Escaleiras Beach

Welcome to Escaleiras, a site that challenges the traditional definition of a 'beach.' As we stand at the top of the descent on the island of Terceira, you will notice immediately that there is no broad expanse of sand or calm,…

We begin our descent down the namesake Escaleiras. These steps are a feat of local engineering, designed to provide a safe—if steep—passage from the coastal road down to the wave-washed platforms below. …

We are now standing on the main platforms of Escaleiras. This is what locals refer to as the 'beach' area. …

We now approach one of the most popular features of Escaleiras—the diving platform. This is a simple concrete ledge extending over a deep, sheltered section of the water. …

We move now to the most exposed part of the platform, the wave-wash zone. This is where the Atlantic swells meet the basalt with full force. …

Tucked away from the main surge areas are a series of basaltic fissures and narrow inlets. These are the results of the lava cooling and cracking, further widened by the erosive power of the sea over millennia. …

As we begin to wind our way back up the stairs, we stop at an upper lookout point that offers a comprehensive view of the entire Escaleiras site. From here, the relationship between the human structures and the volcanic landscape…

Our exploration of Escaleiras Beach has come to a close. We have descended the weathered concrete stairs, walked the ancient basalt platforms, watched the courageous divers at their leap, and felt the immense power of the…