#245 European Rank
Porto Pim Beach
Horta, Faial, Azores, Portugal•Atlantic Ocean• Best Season: July, August, September
Photo: Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL (CC BY-SA 2.0) · Wikimedia Commons source
Day-of-Visit Snapshot
3-Second Operational AnswersEDITORIAL SCORE
4.59/ 5.0
SEA TEMPERATURE
23.2°C
August 30-year average
DAILY BUDGET
€36/day
SAND & SHORELINE
Volcanic Black Sand
Gradual Drop
Live Open-Meteo European Feed
Morning Beach Pulse & Marine Telemetry
Wind-Exposed
Calm & Glassy
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
...
Optimal 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 Porto Pim Beach: Minimal chop, safe for wading, snorkeling and paddleboarding. 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) · Horta, Faial, Azores, 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 | 16.6°C | 20°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| February | 16.1°C | 21°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| March | 16.0°C | 23°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| April | 16.3°C | 26°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| May | 17.3°C | 29°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| June | 19.2°C | 32°C | Refreshing |
| July | 21.7°C | 34°C | Refreshing |
| August | 23.2°C | 34°C | Ideal Swimming |
| September | 22.7°C | 32°C | Ideal Swimming |
| October | 20.9°C | 29°C | Refreshing |
| November | 19.1°C | 25°C | Refreshing |
| December | 17.6°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 7 Jul – 13 Oct (>21°C) · 99 days
Planning around peak water warmth (23.2°C)?
Lock in coastal villas and boutique stays near Porto Pim Beach for the optimal July–August–September swimming window.
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Quick Summary
Preview
🏖️ Porto Pim Beach (Horta, Faial, Azores, 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/porto-pim-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 & Setting4.7 / 5
Water Clarity & Cleanliness4.9 / 5
Sand & Shoreline Quality4.5 / 5
Atmosphere & Safety4.6 / 5
Accessibility & Entry Ease4.5 / 5
Affordability & Fair Pricing4.6 / 5
About Porto Pim Beach
A sheltered dark-sand bay hugging the old whaling town of Horta, cupped by a green volcanic headland on Faial.
Key Beach Facts
Official Records•Access: Located directly in the town of Horta on Faial Island, Azores, within easy walking distance from the center.
•Protected Status / Environment: Part of the Monte da Guia Protected Landscape Area within the Faial Natural Park (Natura 2000).
•Notable Feature: Sheltered natural bay with calm, clear waters and fine volcanic sand beneath the Monte da Guia volcanic cone, adjacent to the historic whaling museum.
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
Free Parking
Free Verge / Unpaved Roadside
Follow local municipal parking signage to avoid fines during summer peak hours.
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
YesFood / Tavernas
YesGood for Kids
NoDog Friendly
YesLifeguard on Duty
NoSunbed & Umbrella Rentals
NoNatural Cliff/Pine Shade
YesWheelchair Accessible
NoSnorkeling & Watersports
YesNudist / FKK Friendly
NoGetting There & Local Notes
Getting there:
Located near Horta, Faial, Azores. Accessible via regional coastal roads (38.526°N, -28.632°E).
Discreet Utility: Rough Road & Trail Access
Reaching Porto Pim Beach involves dirt tracks or steep trails. Booking a rental SUV or 4x4 provides higher clearance for unpaved coastal roads.
•Sheltered and calm; the safest, warmest swimming on Faial.
•A curved dark-sand bay beside the historic whaling town of Horta, framed by the green Monte da Guia headland.
Nearest Airport & Transit Gateway
INTL · 40m driveConvenient highway or local transit access across Horta, Faial, Azores, Portugal.
Are you a Venue Owner or Promoter at Porto Pim Beach?
Promote your beach club, summer residency, or submit photo & data updates to Shores.
Frequently Asked Questions about Porto Pim Beach
What is the water temperature at Porto Pim Beach?
The peak summer sea surface temperature at Porto Pim Beach averages 23.2°C (74°F), based on 30-year NOAA satellite climatology.
What type of coast or sand is Porto Pim Beach?
Porto Pim Beach is classified as a volcanic black sand shoreline located in Horta, Faial, Azores, Portugal.
Is Porto Pim Beach good for families with kids?
Porto Pim Beach has steeper entry or natural coastal features better suited for confident swimmers.
Are there parking and facilities at Porto Pim Beach?
Free parking is available. No public restrooms directly on-site.
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