Welcome to Nando's Home in Santa Maria Island

Come and discover

an island

of contrasts

Fernando

Ornelas

Host, geologist

My full name is Fernando Manuel Ornelas Guerreiro Marques, but for short I am Nando.

Nando's Home in Santa Maria Island, Azores

Meet

Nando

Nando’s Home is not a house to rent. My offer is geological guiding, health coaching and other activities, and guests stay with me in my house. I drive the car myself.

Santa Maria Island is my second home, because it is the only island currently belonging to the African plate (my home continent – I was born in Mozambique), it has the right size, it is very cosy and friendly, it has a topographic relief full of contrasts, a wonderful coast with tall cliffs, deep blue sea, no active volcanoes (but you can still recognise them), no large earthquakes (maybe you can feel a small one centred in the Terceira Rift), and, last but not least, it has fantastic people to welcome you on the island!

Santa Maria - AZORES

On the way to

Santa Maria

From Lisbon to Santa Maria via Ponta Delgada (S. Miguel Island)
Flying with the Azores Airlines over the Atlantic Ocean on the way to Ponta Delgada, S. Miguel Island.
Early morning aerial view of S. Miguel Island during takeoff to Santa Maria
Early morning on the flight from Ponta Delgada to Santa Maria
Santa Maria Story

Santa Maria, the Sunny Island: You can use Google to locate the Azores, Santa Maria Island, and the house by using these coordinates   36°56’48.6″N; 25°03’36.3″W or  36.946845; -25.060093

Santa Maria Geology

   Santa Maria is one of the nine islands that comprise the Azores archipelago                              in the middle of the central/northern Atlantic Ocean                               

Discover

Our Activities

Geology

Santa Maria is one of the nine islands that comprise the Azores archipelago in the middle of the central/northern Atlantic Ocean

Trekking

You can go all around Santa Maria following the Great Route of Santa Maria, or walk all around the island in several days. All the trails are different, but all have outstanding landscapes and Geology

Waterfalls

Santa Maria has several waterfalls whose beauty depends on the amount of rain. A brief history and location of the waterfalls in Santa Maria can be found

Summer Courses

Stratigraphy and evolution of volcanic ocean islands: The case of Santa Maria Island

Meditation

Come and learn how to do analysis, the best way to recognise our problems and find a solution to them

Beach

In Santa Maria there is time for everything; there is no hurry and no stress, you can even go and relax in the wonderful Praia (beach) Formosa (beautiful)

Fitness and Health

Come and learn how to reach 70 with the looks of a 50 and the performance of a 20
Each day a new adventure

Our

Gallery

Sunrise

Especially in Autumn and Winter, and if you wake up early, you may be lucky enough to witness a beautiful sunrise from the windows of the main bedroom or living room. During the other seasons, you can wake up early and go to the eastern coast and contemplate a beautiful sunrise in the sea

Sunset

If the sky is painted with nice clouds, you may sit and contemplate the colour changes as the sun sets and the day comes to an end

Pricing

The prices depend on the number of guests in the group and the chosen activities. The prices start at 200€/day (maximum 4 guests), which means 50€/person (6 guests = 300€/day). It includes accommodation, breakfast, chosen activities, WiFi, and car driven by Nando

What

To Pack

Really needed:

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