Enjoy Ponta Delgada | European Cetacean Society

WELCOME TO THE AZORES!

The Azores Archipelago, nested in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, is composed of nine islands divided into three groups. The Western Group, with Corvo and Flores; the Central Group, with Faial, Graciosa, Pico, São Jorge and Terceira; and the Eastern Group, with Santa Maria and São Miguel. Each island is a genuine beauty characterised by its stunning natural wonders, with beautiful landscapes amidst volcanic peaks and lush greenery. In the heart of the Atlantic, the Azores stands as a hotspot for marine biodiversity marking a vital passage in the vast Atlantic.

ENJOY PONTA DELGADA!

The city of Ponta Delgada will host the 36th ECS Conference. It is located on the biggest island of the Azores, São Miguel. This cosmopolitan city is the largest municipality on the island with approximately 62 thousand inhabitants, and it boasts over five centuries of history, representing a quiet yet stimulating environment where tradition and modern life interconnect.

Ponta Delgada drone view - sunset time. Photo: David Rodrigues

Ponta Delgada drone view. Photo: David Rodrigues

NATURE AND CETACEANS

São Miguel Island, nicknamed the "Green Island," is a breathtaking haven of natural beauty in the Azores archipelago. Its lush landscapes, characterized by vibrant green pastures, rolling hills, and dense forests, offer a picturesque backdrop for exploration and adventure. Sete Cidades' twin lakes, Furnas Lake's geothermal activity, Lagoa do Fogo's pristine crater lake and Vilafranca islet showcase the island's enchanting beauty.

Mosteiros Islets - these are four uninhabited rocky islets located about 0.5 nautical miles from the settlement of Mosteiros, northwestern coast of the island of São Miguel

Arnel Lighthouse - This lighthouse, at the northeastern tip of Sao Miguel, was the first to be installed on the island in 1876.

Vila Franca Islet - it is a vegetated uninhabited islet located off the south-central coast of the island of São Miguel. The entire islet and surrounding waters constitute a protected nature reserve

Lagoa das Sete Cidades - "Lagoon of the Seven Cities" - It is a twin lake. It consists of two small, ecologically different lakes connected by a narrow strait, which is nowadays, crossed by a bridge.

Lagoa do Fogo - "Lake of Fire" - It is a crater lake within the Água de Pau Massif stratovolcano. It is the highest lake located on the island.

Azores bullfinch (𝑃𝑦𝑟𝑟ℎ𝑢𝑙𝑎 𝑚𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑎) - It is an endemic species of São Miguel island. Currently, it is considered a threatened passerine bird in the true finch family.

Cory's shearwater (𝐶𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑠 𝑏𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑠) - It is seabird that breeds colonially on the archipelago of the Azores

Lombadas Waterfall - it is great waterfall at the valley of Lombadas (vertical drop of 45 m), near Ribeira Grande.

North coast view from the sea

Besides the beautiful landscapes, being located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, the Azores archipelago is a hotspot for marine biodiversity marking a vital migratory passage in the vast ocean. This mid-ocean crossroads has recorded 28 cetacean species, from which more than 20 are regularly sighted every year. From those some are sighted year-round, like sperm whales, common, bottlenose or Risso’s dolphins; while others only seasonally or occasionally, such as the migrating baleen whales (including blue whales usually passing in springtime), the Atlantic spotted dolphins in summertime, or the orcas and some species of beaked whales occasionally.