The Best Tours in the Azores

The Azores are an adventure playground: whale watching, crater lakes, hot springs, canyoning and volcano hikes. Many of the best experiences are much easier with a guide or boat operator. Here are the best tours in the Azores, mostly on São Miguel, with a few on the other islands.

Quick answer: the must-do tour is whale and dolphin watching. On São Miguel, add a day tour to Sete Cidades and one to Furnas (hot springs and stew cooked in the ground), and try canyoning. On Pico, climb the volcano with a guide.

The best Azores tours

Whale and dolphin watching

The Azores are among the best places in the world to see whales, with sperm whales year-round and blue and fin whales passing in spring. Trips leave from Ponta Delgada, Pico and Faial. See whale watching on São Miguel and on Pico.

Sete Cidades

The twin blue and green crater lakes, with viewpoints along the rim and a jeep or minibus ride through the crater. See Sete Cidades tours.

Furnas

Steaming fumaroles, the warm iron-rich pool of Terra Nostra garden, and cozido stew cooked underground. Many tours add the Gorreana tea plantation. See Furnas tours.

Full-day São Miguel tours

Combine the highlights, including Lagoa do Fogo, in one day. See São Miguel tours or all Azores tours.

Canyoning

Slide and jump through lush ravines with an expert guide. See canyoning.

Climbing Mount Pico

Portugal’s highest mountain, and a tough climb. A guide makes it safer, especially in poor visibility. See guided Pico climbs. See Pico.

Tips

• Weather: it changes fast. Good operators reschedule boat trips if the sea is rough, so plan these early in your stay.
• When to go: see the best time to visit the Azores.
• Cruise passengers: see Ponta Delgada’s cruise port.

More: the São Miguel itinerary, Azores island hopping and São Miguel hotels.

See also: Lagoa do Fogo.

Some links in this guide are affiliate links (GetYourGuide, Booking.com, Discover Cars). If you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep our groups and this site free.