The Great Atlantic Expedition 2026

LEG 26.6 — HORTA → ANGRA DO HEROÍSMO → PONTA DELGADA → SANTA MARIA → MADEIRA (FINAL PORT)

An Atlantic leg from Faial across the eastern Azores to Madeira — with two full days in Ponta Delgada and two full days on Madeira.

Introduction

Leg 26.6 begins in the legendary Horta Marina on Faial and follows a beautiful route through three major Azorean islands — Terceira, São Miguel and Santa Maria — before turning south for the ocean passage to Madeira. The route combines inter-island sailing, intensive land exploration, and a classic 4-day offshore passage. The leg ends in the scenic Quinta do Lorde Marina on Madeira, where the crew enjoys two full days of exploration.

LEG ITINERARY

Day 1 — Horta (Faial)

Embarkation day: safety briefing, provisioning, yacht preparations. Afternoon walk around Horta — harbour murals, Peter Café Sport, Monte da Guia.

Day 2 — Horta → Angra do Heroísmo (Terceira) — 60 NM (~10–12 h)

Inter-island passage to Terceira. Arrival in Angra do Heroísmo — a UNESCO World Heritage city.

Day 3 — Terceira (land day)

Exploring Angra (UNESCO), Monte Brasil, Alto da Memória, Serra do Cume and the volcanic chamber of Algar do Carvão.

Day 4 — Terceira → Ponta Delgada (São Miguel) — 90 NM (~15 h)

A full-day inter-island sail. Arrival in Ponta Delgada — the largest marina in the Azores.

Day 5 — São Miguel (land day 1)

Highlights: Sete Cidades, Lagoa do Fogo, tea plantations, Boca do Inferno and Santa Iria viewpoints.

Day 6 — São Miguel (land day 2)

Hot springs of Furnas (Terra Nostra or Poça da Dona Beija), north coast beaches, Ponta Delgada historical centre.

Day 7 — Ponta Delgada → Santa Maria — 54 NM (~8–9 h)

A short inter-island passage to the sunniest island of the Azores. Arrival in Vila do Porto.

Day 8 — Santa Maria (land day)

Praia Formosa, Barreiro da Faneca (the “red desert”), Fontinhas viewpoint and São Lourenço bay — an ideal rest day before the ocean leg.

Days 9–12 — Santa Maria → Madeira — 470 NM (~3.5–4 days)

Offshore passage under summer trade winds. Full watch rotation, night navigation and classic open-ocean conditions. Arrival in Quinta do Lorde Marina on 29 July.

Day 13 — Madeira (land day 1)

Ponta de São Lourenço hike, Funchal Old Town, Monte gardens and the cable car.

Day 14 — Madeira (land day 2)

Cabo Girão viewpoint, Porto Moniz lava pools, Seixal black-sand beach and scenic northern coastline.

Day 15 — End of leg — Madeira (Quinta do Lorde)

Crew disembarkation and optional independent sightseeing on Madeira.

WHY THIS LEG IS WORTH JOINING?

• Visits to three key Azorean islands before the ocean passage.
• Two full days in Ponta Delgada — the best logistics and attractions on the Azores.
• Santa Maria — the sunniest island of the Azores.
• Classic offshore passage from the Azores to Madeira (470 NM).
• Two full exploration days on Madeira — levadas, cliffs, Funchal and natural lava pools.
• Final port in the exclusive Quinta do Lorde Marina.