Portugal · Blue-water crossings between the volcanic islands of the mid-Atlantic
Azores ferry routes & schedules
Strung across a thousand kilometres of open Atlantic, the Azores are nine Portuguese islands where the ferry is a lifeline rather than a novelty. The inter-island boats knit together the central Triangle of Faial, Pico and São Jorge, and reach out to the far western pair of Flores and Corvo.
- 6
- Connections
- 1
- Operators
- 5
- Quays
About
Ferry travel in Azores
The Triangle and the western islands
The busiest water sits in the central group, where short hops connect Horta on Faial, Madalena on Pico and Velas on São Jorge — the crossing between Horta and Madalena, under the great cone of Pico, is one of the most photographed short sails in the archipelago. Out west, a separate link ties tiny Corvo to neighbouring Flores.
Because the islands are volcanic and steep, the harbours are compact and weather-dependent; an Atlantic swell can rearrange a day's timetable. See how the routes fit into Portugal's ferry map for the wider picture.
One operator, one timetable to watch
All scheduled inter-island sailings are run by Atlânticoline, the regional carrier. Summer brings a fuller programme, including longer seasonal links, while winter service is pared back to the essential connections.
The Azores are part of the Schengen Area, so EU and Schengen travellers cross without border formalities; others should check Portuguese entry rules before arriving.
Quays
Ferry quays in Azores
5 quays with published connections. Open a quay for every route that calls there.
At a glance
Which Azores crossings run most often?
The busiest published crossings, ranked by number of listed sailings.
| Route | Crossing | Sailings | Operators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horta (Faial) → Madalena (Pico) | 30m | — | 1 |
| Madalena (Pico) → Horta (Faial) | 30m | — | 1 |
| Madalena (Pico) → Velas (São Jorge) | 1h | — | 1 |
| Velas (São Jorge) → Madalena (Pico) | 1h | — | 1 |
| Corvo → Flores | 1h 15m | — | 1 |
| Flores → Corvo | 1h 15m | — | 1 |
Timetables
Ferry routes in Azores
6 routes departing Azores.
Madalena (Pico)2 routes
Corvo1 route
Flores1 route
Horta (Faial)1 route
Velas (São Jorge)1 route
Operators
Who runs the ferries in Azores?
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Which islands are connected by ferry?
The data covers the central Triangle — Faial (Horta), Pico (Madalena) and São Jorge (Velas) — plus the western link between Corvo and Flores.
Who operates Azores ferries?
Atlânticoline runs the scheduled inter-island services across the archipelago.
Are sailings reliable year-round?
The central Triangle runs all year, but Atlantic weather can cancel crossings and winter frequencies drop, so keep plans flexible and confirm with the operator.
How many ferry routes are there in Azores?
Azores has 6 ferry and express-boat connections across 5 quays. Each route page lists the timetable, crossing time and operator.
Who operates ferries in Azores?
Boat and ferry services in Azores are run by 1 operator, including Atlânticoline. Most are part of Portugal's county public-transport network.
Explore
Other ferry regions in Portugal
Reviewed by Serhat Özçelik, Founder & Editor of Ferry Schedule Hub.