Part I - Azores Archipelago, Portugal: Landing at Ponta Delgada & taking a dip at Salto do Prego Waterfalls

5/25/20256 min read

The Spark: How a Long Weekend Turned Into a Wild Plan

It was the end of April, and thanks to a well-timed public holiday, my brother and I realized we could stretch a couple of vacation days into a five-day escape. We were itching for an adventure off the beaten path-something a little wild, a little unknown. After tossing around a few ideas, we landed on the Azores. Why?

One word: Whales. More specifically, sperm whales, which call these remote islands home year-round. And as luck would have it, April is prime time for spotting them.

For me, seeing whales in the wild was a lifelong dream. Until now, my only glimpses had been courtesy of Animal Planet and BBC documentaries. The thought of witnessing these giants up close was enough to tip the scales. More on my whale obsession later!

The very remote location of the Azores

So, where exactly are the Azores? Picture this: a string of volcanic islands, part of Portugal but set adrift in the vast Atlantic Ocean, roughly 1,500 kilometers west of Lisbon. Their isolation is legendary- so much so that ancient myths linked the Azores to the lost city of Atlantis. The archipelago is made up of nine islands, each with its own distinct personality. We decided to stick to São Miguel, the largest and most vibrant, with its lively capital, Ponta Delgada. This island is packed with activities- from hiking volcanic craters to soaking in hot springs and, of course, whale watching.

The Azores have always been shrouded in legend. Some say they’re the remnants of Atlantis, others believe their volcanic peaks were once home to ancient gods. Discovered by Portuguese navigators in the 15th century, these islands have been a crossroads for explorers, pirates, and whalers alike. Today, the Azores are known for their unspoiled beauty and rich marine life.

Getting there isn’t exactly straightforward. We had to catch a connecting flight through Porto, but it was more than worth the effort. With tickets in hand, we set off for a destination we barely knew, one that would soon become one of our favourite adventures ever.

Day 1: Touchdown in the Middle of Nowhere

Landing in the Azores is an experience in itself. The runway at Ponta Delgada is flanked by the open sea at both ends, making for a heart-thumping approach. There’s no room for error, but the pilots here are seasoned pros, trained for these dramatic landings. Before we knew it, we were on solid ground, stepping out into the Atlantic air.

We quickly completed the rental car formalities and headed straight for the city center, where our hostel awaited. My brother had already claimed all driving duties for the entire trip. He’s happiest behind the wheel. Funny enough, when I was younger, I used to be a brash and proud driver myself, always eager to be in control and convinced no one could handle the road better than me. But these days, I have become more calm. I find a certain peace in letting go, enjoying the scenery, and trusting someone else to navigate. So handing over the keys did not bother me at all.

With our bags dropped off, hunger hit us hard. Unfortunately, we’d arrived during that late afternoon window when every restaurant nearby seemed to be closed. Google Maps pointed us to a tiny bakery just minutes from closing. We sprinted over and made it just in time. The baker, sensing our desperation, kindly handed over some leftover cinnamon rolls. They were, without exaggeration, the best cinnamon rolls of our lives.

We then did some local sightseeing and just drove around the island.

The first beach we went in Ponta Delgada

View point (1)

View point (2)

Lush green meadows and an ancient aqua duct

Me standing on top of the ancient aqua duct

Later in the evening, we took a leisurely stroll through the city center, wandering its narrow streets and soaking in the island's laid-back lifestyle.

Walking through the streets of Ponta Delgada

Walking through the streets of Ponta Delgada

Sunset at the port

Day 2 (Morning) - Trek to Salto do Prego

We kicked off our day early, eager to explore São Miguel. Our destination was Salto do Prego, a stunning waterfall nestled in the island’s lush interior. Along the way, we made an unexpected stop at a lake. It felt almost surreal to think that this small island, floating in the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean, could hold such a peaceful body of water on its own.

As we continued our drive, we didn’t see any other cars for a long stretch. It was almost like we had the entire route all to ourselves

The lake where we stopped

The rest of the drive toward Salto do Prego is nothing short of spectacular- truly one of the most scenic drives I've ever experienced.

The scenic route towards Salto do Prego

The trek begins in the village of Faial da Terra. The trailhead is just a short walk from the village bus stop and draws you into a lush, green forest. Plenty of Ferns grow along the sides, and tall trees such as black acacia and cedar create a dense canopy above. You’ll hear a stream nearby as you walk.

Certain patches of the trail is steep as it winds through denser forest. Occasional wooden bridges pass over small streams. At a crossroad, you can choose to detour through the abandoned village of Sanguinho or head straight for the waterfall. We chose the latter as we did not want to deviate much from our planned schedule.

Some parts of the trail have wet, slippery rocks that need careful footing and good balance.

The starting point of the hike

The hike trail

A stream traversing through the thick forest

We heard it before we saw it- the roar of Salto do Prego echoing. Rounding the final bend, the waterfall came into view, plunging into a crystal-clear pool surrounded by mossy rocks. To our surprise, the scene was nearly empty. Just one couple nearby.

We’d promised ourselves a swim, but as we dipped our fingers into the water, we instantly understood why no one else was in the water. It was shockingly cold. Our minds and bodies both hesitated.

After a few moments of doubt (and a lot of nervous laughter), we decided to go for it. We took a deep breath, and jumped in. The first few minutes were pure torture. But slowly, our bodies adjusted, and the shock faded into a strange numbness.

We ended up spending over half an hour in the water. Eventually though, the cold crept back in, and we started shivering uncontrollably. It was definitely time to get out before we turned into popsicles.

Later, we noticed a few new arrivals eyeing the pool. A couple of them tried a quick swim, but they barely lasted five minutes before scrambling out. Judging by their faces, they couldn’t believe how long we’d stayed in.