The Azores archipelago comprises nine volcanic islands in the North Atlantic. The complex geotectonic setting of these islands gives them a high exposure to various natural hazards (e.g. earthquakes, slope movements, volcanoes, coastal erosion, etc.) in addition to climatic factors. Due to its insular nature, coastal erosion is one of the most significant geological hazards that pose the greatest problems in coastal management. This phenomenon, which affects several areas of the Azores islands, is a source of risk for consolidated urban areas, roads, and infrastructure, as well as for people living along the coastline and at the top and bottom of the cliffs. The geological constitution of the cliffs favours instability phenomena caused by marine action. The instability of the massifs also depends strongly on the height and slope of the cliff. Furthermore, if the geological formations are highly fractured, they will be even more prone to collapse. On the other hand, anthropogenic action has also contributed significantly to accelerating the processes of instability on the coastline. It was also found that shoreline retreat rates are neither stable nor continuous over time. For example, on the island of S. Miguel, the average rate of retreat is 0.27 m.year−1, but in some cases, it can be as high as 1.2 m.year−1. This paper presents some of the most critical situations on some islands that the Azores Regional Civil Engineering Laboratory has monitored, as well as their causes and negative impacts on populations and the economy. Finally, the recommended measures to minimise the existing risk in coastal areas are mentioned, particularly when the effects of climate change are beginning to be felt more intensely, accelerating erosion processes.