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Flores Island (Azores)

Island

Westernmost of the central Azores islands, Flores features crater lakes, waterfalls, coastal cliffs and rural trails; visitors hike, photograph volcanic landscapes and visit fishing villages.

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In this guide

Flores Island (Azores) essentials

Website: visitazores.com
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About Flores Island (Azores)

Flores is an island in the western group of the Portuguese Azores archipelago, noted for dramatic cliffs, waterfalls, crater lakes, and verdant landscapes. The island’s volcanic topography produces numerous waterfalls and deep ravines set among green pastures and laurisilva remnants.

Signature highlights include the basalt column formation known as Rocha dos Bordões, several crater lakes such as Lagoa Funda and Lagoa Comprida, and numerous waterfalls along steep river valleys. The main town Santa Cruz das Flores provides visitor services, ferry and air connections to other Azores islands.

The island was settled and developed following Portuguese colonization in the 15th and 16th centuries and has a history tied to maritime routes across the North Atlantic. Today it is valued for hiking, nature observation, and geological features.

Flores lies in the North Atlantic Ocean as part of the Azores archipelago, west of mainland Portugal and adjacent to the smaller island of Corvo; it is reached by inter-island flights and ferries.

  • Archipelago group: The island is part of Portugal’s Azores archipelago and belongs to the western group of islands, lying west of São Jorge and north of Corvo.

What to See#

  • Santa Cruz das Flores: The main town and administrative centre of the island, where ferry and air links connect to other Azores islands and where visitor services and accommodations are concentrated.
  • Rocha dos Bordões: A striking vertical columnar basalt formation that rises above the landscape and is one of the island’s most photographed geological features.
  • Lagoa Funda and Lagoa Comprida: A pair of volcanic crater lakes set in the island’s central highlands, often visited by walkers for their scenery and surrounding trails.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Flores Island (Azores)

The best time is late spring through summer (May-August) for the mildest weather and best conditions for hiking and sea trips.

Late spring (flowers & hiking)
May-June · ~14-20°C
Mild temperatures, blooming landscapes and increasing daylight-good for hiking and boat trips with relatively fewer tourists.
High summer (warmest, busiest)
July-August · ~18-25°C
Warmest and sunniest period with the calmest seas for boat excursions; also the busiest for visitors.
Autumn-winter (quieter, wetter)
October-March · ~12-16°C
Milder but wetter and windier weather with fewer tourists-good for a quieter visit if you don't need guaranteed sunshine.

Weather & Climate near Flores Island (Azores)

Climate

Flores Island (Azores)'s climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 9°C to 22°C. Abundant rainfall (1761 mm/year), wettest in January.

Air Quality: AQI 22 Good
Best Time to Visit
AugustJulyJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
26°
Warmest Month
10°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Poor 9° - 14° 12° 247 mm overcast 81% 8.5 m/s 0.3 low 9.6h
February Poor 9° - 13° 11° 173 mm overcast 80% 9.2 m/s 0.5 moderate 10.6h
March Poor 9° - 13° 11° 172 mm overcast 79% 8.2 m/s 0.9 moderate 11.8h
April Poor 10° - 14° 12° 131 mm overcast 81% 6.9 m/s 1.3 high 13.1h
May Acceptable 11° - 16° 13° 116 mm overcast 82% 6.0 m/s 1.7 very high 14.2h
June Good 13° - 18° 16° 78 mm overcast 84% 4.7 m/s 1.9 very high 14.7h
July Very Good 16° - 21° 18° 73 mm partly cloudy 83% 4.2 m/s 2.1 extreme 14.5h
August Excellent 17° - 22° 20° 88 mm partly cloudy 81% 4.3 m/s 1.9 very high 13.5h
September Good 16° - 21° 19° 132 mm partly cloudy 80% 5.5 m/s 1.3 high 12.3h
October Acceptable 14° - 19° 16° 174 mm overcast 79% 6.2 m/s 0.8 moderate 11.0h
November Acceptable 12° - 16° 14° 176 mm overcast 79% 7.1 m/s 0.4 low 9.9h
December Poor 11° - 15° 13° 201 mm overcast 80% 8.3 m/s 0.2 low 9.3h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Flores Island (Azores)

Fly to Santa Cruz das Flores Airport (FLW) - SATA/Azores Airlines operates regular flights from Ponta Delgada (PDL) and Terceira, with occasional seasonal flights from Lisbon. There are also ferry connections (Atlânticoline) from nearby islands such as Faial/Corvo when the sea service is running.

The airport is a short drive (a few minutes) from the main village of Santa Cruz das Flores; taxis and small car rentals are available at the airport. Ferries from Óscar/Calheta ports land at Calheta/Caleta de Sebo, a short walk into the island’s main settlement.

Tips for Visiting Flores Island (Azores)

  • Visit between late spring and early autumn (May-September) for the most stable weather and longer daylight; shoulder months give nicer conditions with fewer sea storms than high summer.
  • Use the main ferry or flight connections from Lanzarote and arrive early in the day - Caleta de Sebo (the island's main harbor) is small and services (car hire, shops) are limited, so plan logistics ahead.
  • Drive or cycle the island's main road but take the short side tracks to waterfalls, Lagoas Funda e Comprida and Rocha dos Bordões; those viewpoints are busiest late afternoon, so aim for morning visits when clouds are less likely.
  • If hiking, check trail conditions before you set out - trails can be wet and slippery after rain and weather can change quickly, so adjust plans based on local forecasts.