SeaTV · Portugal · Azores Islands · 7-Day Sailing Route
Our Sailing Route in the Azores — The 7-Day Central Triangle (Horta · Pico · São Jorge)
The classic Azorean cruise · Day 1 Horta arrival & the painted breakwater · Day 2 Madalena (Pico) for the vineyards · Day 3 Pico mountain ascent OR São Roque whaling village · Day 4 cross to Velas (São Jorge) · Day 5 fajãs exploration · Day 6 Lajes do Pico for whale watching · Day 7 return to Horta. 3 islands · 5 marinas/ports · ~80 NM total · 6 nights aboard. Plus 14-day variation extending east to Terceira and São Miguel for crews with more time.
5 marina pages linked at the bottom · best season May-September · charter base at Horta
This is the route Sigal would sail. Seven days, six nights, three islands of the central group — Faial (Horta), Pico, and São Jorge — connected by the shortest sailing legs in the Azores (4-25 NM each). Built around the prevailing wind direction (NE-NW in summer), this route puts every overnight in a sheltered marina with full facilities, every passage as a daylight day-sail, and every island delivered as its own complete experience: Horta for the painted breakwater and Peter Café Sport, Pico for the highest mountain in Portugal and UNESCO vineyards, São Jorge for the fajãs and the cheese. If you have 14 days, extend east to Terceira (Angra + Praia) and São Miguel (Ponta Delgada). If you have 21 days, you can do the full archipelago including Flores and Corvo in the west.
⚓ Route at a Glance
Duration
7 days · 6 nights aboard
Total distance
~80 NM (round trip from Horta)
Daily sailing
2-5 hours · all daylight
Wind direction
NE-NW prevailing · 10-20 knots
Islands visited
3 (Faial · Pico · São Jorge)
Marinas/ports
5 (Horta, Madalena, São Roque, Velas, Lajes do Pico)
Best season
May-September
Charter base
Horta (most operators)
⚠ Before you start — non-negotiables:
→ ⚠ Faial Channel tidal currents are strong · flood N, ebb pulls hard into bay · time slack water for the Horta-Madalena crossing
→ ⚠ Check the weather window before committing · Atlantic depressions can track over the islands · 30+ knots possible even in summer
→ ⚠ Velas marina has only ~10 visitor berths · phone/VHF José ahead — see the Velas page
→ ⚠ Paint the Horta breakwater before departure · the legend says skipping it means bad luck on the next leg
→ ⚠ Pico ascent requires a registered guide and reservation · cannot be done as a walk-up
→ Schengen status: the Azores are inside Schengen · routine for EU citizens, plan visa days for non-EU
The 7-Day Itinerary
DAY 1 · Horta Arrival & the Painted Breakwater
~0 NM · charter briefing · welcome ritual
Morning · Charter briefing.
→ Arrive at Horta marina · check in at reception quay · meet operator + boat handover.
→ Customs and immigration if arriving from outside the EU.
→ Provisioning: top up fresh produce at Mercado Municipal da Horta · the marina has fuel, water, ice.
→ Charts to have open: Faial-Pico Channel and the central group · GPS on, paper backup.
Afternoon · The painting tradition.
→ Find a clean patch of breakwater wall (most are taken — look for newer-looking sections).
→ Bring your own paint and brushes, or buy supplies at Peter’s.
→ Paint: boat name + crew names + date + ports (origin → Horta → next destination) + flag of registration.
→ Optional: take photos · the wall is a permanent record of your visit.
Evening · Peter Café Sport.
→ Order the famous gin and tonic.
→ Sign the guest book.
→ Visit Scrimshaw Museum upstairs.
→ Dinner at the café or one of the seafront restaurants · plan tomorrow’s departure.
Berthed at: Horta Marina · 38°31’56″N, 28°37’33″W
Full marina details: → Horta Marina · Faial
DAY 2 · Horta → Madalena (Pico) · Crossing the Faial Channel
~4 NM · the shortest leg · UNESCO vineyards
Morning · Departure ~10:00 → Madalena.
→ ⚠ Time the crossing for slack water · the Faial Channel runs hard at peak flood/ebb.
→ The shortest passage in the Azores · 4 NM east, with Pico filling the horizon as you approach.
→ Madalena port has a small marina — limited visitor berths · phone or VHF Ch. 9 ahead.
→ Approach: the entrance is guarded by two volcanic rocks (“Em Pé” and “Deitado”) with seabird colonies.
Afternoon · The Pico vineyards (UNESCO).
→ Walk or hire a car to Lajido de Santa Luzia · the historic vineyard area.
→ Black volcanic-stone walls (currais) protect the vines from wind and salt · UNESCO site since 2004.
→ Visit Museu do Vinho do Pico · learn the Verdelho production process.
→ Tasting at one of the local producers · Czar wine and Verdelho de Pico.
Evening at Madalena:
→ Local seafood restaurants in town · 5-min walk from the port.
→ ⚠ If planning to climb Pico tomorrow: book guide TONIGHT · register online at the Pico Mountain House · the climb starts at sunrise.
Berthed at: Porto da Madalena · ~38°32’N, 28°32’W
[Madalena marina is small · alternative is to overnight back at Horta and day-trip Pico by ferry · 30 min crossing.]
DAY 3 · Pico Ascent OR São Roque Whaling Village
~14 NM · the headline day of the trip
Option A · Pico Mountain ascent (the highest in Portugal).
→ Pre-dawn start from Casa da Montanha (1,231 m starting point).
→ ⚠ Registered guide required · book through Pico Mountain House.
→ Ascent: 4-5 hours up · 3-4 hours down.
→ Summit at 2,351 m · Piquinho cone above the main crater · views of Faial, São Jorge, Terceira on a clear day.
→ Closed shoes, layered clothing, water minimum 2 L per person, headlamp.
Option B · Sail to São Roque do Pico (whaling history).
→ 14 NM along the north coast of Pico · easy day-sail in NE wind.
→ Small port and marina at São Roque — 11 NM from Velas (São Jorge).
→ Visit Museu dos Baleeiros (Whalers’ Museum) · the original whale-processing factory turned heritage site.
→ The Azores were one of the last places in Europe to actively hunt whales · banned 1986 · the museum tells that story.
Evening at São Roque:
→ Quiet village · fewer tourists than Madalena · seafood restaurants on the seafront.
→ Early night · Velas crossing tomorrow.
Berthed at: Porto de São Roque do Pico OR back at Madalena
⛵ DAY 4 · São Roque → Velas (São Jorge) · The Cheese Island
~11 NM · gentle hop · welcome José
Morning · São Roque → Velas (~11 NM N).
→ Phone José ahead on +351 295 432 118 or VHF Ch. 9 — visitor berths fill up fast.
→ ⚠ Marina hidden from S until past the main breakwater · approach on the right side for the deeper water (4 m+ at pontoon A).
→ ⚠ Watch the orange buoy marking submerged rocks off the old W mole.
→ José watches every approach on AIS · he’ll have your berth assigned before you call.
Afternoon · Cheese tasting + village walk.
→ Visit the Queijaria Cooperativa in Beira · DOP-certified Queijo São Jorge production tour + tasting.
→ Walk Velas village · São Jorge architecture, basalt-stone houses, traditional embroidered quilts (colchas).
→ Take a wheel of cheese back to the boat for the rest of the trip.
Evening:
→ Dinner at one of the local restaurants in Velas · the cheese is the local specialty, paired with Verdelho.
→ Listen for the Cory’s Shearwater calls from the cliff colonies after dark · the sound that’s like children calling.
Berthed at: Velas Marina · ~38°40’N, 28°12’W
Full marina details: → Velas Marina · São Jorge
DAY 5 · Fajãs Day · São Jorge Inland Exploration
0 NM · land day · hike or drive · the headline of São Jorge
A full day ashore — the fajãs are why you came to São Jorge.
→ Hire a car at the marina · roads are good but narrow.
→ Choose 2-3 fajãs for the day depending on your appetite for hiking.
Recommended fajãs (in order of accessibility):
→ Fajã do Ouvidor · closest to Velas · natural pool “Poça Simão Dias” between black volcanic rocks · easy access by road · swim possible in calm weather
→ Fajã das Caldeiras de Cima · hot springs on the north coast · accessed by hike (~1 hour each way) · thermal pool at the bottom
→ Fajã dos Cubres · with its lagoon · birdwatching, photography · easy road access
→ Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo · classic surf spot · ONLY reached by hiking trail (~2 hours each way) · clams (amêijoas) farmed in the lagoon · the local restaurant is the only food on the trail
Optional · Pico da Esperança ascent (1,053 m).
→ The highest point on São Jorge · drive most of the way + 30-min walk.
→ On a clear day · views of Pico, Faial, Graciosa, Terceira at the same time.
Berthed at: Velas Marina (same as Day 4)
DAY 6 · Velas → Lajes do Pico · Whale Watching Capital
~30 NM · longer day · the resident sperm whale population
Morning · Velas → Lajes do Pico (~30 NM SE).
→ Departure ~08:00 · longer leg, 5-6 hours of sailing.
→ Sail along the south coast of Pico · the volcano fills the horizon to your port side.
→ Watch for sperm whales en route · these waters host the largest resident population in Europe.
→ Lajes do Pico has a small marina at the south coast · phone ahead.
Afternoon · Whale watching trip.
→ Lajes do Pico is the historic whaling capital of the Azores · today it’s the whale-watching capital.
→ Multiple operators run afternoon trips: Espaço Talassa, CW Azores.
→ Resident: sperm whales, common dolphins, bottlenose, Risso’s, Atlantic spotted.
→ Seasonal: blue whales (March-May), fin whales, occasionally orcas.
Evening at Lajes do Pico:
→ Visit the Museu dos Baleeiros annexe — the original lookout posts (vigias) used by whalers.
→ Quiet evening · prepare for tomorrow’s return to Horta.
Berthed at: Porto das Lajes do Pico · ~38°23’N, 28°15’W
⚓ DAY 7 · Final Sail · Lajes do Pico → Horta
~15 NM · gentle return · handover by 14:00
Morning · Lajes do Pico → Horta (~15 NM W).
→ Departure ~08:00 · gentle pace, last sail of the trip.
→ Round the SW corner of Pico, then NW across the channel back to Faial.
→ Time the slack water in the channel · same as Day 2 in reverse.
At the base:
→ Arrive Horta by 13:00-14:00 for handover.
→ Final fuel + water settlement.
→ Last visit to Peter’s for the goodbye gin.
→ Photograph your wall painting one more time.
Final stop: Horta Marina (departure base)
Full base details: → Horta Marina
Distance & Daily Summary
Day 1: Horta arrival · 0 NM · briefing + painting
Day 2: Horta → Madalena · ~4 NM · 1-2 hrs · UNESCO vineyards
Day 3: Pico ascent OR Madalena → São Roque · ~14 NM · 4-5 hrs
Day 4: São Roque → Velas · ~11 NM · 2-3 hrs · cheese island
Day 5: Velas land day · 0 NM · fajãs exploration
Day 6: Velas → Lajes do Pico · ~30 NM · 5-6 hrs · longest leg
Day 7: Lajes → Horta · ~15 NM · 3-4 hrs · final return
TOTAL: ~74 NM · 7 days · 6 nights aboard · 3 islands · 5 ports
Variations · 14-day Eastern Extension & 21-day Full Archipelago
14-day W → E Crossing (extension)
→ Days 1-7: Same as the 7-day Central Triangle above.
→ Day 8: Velas → Angra do Heroísmo (Terceira) · ~50 NM · longer day, plan slack water + good forecast
→ Days 9-10: Angra exploration · UNESCO city · Monte Brasil · Algar do Carvão volcanic chimney · underwater archaeological park
→ Day 11: Angra → Praia da Vitória · ~15 NM by water around the south of Terceira · or 24 km drive
→ Day 12: Praia da Vitória → Ponta Delgada · ~85 NM · the longest leg of the trip · overnight passage if winds slack
→ Days 13-14: Ponta Delgada exploration · Sete Cidades twin lakes · Furnas hot springs · Gorreana tea plantation · whale watching
→ Total: ~250 NM · 14 days · 13 nights aboard · 4 islands · 9 ports
21-day Full Archipelago
→ Days 1-14: 14-day W → E Crossing as above.
→ Days 15-16: Ponta Delgada → Vila do Porto (Santa Maria) · ~55 NM SE · the southernmost, oldest, driest island
→ Days 17-18: Long crossing back W to Horta · ~210 NM · 36-48 hr passage
→ Days 19-20: Horta → Flores · ~130 NM W · the western group · waterfalls and crater lakes
→ Day 21: Flores → Corvo (12 NM) day-trip · the smallest island · one volcano, ~400 inhabitants · then return to Flores OR continue to mainland Portugal/USA
→ Total: ~600+ NM · 21 days · all 9 islands · for crews with offshore passage skills
Weather Backup Plans
If 30+ knot winds blow in:
→ Stay in Horta · sit out the front 1-2 days · the marina is sheltered from all directions and the town has plenty to do.
→ Skip Madalena, head straight to Velas: Velas is more sheltered than Madalena and a longer crossing means you only do it once.
→ Don’t push: charter is a holiday, not a delivery.
If light winds (rare in summer, common in shoulder season):
→ Use the rare opportunity for the longer crossings (Day 6 to Lajes, or extension to Terceira).
→ Light winds means motoring · check fuel before departure.
Emergency Contacts
Emergency (police / fire / ambulance): 112 (national)
Maritime SAR (MRCC Lisbon): +351 214 401 919
VHF distress: Channel 16
Horta Marina: +351 292 391 693
Velas Marina: +351 295 432 118 · Mobile +351 963 698 900
Madalena port: via Horta marina (same operator group)
Hospital da Horta: +351 292 200 200 (24hr)
Hospital de São Jorge (Velas): +351 295 412 122
The Full Cluster Pages
→ Azores Islands main hub — overview of all 9 islands, when to come, full archipelago context
→ 1. Horta Marina · Faial · the transatlantic stopover · the painted breakwater
→ 2. Velas Marina · São Jorge · the cheese island · José the harbour master
→ 3. Angra do Heroísmo Marina · Terceira · UNESCO heritage city
→ 4. Praia da Vitória Marina · Terceira E coast · longest beach
→ 5. Ponta Delgada Marina · São Miguel · 640 berths · capital city
“Seven days six nights three islands of the central group seventy four nautical miles · day one Horta arrival and the painting on the breakwater because the legend says those who paint reach the next destination safely · Peter Café Sport since nineteen eighteen and the gin and the Scrimshaw Museum upstairs · day two the four nautical mile crossing of the Faial channel timing the slack water and Madalena on the other side with the UNESCO vineyards in the black volcanic stone walls and the Verdelho tasting · day three the two options the Pico mountain ascent at two thousand three hundred fifty one meters which is the highest in Portugal with the registered guide and the pre-dawn start or the fourteen mile sail to São Roque do Pico and the whaling museum · day four eleven nautical miles north to Velas where José the harbour master watches you on AIS and the cheese cooperative in Beira and the Cory’s Shearwaters at night that sound like children · day five the fajãs day with the Caldeira de Santo Cristo for the surf and the clams or Caldeiras de Cima for the hot springs or do Ouvidor for the Poça Simão Dias natural pool · day six thirty nautical miles southeast to Lajes do Pico the whale watching capital with the resident sperm whale population and the historic vigias used by the whalers · day seven gentle fifteen miles back to Horta for the handover by fourteen and the final gin at Peter’s · fourteen days variation extends east to Angra and Praia and Ponta Delgada · twenty one days adds Santa Maria and Flores and Corvo · this is the route Sigal would sail.”
— SeaTV · Azores · 7-Day Sailing Route · The Central Triangle
