Things to do in Ponta da Ferraria

Ponta da Ferraria is a hot spring that meets the sea at the foot of a lava flow on São Miguel's west coast, and the free sea bathing only works around low tide, when the warm water pools among the rocks; at high tide or in any swell the same spot turns dangerous and swimming is not sensible. A separate, paid thermal spa sits above the natural pools, drawing on the same source but distinct from the free sea-level soak. Check the tide time before setting out, since a visit built around high tide means no safe bathing at all, only the view of waves hitting the lava.