Visiting the Azores Islands in August is a great idea. The weather in the Azores in August is great overall! It is the sunniest and hottest month of the year, perfect for outdoor activities like hiking, swimming, and admiring the stunning views from the viewpoints.
August also offers plenty of social events to experience. This is the busiest month in terms of music festivals around several islands. In terms of wildlife sightings in the ocean, it is a good time to visit our sea friends.
Along with July, August is part of the peak tourist season. We will see in this article what it means for your holidays in the Azores in August. So keep reading to have all the details about this wonderful time to come and explore nature.
How is the Weather in the Azores in August
August is undoubtedly one of the best months to visit the Azores in terms of weather. Indeed, you will have more chances of decent weather in the Azores in August, with more chances of sunshine and higher temperatures. Humidity is still there, at about 82% rate. Fog is always a possibility, mainly at altitudes like on top of the volcanoes around the islands. However, in August, you will be more likely to have a great view of the viewpoints.
There are few chances of wind. It is one of the months with less precipitation, with only 48 mm during the whole month, for an estimated 2 days of rain. But always keep in mind that here in the Azores, we do have the four seasons in a day!
Air Temperatures
In terms of air temperatures, August is the warmest month of the year in the Azores islands. Temperatures can reach between 20 °C (68 °F) minimum at night and 26 °C (78.8 °F) at maximum. The medium temperature is 23 °C (73.4 °F) overall. This is a nice temperature. It is not too warm like in mainland Europe. This is due to our geographical localization and the Gulf Stream passing by our archipelago. It is perfectly bearable even when hiking.
Water Temperatures
The sea temperature in August in the Azores will be about 24 °C (75.2 °F) at the surface, depending on where you are. This is the warmest that the sea can get here in September. Although local people go swimming all year round, for foreigners, August is the best month to go swimming, snorkeling, and experience aquatic activities without a wetsuit.
Sunrise and Sunset Times
During August, there will be around 13h30 hours of sunlight per day, between 14 hours of sunlight on the 1st and 13 hours on the 31st.
This lets you have plenty of time to enjoy the outdoors and explore as much as you can, mostly on the big island of São Miguel, where you will travel longer distances, or if you are island-hopping in the islands of the triangle — Pico, São Jorge, and Faial.
Nature in the Azores in August
With the weather in the Azores in August, there are plenty of flowers all around and in all colors. For instance, our famous hydrangeas should still be around in the first half of the month, and they mostly come in blue. This flower changes color with the acidity of the ground, so you can also find some white ones, purple, or even pink.
In the water, our 4 resident cetacean species are still around: Sperm whale, Common dolphin, Bottlenose dolphin, and Risso’s dolphin. There are also seasonal species that enjoy the warm waters, such as the Atlantic spotted dolphin!
Would you like to know the best times for whale watching?
Take a look at our whale watching calendar and plan your next adventure! Don’t miss the chance to spot these majestic creatures in Azorean waters. 🐋 🌊
What to Do in the Azores in August
There are plenty of things to do in August in the Azores islands. Firstly, go enjoy the beaches and natural pools around the archipelago.
Some of the best natural pools are on Pico Island, although you can find them on all the islands. For the beach, Santa Maria island has the only white sand beaches, Graciosa has a red-sanded one, and for the best black-sand beach, probably Mosteiros on São Miguel island would be the best example.
Moreover, go hiking around! All 9 islands have incredible hikes, passing by amazing landscapes and providing spectacular views. From the challenging Pico Mountain climb to the tranquil flat hike around Furnas Lake, there are so many to choose from.
Here are some examples of things to do in August in the Azores.
Swim at Ilhéu de Vila Franca
The Vila Franca Islet, located in Vila Franca do Campo, is a nature reserve, and for most of the year, it is impossible to set foot on it for preservation purposes. However, during the summer, when the birds are not nestling, it opens to the public and serves as one of the most epic beaches you will see in your life.
Indeed, from June to October, this giant volcanic crater in the ocean turns into the perfect place to snorkel or swim in crystal clear waters. There is a boat departing from Vila Franca’s marina, taking travelers every hour to this beautiful place.
Enjoy the water or sunbathe on the crater, have a picnic there, and enjoy this wonder of Mother Nature.
Go Chasing Waterfalls in the Azores
No matter which island you are on, there will most probably be some waterfalls to see around you. For instance, on Flores Island, the impressive Poço do Bacalhau or Poço da Ribeira do Ferreiro are 100% unmissable. Those super-high waterfalls flowing on bright green hills are iconic.
On São Miguel island, do not miss Salto do Prego and its brother Salto do Cagarrão for a good hike and then a refreshing dip in the waterfalls. Moreover, Salto do Cabrito near Lagoa do Fogo is good for a swim.
Santa Maria island also has some breathtaking waterfalls, but it is even more impressive when it has been raining right before, for example, Cascata do Aveiro in Maia, and Cascata da Ribeira do Maloás on the South coast.
Local Events in the Azores in August
If you like music festivals, then August is a great time to travel to the Azores islands. There are so many! Among them is the famous Maré de Agosto on Santa Maria island, normally on the third weekend of August, with some international and local artists. On Faial Island, please note the Week of the Sea, which is 10 days of concerts and events. In Terceira, the island of the party, find the Festas da Praia (Beach parties) for amazing nights. And in Graciosa, the Sound Fest.
On São Miguel island, there is the festival of Burning Summer, which is more alternative, as Faial da Terra Blues in Faial da Terra, Festival da Povoação at Povoação, and MEO Monte Verde on the North Coast. It is not a festival but a big party on Green Island: the wonderful PDL White Ocean, also called White Party. This is the only one night in the year when people dress in white and party in the streets of Ponta Delgada, decorated with gigantic sea creatures made of white materials.
So that’s a lot! But let’s not forget the religious parties also, which are even more numerous than the festivals and are a must-see for some cultures and local traditions. They are all around the islands, in every parish, and you will see the streets and churches decorated to honor the Saints. Among them, Nossa Senhora da Saúde, Nossa Senhora da Conceição, Nossa Senhora do Rosário and so many more.
What to Wear in the Azores in August
In August in the Azores, you can generally wear shorts and a T-shirt. However, we recommend taking a rain jacket with you because of the very unstable weather. Moreover, if you go on a hike, pants are always better than shorts because of the vegetation. At last, if you go to see whales and dolphins in the ocean, a light jacket is always nice to have to keep you warm at sea.
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
Visiting the Azores in August is a popular choice for travelers for many reasons. Firstly, the weather during this month is typically excellent, with warm temperatures, more sunshine, and minimal rainfall, making it ideal for outdoor activities like hiking and swimming.
Moreover, August is a vibrant time in the Azores, with various festivals and events showcasing the local culture and traditions. Whale watching is also a highlight, as warm waters attract numerous whale species to the area. Moreover, August provides great opportunities to enjoy the stunning natural landscapes with many flowers around.
Overall, August offers a combination of good weather, plenty of cultural experiences, and outdoor adventures, making it an ideal time to travel to the Azores.
