The Vila Franca do Campo Islet is one of the best-known natural settings on the island of São Miguel, in the Azores, and stands out for its unusual shape, volcanic origin and direct connection with the sea. This small Atlantic refuge, known as the “Princess Ring”, continues to attract visitors due to its rare combination of protected landscape, calm waters and biodiversity.
Located about 500 meters off the south coast of São Miguel, in front of the village that gives it its name, the islet is often nicknamed the “Princess Ring”. The designation results from its almost circular configuration, formed by an ancient volcanic crater opened to the sea through a narrow passage. According to the blog, it is a volcanic cone with several openings that allow Atlantic water to enter its interior.
A natural ring in the middle of the Atlantic
The image seen from above helps explain the place’s fame, according to the same source. The flooded crater creates a saltwater lagoon protected by the rocky walls of the ancient volcano, functioning as a natural pool in the middle of the ocean.
According to the , the crater is around 150 meters in diameter and communicates with the sea, a feature that gives the islet one of the most recognizable shapes in the Azorean landscape.
The origin of this scenario dates back to an underwater eruption that occurred thousands of years ago. The Azores Natural Parks describe the islet as a tuff cone resulting from basaltic underwater volcanic activity, possibly occurring between four and five thousand years ago. Over time, marine erosion and natural fractures divided the structure into two parts, known as Ilhéu Grande and Ilhéu Pequeno.
The environmental value of the islet led to its classification as a Natural Reserve in 1983. The objective was to protect marine life and ensure favorable conditions for the nesting of birds, such as the shearwater, one of the species most associated with the archipelago. The space is now a popular bathing area, but the number of visitors is limited to 400 people per day to reduce the human impact.
This limitation is one of the reasons why the place retains part of its image as a natural refuge. The visit takes place during the summer season, via sea connection from Vila Franca do Campo, and controlled entry allows tourism to be combined with preservation. RTP Açores said that the islet will reopen for swimming this bathing season, maintaining the daily limit of 400 people, with transport provided by the Clube Naval de Vila Franca do Campo.
Wildlife among rock, sea and vegetation
Despite its small size, the “Princess Ring” has ecological relevance. The Azores Natural Parks highlight the presence of migratory seabirds, such as the shearwater and the common tern, as well as a diversity of marine life on sandy and rocky bottoms.
The flora also includes species typical of the Azores, such as heather, vidalia, terrestrial beech and other plants adapted to the island coastal environment.
This combination of transparent waters, volcanic walls and biodiversity has made the islet a popular spot for bathing, nature observation, snorkeling and snorkeling. The inner lagoon, more sheltered than the open sea, offers a different experience from traditional beaches, although it remains dependent on sea conditions and environmental protection rules.
Fame that crossed borders
The Vila Franca do Campo Islet gained even greater international recognition for having hosted stages of Red Bull Cliff Diving, a competition in which athletes jump from great heights into the sea. Red Bull itself presents the place as a World Series classic, with athletes jumping from the rocks of the island of São Miguel, in the Azores.
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