Portugal · region · official name Região Autónoma dos Açores
Bathing water quality in Azores, Portugal
Azores has 88 official bathing waters in the EEA dataset for the 2025 season — all coastal. 96.6% were classified Excellent — 14.6 points above the 82% across Portugal — and 0 were Poor. 41 sites have been Excellent in every season from 2015 to 2025.
Qualidade das águas balneares em Região Autónoma dos Açores
Das 88 zonas balneares oficiais da UE em Região Autónoma dos Açores, 96,6 % foram «excelente» em 2025; zonas classificadas como «má»: 0.
88
official bathing waters
96.6%
Excellent in 2025
0
Poor in 2025
Not live: these are annual official classifications. Check the competent authority for today’s notices before swimming.
Map of official bathing waters in Azores
Excellent 85Good 2Sufficient 1Poor 0
Most consistent Excellent sites
41 sites were Excellent in all eleven seasons. Ordered by the length of the unbroken Excellent run ending in 2025; the first 24 are shown and every site is in the full list below.
- ÁGUA D'ALTO 11 seasons
- ANJOS 11 seasons
- AREAL DE SANTA BÁRBARA 11 seasons
- BAÍA DO REFUGO 11 seasons
- BARRO VERMELHO 11 seasons
- BISCOITOS 11 seasons
- CALHETAS 11 seasons
- CALOURA 11 seasons
- CINCO RIBEIRAS 11 seasons
- CONCEIÇÃO 11 seasons
- CORVO/AREIA 11 seasons
- ESCALEIRAS 11 seasons
- FAJÃ 11 seasons
- FAJÃ GRANDE 11 seasons
- FORMOSA 11 seasons
- FORNO DA CAL 11 seasons
- LAJES (MARÉ) 11 seasons
- MAIA 11 seasons
- MORRO 11 seasons
- NEGRITO 11 seasons
- PISCINA NATURAL DAS PORTAS DO MAR 11 seasons
- PISCINAS NATURAIS DA LAGOA 11 seasons
- POÇA DOS FRADES 11 seasons
- POÇAS SUL DOS MOSTEIROS 11 seasons
Rated Poor in 2025
None of the 88 official bathing waters in Azores was classified Poor in 2025.
Changes from 2024 to 2025
Improved (1)
- ILHÉU DE VILA FRANCA DO CAMPO Poor → Sufficient
Declined (0)
None.
How Azores rated since 2015
Counts for the sites in today’s 2025 inventory; the Excellent share is calculated over classified sites only.
| Season | Classified | Excellent | Excellent share | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 88 | 85 | 96.6% | 0 |
| 2024 | 87 | 84 | 96.6% | 1 |
| 2023 | 86 | 82 | 95.3% | 1 |
| 2022 | 78 | 73 | 93.6% | 2 |
| 2021 | 76 | 72 | 94.7% | 1 |
| 2020 | 69 | 67 | 97.1% | 1 |
| 2019 | 69 | 68 | 98.6% | 0 |
| 2018 | 70 | 65 | 92.9% | 0 |
| 2017 | 69 | 55 | 79.7% | 0 |
| 2016 | 60 | 47 | 78.3% | 0 |
| 2015 | 59 | 51 | 86.4% | 0 |
Places with the most bathing waters in Azores
Each site is matched to its nearest named place (GeoNames, within 8 km in a straight line), so beaches of one resort or lake shore can be compared together. Select a place to show only its sites in the full list.
| Place | Sites | Excellent | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lajes | 7 | 7 (100%) | 0 |
| Madalena | 5 | 5 (100%) | 0 |
| Água de Pau | 4 | 4 (100%) | 0 |
| Praia da Vitória | 4 | 4 (100%) | 0 |
| Santa Cruz da Graciosa | 4 | 4 (100%) | 0 |
| Biscoitos | 3 | 3 (100%) | 0 |
| Mosteiros | 3 | 3 (100%) | 0 |
| Povoação | 3 | 2 (66.7%) | 0 |
| Vila Franca do Campo | 3 | 2 (66.7%) | 0 |
| Cais do Pico | 2 | 2 (100%) | 0 |
| Castelo Branco | 2 | 2 (100%) | 0 |
| Horta | 2 | 2 (100%) | 0 |
| Maia | 2 | 2 (100%) | 0 |
| Porto Judeu | 2 | 2 (100%) | 0 |
| Rosto de Cão | 2 | 2 (100%) | 0 |
All 88 official bathing waters in Azores
Grouped by water type, alphabetical within each group. Open a site for its 2015–2025 history, nearby alternatives, weather forecast and the national profile link.
Download all 88 sites as CSV (classes 2015–2025, coordinates, nearest place; EEA data, CC BY 4.0)
Coastal 88 sites · 96.6% Excellent
- ADMOIRO Excellent Excellent 3 seasons in a row
- ÁGUA D'ALTO · Água de Pau Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- ALMOXARIFE · Horta Excellent Excellent 8 seasons in a row
- ANJOS Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- ARCOS Excellent Excellent 3 seasons in a row
- AREAL DE SANTA BÁRBARA · Ribeira Seca Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- BAÍA DO REFUGO · Porto Judeu Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- BAIXA DA AREIA · Água de Pau Excellent Excellent 5 seasons in a row
- BAIXAS Excellent Excellent 9 seasons in a row
- BARCA · Madalena Excellent Excellent 9 seasons in a row
- BARRO VERMELHO · Santa Cruz da Graciosa Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- BISCOITOS Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- CAIS MOURATO · Madalena Excellent Excellent 9 seasons in a row
- CAISINHO Excellent Excellent 3 seasons in a row
- CALHAU Excellent Excellent 5 seasons in a row
- CALHETA DOS LAGADORES · Biscoitos Excellent Excellent 4 seasons in a row
- CALHETAS · Rabo de Peixe Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- CALHETAS DA MAIA Excellent Excellent 2 seasons in a row
- CALOURA · Água de Pau Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- CAMINHO DE BAIXO (SANTA BÁRBARA) · Lajes Excellent
- CASTELO BRANCO Excellent Excellent 8 seasons in a row
- CINCO RIBEIRAS · Santa Bárbara Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- CLUBE NAVAL DAS LAJES Excellent Excellent 3 seasons in a row
- CONCEIÇÃO · Horta Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- CORPO SANTO · Vila Franca do Campo Excellent Excellent 3 seasons in a row
- CORVO/AREIA Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- CRIAÇÃO VELHA · Madalena Excellent Excellent 9 seasons in a row
- ESCALEIRAS · Lajes Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- FAJÃ Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- FAJÃ GRANDE Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- FONTE · Lajes Excellent Excellent 5 seasons in a row
- FORMOSA Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- FORNO DA CAL · Rosto de Cão Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- FURNA DE SANTO ANTÓNIO · Cais do Pico Excellent Excellent 9 seasons in a row
- ILHÉU DE VILA FRANCA DO CAMPO Sufficient Poor → Sufficient since 2024
- LAJES (MARÉ) Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- MADALENA Excellent Excellent 9 seasons in a row
- MAIA Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- MANHENHA Excellent Excellent 5 seasons in a row
- MILÍCIAS · São Roque Excellent Excellent 8 seasons in a row
- MORRO · Povoação Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- MOSTEIROS Excellent Excellent 2 seasons in a row
- NEGRITO · São Mateus Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- PISCINA DO CAIS · Cais do Pico Excellent Excellent 9 seasons in a row
- PISCINA DO CARAPACHO Excellent Excellent 7 seasons in a row
- PISCINA NATURAL DAS PORTAS DO MAR · Ponta Delgada Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- PISCINAS NATURAIS DA LAGOA Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- POÇA BRANCA Excellent Excellent 3 seasons in a row
- POÇA DAS MUJAS Excellent Excellent 4 seasons in a row
- POÇA DOS FRADES · Velas Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- POÇAS DA RIBEIRA GRANDE Excellent Excellent 8 seasons in a row
- POÇAS DE SÃO ROQUE · São Roque do Pico Excellent Excellent 8 seasons in a row
- POÇAS SUL DOS MOSTEIROS Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- POCEIROES · Santa Cruz da Graciosa Excellent Excellent 3 seasons in a row
- POCINHO · Madalena Excellent Excellent 9 seasons in a row
- POÇOS DE SÃO VICENTE FERREIRA/CAPELAS Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- PONTA DA FERRARIA · Mosteiros Excellent Excellent 7 seasons in a row
- PONTES Excellent Excellent 4 seasons in a row
- PÓPULO · Rosto de Cão Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- PORTINHO DO FAIAL DA TERRA · Povoação Excellent Excellent 9 seasons in a row
- PORTINHOS-FAJÃ GRANDE · Calheta Excellent Excellent 8 seasons in a row
- PORTO DA BAIXA Excellent Excellent 3 seasons in a row
- PORTO MARTINS Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- PORTO PIM · Angústias Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- PRAIA · Santa Cruz da Graciosa Excellent Excellent 7 seasons in a row
- PRAIA DA RIVIERA · Praia da Vitória Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- PRAIA DO FOGO (RIBEIRA QUENTE) · Furnas Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- PRAIA DOS MOINHOS · Maia Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- PRAIA GRANDE · Praia da Vitória Excellent Excellent 10 seasons in a row
- PRAINHA (ANGRA DO HEROÍSMO) Good
- PRAINHA (PRAIA DA VITÓRIA) Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- PRAINHA DE ÁGUA D’ALTO · Água de Pau Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- PRAINHA DO GALEAO Excellent Excellent 3 seasons in a row
- PREGUIÇA-VELAS Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- QUATRO RIBEIRAS · Biscoitos Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- RIBEIRA DOS PELAMES · Povoação Good
- SALGA · Porto Judeu Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- SALGUEIROS · São Sebastião Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- SANTA CRUZ DAS FLORES Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- SANTA CRUZ DAS RIBEIRAS · Lajes Excellent Excellent 5 seasons in a row
- SÃO LOURENÇO Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- SÃO MATEUS Excellent Excellent 9 seasons in a row
- SARGENTOS · Praia da Vitória Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- SILVEIRA · Angra do Heroísmo Excellent Excellent 9 seasons in a row
- VARADOURO · Castelo Branco Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
- VERDOSO · Lajes Excellent Excellent 5 seasons in a row
- VINHA DA AREIA · Vila Franca do Campo Excellent Excellent 8 seasons in a row
- ZONA BALNEAR SANTA CRUZ (CALHETA) · Santa Cruz da Graciosa Excellent Excellent 8 seasons in a row
Compared with other regions in Portugal
| # | Region | Sites | Excellent | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Setúbal Peninsula | 31 | 96.8% | 0 |
| 2 | Azores | 88 | 96.6% | 0 |
| 3 | Oeste e Vale do Tejo | 59 | 93.2% | 0 |
| 4 | Algarve | 109 | 92.7% | 0 |
| 5 | Alentejo | 39 | 89.7% | 0 |
| 6 | Madeira | 61 | 83.6% | 2 |
| 7 | North (Norte) | 120 | 80% | 3 |
| 8 | Greater Lisbon | 33 | 66.7% | 0 |
| 9 | Centre (Centro) | 142 | 59.2% | 7 |
Regions with at least 15 official bathing waters. Size, water type and how densely sites are designated differ, so the table is context rather than a verdict.
Quick answers
- How many bathing waters in Azores were rated Excellent in 2025?
- 85 of 88 (96.6%) in the official EEA 2025 classification; 2 were Good, 1 Sufficient and 0 Poor. That ranks Azores 2 of 9 Portugal regions by Excellent share.
- Which beaches in Azores have the best long-term record?
- 41 sites were Excellent in every season from 2015 to 2025, for example ÁGUA D'ALTO, ANJOS, AREAL DE SANTA BÁRBARA. See the ranking.
- Which places in Azores have the most official bathing waters?
- Lajes (7, 100% Excellent), Madalena (5, 100% Excellent), Água de Pau (4, 100% Excellent). See the place table; places are the nearest named settlement to each site.
- Were any bathing waters in Azores rated Poor?
- No. None was classified Poor in 2025.
- Where do I check whether swimming is allowed today?
- On InfoÁgua (APA) (Portuguese Environment Agency (APA)). Temporary bans, pollution alerts and closures are published there and on signs at the water, not in the annual EEA class.
Portugal overview · All regions of Portugal · Bathing season dates
Sources and method
Bathing-water records: European Environment Agency (EEA), data and coordinates reported by Portugal, licensed CC BY 4.0. Region and area boundaries: Eurostat NUTS 2024 (© EuroGeographics for the administrative boundaries). Place names: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). A site belongs to the area that contains its reported coordinates; a site up to 10 km off the generalised coastline is placed in the nearest area of Portugal. Counts, shares and rankings are calculated by BathingWaterFinder from the official records.