Best time to visit the Azores: it depends on your plan
There is no single best month. The climate is mild all year, so you choose by interest: whales, hydrangeas, a warmer sea or quieter hiking. For most visitors, June to September is the most comfortable block, with July the driest month. Spring and autumn work well if you accept more showers.
Whale trips are the most seasonal draw, so start with whale watching in the Azores if that is your reason to come. For month-by-month figures see Azores weather.
The best months by interest
Choose the row that matches your reason to go.
| If you want | Best months | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Blue, fin and sei whales | April to June | Passing whales, a chance and not a promise |
| Sperm whales and dolphins | All year, more in summer | Summer has the most species |
| Hydrangeas | June to August | Peak about July on the coasts, later in the Flores highlands |
| Swimming and warm weather | July to September | Highs of 24.7 to 26.0 °C, sea 20.4 to 21.9 °C |
| Hiking | June to September | Driest months, still changeable |
| Fewer showers | June to August | July has an average of 26.0 mm |
| Shoulder season | April, May, October | Mild, with more rain in October |
For most visitors who want both whales and mild weather, late spring is a good compromise: May has a mean high of 20.2 °C and 61.0 mm of rain.
Our pick: wildlife boat trip on Terceira
A boat trip that runs daily as weather allows, useful for placing a whale trip in the month you travel.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Azores tours by season
Whale watching, island tours and boat trips, with live prices and availability.
Azores in April
Spring starts the whale passage.
April has a mean high of 18.8 °C and a low of 13.3 °C, with 79.6 mm of rain. The blue, fin and sei whale passage begins this month and runs to June. Do not expect a dry spring trip. Whale trip prices from Vila Franca do Campo are lower before 1 April, so costs rise when the season opens.
Azores in October
Warm air, but the wetter half of the year begins.
October has a mean high of 22.6 °C and a low of 17.1 °C, but rain is 118.0 mm, the second highest of the year after December. The sea is still warm, near 20.3 °C. November drops to 19.9 and 14.9 °C with 95.3 mm. Coastal values do not describe the Pico summit.
Winter and the opening hours of attractions
Seasons change what is open.
Some places run shorter hours outside summer. The Gruta do Natal on Terceira is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from October to March, and daily in summer. Algar do Carvão is announced as closed from 1 November 2026 with a reopening expected in March 2027, see Terceira. The Lagoa do Fogo shuttle is a summer service, so check its dates and fare before a trip to the lake. Whale trips cost less in winter: a trip of about 3 hours from Vila Franca do Campo costs €65 for adults from 1 October to 31 March and €78 from 1 April to 30 September.
Summer, the easy season
June to September.
July has a mean high of 24.7 °C and August 26.0 °C, September 25.0 °C. July is the driest month with 26.0 mm, August follows with 45.8 mm, and June has 44.4 mm. This is also the best window for hydrangeas and for the sea, which reaches 21.9 °C in August. Book whale trips, tours and rental cars early in this block. See car hire in the Azores for the rules before you drive.
Plan the rest of your trip
Pages that help you pick dates.
Best time to visit the Azores: frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit the Azores?
There is none for everyone. July is the driest month and August the warmest, while April to June suits whale passage. Choose by what you want to do.
When can I see whales?
Sperm whales can appear all year and are more common in summer. Blue, fin and sei whales pass mainly from April to June. A sighting is a chance, not a guarantee.
When do the hydrangeas bloom?
From June to August, with a peak around July on the coasts of São Miguel and Faial and later in the highlands of Flores. The dates are approximate.
Is the Azores weather good in winter?
Winter is mild but wet, with December the wettest month at 152.8 mm. Pack rain gear and plan indoor or thermal pool time.
Is October a good month?
It is warm, with a mean high of 22.6 °C, but it is also very wet at 118.0 mm. Plan flexible days.