Exploring Europe’s most remote corners: Flores & Corvo islands

Scattered like marbles in the middle of the vast Atlantic Ocean, the remote Azorean islands offer plenty for the more adventurous. Described as a cross between Hawaii, Iceland and New Zealand, the nine volcanic islands might be on the radar of most, but few venture beyond the two main ports. 

At Epic we wander off-the-beaten path and go where others don’t. It’s why we’ve fallen for the far-flung, remote reaches of Flores and Corvo, two lesser-known Azorean islands that offer so much. 

Corvo is Europe’s most remote island – an untouched verdant, rugged isle – and is home to less than 400 people. Together with its bigger neighbour Flores they form part of the global network of UNESCO Biosphere Reserves. 

Flores hero

Flores Island’s extremely rugged coastline hides waterfalls, lakes, and streams all connected by a carpet of yellow goldenrod flowers. Here you can go scuba diving, fish for trout, hike between volcanic crater lakes, go canyoning down waterfalls, boat to secret caves, and seek out migratory birds. 

For fans of natural beauty and wild escapes, there’s nowhere better than the Azorean islands. Let’s take a look at both islands and hear from our adventure expert, Horácio Alves, who has been developing some very cool experiences on the islands just for Epic travellers.

Fancy exploring the remote wild of Flores and Corvo? Reach out to us at info@epic.travel

The remote Azores Islands of Flores and Corvo

A playground for photographers and lovers of nature, where the weather dances and plays and the light shifts every few minutes as clouds roll in from the sea. Flores and Corvo are two specks in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, close to each other and not much else – making the duo a welcome escape from reality.

“Corvo is a tiny, tiny little island that’s really wonderful because the whole thing is a volcanic crater, which is really cool,” says Horácio. “Flores has more to explore as it’s bigger, but still not a huge island.

The two are the most remote European islands of the already remote Azores archipelago, an independently governed region of Portugal that’s halfway to America. 

“It’s the most western tip of Europe, but actually – from what I’ve read – the two islands are not even on the European continent anymore,” says Horácio.

It’s true. The nine Azores islands form a 600 kilometre-long belt in the middle of the Atlantic where three lithospheric plates meet. Corvo and Flores fall on the other side of the Mid Atlantic Ridge and sit on the North American plate, unlike the others.

“But in the end we consider the islands European. Lost islands in the middle of the Atlantic,” Horácio reasons.

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Myths and legends of the lost city of Atlantis

“There were some theories that the city of Flores could be part of the lost city of Atlantis,” says Horácio.

Since Greek philosopher Plato wrote about Atlantis 2,600 years ago, humanity has been enamoured with finding the legendary lost city. He said the island of Atlantis “in a single day and night … disappeared into the depths of the sea.”

Many theories point to the Straif Gibraltar, Greek island of Santorini, Cyprus or Italy’s Sardinia, but a few think the mysterious lost city was perhaps in the Azores, where the moving plates have shifted the landscape.

Locals as friendly as the Irish

“People in Flores and Corvo are the most forgotten, and they want to welcome visitors,” says Horácio. “Right now they are not as difficult to access as they were in the past, but they are still overlooked by most visitors seeking adventure in the Azores.” 

He says the locals are super warm and welcoming, and love to see visitors on their islands. Perhaps these emerald islands would give the Emerald Isle a run for its money when it comes to friendliness, he suggests.

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The best things to do on Flores and Corvo islands

“Flores is a super green paradise with lots of waterfalls. Basically, everything is green there from the moment you land,” says Horácio.  “It’s an ‘Airplane mode’ destination where you just forget about everything”.

“One of the best things that Flores has to do is canyoning. It’s one of the only places in the world that has canyoning lines ending in the sea. It’s amazing, because you’ll just rappel down to the ocean.”

“I see lots of people going to São Miguel (the largest Azorean island) to do canyoning there, and it’s become so popular that at times you might wait 15 minutes to jump off a rock. It’s also really good, but personally I prefer Flores, where you are by yourself in the middle of the forest, in the middle of the river and it feels like the world is yours. It’s different, it’s better.”

On Flores Island you can also go dolphin watching, hiking, and rappel down the Poço de Bacalhau waterfall.

Then, Corvo Island is the smallest and the northernmost island of the Azores archipelago. The landscape is dominated by the lush green Caldeirão volcano, and the island is home to less than 400 people. This is an otherworldly place to temporarily feel the vastness of isolation as a remote speck in the deep blue ocean.

There are only two flights a week, or a small ferry that makes the 24km trip between Flores and Corvo a couple of times a day.

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A perfect day with Epic looks like…

A brilliant day out exploring Flores and Corvo with Epic might start with a canyoning adventure in the morning, starting in the lush green subtropical rainforest and ending at the brilliant blue sea. Once you land in the ocean, a fast boat will collect you and zip over to a secluded beach on Corvo. Here a local fisherman is grilling the catch-of-the-day for your lunch. 

On the way to Corvo, the boat ride will likely become a dolphin-spotting adventure as the curious aquatic locals come to check you out and escort your boat to the shore. After lunch, it would be time to hike up the crater, where you can celebrate from the top and even stay the night, camping on the edge of the world.  

“We often plan adventurous itineraries to be more packed than usual as it’s a way to snap people out of their day-to-day and help them relax and focus on the moment,” says Horácio.

How much time do you need on Flores and Corvo islands?

These two islands attract a more adventurous crowd of those eager to switch off, disconnect with work, and reconnect with nature. Horácio says three days is enough to see everything, have some fun, and relax, while stretching that out to five days will give you the space to truly slow down.

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When is the best time to visit Flores and Corvo islands?

As two specks in the Atlantic Ocean, the weather on these islands is constantly changing. Summer is the best time to visit as you will experience the best weather, but throughout every day there are always clouds rolling over without worry.

Where to stay – Flores Island or Corvo Island?

We usually stay on Flores Island, as it’s bigger than Corvo and has more to do. We love this beautiful property that’s like an old village converted into a guesthouse or hotel. “It’s really lovely, and really well located on the southwest side of Flores,” says Horácio.

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How to get to Flores or Corvo island

To reach these remote Azorean islands you’ll need to fly. Both SATA and TAP fly to Aeroporto de Santa Cruz das Flores via Ponta Delgada (São Miguel Island), Horta (Faial Island), or Terceira Island. From there you can take a 40-minute ferry to Corvo Island or stay on Flores.

If you’re interested in visiting the Azores Islands of Portugal, reach out to our team at info@epic.travel and have us plan your perfect island adventure.

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