Praia da Areia: Corvo’s Only Sandy Beach

Corvo’s coastline is so tall and jagged that it offers almost no comfortable access to the sea — except at one single spot, right next to the airport runway, where nature made a rare exception on this island of cliffs.

The only exception on an inaccessible coast

Located on the island’s southern tip, between the town and the airfield, Praia da Areia — affectionately called Portinho da Areia by locals — is the only sandy beach on all of Corvo island. Its location, sheltered from prevailing winds, offers surprisingly calm, clear waters.

Black and red volcanic sand

What truly sets this beach apart is its dark sand, formed over thousands of years by the breakdown of volcanic rock and the accumulation of tiny seashell fragments — with tones ranging from black to a deep red, quite unusual even by Azorean standards.

Rock formations that block the waves

Natural rock formations offshore prevent large waves from forming, making swimming safe. There are also concrete steps into the water, free restrooms at the adjacent campsite, and wooden benches facing the sea — one of the island’s best spots for watching the sunset.

Planes just metres from the sand

A unique quirk: Corvo’s airfield runway sits just metres from the beach, letting swimmers watch, quite literally up close, planes landing and taking off — an experience visitors describe as almost surreal.

Planning your visit

• Location: south coast, next to the airfield, 15-20 minutes on foot from the centre of Vila do Corvo.
• Facilities: free restrooms, concrete water entrances, an adjacent campsite.
• Accessibility: good access, including for visitors with reduced mobility, though unsupervised.

Best time to visit

Summer brings water temperatures reaching 24°C, among the most pleasant of any bathing spot in the Azores.

Nearby highlights

Corvo’s windmills are a short distance away, near Ponta Negra.

After Praia da Areia, round off your route around Corvo with a visit to the windmills or Caldeirão, closing the loop around the smallest island in the Azores.