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Navigating the best time to visit the Azores may be overwhelming in the sense that there are multiple details to take into consideration. Yes, the weather is a key factor, but it’s not the only component to base your trip dates on. Let’s dive into weather considerations and other factors to think about when planning a trip to the Azores.
Best time to visit the Azores for good weather
The good thing is there’s not a bad time to visit the Azores. Yes, some months are wetter and colder, but nothing unbearable. The not-so-good thing is, that even if you choose a month when the weather is supposed to be great, there is still a decent chance that you will get some not-so-great weather. It is a tropical destination after all!
Average temperature in the Azores by month
There’s not a huge range of average temperatures throughout the year in the Azores. You’re looking at less than a 20°F difference between the coldest and hottest months.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Average high temperature | 63°F 17°C | 63°F 17°C | 64°F 18°C | 66°F 19°C | 69°F 21°C | 73°F 23°C | 77°F 25°C | 78°F 26°C | 76°F 24°C | 73°F 23°C | 68°F 20°C | 64°F 18°C |
| Average low temperature | 54°F 12°C | 54°F 12°C | 55°F 13°C | 56°F 13°C | 59°F 15°C | 62°F 17°C | 66°F 19°C | 67°F 19°C | 66°F 19°C | 64°F 18°C | 59°F 15°C | 56°F 13°C |
Based on the average temperatures, July to September are the best months to visit for warmer weather!
Average rainfall in the Azores by month
As a tropical destination, the Azores are likely to have unpredictable weather patterns and sporadic rain showers. However, the amount of rainfall does vary by month.
Based on the average rainfall, June to August are the best months to visit for the dry season!
Best time to visit the Azores for swimming and diving
While there’s plenty to do around the Azores any time of the year, swimming and diving are both a local and tourist favorite. You’ll find some locals swimming year-round, but visitors may want to time their Azores trip when the ocean temperature is milder.
Average ocean temperature in the Azores by month
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Average ocean temperature | 63°F 17°C | 61°F 16°C | 61°F 16°C | 61°F 16°C | 63°F 17°C | 68°F 20°C | 72°F 22°C | 73°F 23°C | 73°F 23°C | 72°F 22°C | 68°F 20°C | 64°F 18°C |
The best time to visit the Azores for swimming in the warmest waters is July to October. This is also the best time of year for diving because it offers the best visibility.
Azores jellyfish warning
Keep an eye out for jellyfish in the water! A common species of jellyfish around the islands is the Portuguese Manowar, which can be extremely dangerous. While these jellyfish can be found year-round, they are most common from March to May.
Pro tip: To best limit contact with jellyfish while swimming, seek out natural swimming pools that have some sort of natural barrier to the open ocean. You can also seek out swimming areas where the wind blows away from the land; this can limit jellyfish being brought into where you’re swimming.
Best time to visit the Azores for whale watching
The Azores are a great destination for whale watching with the opportunity to see up to 28 types of whale and dolphin species in the archipelago! Some of the resident species like the common dolphin, bottlenose dolphin, Risso’s dolphin, and sperm whale can be seen year-round.
If this is an activity that is a high priority for your trip, we’d recommend booking your travels during the peak whale-watching season between April and October. This period coincides with the migration patterns of various whale species like sperm whales, fin whales, sei whales, bearded whales, and blue whales.
For the absolute best time to see a variety of whales, including the magnificent blue whale, we’d recommend booking a trip for April/May.
Best time to visit the Azores for flowers
The gorgeous flowers add so much to the lush landscape of the Azores. To experience this beauty in full effect, plan your trip to the Azores between April and August. The wildflowers begin to bloom towards the beginning of that time frame, but the famous hydrangea blooms peak closer to July.
Best time to visit the Azores for hiking
The Azores are a hiker’s paradise! Like most activities in the Azores, this can be done year-round. Our preferred time to hike is the typical high season of Azores travel from June to August. Unlike other tourist destinations, most hiking trails in the Azores don’t get too overcrowded even during peak tourist season (except maybe in São Miguel). This is also when the trails are best maintained and less muddy since it’s during the dry season. This is also the time of the flower blooms making the scenery that much more enchanting. Not to mention, summer months offer longer days which means more time for hiking!
Best time to visit the Azores to chase waterfalls
Waterfalls are a gem of the Azores and can be appreciated at any time of the year. For the most roaring waterfalls, of course, you would want to visit during the rainy season when the waterfall flow is at its strongest. This would fall between November to March. Although, if you want to take a dip in the swimming holes at the bottom of some waterfalls, warmer months might be a better option. Overall, I think you can’t go wrong visiting any time of year to witness the majestic waterfalls of the Azores.
Best time to visit the Azores for birdwatching
The Azores is a prime birdwatching destination with over 400 species spotted within the islands. Again, any time of the year is good! The consensus, though, is that spring and autumn are the best times to visit the Azores for birdwatching as the birds go through their migratory process and nesting. With that said, you should plan your trip for April/May or September/October.
Best time to visit the Azores for celebrations
The best way to immerse yourself in the local culture of the Azores is by joining in on their celebrations. The Holy Spirit Festivals (Festas do Espírito Santo) are the most common type and take place between May and September. These festas are deeply rooted in Azorean culture and are celebrated across the islands. These celebrations include religious processions, traditional music, dances, bullfights, and the distribution of sopas (dish of meat, cabbage and bread soaked in broth) to the community.
Best time to visit the Azores for less crowds
Many of the islands in the Azores (especially the smaller islands) don’t see troves of tourists even during peak season. However, if you are really looking for some peace and quiet away from crowds, the best time to visit the islands is between October and March.
Best time to visit the Azores for cheaper prices
Similar to the time to visit for less crowds, the best time to visit the Azores for cheaper prices is also October to March.
Summary
The best month to visit the Azores depends on your preferences and the type of experience you seek. Although it may not seem too helpful, the truth is that any time is a good time to visit the Azores. As a tropical destination that has mild temperatures and exciting activities year-round, you can’t go wrong.
Consider your interests, the activities you want to engage in, the atmosphere you desire, and plan your trip accordingly. If you are looking for the warmest weather and peak time for activities, summer is your best bet. Of course, June through August is also the most popular time to visit the Azores. So if you want to feel like you have the islands to yourself and save some money, aim for the shoulder or off seasons from October to March.
No matter when you visit, we’re sure you will fall in love with the Azores at any time of the year.