The Azores in February
Flying to the Azores during the peak summer months can get expensive. Flights from the US are routinely over $1,000 for a round-trip ticket, so visiting these stunning Portuguese islands in the offseason is a good way to save some money and avoid the summer crowds. February in particular is a good month for finding great deals on airfare to the Azores. Hotels are generally very affordable this time of year as well.
Weather
The reason the Azores is such an attractive offseason destination is because there aren’t major seasonal temperature fluctuations. The average high temperature in August is 77 degrees Fahrenheit and the average high in January-March is 62. Due to the subtropical climate, it’s never extremely hot or cold, so there isn’t a drastic difference between visiting in summer versus winter. Although February is the coldest month of the year, daytime high temperatures in the low to mid 60’s are comfortable enough to do most of the activities you would want to do anyway. Sure, you might not do much swimming in the ocean this time of year, but the Azores have plenty of hot springs to soak in after a hike through the mountainous landscape.
February Activities
We visited in February and fell in love with Sao Miguel Island (largest island in the Azores). There was no shortage of things to see and do this time of year and the weather was perfectly comfortable. Here are some of the best things you can do in the Azores in February.
- Take a dip in one of the many hot springs
- Visit Terra Nostra Garden
- Go on a fishing trip.
- Go for a hike (Salto do Prego, Lago do Fogo, Mt. Pico, etc.)
- Stroll the narrow streets of Ponta Delgada
- Go kayaking in one of the many volcanic lakes.
- Eat a cozido (traditional stew cooked in the ground using geothermal heat) in Furnas
- Go on a whale watch
- Pull over at some of the incredible scenic overlooks.
- Visit the tea plantation at Cha Gorreana.
- Go to a vineyard (the best ones are on Pico Island)
Things You Can’t do in February
There are a few activities that are specific to the warmer months, but not many. Swimming with dolphins is a popular summer activity that is not offered in the winter. While there are plenty fishing trips available in the winter, sport fishing for big game fish like marlin is not an option in the winter….That’s really about it. It’s definitely not a Caribbean getaway, so if that’s what you’re expecting you’re sure to be disappointed. But the Azores are perfectly comfortable in February and offer a host of fun activities and stunning scenery.