The Azores is a must-visit destination for those who love the outdoors and exploring some of the world's most pristine and breathtaking nature. September in the Azores will allow you to experience everything these islands offer, including world-class wildlife watching and exceptional outdoor activities.
We share everything you need to know before travelling to the Azores, one of Europe's last wild places, in September. Grab a cuppa and discover why September is one of the best times to visit the Azores.
Often nicknamed the Hawaii of Europe, the Azores are a group of subtropical islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. They are an isolated, lush paradise over 1,500 km west of Portugal.
The beauty, wild landscapes, and endless adventure across each island will draw intrepid adventurers. They can canyoneer down waterfalls, hike through dense forests, and explore the rare wildlife in an extinct volcanic crater on Europe's most remote island.
The Azores are an autonomous region of Portugal with nine islands: São Miguel, Santa Maria, Terceira, São Jorge, Pico, Faial, Graciosa, Flores, and Corvo. Each island has a unique character, landscape, culture, and identity.
These remote islands are abundant in wildlife and are among the best places to spot whales, birds, and vibrant shades of pink, blue, and purple hydrangeas. However, avoid the Azores in December, January, and February, when wintry weather arrives and the occasional storm passes.
We visited the Azores in September, one of the best times to explore the islands. When planning a trip to the Azores in September, there are a few things to consider, which we will go over in detail. A trip to the Azores requires a flexible itinerary and an open mindset.
This guide covers everything you need to know before your September trip to the Azores, including weather, packing tips, and the best activities for this time of year. If you want a detailed plan for your island visit, check out our comprehensive 7-day Azores itinerary. Finally, we have created a list of the best places to stay in São Miguel.
The Azores benefit from a mild climate
The Azores are located on the Gulf Stream, which allows warm temperatures to produce a mild climate on the islands. The mild climate maintains a consistent variety of temperatures without extreme heat or cold, and there is no chance of frost or snow except at the top of Mount Pico, the highest point of the islands and Portugal!
In September, the weather is warm and can reach up to a pleasant 24°C (75°F) and an average low temperature of 17°C (63°F). This weather is ideal for a range of outdoor adventure activities to make the most of what the Azores have to offer.
Most days in September in the Azores are long, with sunrise and sunset on average 12 to 13 hours apart. This allows plenty of time to get outside and explore.
Weather in the Azores can be unpredictable
While the weather in the Azores is mild, it can also be erratic and difficult to forecast. Due to the diverse geography across the islands, there are several microclimates, from towering mountain tops to flat coastal areas.
This means the weather in the Azores changes quickly, and as the local Azoreans say, you can experience all four seasons in a day! It’s best to prepare for all weather types, from heavy rain showers to warm sunshine—don’t forget to pack your waterproofs and suncream.
The Ocean is warmest in September in the Azores
While the ocean temperature in the Azores is not like that of the Caribbean or the Mediterranean Sea in summer, it typically reaches 20°C to 24°C in September, making it a great time to swim. Even though the air temperature is warmest in July and August, September is the warmest time of year to swim in the ocean in the Azores.
The ocean can be a bit wild in places, but natural rock pools are dotted along the coast, allowing you to swim in a safer environment without the strong currents and waves. Though it’s worth noting, you must check the tide times, as most of these pools are inaccessible during high tide.
The ocean is calmer in September, and warmer temperatures make snorkelling with minimal silt disturbance perfect for visibility. It is also an excellent time to explore the Vila Franca do Campo Nature Reserve.
The warmest ocean swimming spot in the Azores is a volcanically heated pool where the ocean and geothermal water mix at Ponta da Ferreira.
Fewer people visit the Azores in September
The most popular months to visit the Azores are July and August, but the best time to visit is during the shoulder seasons of April, May, June, and September, when there are fewer visitors and great weather.
The Azores attracted over a million visitors in 2023, and this number is growing annually. September is an ideal time to explore the Azores, as popular spots are less crowded this month.
São Miguel is the largest island that most people will fly to, but we highly recommend exploring at least one other island, such as Flores or Corvo, to experience the wilderness and beauty of the Azores.
September is one of the best time to whale watch in the Azores
The Azores have some of the best whale watching in the world, and the best chance of spotting more species of whales and other cetaceans is from May to September. Sperm whales can be spotted in the Azores throughout the year as they migrate through the Atlantic Ocean, passing these remote islands.
The ocean is calmer in September, making it easier to spot whales. Sustainable tours like Futurismo guarantee a sighting of wildlife, or they offer to take you on another whale-watching tour.
On our first day in São Miguel, we took a whale-watching tour with Futurismo from Ponta Delgada and saw sperm whales, bottlenose dolphins and common dolphins. There are strict regulations for responsible whale watching, which minimises their disturbance in the water.
Whaling was the islands' primary income source until the late 1980s. This was enforced when Portugal joined the International Whaling Commission Moratorium on commercial whaling, which meant many Azoreans transitioned to whale watching as a job.
The main species you can spot in the Azores are sperm whales, humpback, blue whales, fin whales and sei whales.
Beautiful Hydrangea Flowers are still in bloom in September in the Azores
As a result of the combination of its mild climate and fertile volcanic soils, the Azores is rich in biodiversity, with a large number of endemic species that can only be found on the islands.
The Azores' flowers bloom in March, bringing a pop of colour to the vibrant green landscape. A typical postcard from the Azores usually includes Hydrangea flowers that line the roads, along paths or frame a volcanic crater lake.
While hydrangeas are not native to the Azores, they have thrived on the island and are a sustainable solution to fencing land instead of traditional fences.
Hydrangeas start to appear in late April to early September, with hues of pink and blue across the islands. Other flowers found in the Azores include azaleas, water lilies, camellias, heather, vidalia, marigolds and rhododendrons.
Flores is one of the best places to spot hydrangeas and other flowers, as its name translates to an island of flowers. Classed as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and abundant in flowers, Flores island feels like one of the most untouched places in the world.
September is the perfect time to hike in the Azores
The Azoreans would have travelled by foot from one village to another, as it was difficult to travel by any other means over the steep and varied terrain. Over the years, an extensive network of paths was formed on each island to move cattle and goods everywhere, passing captivating landscapes along the way.
Today, these footpaths are still accessible for exploring the Azores on foot. Hiking in the Azores is one of the best ways to experience the abundant wildlife on these islands. You can discover powerful cascading waterfalls, turquoise-green volcanic crater lakes, and blooming wildflowers along the trails.
September in the Azores has warm, mild temperatures, perfect for long days of hiking. Several popular trails include Sete Cidades, Lagoa das Furnas, and Lagoa do Fogo.
We particularly enjoyed hiking Corvo and Flores, which offered sweeping vistas and the feeling of being on the world's edge. On the remote island of Corvo, there is a circular walk around the lake's circumference. We spotted a hooded warbler, ring-necked duck, and Cory’s shearwater.
The longest trail in the Azores is the Grande Rota de Santa Maria (GR1SMA), which follows a circular route around the island, traversing over 80 kilometres and staying in small stone huts.
The Visit Azores website provides a valuable list of trails, leaflets, maps and updates on paths that may be closed or undergoing maintenance.
Enjoy A Local Experience in the Azores in September
The best way to experience local life and tradition is to visit a farmer’s market, such as Mercado da Graça, for fresh produce and attend one of the Azores' annual festivals.
In September, two main festivals take place. The Santo Cristo folk pilgrimage is a religious ceremony on São Miguel island on the first Sunday of September, displaying colour, music and fireworks.
A lively celebration for the grape harvest happens at Festa das Vindimas on Pico Island, usually held on the first week of September. Celebrating the craft of wine-making and local cuisine, get involved in the fun and experience the strong sense of community on the island.
Is September a good time to visit the Azores?
September is a great time to visit the Azores, enjoy warm weather, hike outside in longer daylight, and watch whales. As it’s considered the shoulder season for visitors, fewer people visit in September, making it a wonderful time to visit.
Witness the iconic, colourful hydrangeas in bloom and the abundance of wildlife, from birds to whales. He can also swim in one of the many beautiful natural pools in the Azores. Get a real, local experience by attending one of the festivals in September, such as the Grape Harvest Festival, and taste the award-winning and delicious Pico wines.
It’s worth being prepared for any rain, as the weather can be unpredictable. Pack your waterproofs just in case! When flying to Flores and Corvo, there can be unexpected delays due to weather (most common in December to March). It’s worth adding flexibility to your itinerary to account for cancelled or rescheduled flights.
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This was a press trip organised by the Azores Tourism Board (ATB). The opinions expressed within this article are solely the author’s and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of ATB.
