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Terceira belongs to the central group of the Azores, and yachts berth there in two marinas: in the Marina de Angra on the south coast, in front of the old town of Angra do Heroísmo, and in the Marina da Praia da Vitória on the east coast. Here you can read how to arrive for the start of your trip on Terceira, which marina is where, what you should know about parking and shopping, what sailing weather to expect, which destinations lie nearby and what skippers should know about berthing and sea conditions.
The essentials at a glance
- Lajes airport is in the north-east of the island. It is about five kilometres as the crow flies to the Marina da Praia da Vitória, and a good 15 kilometres to the Marina de Angra. Buses and taxis run from the airport.
- The ferries of the regional shipping company Atlânticoline call at both places: in Praia da Vitória and in Angra at the Porto das Pipas.
- From both marinas you can walk into town: in Angra it is about 50 metres to the old town, in Praia da Vitória a minute's walk to the centre.
- In summer the Azores High usually determines the weather; wind and sea state are then calmer. In winter Atlantic lows with strong winds and high seas pass through.
- Supermarkets can be reached on foot from both marinas: about 600 metres in Angra, about 250 metres in Praia da Vitória.
Which harbours are there on Terceira?
On Terceira yachts berth in two places: in the Marina de Angra on the eastern side of the bay of Angra do Heroísmo, directly below the old town, and in the Marina da Praia da Vitória inside the bay of Praia da Vitória on the east coast, right by the town centre. The two are about 16 kilometres apart as the crow flies; by water you round the south-eastern tip of the island at Ponta das Contendas.
Map from OpenStreetMap. When the map is displayed, data is transmitted to the provider.
More InformationThe Marina de Angra is operated by Portos dos Açores, the harbour authority of the Azores region. The Marina da Praia da Vitória belongs to the town of Praia da Vitória and was opened in 2002.
| Feature | Marina de Angra | Marina da Praia da Vitória |
|---|---|---|
| Location | South coast, bay of Angra, below the old town | East coast, bay of Praia da Vitória, at the town centre |
| Operator | Portos dos Açores, S.A. | Town of Praia da Vitória |
| Berths | 260, for boats under 25 m | 210, for boats under 20 m |
| Water depth in basin | 1 to 3.5 m | 3 m |
| VHF channels | 9 and 16 | 9 and 16 |
| Technology | Travellift 50 t, crane 10 t | Travellift 35 t |
Arriving for the start of your trip on Terceira
Terceira has its own airport, and both marinas are right by a town centre.
From Lajes airport to the marina
Lajes airport is in the north-east of Terceira and is used jointly by the Portuguese air force and civil aviation. Civil flights arrive at a separate passenger terminal. Taxis wait at the airport and buses also run.
The Marina da Praia da Vitória lies just under five kilometres as the crow flies southeast of the airport. To the Marina de Angra in the southwest, it is a good 15 kilometres. A taxi to either marina is the simplest solution if you are travelling with luggage for a sailing trip.
By car or ferry
Between the Azores islands, ferries are operated by the regional shipping company Atlânticoline. On Terceira, it has two terminals: in Praia da Vitória on Rua de Nossa Senhora da Saúde and in Angra at Porto das Pipas, the harbour where the Marina de Angra is also located. If you arrive by ferry from another island, you can walk from the terminal to the marina in Angra.
On the island itself, you are most mobile by car or taxi, especially if you are travelling between Angra and Praia da Vitória.
Which marina is mine?
If you are arriving to join a trip as crew, pay attention to the location: the Marina de Angra is in Angra do Heroísmo on the south coast; the Marina da Praia da Vitória is in Praia da Vitória on the east coast, near the airport. Therefore, tell the taxi driver the town name and "Marina". If you get out in the wrong place, the other marina is a drive across the island away.
Parking
The nearest car park to the Marina de Angra is at Porto das Pipas, about 400 metres away; another is at Tribunal, about 600 metres. On-street parking in much of the town centre of Angra do Heroísmo is subject to charges, including at Pátio da Alfândega just above the marina and in Rua Direita. Parking meters apply Mondays to Fridays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; the first 15 minutes are free. In the evenings, on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, you can park there free of charge.
The nearest car park to the Marina da Praia da Vitória is at Ladeira de São Francisco, about 400 metres away.
Showers and sanitary facilities
Both marinas have sanitary facilities with showers and a laundry.
Shopping for the trip
In Angra, two supermarkets lie about 600 metres from the Marina de Angra: Guarita on Rua da Guarita and Meu Super in Alto das Covas. In the marina itself there is a row of shops with a bar and restaurant; the shops of the old town are just above.
In Praia da Vitória, the BioAzórica supermarket is about 250 metres from the marina; the Guarita supermarket on Circular Interna is about 700 metres away.
Doctor, pharmacy and emergency services
Near the Marina de Angra are the Farmácia Lisboa on Rua Direita, about 300 metres away, and the Farmácia Bettencourt Nunes, about 400 metres. In Praia da Vitória, you can reach the Farmácia Silva after about 700 metres and the Farmácia da Misericórdia after about 800 metres.
The island's hospital, the Hospital de Santo Espírito da Ilha Terceira, is in Angra do Heroísmo on Canada do Breado.
The European emergency number applies in Portugal and therefore also in the Azores:
- 112: Police, emergency medical services and fire brigade
- At sea: VHF channel 16 or DSC on channel 70. Sea rescue coordination in the Azores region is handled by the Portuguese Navy's maritime rescue coordination centre in Ponta Delgada (MRCC Delgada).
Where is the Marina de Angra?
The Marina de Angra lies on the eastern side of the bay of Angra do Heroísmo on the south coast of Terceira, protected by a breakwater. It is about 50 metres to the old town, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. Beside the marina is a small beach; to the west above the bay lies Monte Brasil, an extinct volcano.
The bay has been a port of call for ships on Atlantic routes since the 15th century. Opposite the marina, underwater archaeological parks include an anchor cemetery and the wreck of the 19th-century Portuguese ship Lidador. The marina has held the Blue Flag since 2006.
Facilities at the Marina de Angra
The 260 berths are on floating pontoons with water and electricity. The marina includes a reception quay with an office for marina and authorities, a yacht club, bar, restaurant, shops and Wi-Fi. For work ashore there is a 50-tonne travel lift, a 10-tonne crane and a technical area.
Berthing fees follow the tariff of Portos dos Açores: per day, yachts from 10 to 12 metres pay €15.13, from 12 to 15 metres €22.91, in each case plus VAT and 6 per cent waste charge. Multihulls pay a 50 per cent surcharge; a shower costs €3. All rates are in the Portos dos Açores tariff sheet (as at October 2026).
Where is the Marina da Praia da Vitória?
The Marina da Praia da Vitória lies inside the bay of Praia da Vitória on the east coast of the island, where the town's small fishing harbour used to be. The bay is protected by a northern and a southern outer breakwater; the marina lies behind them, directly in front of the town. The waterfront promenade runs past it; it is a one-minute walk to the centre.
The bay has long sandy beaches and is a venue for sailing, windsurfing and diving. To the south of the bay lies the island's commercial port.
Facilities at the Marina da Praia da Vitória
The 210 berths are on floating pontoons with water and electricity. At the reception pontoon there is a fuel station. The marina also has sanitary facilities with showers, a laundry, Wi-Fi, a 35-tonne travel lift and dry berths.
What is the sailing weather like around Terceira?
Weather in the Azores depends chiefly on where the Azores High is positioned. In summer it usually lies close to the islands, and wind and sea state are then considerably calmer than during the rest of the year.
In winter, a current from the west predominates, bringing depressions and fronts over the islands. There are then phases with very strong winds, high seas and long swells. In late summer and autumn, the remnants of former hurricanes occasionally reach the Azores.
On Terceira, the coast makes the difference: swells run into the bay of Angra on the south coast when winds are from the south and east. The Marina da Praia da Vitória on the east coast lies behind two outer breakwaters and is well sheltered.
What sailing destinations lie near Terceira?
The neighbouring islands lie about 45 nautical miles and more away, so each passage there is a long day over open water. The distances are rounded distances over water on the usual course; for precise planning, the sea chart applies.
| Destination | from Marina de Angra | from Marina da Praia da Vitória |
|---|---|---|
| Vila da Praia on Graciosa | around 45 nm | approx. 52 nm |
| Velas on São Jorge | approx. 50 nm | approx. 63 nm |
| Horta on Faial | around 70 nm | approx. 80 nm |
| Ponta Delgada on São Miguel | approx. 93 nm | approx. 90 nm |
Around Terceira: The shortest leg runs from one marina to the other, approximately 14 nautical miles along the south coast and around Ponta das Contendas. This allows you to combine Angra and Praia da Vitória on one sailing trip.
Graciosa lies northwest of Terceira. From Angra you round the western tip of Terceira; from Praia da Vitória the northeastern tip. Vila da Praia on the east coast of Graciosa is designated as a harbour of refuge for leisure craft.
São Jorge is the long, narrow island west of Terceira. On the way to Velas in the west of the island you pass south of the eastern tip at Topo and then along the south coast. In Velas, Portos dos Açores operates a marina with a reception quay, showers and laundry.
Faial with Horta can be reached through the channel between Pico and São Jorge, at around 70 nautical miles from Angra – either a very long day or a night passage. More about the harbour there can be found in the portrait of Marina da Horta.
São Miguel lies southeast of Terceira; the route to Ponta Delgada leads around the western tip of São Miguel. How the harbour there is laid out is described in the portrait of Marina de Ponta Delgada.
What can you do ashore on Terceira during a harbour day?
From Marina de Angra you're just a few steps away from the old town. From Praia da Vitória, the beach and seafront promenade are right by the marina; for destinations in the island's interior you take a taxi or car.
- Old town of Angra do Heroísmo: The city centre has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983 and begins just above Marina de Angra. Since the 15th century, ships have called here on their way across the Atlantic.
- Monte Brasil: This extinct volcano borders the old town of Angra. A medium-difficulty circular walk of 7.4 kilometres takes around two and a half hours over the mountain, passing the chapel of Santo António from 1615, Pico do Facho with its view over the city and bay, and the ruins of Forte da Quebrada. It was part of the defences of the fortress São João Baptista from the late 16th century.
- Algar do Carvão: In the island's interior, around 12 kilometres from Angra, you can descend into a volcanic vent approximately 90 metres deep, with a small lake and stalactites formed from silica. During the summer months the vent is open in the afternoons; in winter only by appointment.
- Seafront promenade of Praia da Vitória: The promenade runs past the marina along the beach. On Avenida Marginal, a tiled picture commemorates the naval battle in the bay on 11 August 1829.
- Serra do Cume: From the viewpoint you look out over the bay of Praia da Vitória and across the flat interior of the island with its fields divided by walls of volcanic stone.
For skippers: Berthing and sea conditions at Terceira
Both marinas can be reached on VHF channels 9 and 16. As a visiting yacht you report your arrival by radio or telephone. Both marinas have a reception quay.
Registration and Berthing
- Marina de Angra: Registration via VHF channel 9 or 16 or by telephone on +351 295 216 304, by email to marinaangra@portosdosacores.pt. Visitor berths are limited; the marina allocates berths on arrival. The berths directly at the entrance get a lot of swell. The marina office is staffed in summer from 08:00 to 12:00 and from 13:00 to 20:00, in winter from 08:00 to 12:00 and from 13:00 to 17:00.
- Marina da Praia da Vitória: Registration via VHF channel 9 or 16 or by telephone on +351 295 540 219, by email to marina@cmpv.pt. The fuel berth is also at the reception pontoon. The office is staffed during the high season on weekdays from 08:30 to 19:30 and at weekends from 08:30 to 16:30, during the low season on weekdays from 08:30 to 16:30.
Channel 16 is also the international distress and calling channel.
Harbour rules
- At the time of writing (October 2026), you cannot make reservations in either marina; berths are allocated on arrival.
- Anchoring is prohibited in three zones in the Bay of Angra, which are protected as an underwater archaeological park. In the Bay of Praia da Vitória you may anchor in the northern part on sand.
Approach
Angra: By day, Monte Brasil west of the bay is the best landmark. You approach the bay on the line of the two leading lights at Angra, on about 342 degrees. As soon as the light on the mole head is abeam to starboard, turn to starboard towards the marina entrance. If you are approaching from the west at night, you see the light on Monte Brasil late, and entering in the dark is difficult. In swell from the south and east the western part of the bay becomes uncomfortable.
Praia da Vitória: You enter between the two outer moles, keeping to the northern side. In the harbour you steer about 310 degrees towards the marina entrance and turn to the north as soon as the head of its southern mole is abeam to starboard. On the head of the southern outer mole stands a white tower with red bands.
Portuguese chart 46405 of Terceira Island applies to both harbours; for Praia da Vitória there is also electronic harbour chart PT548515. The Hydrographic Institute of the Portuguese Navy publishes current Notices to Mariners.
Which sea area forecast applies to Terceira?
The sea area forecast of the Portuguese meteorological service IPMA is the authoritative one. For the Azores it issues a forecast for waters up to 20 nautical miles off the coast, divided into a western, a central and an eastern island group. Terceira belongs with Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico and Faial to the central group (Grupo Central).
The forecast begins with warnings for strong winds, poor visibility and rough seas, followed by the weather situation and forecast for wind, visibility and wave height. For the passage to São Miguel you also take the forecast for the eastern group. You can read the current forecast on the IPMA marine weather page.
Trips from Terceira on Törnfinder
In October 2026 there are 4 trip dates on Törnfinder in the next twelve months with departure or destination Terceira. Most start in August; 6 days is typical.
An overview of offers around the islands can be found at Cabin Charter in the Azores, trips throughout the country under Sailing in Portugal. Ocean passages that include the Azores are listed under Cabin Charter for a Transatlantic Crossing, all offers at Trips.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Terceira airport to the marina?
Easiest by taxi, which will take you directly to the marina. To Marina da Praia da Vitória it is only about five kilometres as the crow flies; to Marina de Angra on the south coast a good 15 kilometres. Buses also run from the airport.
Where do I park at trip start on Terceira?
At Marina de Angra the nearest car park is at Porto das Pipas, about 400 metres away; on the street in the town centre you pay on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. At Marina da Praia da Vitória you park at Ladeira de São Francisco, about 400 metres away.
Are there showers in the marinas on Terceira?
Yes, both marinas have sanitary facilities with showers and a laundry.
Can I walk to the old town from Marina de Angra?
Yes, the old town of Angra do Heroísmo begins about 50 metres from the marina. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.
When is the best time for a trip from Terceira?
Summer, as the Azores High usually lies close to the islands then and wind and sea state are calmer. In winter, Atlantic lows with very strong winds and high seas pass over the Azores.
On which VHF channel can I reach the marinas on Terceira?
Both marinas on channel 9 and 16. You cannot make reservations; berths are allocated on arrival.
How far is it from Terceira to São Jorge?
About 50 nautical miles from Marina de Angra to Velas on São Jorge, from Praia da Vitória about 63 nautical miles. That is a long day passage across open water.
