Porto Pim Beach, located in Porto Pim Bay on Faial Island, is one of the most popular and beautiful beaches in the Azores. Stretching over 350 meters, it is known for its fine sand, crystal-clear waters, and peaceful atmosphere. Surrounded by lush natural landscapes and historical significance, this beach is perfect for a family swim or simply enjoying a relaxing day by the sea.
Join us to learn more about this tranquil oasis on Faial Island!
Where is Porto Pim Beach
Located in Horta, Porto Pim Beach is over 350 meters long. It boasts superb infrastructure, crystalline waters, and fine sand. Porto Pim is the most visited beach on the island and might be the busiest on Faial Island. This beach has sand and warm but gentle water all year round, with an average of 22 °C. However, it also boasts lush, natural landscapes, with Monte da Guia standing out for its impressive height.
Being a Natura 2000 site, the beach is also home to the volcanic dunes from the Guia and Queimado hills surrounding it. This beach is located within the Protected Landscape Area of Monte da Guia, which is part of the Faial Natural Park. In 2011, Porto Pim Beach won a European Destinations of Excellence prize, awarded to destinations that have achieved sustainable tourism through authenticity and creativity.
Historical Significance of Porto Pim Beach
The first settlers of the island lived in this location in 1460. However, in 1629, King Filipe III decided to construct a harbor where the Age of Discovery ships would dock in Porto Pim Bay. The bay later became essential to Azorean whaling activity. In the 20th century, whalers would not have had to turn to the Porto Pim Whaling Factory, built just a few meters from the beach, had Britain not decided to get rid of its whalers. Today, the factory is a museum that operated until the 1970s.
Services & Accessibility of Porto Pim Beach
Porto Pim Beach offers everything you need for a relaxing day by the sea. It has several bars and restaurants, as well as sunbeds and umbrellas for rent. It’s a Blue Flag beach, meaning it meets high standards for cleanliness, safety, and accessibility. Lifeguards supervise the beach, ensuring a safe environment for visitors.
Fun Facts About Porto Pim Beach
- The submarine cables that secured transatlantic telecommunication were anchored in Porto Pim Bay.
- Porto Pim Beach is a Golden Quality Beach, as certified by Quercus.
- Monte da Guia, with its impressive height, offers a stunning backdrop to the beach.
Plan Your Visit to Porto Pim Beach
Where to Eat
Click on the following link to find a place to eat near Porto Pim Beach. It will take you to TripAdvisor, where you can review the 10 best restaurants.
Where to Stay
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Best Season to Visit Faial Island
The island of Faial, in the Azorean archipelago, is characterized by its atypical climate, resulting from various factors contributing to its botanical richness and landscape value. The climate is mild regardless of the season, with average temperatures showing little variation. Temperatures range from:
- 16 °C in spring;
- 21 °C in summer;
- 18 °C in autumn;
- 14 °C in winter.
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
Complementary Information
Best Season to Visit the Azores
The Azores Archipelago boasts a unique climate that shapes its lush landscapes, making it a splendid year-round destination. With mild temperatures and minimal fluctuations, each season offers something unique. Spring averages 16 °C, summer reaches 21 °C, autumn cools to 18 °C, and winter remains mild at 14 °C.
→ For a detailed breakdown of the weather by month, check the following links 🌤️☔️: January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
How to Get to the Azores
The Azorean Archipelago is easily accessible through 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 enable you to compare prices and schedules from various airlines in one convenient location.
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!
Travel Essentials
Essential Information for your Azores trip: Azorean Language & Phrases 🗣️ | Currency & Banks 💵 | Credit Cards & Traveler’s Cheques 🏧 | Driving in the Azores 🚗 | Electricity 🔌 | Experiences & Tours 🗺️ | Health & Safety 🩺 | Internet & Wi-Fi Access 🛜 | Phones & Mobile Service 📞 | Post Offices & Buying Stamps ✉️ | Public Holidays 🏖️ | Shopping 🛒 | Time & Daylight 🕒 | Whale Watching Guide 🐳 | Best Island to Visit 🏞️
Useful Tools & Apps
The weather in the Azores can be variable, so it’s helpful to use some apps before visiting the islands. Spotazores provides live camera feeds from the main tourist attractions, allowing you to check the weather and plan your visit. For accurate weather predictions, use Windy or Windguru — they provide the most reliable predictions.
Authors’ Note
I am pleased to inform you that all the recommendations in this article are based on my personal 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.
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FAQs
Boat moored in Porto Pim Bay overlooking Porto Pim Beach in Porto Pim Beach in the city of Horta on Faial Island, Azores near Monte da Guia.
Leaving aside Monte da Guia, Porto Pim Beach has fine sanded and tranquil, warm waters (which average 22 °C in July, August, and September).
We’ll say yes, it’s a Blue Flag — it is safe, has perfect infrastructure (surveillance and accessibility), and is very clean.
The beach is ecologically important, and the hills of Guia and Queimado form volcanic dunes that protect it.
Check all our articles about each one of the most relevant points of interest on Faial Island: Caldeira do Faial | Praia do Almoxarife | Praia do Porto Pim | Capelinhos Volcano
