Top 5 Beaches on Santa Maria: #1 Sao Laurenco!

#1.  Sao Laurenco.

This is improving on perfection.  Everything that I said about Praia Formosa applies here, but the quality of everything is better.

There is a pool, for the kids or grownups.  Depends on the state of the tide.

There are rocks on one side of the beach, but they are climb-able in low tide and easy to navigate & identify in high tide.  And they make the beach look more beautiful.

The water is clear & delicious and you have the BEST view of the hills covered in grapevines.  Seriously, it is like swimming in an amphitheater-and you and the ocean are the stage!

The sun sets over the hill by 6 or 7, it is the first beach on the island to lose the light, so be warned to start your day of swimming early.  There is a cafe/bar/restaurant steps from the beach and another one just at the road.  There is another restaurant at the other end of the road, if you drive/walk to the furthest point.  That is where I had my birthday lunch, with an amazing view. And I had a dip off of the pier, straight off barnacled steps into deep water.

If you are lucky enough to stay the night, listen for the cagarros, the famous birds of the island. They are like seagulls, bbut only fly & sing at night.  They sound like they are laughing.  If you go for a walk, you might not believe it, because the birds are hard to see, you can even believe that it is the very stars that are laughing.

Top 5 Beaches in Santa Maria: #2 Praia Formosa

Okay, this beach is really just perfect.

(And yet, it is still #2)

About 15 minutes from the main town, it has gorgeous views on the approach (but most of the beaches here do).  There is an incredible cafe & restaurant steps from the beach, called O Paquote.  And if you really wanna stay away from the beach, there is another great restaurant option 2 blocks away.

The water is gorgeous.

It is clear.  The waves can vary from 10 footers that help you to fly-and only crash on the shore. Or giant surfer waves, which are also fun and slightly dangerous. I remember getting quite beaten up on this beach as a kid, but always going back for more.  But a few days ago, the water was calm enough for me and a friend (always bring a friend!) to swim out to the buoys!! VERY far & I got a little bit of a jellyfish sting on my arm & back, but I don't blame the beach for that.

Look for the lifeguards & the color of the flag.  I've been going for at least a month and the first time there was a strong riptide. There are some rocks, clearly marked, to avoid.  I've seen a few people with floatation devices, like tubes, and I've seen them float out a bit too far, but the lifeguards went after them to make sure they were okay.  Don't press your luck.

2 sets of showers, the best & the one with the lockable doors is right by the restaurant, just off the beach.  It CLOSES at 7pm, still in the midst of great sunlight.  The other set is further down, by the car ramp and is VERY open. i.e. No doors.

All in all, the best sunsets, the widest vista, the WHITE sand (on a semi-volcanic island, WHAAAT?)  It's the best "everyday" beach to visit.  Plus, it has a hotel and a campsite. If you want to spend some money to stay anywhere other than Vila do Porto, STAY on this beach!!!

But the beach is big enough to hold plenty of crowds, and this is the beach for Mare De Agosto, in late August which DOES hold lots of crowds.  Don't plan to come then unless you are ready for the fun, the crowds and the music!!