores in February
- The weather in the Azores in March
- The weather in the Azores in April
- The weather in the Azores in May
- The weather in the Azores in July
- The weather in the Azores in August
Cultural Agenda of São Miguel Island
São Miguel Island hosts a wide range of cultural events throughout the year. The complete list of events is on the cultural agenda!
Video – Praia do Fogo, Ribeira Quente (São Miguel Island, Azores)
Conclusion
That’s it, now you know everything about Praia do Fogo in Ribeira Quente. This is a great place to spend the day just relaxing and enjoying your holidays. There are lots of things to do around this region of the island. A good idea would be to spend the night in Furnas to fully explore the area.
Praia do Fogo is worth a visit. It is a unique kind of beach and still, it is rare to see crowds on it due to its geographical location. The perfect spot to enjoy a good sunny day.
Authors’ Note
I’m pleased to inform you that all the recommendations in this article are based on my experience and observations. As the author, I have personally visited each attraction mentioned, ensuring that every suggestion is grounded in first-hand knowledge and genuine enthusiasm.
References
- Instituto de investigação em vulcanologias e avaliação de riscos | Furnas
- Azores Geopark | Caldeira da Povoação
