Corvo

Corvo is an island in the Azores. Corvo and Flores are the two westernmost islands in the archipelago, and represent the only Portuguese territory geographically located in North America, being west of the tectonic plate divide.

Understand

Corvo (KOHR-voo, /ˈkoɾ.vu/) is the smallest and most isolated island in the Azores. It had 381 residents in 2021, most still dependent on cattle raising and viticulture as a source of income. In 1973 the islanders received electricity and were given its first telephone. Before then, the islanders used radio or smoke signals to get help from their neighbouring island Flores.

There is one urban center on the island: Vila do Corvo. It is a collection of many residential homes, interspersed with commercial businesses located on the southern one-third of the island. The lands immediately around the settlement are small zones along the eastern coast (Quintas and Fojo) that can sustain cultivation of some crops and fruit trees, and where some older trees have survived settlement; the best pasture-lands are located in the north in the zone of Terras Altas.

The southern coast, referred to as Enseada de Nossa Senhora do Rosário, is the location of three ports, constructed at various times for diverse needs. Portinho da Areia, on the extreme west of the southern coast (at the end of the airport's runway) is the only beach and principal swimming area on the island.

The islands of Corvo and Flores, and the surrounding waters, form a 210,400-ha Important Bird Area (IBA), which provides feeding and breeding sites for populations of Cory's, little and Manx shearwaters, as well as roseate and common terns, and, possibly, Madeiran storm petrels.

History

The navigator Diogo de Teive discovered both islands of the Azores' Western Group on his 1452 return from the Banks of Newfoundland following his second voyage of exploration. Unsuccessful attempts at settlement of the island occurred in the following years; not until 1580 did a permanent settlement become viable.

Get in

By plane

• 1 Corvo Airport (CVU  ^IATA). This a small airfield sees with flights from Flores (FLW ^IATA), Horta (HOR ^IATA), and Terceira (TER ^IATA) on SATA Air Açores.  

By boat

• Atlânticoline. There is a small ferry from Flores (twice a week in the winter and daily in the summer). The trip takes about 45 minutes. (updated Jun 2021)

Get around

There is a taxi service on the island. The drivers do speak some English, so they will be able to help you find anywhere you need to go and have dealt with tourists so can help you find good restaurants and other attractions.

If you plan on renting your own car be careful, livestock have the right of way so be cautious when driving.

See

Caldeirão volcanic crater and lagoon

• 1 Lago do Caldeirão. A lake in the crater of an extinct volcano the crater of the volcano that gave rise to the island, which has a 3400-m perimeter. The lagoon is 300 m (980 ft) deep. There are several small islands that divide it into smaller lagoons depending on the rainfall.  
• 2 Windmills of Corvo. Three windmills constructed during the late 19th or early 20th century at the isolated southern tip of Corvo, opposite the airfield on the small inclined parcel known as Ponta Negra, near the small light of Ponta Negra. (updated Nov 2017)
• 3 Lighthouse of Ponta Negra. A lighthouse built in 1910 along the cliffs of promontory of Ponta Negra. (updated Nov 2017)
• Portinho da Areia — The only beach on the island, close to the airport, close to the campsite. Much sought after by diving enthusiasts, it is also of interest to a "normal" tourist.Ponta do Marco - It is a small promontory in the north of the island, which "reminds" the image of a knight sitting on his horse. Overlooking the east is the Ponta do Marco Cave.
• Cara do Índio — A face carved by natural elements (such as wind and water) in the hard basalt that makes up the island, creating what the inhabitants believe to be the face of an Indian.
• Morro dos Homens — This mountain is part of the volcano on the island of Corvo, which is also its highest point, rising 718 m above sea level. It is close to Lomba Redonda, another mountain, and the source of Ribeira da Lapa which flows into the Zimbral area, close to Calçadas, Vila do Corvo.
• Miradouro do Portão — From here you have a fantastic view over the entire Vila do Corvo.

Do

Visit the vineyards. There are many throughout the small island but each one is slightly different. If it is the right time of the year see if there is a running of the Bulls, a traditional activity done every year in which people line the streets and watch locals who are brave enough take on a bull to see if they can outrun or get close enough to touch its horns. Be Careful though, if you want to watch make sure you are sitting on a high wall or standing behind something the bull will not be able to knock down if they charge at it. People have been known to be severely injured at these events.

Eat

Due to how small the island is there are not many restaurants, so while here buy from the local market: fish, wine, meat, spices. The food is as fresh as you can get and if you have the ability to make your own meal, try to make a traditional Portuguese dish using the local food. If you plan on eating out, avoid American restaurants and go to a local Portuguese restaurant to experience the traditional food. If you order Portuguese food from a non-Portuguese restaurant, it will not have the same refined taste.

• 1 BBC-Bar, Avenida Nova, ☏ +351 292596147. 

• 2 O Caldeirão, Caminho dos Moinhos, ☏ +351 292596018. 

Drink

When in Portugal, try a local wine. Because of how it is made and fermented, the locally made wine has its own texture and smoothness to it that is hard to find in any other wine.

Sleep

• 1 Guest House Comodoro, Caminho do Areeiro, ☏ +351 292596128. With A/C, TV and Internet access. Double from €65. 

Go next

The only way out is the same way you got in, by boat from the closest island of Flores or by plane either to Flores or Horta. Make sure you are aware of what times it leaves and arrives to plan your day accordingly since you most likely will be staying at a hotel in Flores rather than on Corvo.