Angelika Pickardt

May 30, 2021, 4:19 am | Read time: 3 minutes

Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo, known by locals as Ilhéu de Vila, is a true paradise. The islet is located off the main island of São Miguel, about 500 meters from the coastal town of the same name, and is a popular summer destination for locals and tourists. According to “Visit Portugal,” the country’s official tourism portal, Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo was formed from the crater of an ancient underwater volcano. “Classified as a nature reserve, the crater walls are covered with endemic plant species, while inside there is an almost perfectly round natural swimming pool connected to the sea by a narrow passage,” it states.

Water in the Volcanic Crater of Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo Is Especially Calm

Visitors particularly appreciate that the crater is only connected to the sea by a narrow passage. This passage faces the coast, preventing high waves from the open sea from entering the pool. Over time, sand has accumulated, and the natural pool is only a few meters deep even at high tide. Since the ground is quite rocky, especially at the edge of the crater, “Visit Portugal” recommends wearing water shoes or plastic sandals.

Visitors Are Enthusiastic

Reviews of Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo on Tripadvisor are almost entirely positive. “It’s truly an extraordinary place. We were on the island during high waves. You can still swim and snorkel without restrictions in the ring,” writes one user. Another says, “When São Miguel is overcast, you can still enjoy a sunny day on the island of Vila Franca do Campo.” One recommendation is to go to the island early to secure a nice spot on the crater’s shore.

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Getting There

A boat takes visitors from Vila Franca do Campo to the island hourly. Tickets are available at a small booth in the harbor, and the round trip costs about 8 euros. As it is a nature reserve, the number of visitors per day is limited. Toilets are available, and the beach is monitored. However, other services are not available, so it’s advisable to bring water and drinks for a longer stay.

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COVID-19 Situation in Portugal

The Federal Foreign Office currently advises against non-essential tourist travel to the Azores and Madeira due to COVID-19 infections. Since the incidence rates there are higher than 50, both regions are considered risk areas. It further states: “When entering the Azores by plane from the mainland, a negative PCR test must be presented, conducted no more than 72 hours before departure. Children under 12 are exempt. For stays longer than seven days, another test should be done on the sixth day and now also on the twelfth day after the first test. Travelers must contact the health authority of their place of stay for this. Also, when traveling by air from São Miguel to another Azores island, a negative PCR test must be presented, conducted no more than 72 hours before departure.”