Looking for Azores Marina Suggestions

[johnandtessa]

Hi all - we are sailing from Annapolis to the Med this summer with a stop in Azores for a few weeks. We need to return to the states in July for a family event and need to leave the boat in the Axores during that time. We are looking for suggestions on a good place/island to leave the boat. Thanks, John and Tessa.

[boatman61]

Well I don't know if one can get flights back to the US from Terciera... US base there.. but Pria de Vitoria is a nice spot... and a good jumping off point for mainland stops from Baiona S....
Otherwise I'd say Horta for the most popular stop amongst cruisers..

[SVTatia]

Ponta Delgada is the place.
It has a large marina, nice people, it is on the largest island - Sao Miguel and you can fly to everywhere.

[Kalinka1]

Horta. Don't know where you are in the states. But there are direct flights from Tecera to Toronto(large Portugese population) Might be the same for Boston.

[sailorF54]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Well I don't know if one can get flights back to the US from Terciera... US base there.. but Pria de Vitoria is a nice spot... and a good jumping off point for mainland stops from Baiona S....
Otherwise I'd say Horta for the most popular stop amongst cruisers..

I'd try Praia de Vitoria on Terceira (if space available), cheap and reliable...

[TeddyDiver]

Originally Posted by SVTatia

Ponta Delgada is the place.
It has a large marina, nice people, it is on the largest island - Sao Miguel and you can fly to everywhere.

Another vote for Ponta Delgada.. and Sao Miguel is a niceisland to take a scenery tour. Nordeste is breathtaking

[jstevens]

John & Tessa,
IMO, the biggest issue with leaving your boat in any of the marinas in the Azores is getting a berth on a floating dock rather than rafted up on a seawall or hammerhead. The marinas in Horta and Ponta Delgada are usually very full during the summer months and the only option may be to raft up. Not how I would want to leave my boat.

I believe the best advice is to try Terceira. I think you will have a better chance of getting a berth in Angra do Heroismo or Pria. I don't know about flights from Terceira, but the worst is you will have to fly to Lisboa and change plans there. I seem to remember that the direct flights from the Azores to North America were always booked several months in advance.

John

[P Valdeolmillos]

The good thing about Horta is, of course, to be also able to enjoy those magic layers of paintings on the docks and walls that many generations of sailors have created:
Paintings in Horta Marina - Images

- Pedro

[Morrissey]

SATA's Boston flight to Ponta Delgada was only about 20% full when I caught it. Both TAP and SATA have a few direct flights to USA and a choice of destinations, from either Terceira or Ponta Delgada. Not everyday though.

Fabulous bunch of islands, great people. I'd just leave the boat close to where you fly out of and back into. Find a local to keep an eye on it for you. No point adding extra time/cost to the exercise by needing inter-island flights as well. But visit the other islands for sure. Horta is a delight, but direct flights to Europe only I think.