Ponta da Ferraria

At Ponta da Ferraria, on the western tip of São Miguel, hot springs discharge into a natural pool in the lava rock at the shoreline, and the result depends entirely on the tide. At high tide the ocean floods in and the pool is cold and rough; as the tide drops, the hot water is no longer overwhelmed and the pool warms, reaching comfortable temperatures for a window of an hour or two around low water. Ropes are strung across it to hold on to, because swell still comes in and the rock is sharp. Getting the timing right is the whole exercise - tide tables are published and posted, and arriving at the wrong hour means a cold rough swim. A thermal spa operates beside it with indoor pools on the same water. The road down from Ginetes is steep with a viewpoint, and the surrounding coast is bare black lava.

What you actually see

• The tidal window - a pool that warms for an hour or two around low water.
• The ropes - lines strung across the pool to hold against incoming swell.
• The lava shore - bare black rock at the western tip of the island.
• The spa - an indoor facility beside the sea pool on the same water.

When to go

Year-round, but only within an hour or two of low tide - check the tables before setting out. Two to three hours including the drive down.

Honest expectations

Arriving off the tide window means cold water and no point. Swell still enters and the rock is sharp; the ropes exist for a reason. Access is over rock with a ladder, not a beach. The road down is steep and parking is limited.

Nearby

Mosteiros is north along the coast; Sete Cidades is inland above.