Santa Maria

Santa Maria is different from the other islands in that it is flatter and so much dryer, warmer and with a lower humidity.

The west, being the flatter area of the island, has higher temperatures and low growing vegetation.

The central mountainous area and the rest of the island are more heavily wooded (with many endemic plants) with high cliffs and hillsides plunging into the ocean.

To the south is Praia Formosa, one of the best beaches of the Azores and the Baia da Praia nature reserve.