the coast is rough and rocky but generally low, except in the northwest along the serra branca (where the cliffs are 200 meters high). there are two shallow bays, situated in the southeast and southwest corresponding to fishing ports in vila da praia and folga, respectively. along the northeast coast there are several smaller coves near santa cruz da graciosa that were used as ports but are now abandoned, and the older whale and commercial port in barra, now used as a recreational zone.