Is the Weather in the Azores in October good for island-hopping and discovering the islands? Will it be too rainy to enjoy the beautiful scenery, or is it sunny enough to go to the beach? If you are planning to come at this time, keep on reading to organize your trip.
Lost in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, the Azores’ archipelago is a hidden gem that lives with the elements. The wind, the waves, the rain, and the clouds are just part of our daily lives, but the sun always finds its way out to fill us with vitamin D.
October is a good time to visit the nine islands. The crowds will have gone back home from their summer holidays, leaving breathtaking landscapes almost alone with those who dare to explore them at this time of year. Even if the weather might not be at its best, there are always exciting things to do in the Azores in the rain. Let’s see how the weather is in the Azores in October and unveil the best tips for traveling to the Azores during the fall.
How is the Weather in the Azores in October
October is officially the end of the dry season in the Azores. There might be up to 16 days of rainfall during the month, totaling 114 mm. Moreover, the average humidity will be 80% throughout the month. It will definitely get wetter and wetter as the months go by.
Some wind is to be expected, as it is already part of the hurricane season, and there is a large amount of cloud cover. There are great storms in the archipelago that can happen in several months during the year, and October is certainly one of them. However, they usually last only a couple of days.
Air Temperatures
As fall has just started, warm days are still present, but nights can get quite cool. The average temperature is mild, around 18ºC (64ºF), which is great for spending time outside and participating in outdoor adventures during the day.
The average high temperatures can reach 21 °C (69.8 °F), and the average low temperatures go down to 15 °C (59 °F), which is not too bad in comparison to the mainland, in Europe, or North America, where temperatures in October are usually lower.
Water Temperatures
In the Atlantic Ocean, along the coast of our nine islands, the water temperatures remain warm and very pleasant, averaging around 22 °C (71.6 °F). It is almost the highest temperature that the sea can reach here in the Azores, with the warmest at 24 °C (75.2 °F) in September.
Enjoy warmer waters at the beginning of October and colder by the end of the month, as it will only get colder until next summer. However, locals swim here year-round, in wetsuits or simple swimsuits for the bravest.
Sunrise and Sunset Times
On October 1st, the sun will rise at 7:38 am, and on the last day of October, before the daylight saving time change of clocks — which happens on the last Sunday of the month — at 8:02 am. In 2024, the change occurs on October 27th, with the sunrise at 7:03 am. On October 31st, the sun will rise at 7:07 am.
The sunset will be at 7:25 pm on the first day of the month and at 6:50 pm on the last day before we change the clocks. Then, it will be set to 5:49 pm on October 27th and to 5:44 pm on the last day of October.
Nature in the Azores in October
In the Azores, there are different flowers all year, keeping the islands always colorful. It is not the best time to see famous hydrangeas, but you will be able to spot many other beautiful plants, such as the Jersey lily.
Moreover, most trees never lose all their leaves, so the islands are always green. Except for the prehistoric Ginkgo biloba, known for its golden leaves that fall, creating a natural gold carpet. You can observe this phenomenon at Terra Nostra Garden.
What to Do in the Azores in October
There are so many things to do in the Azores in October, indoors and outdoors, according to the weather. You can always head to the beach for a refreshing dip, or if you like to be warm, go to the hot springs for a relaxing time.
Moreover, it is still okay to hike in October if the sky stays clear and the paths are not too muddy. If you want to make sure you stay dry, head to the lava caves for a wonderful time of discovery.
Explore Caves
In the Azores archipelago, you will find plenty of caves and tunnels on several islands, created naturally due to volcanic activity. Those are great opportunities to explore the underground and observe landscapes that you cannot even imagine.
When you are on São Miguel island, and the weather doesn’t look so good, visit Gruta do Carvão, located right under the city of Ponta Delgada. Yes, when you are walking in the city center, there is a probability that a lava tunnel lies under your feet. There is a short and a long visit, depending on your availability and your willingness to explore this wonder, which is very well hidden.
On Pico Island, grab a local guide and a helmet and explore the insides of Gruta das Torres, the largest lava tube in Portugal. Terceira Island has one of the most impressive volcanic chimneys, with Algar do Carvão, offering a self-guided visit to another planet. There is also Furnas do Enxofre for an exciting self-guided visit.
Soak at the Hot Springs
São Miguel is the only island where you can find so many hot springs in different settings. In a natural pool in the ocean, in a beautiful botanical garden, inside a romantic scenery with several tanks, and many more. There is at least one that will meet your desires. Hot springs are even better on a rainy day, when you can fully enjoy the natural warmth coming straight from the volcano.
In Furnas, you can visit a wonderful garden filled with fascinating vegetation and enjoy warm waters at Terra Nostra Park. While in the same town, you can also choose to visit Poça da Dona Beija, especially at night, for a romantic date. In the North, near Ribeira Grande, you will find the less famous hot springs of Caldeiras for a more private experience.
In the sea, you can also enjoy two hot springs. One is Ponta da Ferraria, which has a spa and a natural pool where warm springs emerge from lava stones. This is a great idea when the tide is lower and the waves are smaller to feel the hot spring. Meanwhile, at the beach Ribeira Quente, you can feel the hot sand on the left corner of the beach, which will warm the ocean water a bit. However, it is not as warm as the other springs around the island.
Local Events in the Azores in October
Even though the summer festivals are over, several events are happening in October in the Azores islands. Let’s start at the beginning of October with the island of the party: ‘Terceira Angrajazz’ is a jazz festival happening every year in Angra do Heroísmo. In 2024, it will be held on October 2, 3, 4, and 5.
Then, on the 5th of October, it is the day of the Republic’s implementation in Portugal. Some events can be organized around the islands, although there is no big celebration here in the archipelago.
For another kind of vibe, from October 1st to November 15th, the ‘SOS Cagarro’ campaign is running. This is an environmental campaign created to help rescue juvenile Cory’s shearwaters during their migration.
Did you know
At night, you can go help locals find the birds that got lost due to light pollution and hand them to volunteers who will measure them, ring them, and release them the morning after. It was such a rewarding experience.
At the end of the month, let’s not forget Halloween. It is definitely not as big a deal as in the U.S., but you can still find many celebrations, mostly on São Miguel and Terceira islands.
What to Wear in the Azores in October
In October, as temperatures are still nice, there is no need for a big warm jacket or a scarf. Here, you can be outside in a T-shirt and a light waterproof jacket. Something to keep you dry is essential when traveling to the Azores in October because the chances of rain are quite high.
Pants are preferable over shorts as there might be some wind gusts from time to time. Furthermore, keep in mind your swimsuit, and go to the hot springs or the beach, as you prefer. If you plan to hike a bit, then hiking boots are a must because the paths might be covered in mud at this time of year.
Complementary Information
How to Get to the Azores
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 São Miguel (PDL), Terceira (TER), Faial (HOR), Pico (PIX), and Santa Maria (SMA) 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, take a look at our complete guide. But what if you want to explore beyond your arrival island? We’ve got you covered!
- Azores Airports 🛬
- Flights between islands ✈️
- Ferries between islands ⛴️
- Which island to choose? 🏝️
- What airlines fly to the Azores 🛩️
→ Once you’ve found the perfect route, book your tickets and get ready to experience one of the world’s most stunning island groups!
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.
Check all our articles about the weather in the Azores throughout the year 🌤️ ☔️: January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
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Conclusion
To sum it up, the weather in the Azores in October is pretty good for exploring the islands before the rough winter months. You can still enjoy the outdoors and take shelter in the hot springs or lava caves if needed. Are we going to see you this October?
