#340 European Rank
Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo
Vila Franca do Campo, São Miguel, Portugal•Atlantic Ocean• Best Season: July, August, September
Photo: Jules Verne Times Two (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons source
Day-of-Visit Snapshot
3-Second Operational AnswersEDITORIAL SCORE
4.53/ 5.0
SEA TEMPERATURE
23.2°C
August 30-year average
DAILY BUDGET
€31/day
SAND & SHORELINE
Volcanic Black Sand
Gradual Drop
Live Open-Meteo European Feed
Morning Beach Pulse & Marine Telemetry
Wind-Exposed
Gentle Wave Action
Exposed to Onshore Surf & ChopCove aspect: Faces W (270°) · Wind: W (270°)
Onshore wind (12 km/h) is pushing open-sea swell directly into the bay, creating active breaking waves and reduced visibility.
Significant Wave Height
...
Good Swimming
Swell Profile
...
Reading buoy...
Live Surface Wind
...
W (270°) · ONSHORE
UV & Air Temperature
...
UV 5 · Moderate (SPF 30)
Cove Aspect & Shelter Compass
Seaward Orientation vs. Live Wind DirectionCove Faces W (270°)
Onshore Wind • Waves and surface chop pushed into the beach
Shoreline Facing (θ_aspect)
W (270°)
Open Sea Exposure
Surface Wind Vector
W (270°)
12 km/h · Δθ = 0°
Spatial Geometry: Wind from W pushes unobstructed over the open sea directly onto the W-facing coast, generating breaking chop.
Morning Coastal Brief for Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo: Light coastal break; family friendly with standard water awareness. Onshore wind (12 km/h) is pushing open-sea swell directly into the bay, creating active breaking waves and reduced visibility. Models update sub-daily via Open-Meteo European marine models.
Interactive Oceanographic Climatology
Seasonal Sea Warmth & Bathing Climatology
30-Year NOAA OISST v2.1 Monthly Normals (1991–2020) · Vila Franca do Campo, São Miguel, Portugal
Ideal Swimming
Early August
23.2°C
Air ~34°C
Comfortable, prolonged bathing for all ages
Water temperature is well above the 20.0°C bathing threshold. Prolonged leisure swimming, snorkeling, and family wading are comfortable with zero thermal shock.
Drag to scrub 12-month temperature curveEarly August · 23.2°C
| Month | Sea Surface Temp | Air Temp | Thermal Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16.8°C | 20°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| February | 16.3°C | 21°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| March | 16.2°C | 23°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| April | 16.7°C | 26°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| May | 17.6°C | 29°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| June | 19.5°C | 32°C | Refreshing |
| July | 21.7°C | 34°C | Refreshing |
| August | 23.2°C | 34°C | Ideal Swimming |
| September | 22.9°C | 32°C | Ideal Swimming |
| October | 21.3°C | 29°C | Refreshing |
| November | 19.4°C | 25°C | Refreshing |
| December | 17.9°C | 22°C | Crisp & Bracing |
NOAA OISST v2.1 30-year climatological normal (1991–2020).Explore all Portugal Sea Temperatures
Swimmability Window · NOAA Climatology
Swimmable 5 Jul – 20 Oct (>21°C) · 106 days
Planning around peak water warmth (23.2°C)?
Lock in coastal villas and boutique stays near Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo for the optimal July–August–September swimming window.
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Quick Summary
Preview
🏖️ Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo (Vila Franca do Campo, São Miguel, Portugal)
🌊 Water temperature: 23.2°C
⛱️ Beach access: 100% free public sand • Sunbeds: €0–€0
🧭 Wind & shelter: Faces W (sheltered from E winds)
📍 Guide: https://shores.cc/beach/ilheu-vila-franca-pt/Tip: Add this beach to your home screen to quickly check morning wind and water conditions before heading out.
EEA Bathing Water Directive 2006/7/EC
Bathing Water Purity & Statutory Standards
Status: Good
Microbial Water Purity
95th-Percentile Compliant
Escherichia coli & intestinal enterococci within statutory limits.
Bathing Directive Tier
Tier 1: Sufficient & Safe
Monitored across the official European bathing season.
Official European Environment Agency (EEA) water monitoring verifies recreational cleanliness, sewage absence, and safety standards across all 31 member and partner coastal nations.
Score Breakdown
Scenery & Setting5.0 / 5
Water Clarity & Cleanliness4.5 / 5
Sand & Shoreline Quality4.5 / 5
Atmosphere & Safety4.6 / 5
Accessibility & Entry Ease4.2 / 5
Affordability & Fair Pricing4.6 / 5
About Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo
A drowned volcano off São Miguel forms an almost perfect circular pool, reached only by ferry. The Azores' most photographed swim.
Key Beach Facts
Official Records•Access: Passenger ferry from Vila Franca do Campo marina (Cais do Tagarete) operating June to October with daily ticket quotas.
•Protected Status / Environment: Classified Nature Reserve (Reserva Natural do Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo) with strictly capped visitor numbers.
•Notable Feature: Submerged volcanic caldera forming an almost perfectly circular natural ocean lagoon connected by a narrow channel (Boquete).
Sand Transparency & Sunbed Index
Public sand quota, private lido density, and legal towel placement rights
Wide Open Public Sand
Free Public Sand (100%)Private Concessions (0%)
2-Sunbed + Umbrella Set Rate
Free (100% Public)
No commercial loungers; bring your own parasol and beach mat.
Towel Bather Guidance
Abundant unencumbered shoreline. Free towel placement everywhere with minimal commercial footprint.
Legal Shoreline Rights: 100% open public coastline. No commercial sunbed concessions or umbrella installations permitted.
Arrival Logistics, Parking & Sun Exposure
Micro-logistics, parking payment taxonomy, and topographic shadow schedules.
Parking Payment & Rates
Typical Rate: ~€5/day
EasyPark AppBlue Line Meters (Strisce Blu / Zona Azul)
EasyPark mobile app is widely supported across blue-line municipal zones.
Sun Exposure & Cliff Shadows
Morning Shade • Late Afternoon Golden Hours
Faces westward into the open horizon, offering bright afternoon sun and prime sunset vantage points.
Footwear & Karst Protection
Recommended for Shingle / Pebbles
Pebbles and dark sand become scorching hot by midday and challenging under barefoot tread.
Amenities & Facilities
Bathrooms
NoShowers
NoFree Parking
NoFood / Tavernas
NoGood for Kids
NoDog Friendly
YesLifeguard on Duty
NoSunbed & Umbrella Rentals
NoNatural Cliff/Pine Shade
YesWheelchair Accessible
NoSnorkeling & Watersports
NoNudist / FKK Friendly
NoGetting There & Local Notes
Getting there:
Located near Vila Franca do Campo, São Miguel. Accessible via regional coastal roads (37.702°N, -25.442°E).
Discreet Utility: Rough Road & Trail Access
Reaching Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo involves dirt tracks or steep trails. Booking a rental SUV or 4x4 provides higher clearance for unpaved coastal roads.
•A calm, near-circular natural pool reached by ferry, with daily visitor limits in summer.
•A tiny sunken volcano off São Miguel's south coast; a protected nature reserve forming an almost perfect round lagoon.
Nearest Airport & Transit Gateway
INTL · 40m driveConvenient highway or local transit access across Vila Franca do Campo, São Miguel, Portugal.
Are you a Venue Owner or Promoter at Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo?
Promote your beach club, summer residency, or submit photo & data updates to Shores.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo
What is the water temperature at Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo?
The peak summer sea surface temperature at Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo averages 23.2°C (74°F), based on 30-year NOAA satellite climatology.
What type of coast or sand is Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo?
Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo is classified as a volcanic black sand shoreline located in Vila Franca do Campo, São Miguel, Portugal.
Is Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo good for families with kids?
Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo has steeper entry or natural coastal features better suited for confident swimmers.
Are there parking and facilities at Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo?
Parking arrangements vary locally. No public restrooms directly on-site.
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