The Azores is one of the true fishing paradises on earth and there are certain times of the year when fishing really peaks. Understanding the best time and seasons to go fishing in the Azores will make a huge difference in your success rate.

The best time to fish the Azores is between the months of May and October when the waters are calm and full of fish. Though the waters around the Azores are at the apex of the Gulf Stream, where the Gulf Stream meets the North Atlantic Drift, winter brings in cool water reducing the quality of fishing.

Fish Species	Best Season for Fishing The Azores (Peak Months)
Blue Marlin	July to October
Swordfish	Nightfishing during the summer (June-September)
Tuna	July to October with July to August is the absolute peak
Mahi Mahi (Dolphin)	May to October
Wahoo	July to October
Sharks	October to March; summer is normally slower

Nestled in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, Azores has arguably the best fishing in the world. The waters here plummet to an incredible 1000 meters where the likes of bluefin tuna, wahoo, blue and white marlin, and many others call home for a large part of the year.

When you add the breathtaking views, there’s no wonder why so many anglers come to the Azores every year for the fishing of a lifetime.

Best Time to fish Azores

By far the best time to fish in the Azores is between May and October. While some species will hang around all year round, these months provide the “perfect storm”, if you will, of conditions many of the sports fishing species enjoy most.

The Gulf Stream brings warmer waters from the south and converges with the North Atlantic Drift before breaking off into what is known to the locals as the Azores current.

This provides ample warm waters as well as a passageway of sorts for the larger species to migrate to the waters around the Azores. 

There are some species, though, which can be caught in the cooler months. Shark fishing, for example, peaks from October to May.

However, since the Azores is also a popular tourist destination in Portugal, the summer vacation months do tend to be busy. Booking a charter early is important. 

Azores Species Break Down

There are many species found in the waters around the Azores during the summer months. We’re going to break each down and see when their best season is. 

Blue Marlin

The iconic blue marlin begins to be found around the Azores in late spring into early summer. The Peak season for them is between July and October.

This is when you can expect to land large fish, some up to 800 pounds or more. And, because the Azores Islands are so close to deep water, you can expect to get on the fish pretty early in your trip. 

Swordfish

Swordfish is another popular sports fishing species caught regularly around the Azores. They begin to show up about the same time as the marlins, though there may be fewer of them compared to their larger cousins.

The most popular time to go for the swordfish in the Azores is during night fishing trips while using live bait. This makes for an exciting end to what is sure to be an amazing day of fishing. 

For a complete breakdown of which fish bite at night, please check out this helpful article.

Wahoo

While there is no technical closed season for wahoo, they tend to peak during August and September. Outside of these months you may still see plenty of action for the wahoo, but the size of the fish you catch are likely to be smaller.

This is especially the case during July and October. Outside of the summer months, wahoo action becomes nearly nonexistent as they love the warmer temps of the south. 

Tuna

Tuna is another staple species of the Azores fishing world with the three major species, the bluefin, yellowfin, and albacore making an appearance in these deep waters.

Bigeye tuna also make an appearance, though considerably smaller than some of the other species of tuna.

The best time to fish for tuna in the Azores is from May to October, though some species will stay in the waters all year round as tuna tend to like the cooler water better than other species. 

Dolphin

The dolphin fish, called mahi mahi in other parts of the world, make a grand appearance in the heat of the summer around the Azores. The peak season for dolphin in the Azores is between July and October.

Though a straggler may be caught outside of these months, it’s likely to be a smaller, juvenile fish. December to May they are almost nonexistent in these waters. 

Shark

For experienced anglers, there’s nothing better than landing a shark to the boat. Shark fishing in the Azores is one of the most sought-after charters, and rightfully so.

Several species of shark can be found in these waters, including mako, hammerhead, and blue sharks. The best season to shark fish in the Azores is between October and March, as the waters allow. 

Recommended Fishing Charters in the Azores

These Azores-based charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you a tremendous service. The captains are knowledgeable, friendly, and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.

Recommended Fishing Charters	Type of Fishing Offered
Azores Fishing Experience – NSTours	Nearshore, Inshore, & Offshore
Oceantur Azores Sportfishing	Inshore, Offshore, Billfish
Ratinho Sportfishing	Inshore, Offshore, Billfish
Azores Fishing and Adventures	Inshore, Offshore, Billfish
Azores Sport Fishing – Seazores	Inshore, Offshore, Billfish

I recommend this Penn Pursuit Spinning Rod & Reel combo (available on Amazon) for inshore and nearshore fishing. It can handle everything from redfish to snapper and king mackerel. The Penn Battalion Series Spinning Rod and the Penn Battle Spinning Reel are fantastic to create your combo.

For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Aruba, please check out this helpful article. For a complete breakdown of the best time to fish Barcelona, please check out this helpful article I wrote.

Best Time of Day to Fish Azores

Morning hours are going to be when many of the fish are most active, making morning the best time of day to fish the Azores.

That being said, you are sure to have success all day long when going during the peak season. To learn the best time of day to catch fish, please check out this helpful article I wrote.

Top Fishing Spots in Azores

The nine islands which make up the Azores are a mixture of vibrant fishing villages and secluded rivers and lakes which give these islands their beauty and charm.

There is great fishing to be had throughout the entire region, so nailing down a few locations can be difficult. We have, however, gathered a shortlist of some places you should definitely consider when fishing in the Azores.

Horta

The port town of the Faial Island of Azores is home to much of the big-game fishing of the Azores. Many world-record fish, mainly blue marlin, have been caught by boats that call Horta home.

Its closeness to in-bound transportation and deep waters makes it a go-to spot for anyone looking to experience Azores fishing for the first time. 

São Miguel

The entire island of São Miguel is a perfect destination for any level of angler. What distinguishes this island from some of the others in the Azores is a large number of inland fishing opportunities for freshwater anglers.

This island, too, is a popular tourist destination, so you will want to plan accordingly. The capital city of Ponta Delgada is home to the best charters in all of Azores.

It’s especially busy during the summer months, so fall might be the best time to avoid the larger fishing crowds. 

Pico Island

It doesn’t get more authentic than fishing in Pico. From the great atmosphere in the fishing villages to the variety of species in the water, there’s not much better in the Azores.

What makes this island even better, though, is the out-of-town competition isn’t as fierce as in other cities around the Azores.

Fishing here is great all year round, though the best season is the summer into early fall. You can expect to land groupers, snappers, and even some larger billfish. 

Rabo De Peixe

Sitting on the northern portion of Sao Miguel island, Rabo de Peixe is an often overlooked destination when considering the Azores Island. The economy here is not as vibrant as other portions of the islands, but from a fishing perspective, it’s just as good.

You are likely not to have as much competition when booking a charter in Rabo de Peixe while still having access to many of the same species you mind find in other locales. 

Azores Fishing & Tidal Impacts

As with many other fisheries in the world, the tides play a large role in the fishing action in the Azores. This is especially true for the summer months.

There tends to be two main tidal changes in the Azores every day. In the early morning hours, the tides will start to come in. This usually sends the baitfish into a feeding frenzy, in turn making the game fish more active. 

Then, about mid-morning, the tides will change again and start to go out until the late afternoon into early evening hours.

This will push the baitfish to the deeper waters, pulling the game fish with them. Then the cycle starts all over again into the evening and early morning hours, making night fishing incredibly popular in the Azores. 

Booking Charters in the Azores

Booking a fishing charter is the best way to ensure you have a successful fishing trip, but it is easy to be overwhelmed with the options you have.

That’s why I wanted to break down the best seasons to book a fishing charter, as well as what length of trip to choose and when to go. 

Best Season to Go

The best season to book a fishing charter in the Azores is going to be the summer season and into the fall. More specifically, from the months of May to October.

This is because these months bring the most fish to the area around the islands. If you’re wanting to go after sharks, or even some tuna species, the cooler months of fall into the winter may be best for you. 

The fall months are going to bring the least amount of competition for charters as the peak tourist season is the summer.

So, if crowds aren’t your thing or you’re looking for the best value, try and book towards the end of the peak season, from September to October. 

Morning vs. Afternoon 

The fish in the Azores tend to be the larger species. This is important to note because the larger fish will feed all day long.

So, while there may be an increase in activity during the morning hours, you are almost guaranteed to have success all day long. There are still some differences, though, between the morning and afternoon. 

The morning will be the busiest time of the day for fishing during the summer months. This means quite a bit more pressure on the fish when compared to the afternoon.

On the other hand, the afternoon is often the busy time for many of the other tourist destinations on the Islands. So, if you’re trying to mix fishing into your sightseeing vacation, morning may work best for you. 

Trip Length

The fishing in the Azores is the most unique among any other destinations around the world in that the Azores Islands literally sit on top of some of the deepest waters of the Atlantic.

This means you are often no more than a few miles away from where the bigger fish are hanging out. This will play into the length of your trip considerably. Let’s break down the different options. 

Half-Day

You’ll find many charters around the Azores offer several options for a half-day trip. They range from morning and afternoon big game trips to fishing inshore.

Either way, because of the deep waters being so close, a half-day trip is an excellent way to experience what the Azores has to offer. There may be less competition for the afternoon trips, so if you are flexible with your start times, this may be the best option for you. 

Full Day

The major advantage a full-day trip has over a half-day trip is the amount of fishing you can do in a full day while in the Azores.

You can decide to go all day in search of a monster big game fish or spend half the day fishing inshore and the other going to the deep. Either way, if you’re wanting to experience as much of the fishing Azores has as you can, a full-day trip is a great start. 

Multi-Day

Unlike other exotic locations in the world, not many fishing charters in the Azores offer a multi-day trip in that you spend the night on the boat. You can, however, book multiple days with the same charter, allowing you to target different species each day you’re out. 

For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Mallorca, please check out this helpful guide.

Storms & Azores fishing

Though the islands may not get hit with the hurricanes like their tropical counterparts, being in the middle of the ocean leaves them open to many storms which play a large role in the success of fishing the islands. The major season they see storms is the winter. This is also when the seas are at their roughest. 

Because there’s not much protection from the storms on the mountains, preparation for storms often starts a couple of days before one hits.

Also, though major storms aren’t as common, weather systems do have the tendency to start up without much warning, especially in the fall and winter months.

If fishing during these times you’ll want to prepare for cancellations and be flexible with your schedule as much as possible. 

Is Winter Fishing bad or Good in the Azores?

Winter fishing is excellent in the Azores for one major reason: bluefin tuna. This popular game species thrives in cooler water as they are the epitome of a deep-water species.

It’s hard to detect bluefin tuna because they are so deep but once you hook one, it’ll be worth the trouble of going out in the winter. Some bluefins in the Azores have been around 800-1000 pounds, while the norm is around 500 pounds. 

Spearfish are another popular target during the winter months in the Azores. Grouper and other bottom dwellers can also be found if you are able to get near underwater structures. 

Night Fishing in the Azores

Night fishing is one of the most popular ways to experience what Azores fishing has to offer. This is especially true for billfish and other larger species.

The best time for night fish is during the full moon cycle as this will cause much more activity in the deeper waters at night. 

The best season for night fishing is during the summer. This is when the water is at its warmest and teems with activity all day and all night long. An experienced captain and charter crew will make night fishing in the Azores the experience of a lifetime.  

Shore Fishing: Best times & Seasons

Though it is considered by many to be an exotic travel destination, it has very few beaches. And the ones you will find have very limited access considering they are surrounded by rocks. This makes fishing from the shore difficult; difficult but not impossible. 

If you do find an area accessible for shore fishing, be sure to check wind directions each day as this will play a major role in the calmness of the water. As the islands are in the heart of the Atlantic, the water can get choppy on a windy day. 

For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish near Cape Town, please check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in the Canary Islands, please check out this helpful article. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Portugal, please check out this helpful guide.