Joe Batt’s Arm

Joe Batt’s Arm is a small town on the northern end of Fogo Island. It’s a charming place with lots of fishing huts perched on the water. The area was settled as early as 1712, though it didn’t acquire its current name until decades later. Historically, the community thrived on family-run fishing stages. Today, the fishery remains central, with a local fish plant processing crab, squid, cod, shrimp, and turbot—providing employment and exporting seafood globally. Joe Batt’s Arm is the largest of the eleven communities on Fogo Island, with a population of over 1,000 people.

Around Joe Batt’s Arm there are also four artists studios associated with the Fogo Inn. Artists who qualify can get a stipend and the use of the studio to advance their art. Each studio is solar-powered, equipped with compost toilets and wood-burning stoves, and built using local materials to minimize environmental impact.Read more