Pico Island Private Day Tour: Vineyards, Whaling & Banana Farm

Summary

Explore Pico’s Wine Culture, Whaling Heritage & Banana Plantation

If you want to see Pico Island beyond postcards, this tour gives you real stories and flavors—from lava vineyards to hidden tide pools and even a peek at local banana farming. It’s personal, relaxed, and full of small surprises along the way.

What’s the experience like?

The ferry ride from Faial to Pico is always a bit chilly in the morning—wind in your hair, salt in the air. Our guide met us right at the dock with a grin and a thermos of strong coffee (Azorean style, not too sweet). First stop: the old vineyards. Walking between those black lava stone walls, you can feel how tough it must’ve been for families to grow grapes here. The guide pointed out tiny wildflowers peeking through the rocks—said they only bloom after spring rain.

We rolled into São João just as the tide was coming in. The natural pools looked almost empty except for two kids daring each other to jump in. The water’s clear but cold—locals say you get used to it after a minute or two. There’s this faint smell of seaweed and grilled fish from a nearby café drifting over the rocks. I snapped a few photos before we moved on.

Lajes village feels like time slowed down. We had lunch at a small spot where the owner knew our guide by name—fish stew and fresh bread, nothing fancy but really good. Afterward, we wandered through the Whaling Museum. It’s quiet inside; you can almost hear old stories echoing off the wooden beams. The guide shared bits about his grandfather working on these boats—made it all feel real.

The last stop was their family banana plantation tucked behind some stone walls. We checked if any bunches were ripe (one was almost there). You can smell earth and green leaves everywhere—totally different from the salty coast earlier in the day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Pico Island Cultural Tour

• Learn about Pico wine history
• Visit natural tide pools at São João
• Guided visit to Whaling Museum

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for families with young children?

Yes! Kids are welcome—there are prams and infant seats available if needed.

Do I need to bring lunch or snacks?

No need—lunch is included at Lajes village, plus there are chances to grab snacks along the way.

How long does the ferry take from Faial to Pico?

The ferry ride usually takes about 30 minutes each way, depending on weather conditions.

Will we have time to swim in the tide pools?

You’ll have some free time at São João; swimming depends on tides and weather but is possible if conditions are right.

What’s included

Your day covers private transport around Pico, round-trip ferry tickets from Faial, a certified local guide who knows all the best spots (and stories), plus lunch in Lajes village. Everything’s sorted—you just show up ready for adventure.