Terceira

4 July 2025

Terceira

Terceira is said to be the third island of the Azores to have been discovered—hence its name (terceira means “third” in Portuguese). The island has a cheerful and vibrant character, and many Azoreans fondly refer to their homeland as “eight islands and one amusement park”—with Terceira being the park.

Our arrival couldn’t have been better timed—we sailed in right in the middle of the biggest annual celebration: the Sanjoaninas Festival. For ten days, the historic streets of Angra do Heroísmo come alive with market stalls, food trucks, live music stages, art performances, nightly parades and fireworks. One of the highlights of the local traditions is the tourada à corda (bull-on-a-rope), a non-lethal form of bullfighting that emphasizes agility and courage rather than violence—quite different from the Spanish tradition.

We entered the harbour of Angra do Heroísmo under sail, although slowly, due to light winds. Still, arriving under almost full sails is always a special moment. Once we had lowered the sails and secured the mooring lines, it was time to explore the town. A short walk brought us into the city centre, with its narrow, cobbled streets and colourful buildings—part of this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Our visit had been announced to the mayor, who generously arranged a guided tour of his beautiful city the following day. It was a great opportunity to learn about the rich history of what was once the most strategically important city in the Azores. The tour ended with lunch at the first fully organic restaurant on the island, located in the heart of the city gardens.

After lunch, we hiked up to a viewpoint to get a panoramic view of the town and the bay. There, the mayor personally pointed out some of his favourite landmarks—a warm and generous gesture that allowed us to truly connect with the place. To return the favour, we invited the mayor and several members of the town council aboard our ship later that afternoon. After a guided tour of the vessel, we all enjoyed drinks and snacks on deck.

The next day, our guests explored more of Terceira by rental car, taking in the island’s beautiful landscapes and hidden gems.

After two wonderful days, it was time to say goodbye and sail on to our next destination: Graciosa. As we approached the island, we lowered all sails and motored the final seven miles, making several stops to collect water samples during our final “science day” of the voyage. These activities kept us busy for a few hours, but we managed to drop anchor just before nightfall.

The last leg of the journey—just 45 nautical miles to Horta—was ahead of us. Unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate. The wind was lighter than expected and came from an unfavourable direction, and rain persisted for most of the morning. Fortunately, the skies cleared as soon as we arrived in harbour, allowing us to enjoy a well-earned drink at the famous Peter Café Sport in Horta, followed by a barbecue on the quayside.