A decree from the Regional Secretariat for the Sea and Fisheries lists coastal bathing waters for 2026 in the Autonomous Region of the Azores. It also sets the duration of the bathing season for each area. Published today in the Official Gazette, the main change from the previous season is the reopening of the Vila Franca do Campo islet nature reserve. It had been closed to bathers due to contaminated waters.

With the Vila Franca do Campo islet reopening, São Miguel—the largest and most populous island—will have 25 identified coastal bathing water locations this year.

Pico Island has the most bathing areas in the region, with 26. Terceira Island follows with 16, Faial with six, Graciosa with five, Santa Maria with four, São Jorge with three, Flores with two, and Corvo with one.

The bathing season varies from area to area, running from June 1st to July 13th and from August 31st to October 11th.

According to the decree, signed by Regional Secretary for the Sea and Fisheries Mário Rui Pinho, the Regional Directorate of Maritime Policies is responsible for identifying coastal bathing waters every year. It also sets the bathing season for each area each year.

On March 31, Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action Alonso Miguel revealed that the Vila Franca do Campo islet nature reserve will reopen this bathing season. The site had previously been closed to bathers due to contaminated waters.

Alonso Miguel stated that it will be possible to reopen the Vila Franca islet bathing area this season. He found this "quite satisfactory," given the site's importance to both locals and tourists.

The governor recalled that “there was a commitment on the part of the Regional Government to continue monitoring and carrying out work in the bathing area,” and that water analyses had been developed in conjunction with the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), which “resulted in an acceptable classification.”

The islet of Vila Franca do Campo, classified as a nature reserve and part of the Natura 2000 Network, was closed to bathers in the summer of 2025 due to water quality results over the last five years, with only visitation permitted.

Alonso Miguel added that the operation of the maritime connection from Vila Franca do Campo to the islet will remain the same, continuing to be ensured by the local Naval Club, while the carrying capacity will be 400 people per day, with 200 people simultaneously inside the crater.

The islet, initially classified as a Nature Reserve in 1983, is part of the Protected Area for Resource Management of Caloura - Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo, the Integral Limpet Capture Reserve Zone, and the CORINE Biotope environmental program.

The geolandscape also constitutes a geosite within the UNESCO Global Geopark of the Azores.