13. Quatro Ribeiras Natural Pools

The Quatro Ribeiras Natural Pools are a peaceful swimming area with crystal-clear water surrounded by volcanic rock and endemic vegetation. They are much less crowded than the Biscoitos Natural Pools, and personally we consider them among the best on the island for enjoying the sea without the hustle and bustle.

At Quatro Ribeiras you'll find open-sea pools, a constructed pool (perfect for kids), showers, a snack bar, and lifeguard supervision in summer, making it a very comfortable spot to spend a few hours in the water. The volcanic surroundings and rock formations make them even more special.
 

This area is part of the Azores Geopark and the Natura 2000 Network, making it a place of great natural and scenic value, where you can also spot endemic wildlife and plant species.
At Quatro Ribeiras you'll also find the Moinhos Viewpoint, a viewpoint you can't miss, with incredible views of the coastline.

These pools are also close to other swimming areas such as Biscoitos and Calheta dos Lagadores, so we recommend visiting them all on the same day while enjoying the northern coast of Terceira.

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