Proposal for bathing waters to be identified in the Azores in 2026 is now open for public consultation - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Mar e das Pescas

The public consultation procedure for the identification of coastal bathing waters for the year 2026 is underway, covering all the islands of the Autonomous Region of the Azores. For the next bathing season, the proposal contains the identification of 88 bathing waters, one more than in 2025, with the return of the Vila Franca do Campo Islet on the proposed list.

This public consultation is promoted by the Regional Secretariat for the Sea and Fisheries, through the Regional Directorate for Maritime Policies. It is available on the Regional Government Portal at https://portal.azores.gov.pt/web/gov/consultas until January 31, 2026. Contributions should preferably be sent to the email address [email protected].

The procedure for identifying bathing waters aims to ensure that, each year, areas of adequate quality for swimming are recognised, thereby safeguarding public health. The public consultation highlights the importance attached to public information and participation, providing an opportunity for citizens and interested parties to submit comments and suggestions, particularly regarding the conditions for using bathing waters, the safety of bathers and the sustainability of natural systems.

Following the technical assessment of all contributions received, the list of coastal bathing waters identified for 2026 will be approved by ordinance and published in the Official Journal of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, together with the definition of the duration of the bathing season for each area.

The Regional Government ensures regular monitoring of bathing water quality, which includes collecting samples, verifying their suitability for bathing, and defining the measures to be taken in the event of microbiological continamination or other types of pollution.