Marcelina View Point

Perched on the dramatic southern cliffs of São Miguel, the Miradouro da Ponta da Marcelina is a hidden gem where the raw power of the Atlantic meets the quiet charm of Ponta Garça. This windswept viewpoint offers a front-row seat to nature’s spectacle: jagged lava formations rising from the sea, waves exploding against the coast, and—on crystal-clear days—the faint silhouette of Santa Maria Island shimmering on the horizon like a mirage. The oldest island in the Azores, Santa Maria appears as a distant blue shadow, a reminder of the archipelago’s volcanic origins and the vastness of the ocean that binds it.

The merendário (picnic area) here is simplicity at its finest—a few wooden tables nestled among hydrangeas and endemic flora, where locals gather to grill chouriço over portable barbecues and share stories of the sea. The air carries the salty tang of the Atlantic mixed with the sweet scent of incenso (a local shrub), while the cries of seagulls and the rhythmic crash of waves provide the soundtrack. A short, rugged trail leads to tide pools carved into black rock, perfect for a refreshing dip after a picnic.

What makes this spot unforgettable is its duality: the wild, untamed energy of the cliffs contrasts with the serene beauty of the open ocean stretching toward Santa Maria. At sunset, when the sky ignites in hues of gold and violet, the miradouro transforms into a natural theater. Fishermen cast lines from the rocks below, and if you’re lucky, you might spot a pod of dolphins riding the waves in the distance.

Pro Tip: Visit after a winter storm for the clearest views of Santa Maria—just hold onto your hat, as the wind here has a personality of its own! For history buffs, Ponta Garça was once a whaling village, and the old vigias (whale-watching towers) still stand sentinel along the coast.