Monumento Natural da Gruta do Carvão

Sky Score 26/100≈ Bortle 5

8 places to stay nearby, rated for darkness ↓

Monumento Natural da Gruta do Carvão is a protected area in Azores with a measured darkness of 52/100 (≈ Bortle 5), a usable sky for casual stargazing, though city glow is noticeable. The best month to come is typically August, when about 56% of the night sky is clear.

Tonight's outlook: 15/100. The moon is 94% lit and above the horizon 92% of the night; typical September clear-sky odds here are 48%. Updated daily.

Best time to stargaze at Monumento Natural da Gruta do Carvão

MonthClear night skiesSky Score (new moon)
January32%24/100
February33%24/100
March32%24/100
April33%24/100
May35%25/100
June42%28/100
July49%31/100
August ★56%34/100
September48%30/100
October34%25/100
November33%24/100
December31%23/100

Scores assume a moonless night, check the moon before you drive (methodology).

Where to stay near Monumento Natural da Gruta do Carvão: sleep under a dark sky

We measured the night sky over each stay below, not just over the spot: the darkness score is computed at the hotel's own location, so you know what you'll see from the door. Sorted darkest sky first, with the distance to Monumento Natural da Gruta do Carvão for each.

54/100sky darkness at this stay

#1Darkest sky of these stays

Lusitano Garden Villas

Sky darkness
54/100
To the spot
0.8 km
Location
Ponta Delgada
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46/100sky darkness at this stay

#2

Azoris Royal Garden

Sky darkness
46/100
To the spot
0.9 km
Location
Ponta Delgada
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46/100sky darkness at this stay

#3

Central House

Sky darkness
46/100
To the spot
1 km
Location
Ponta Delgada
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More stays nearby

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Live prices around Ponta Delgada

Ponta Delgada is the closest base to Monumento Natural da Gruta do Carvão with rooms to book. The map shows everything available there right now, including the hotels, apartments and cabins we do not rate. Use the stays above when darkness decides, use the map when price or availability does.

Prices and availability come from the booking partners shown on the map, and we earn a commission on bookings made through it. Sky darkness is measured only for the stays listed above.

Nearby spots in Azores

Sky data: NASA Black Marble VJ146A4 2025 annual composite · clear-sky climatology ERA5 2015–2024 (methodology).