The island of Faial, one of the five islands that make up the central group of the Azores Archipelago, is a place full of nooks and crannies that deserve your visit.
The Horta Marina, well known for its coloured walls and paintings, was inaugurated in 1986 and was the first infrastructure of its kind to be built in the Azores. At this time, it began to receive its first international boats and was later enlarged. These boats were very important and still are because they made the city of Horta, and its marina, an international centre.
From an early age, the colourful marina established itself as the most important of the Azores, is the ramp for the flow of products to the archipelago, but also to the diaspora. Today, and much due to the yachting phenomenon, the Horta Marina is the fourth most visited marina in the world. The location of the marina is perfect and it is an excellent shelter against the winds, from any direction. Sailboats sailing from the Caribbean towards the Mediterranean use this marina almost in a mandatory way. Also, it is the recipient of several international races such as Les Sables, Atlantique Pogo and ARC Europe.
The marina has a capacity for 300 boats and an interesting tradition hangs over it. The yachters leave their mark in the marina, through a painting allusive to their boats, thinking that with this simple act the return trip will be done safely.
In this way, the marina is full of paintings like an authentic open-air art gallery, mirroring on its walls a little history from the four corners of the world.
This marina has held the European Blue Flag since 1987, an award that symbolizes and promotes sustainable development on coastal beaches, marinas and recreational ports that meet criteria related to environmental education, bathing water quality, social responsibility and environmental education. It is also part of the club “The Most Beautiful Bays in the World” since 2012. This club seeks to promote cultural, social and sporting exchanges among its members by encouraging policies related to the protection, conservation and sustainable development of the bays.
Come visit the island of Faial and get to know closely the beautiful Horta Marina. Don’t forget to admire its beautiful paintings and appreciate its privileged view of the mountain of Pico. And, of course, use your best travel companion, our tour guide.