Ponta Delgada

Neighborhood tours

Set off on a whale-watching day trip from Ponta Delgada and witness the marine mammals of the Azores. Look out for minke whales, dolphins, turtles, and more, and learn about the environment from your marine biologist guide. Begin with a briefing by your guide, who will explain the history of whale watching in the Azores. Learn about water safety, rules of observation, and respect for the animals. Depart from the Ponta Delgada harbor and sail into the Atlantic. Situated between Portugal and North America, the Azores are a permanent home or point of passage for more than a third of the world’s whale and dolphin species. Keep an eye out for sperm whales, common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, and Risso’s dolphins, which are present throughout the year, along with turtles, seabirds, and other marine life. In the summer months, spot dolphins, pilot whales, and striped dolphins. In spring, enjoy the opportunity to see migrating baleen whales such as blue whales, fin whales, and sei whales.

Begin the excursion with an introduction to cetaceans (whales and dolphins) and other marine species, their natural habitat, communication, migration, and behavioral patterns. After the briefing, board the designated boat and head out to sea. Approach the whales slowly and carefully as the naturalist guides and marine biologists on board provide commentary. Next, take a tour around the Princess Ring Islet of Vila Franca do Campo, for an up-close look at the volcano and resident wildlife. Light food is permitted on board, and a camera is essential to capture the wildlife you spot on the tour.

Enjoy a half-day whale watching trip in the Azores, one of the ‘top ten’ whale-watching spots in the world, and get the opportunity to meet the ocean giants in their natural habitat. Meet the boat crew and get a short briefing about safety and code of ethics and then put on your life vest and head out in the ocean. Listen as the crew follows the instructions given by radio from the lookouts placed in strategic points along the coastline using military-grade binoculars to find and communicate the position of the animals. Take comfort that the crew has a 99% success rate of sightings. If whales are spotted it´s time to enjoy the company of these magnificent animals, always keeping a safe and respectful distance. It´s usual that more than one group of whales and dolphins are observed per trip. On the way back to the marina, observe the geological formations of the island as the boat sails close to the coastline. On the regular whale watching tour leaving from Ponta Delgada, if you do not see whales or dolphins, you will receive a full refund, or you can book another trip for free. If you select the North Coast tour (Available on Thursday, Friday, Saturday) leaving from Rabo do Peixe, and no whales are spotted, you will receive a full refund, or you can book another trip for free.

Explore the highlights of the western half of São Miguel island on this guided tour by van. Discover the famous crater lakes of Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo, picturesque waterfalls, amazing cliffs, and stunning rock formations around the coast of the island. Start with a visit to Ribeira Grande, one of the most picturesque towns of the Azores, followed by a surprising view of some amazingly beautiful cliffs on the North coast. Then travel to the inner areas of the island to see the gorgeous waterfall of Salto do Cabrito, surrounded by wild vegetation. Drive to the top of Fogo Volcano to enjoy views of the most pristine and magical of the crater lakes of São Miguel. From the top of the mountain, enjoy the stunning views over a large portion of the island. After a tasty meal to restore your energy levels, head to Sete Cidades, to understand why this is considered by the postcard of the Azores. Enjoy views from two completely different perspectives over the famous twin lakes.  End the day in Mosteiros, on the western coast of the island, where the lava rocks have formed enchanting small islets and natural pools.

This excursion takes place in Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões, one of the most extraordinary parks in the northeastern part of the island of São Miguel (+/- 45 minute drive away from the city of Ponta Delgada). Upon arrival, we will proceed with the distribution of your personal equipment and then set off on short walk of ~ 15min to our first stop where we will have our first safety briefing. We will then continue on a short scramble uphill where we will then stop for our second safety briefing, where we will show you how to rappel before continuing onwards and upwards for another ~10min to the start of the canyon where the fun will begin! The Canyoning Experience: After reaching the top of the canyon you will start the second part of your adventure. You can expect several jumps (between 2 and 7 meters in height, all optional), a natural slide and some abseils (between 5 and 15m in height). We will walk back along our initial path to the starting point. Note: – The exact itinerary including jumps, abseils and other techniques will depend on local conditions and seasons. The terrain, landscape and flow of the stream normally change throughout the year. – If you feel uncomfortable, there are different alternatives for every obstacle.

Explore the highlights of the eastern half of São Miguel island on a guided tour by van. Discover the hot springs at Furnas, the waterfall at Ribeira dos Caldeirões, as well as the remote rugged beauty of the Nordeste region. Enjoy the beautiful scenery along the northern coast of the island until you get to the Santa Iria Lookout, with a spectacular, ample view of the north coast in both directions, before continuing to Furnas. Find yourself in Furnas and admire a spectacular panoramic stop to gaze over the lake and town. Descend where you will be given the choice of visiting the geothermal fields and tasting the sparkling waters, or bathing in the hot springs, for an additional fee. Next, discover a traditional way of cooking as your lunch of cozido (stew) is pulled from the warm volcanic soil. In the afternoon, continue the journey eastward, with a stop at the charming waterfall of Ribeira dos Caldeirões.  Explore Nordeste, the most unexplored and rural part of the island. Visit two amazing lookouts over the high cliffs that characterize the East coast of São Miguel, before returning to Ponta Delgada.

1st Full Day tour to Furnas & Nordeste. (8 hours tour)) 2nd Full Day tour to Sete Cidades & Lagoa do Fogo. (8 hours tour) *The order of days tours may be changed. On the day of Furnas & Nordeste tour, we will have the opportunity to lunch the famous “Furnas Stew”, cooked in volcanic soil for 6 hours and also have the opportunity to see taking out our pot from the interior of the volcanic soil, and all the volcanic manifestations existing there. On the day of Sete Cidades & Lagoa do Fogo tour, lunch will be served as a “Buffet” with different meat and fish dishes. (Full lunch on both of 2 days of activities with starters, drinks, dessert and coffee can be added to your tour when booking) In these 2 days of activitiest, you will have the privilege of having a general view of the most iconic places of the entire “green” island, from which stand out the emblematic viewpoints such as Vista do Rei in Sete Cidades, (winner of the 7 Wonders of Portugal ) or Pico do Ferro, where you can see from the top of the crater one of the most active volcanoes in the Azores archipelago and learn all about its eruptive history with more than 100,000 years. You will also have the opportunity to relax in hot thermal pools, heated by Furnas volcano, at one of the biggest and best Botanical Parks in Europe, Terra Nostra Park. Also the visit to Pineapple and Tea Plantations will be a “must”. In the Northeast area, we will visit the Ribeira dos Caldeirões Natural Park with its 5 water mills and its imposing and majestic waterfall, entitled “Véu da Noiva”.

Depart from the Marina of Vila Franca do Campo, starting with a short briefing introducing the islet’s geology and wildlife, the nature reserve, and boat safety. Follow the guide and skipper to your designated boat to travel by sea to the Islet. Enjoy a boat exploration to admire the volcanic marvel, its extraordinary geological features, and the seasonal highlights of marine life, with an enchanting narrative while circling the Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo. Learn about the volcanic activity's significance in the island's history, symbolizing the resilient embrace of life on the edge of the Atlantic. A relic of an oceanic volcanic cone, see the marine sanctuary teeming with wildlife, from birds and fish to lightfoot crabs, especially from fall to spring.

Get off the usual tourist trail on a 3-hour 4WD tour of the Sete Cidades (Seven Cities) region of the Azores island of São Miguel, departing from Ponta Delgada. Traveling by 4WD vehicle, you will experience the dramatic scenery of the volcanic crater and its flora and fauna in a more immersive fashion.  Drive to the mountain top to look down on the 2 impressive lakes of the caldera (basin), one with blue water (Lagoa Azul) and the other with green water (Lagoa Verde). Along the way, take in many other picturesque spots of São Miguel, including the peaceful lakes of Lagoa das Empadadas, Lagoa de Santiago, and Lagoa do Carvão.  Enjoy stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean, volcanic cones, and stretches of green, and go to villages that have played a vital role in the story of the island.

Explore São Miguel's Natural Wonders: Tea Plantations, Hot Springs, and More! Discover the breathtaking natural beauty of São Miguel with our guided tour, starting right from your accommodation. Immerse yourself in lush landscapes, stunning vistas, and captivating landmarks throughout your journey. Begin your adventure with a visit to Gorreana Tea Plantation, Europe's oldest tea plantation, and enjoy complimentary tea tasting amidst the picturesque plantation. Stroll through the tea fields, taking in the serene surroundings. Next, make your way to Furnas, where you'll explore the enchanting valley and indulge in a soothing dip in the hot springs, a perfect opportunity to reconnect with nature. After your revitalizing hot spring experience, enjoy a traditional lunch in Furnas and have the famous “Cozido das Furnas” or explore the diverse menu options available. Following lunch, take a leisurely walk around the picturesque lagoon to fully embrace the natural beauty. Continue your journey with a visit to the viewpoint of the world-renowned islet of Vila Franca, known for its unique charm and allure. Finally, conclude your unforgettable tour in Ponta Delgada with a visit to the captivating pineapple plantations. Book now to embark on an unforgettable adventure through São Miguel's natural wonders! NOTE: - Pickup time is between 8:45 and 9:30 a.m. Delays may be expected, due to traffic, high number of passengers or distance from Ponta Delgada; - Pickups outside of Ponta Delgada may be charged extra, depending on the location requested. -The Terra Nostra Park hot springs are closed for mainte until January 2025. Although the pools are close, visiting will still be available.