Flores

The island of Flores, Europe’s westernmost point, is known for its stunning scenery. It is covered by thousands of blue and white hydrangeas, dividing the green fields and surrounding the island’s streams and lakes. There are countless waterfalls that cut through steep slopes and fall towards the sea or into beautiful lakes, one of the most famous being Patas Lake, reached after a short walk through thick vegetation. This stunning lake is fed by dozens of small waterfalls that cut through the steep terrain to create an idyllic scene straight out of paradise.

On the north coast of the island the small village of Fajã Grande has natural pools of clear water and waterfalls for bathers to enjoy. Another must-visit place is Rocha dos Bordões, an imposing geological formation featuring huge basalt columns similar to the famous Giant’s Causeway in Ireland. There are also several lakes in the higher areas of the centre part of the island that can be explored.

Separated by only 13 miles from the neighbouring island of Corvo, most visitors to Flores choose to take a one-day tour to Corvo to see its exceptional landscapes, including a climb to the top of the caldera that occupies most of the island.

Rather than climb up, divers head to Flores to go below. Because of its relatively isolated position the water is crystal-clear and has an abundance of marine life. It offers a wide variety of dive sites along its magnificent jagged coastline, with sheltered bays, large caves, and big cracks and caverns (some of which are known as ‘cathedrals’ because they are so big you can explore them by boat).

Some of the most popular dive sites on this island include magnificent rock formations such as the Galo Cave, an unforgettable dive that takes you into a cavern with two entrances. This not only offers unique light conditions, but divers can surface underneath a fresh water waterfall alongside the ‘cathedral’ located just outside the harbour of Santa Cruz.

Several coastal reefs, including the Amigo and Morro Reefs, provide excellent opportunities to encounter large schools of pelagic fish such as yellowmouth barracudas, Almaco jacks and white trevallies. There is also opportunity to travel over to Corvo Island and dive in the mythical Dusky Grouper Passageway (Caneiro dos Meros).

Several coastal reefs, including the Amigo and Morro Reefs, equally offer excellent encounters with large schools of pelagic fish, such as yellowmouth barracudas, Almaco jacks and white trevallies, quietly passing by ‘in the blue’, indifferent to the presence of divers.

On the other hand, its relative proximity to the island of Corvo also allows you to visit the dive sites of the neighbouring island, especially the mythical site Dusky Grouper Passageway (Caneiro dos Meros).