Azores with 82 identified bathing waters in 2021 - Communication

The Autonomous Region of the Azores has 82 approved bathing waters for this year, seven more than in 2020.  The official list of coastal bathing waters in the Region for 2021 is listed in an ordinance recently published in the Official Journal.

In addition to the re-entry of Baixa da Areia, in the municipality of Lagoa, six new bathing waters were identified in the Region: Poça das Mujas (Parish of Calheta de Nesquim) and Pontes (Parish of Ribeiras) in the municipality of Lajes do Pico; Arcos (Parish of Santa Luzia), Caisinho (Parish of Santo Amaro) and Poça Branca (Parish of Prainha) in the municipality of São Roque do Pico, and also Calheta dos Lagadores (Parish of Biscoitos) in the municipality of Praia da Vitória.

The island of São Miguel registers the highest number of identified bathing waters, with 24, followed by Pico with 22 and Terceira with 16. In turn, Faial has six identified bathing waters, Graciosa and Santa Maria have four each, São Jorge has three, Flores has two and Corvo has one.

The bathing season varies from area to area, according to the specificities of each area, starting between June 1 and July 3 and ending between August 31 and October 14.

The identification of bathing waters is a guarantee of quality for beach users. Therefore, their inclusion in the official list should be based on a solid and consistent commitment to maintain the conditions for their use over the years, namely in terms of bathers' health and safety while ensuring the sustainability of natural systems

The Regional Directorate for Sea Affairs is the entity responsible for coordinating the bathing water identification procedures as well as for defining and implementing the bathing water quality monitoring programme.  

This year, more than 800 samples will be collected and analysed on all islands. The results of this programme, as well as other useful information about the Region's bathing waters, will be published on the website of the Regional Directorate for Sea Affairs on a periodical basis at www.aguasbalneares.azores.gov.pt.