Corvo
Vila do Corvo
Duration
Half-day (3 hours)
Total distance
7 km
Difficulty
Easy
ITINERARY
RBA01CORSince the 19th century, as in Flores, Corvo was visited by American whaling boats that stopped to stock up on fresh supplies and recruit manpower. This contact was the reason that ultimately boosted the whaling activity on the island. However, before getting down to explore this theme, we must firstly understand the specificities of this very unique territory: Corvo Island.
We begin the tour with a visit to the Corvo Ecomuseum – Casa do Tempo, a museum that brings our attention to the specific experiences of these people, the history of their community and all the tangible or intangible, cultural, natural, historical and natural heritage of this small island.
We continue our visit to the Porto do Boqueirão Hauling Ramp, used during the industrial phase of whaling, by the whaling company from the neighbouring island of Flores, Reis & Flores, Lda. It had the advantage to grant these whalers a quick approach to sperm whales seen near Corvo. After being hunted, the whales were then towed to the Boqueirão Factory in Flores, for processing. Today, the hauling ramp is used by tour operators to board and disembark passengers.
We proceed to the Baleeiro Boats' House, designation attributed to the Corvo Tourist Office, built in pine wood, in order to recapture the layout of the old whaling boathouses of Capelinhos, on the island of Faial.
We end the visit at the Porto Novo Hauling Ramp, where in 1980, six whaling boats belonging to three societies from Corvo used to dock, and from where you can enjoy one of the most beautiful views of the island, with its windmills by the seaside.
Points of Interest
NOT TO MISS• Visit the Windmills with the typical wooden locks of Corvo