Things to do in Sao Miguel
The unmissables
Most booked
São Miguel East tour: Furnas, Nordeste & thermal lunch★ 4.96 (1,307) · 8h
Top rated
Azores Ribeira Grande: Canyoning Adventure with Gear & Guides★ 4.99 (983) · 2h 30m
Best value
Small-Group Food Tour Ponta Delgada: Azorean Specialties★ 4.93 (1,007) · 3h 30m
Recommended (7)
Sete Cidades Quad Bike Tour: 845m Mountain Views & Crater Lakes★ 4.94 (937) · 3h–4h€ 79View ›
Whale Watching Ponta Delgada: Biologist-Guided Azores Tour★ 4.54 (929) · 2h–3h€ 65View ›
Jeep tour Sete Cidades & Lagoa do Fogo from Ponta Delgada★ 4.96 (736) · 8h€ 90View ›
São Miguel: Nordeste Canyoning Adventure & Photos Included★ 4.95 (695) · 3h 30m€ 81View ›
Sete Cidades offroad jeep tour: Crater rim trails in a 4x4★ 4.96 (671) · 3h–4h€ 48View ›
Canyoning Ribeira dos Caldeirões São Miguel: Jumps & rappels★ 4.94 (471) · 2h 30m€ 70View ›
Sao Miguel: Full Day Island Tour with Waterfalls & Coastal Walks★ 4.96 (467) · 8h€ 85View ›Top rated (10)
Canyoning in Salto do Cabrito São Miguel: 5 waterfalls & rappelsYou arrive at the canyon, get briefed and geared up, then spend four hours jumping, sliding, and rappelling through five waterfalls in a warm geothermal canyon on São Miguel. The biggest rappel is 16 meters. A certified guide stays with your group the whole time, and you get professional photos and videos of the activity plus all equipment and insurance included in the price.Is it for me?Pick this if you have moderate fitness and want to move through a canyon rather than just look at one — the rappelling and jumping are what make the geothermal landscape feel real, and the warm water means you can stay in the canyon longer without getting cold.
São Miguel Canyoning: Ribeira dos Caldeirões Natural ParkCanyoning in Ribeira dos Caldeirões Natural Park on São Miguel puts you in the river bed with certified guides, full safety equipment and optional jumps at different heights. The activity runs about two and a half hours, with photos and videos of the day included. Children from age 6 are welcome; guides speak English, Spanish and Portuguese.Is it for me?Book this if you want to move through the canyon actively—rappelling, sliding and jumping—rather than watching from a platform or walking a trail. The optional jumps at different heights mean families and mixed-ability groups can stay together while each person chooses their own level.
Sete Cidades: Buggy Volcano Crater Tour & Lake ViewsYou’ll drive your own buggy along muddy trails around Sete Cidades crater with a local guide leading the way. Expect lake views from high above, stories about ancient aqueducts, and stops where you can breathe in that fresh Azores air. There’s time for questions or just standing quietly by Lagoa Azul — it’s not rushed. You might leave with muddy shoes but also some new favorite memories.
Salto do Cabrito Canyoning: Azores Waterfalls & Volcanic PoolsSalto do Cabrito canyoning adventure in the Azores puts you in a wetsuit, helmet and harness to descend waterfalls, swim in emerald pools and navigate volcanic canyons on São Miguel Island. Professional guides lead small groups through a 30-minute hike past geothermal areas and old hydroelectric remnants, then into the canyon itself. All equipment, insurance and photos of the experience are included; the guides speak English and Portuguese.Is it for me?Book this adventure if you want to move through the landscape rather than observe it from a trail—you're rappelling, swimming and navigating volcanic canyons yourself, not watching someone else do it. Small group size means you're not competing for space at the water's edge or waiting for others to finish a rappel.
Ribeira dos Caldeirões Canyoning: Jumping, Abseiling & ZipliningLevel 1 canyoning in Ribeira dos Caldeirões Natural Park on São Miguel Island combines jumping, abseiling, ziplining and sliding through natural waterfalls, with a live guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese, all equipment, activity insurance and photos included. The activity takes three hours total, with a 15-minute walk to the starting point and a 45-minute drive from Ponta Delgada. Children are welcome from age 6, and the experience suits all fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.Is it for me?The public group format keeps costs lower and adds the energy of other participants; book the private option in advance if you want the guide and the waterfalls to yourself or if your group has specific timing needs.
Furnas Jeep Tour: Hot Springs, Tea Plantation & Cozido LunchYou’ll ride through winding roads to Furnas with a local guide, sample fresh-picked tea on a plantation visit, watch your cozido lunch lifted steaming from volcanic earth, then soak in warm thermal pools before heading back to Ponta Delgada—all with drinks included and plenty of small surprises along the way.
São Miguel Furnas: Geothermal Dinner & Hot Springs at NightYou're picked up at your hotel and driven to Furnas, where you photograph the coastal islet, walk through geothermal vents, eat a full traditional dinner cooked underground, soak in the 39°C thermal pools at golden hour, then return to the village at night to see the fumaroles lit by streetlight and taste mineral water and local sweets. The tour handles your hot spring reservation, so you avoid the entry queue. Total time is 6–7 hours, ending with a 45-minute drive back to your accommodation.Is it for me?Book this if you want the full Furnas experience—geothermal cooking, thermal bathing, and the village's nighttime landscape—without arranging transport, dinner reservations, or hot spring tickets yourself. The fixed schedule and reserved entry mean you move through each stop without waiting or negotiating logistics.
Ponta Delgada: 8-Hour Private 4x4 Tour Customizable ItineraryYou get a full day in a private 4x4 with a driver who knows São Miguel, hotel pickup and drop-off included, and complete freedom to build your own route—whether that's volcanic lakes, coastal cliffs, or hidden villages. The eight hours are yours to spend however the island pulls you.Is it for me?Right for travelers who want to see São Miguel without a fixed schedule or group pace—the private 4x4 and driver handle the logistics while you choose what matters. Plan for a full day of driving and stops; the eight hours are what lets you cover both the famous spots and the quiet corners most tours skip.
São Miguel boat tour: Caves, cliffs & volcanic coastA three-hour boat tour along the north coast of São Miguel departing from the fishing village of Rabo de Peixe, with stops at sea caves, headlands and beaches between Porto Formoso and Ribeira Grande. The guide provides safety briefing and detailed explanations of local wildlife and geology throughout the route. Life jacket, insurance, pre-tour meeting and coffee or tea are included; the boat departs around 9:15 a.m. and returns by 12:30 p.m.Is it for me?Book this tour if you're traveling with a small group or family and want a guided morning on the water without arranging transport yourself—the three-hour window fits easily into a day of exploring the island, and the boat handles the logistics of reaching the caves and cliffs that the coast road cannot reach.
Sete Cidades Volcano: Offroad UTV Tour & Lagoons ViewsYou’ll drive a UTV through São Miguel’s north coast, climbing muddy tracks for wild views over Sete Cidades’ crater lakes with a local guide leading the way. Expect salty air, bumpy roads, stories about old whalers in Capelas village, and moments where everything goes quiet except for your heartbeat.
Lowest price (10)
Ilhéu de Villa Franca do Campo Snorkeling Tour: Guided ExplorationSnorkel the waters surrounding Ilhéu de Villa Franca do Campo, a volcanic island in the Azores, with a guide in the water beside you and all equipment provided. You arrive 30 minutes early for a briefing, then spend an hour exploring the outer waters where colorful fish, sea stars, crabs and other marine life inhabit the rocky formations. After snorkeling, a boat ride circles the island for a 360-degree view before you return to the marina.Is it for me?The guide speaks English, Spanish or Portuguese, so choose the language that matches yours at checkout. Children from age 5 can join, though the activity requires at least moderate fitness and is not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health or pregnancy.
Vila Franca do Campo Snorkeling: 1 Hour in Azores WatersA one-hour snorkeling activity at Vila Franca do Campo islet in the Azores, where you explore the waters around the volcanic formation with mask, fins, wetsuit and life jacket provided. The guide stays with you in the water to point out fish species and watch for safety. Snorkeling happens outside the islet to protect the internal marine ecosystem. Children from age 6 are welcome, and the guide speaks English or Portuguese.Is it for me?The guide speaks English or Portuguese, so you can follow the commentary and safety instructions in whichever language you're comfortable with. If you have a free afternoon and want to see the Azores underwater without committing a full day, or if you're a weaker swimmer and want a guide staying close beside you, the one-hour window and the life jacket support make this work.
Sete Cidades tour from Ponta Delgada: Volcanic lakes & viewpointsA half-day guided tour of Sete Cidades from Ponta Delgada takes you to one of Portugal's 7 wonders—two crater lakes ringed by hydrangea-covered slopes and five viewpoints across the western side of the island. A local guide leads groups of up to 8 people, hotel pickup is included, and the whole loop takes 4.5 hours with roughly 15 minutes between each stop.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to see the volcanic lakes and crater rim without renting a car or navigating the winding roads yourself—the small group size and local guide mean you'll hear the story behind what you're looking at instead of just standing there guessing.
São Miguel: Glass Bottom Boat & Snorkeling at Vila Franca IsletYou’ll start in São Miguel’s marina, stepping onto a glass bottom boat to watch Atlantic marine life swirl beneath your feet before snorkeling near Vila Franca do Campo Islet. With a local biologist guiding you and all gear included, expect rare fish sightings, laughter on deck, and that quiet thrill of drifting in clear Azores water.
Vila Franca do Campo Snorkeling: Crater ExplorationSnorkel the natural pool inside Vila Franca do Campo Islet, a protected volcanic crater reserve off São Miguel, with a certified guide, round-trip boat transport and all gear provided. The 3-hour outing includes a walking tour of the reserve's geology and wildlife before you enter the water, plus snacks and drinks back at the marina afterward. Children from age 4 are welcome; guides speak English, Spanish and Portuguese.Is it for me?The 3-hour window means you can fit this into a morning or afternoon without losing the rest of your day on São Miguel. If you're not comfortable in the water or prefer to stay dry, the beach and the geology walk are yours to enjoy instead—snorkeling is the option, not the requirement.
Scuba Diving South Coast São Miguel: Certified Dives from a BoatScuba diving trips for certified divers departing from a boat to the best dive sites on the south coast of São Miguel in the Azores. A professional guide leads dives to three hours, with equipment rental available and daily departures at 9am and 2pm from October through June. Briefing, washing and drying facilities, and equipment storage are on-site. Proof of dive certification is required; all divers complete a health questionnaire before entering the water.Is it for me?Book this if you're a certified diver ready to jump straight into the water—the operator provides the boat, briefing, and site selection, so you only need to show up with your certification card and decide whether to bring your own gear or rent on the day.
São Miguel: Canyoning Adventure with Gear & PhotosYou’ll suit up with all your canyoning gear and head into São Miguel’s hidden volcanic canyons alongside expert local guides. Expect jumps into crystal pools, natural rock slides, and moments where time slows down between waterfalls and forest light. Photos are included so you can relive those wild laughs later—if you dare look at your own face.
Furnas tour from Ponta Delgada: Tea, hot springs & lagoonA guided tour from Ponta Delgada that moves through five stops across the Azores landscape: the Gorreana tea plantations (the oldest in Europe), a viewpoint over Furnas Lake, the thermal springs where you bathe, a lunch stop in Furnas, and the Chapel of Our Lady of Victory near the lagoon, finishing at a pineapple plantation. The tour runs 7 to 8 hours with an air-conditioned vehicle, a live guide in English, Spanish, Portuguese or French, and powerbanks included; pickups start at 8:45 a.m.Is it for me?The 7- to 8-hour commitment means you can fit this into a single day without rushing the main stops, though it leaves little room for other activities on the same day. If you want to see the Azores' most distinctive landscapes—tea fields, thermal water, volcanic lake and coastal views—without arranging transport or a guide yourself, this route covers them all in one loop.
Canyoning in Ribeira dos Caldeiroes: Rappel, jump and swimCanyoning experience in Ribeira dos Caldeiroes combines rappelling down four waterfalls (6, 7, and 12 meters), optional jumps, and a scramble back through the streambed itself. Small groups stay under control while a certified guide handles all equipment and timing; the activity runs about three hours and suits anyone from age 6 onward, regardless of fitness level. Photos taken during the day arrive by email after you leave.Is it for me?The guide speaks English or Spanish, so you follow instructions and safety briefings in your own language. Small groups mean the guide stays close and adjusts the pace for your comfort, which makes the difference between feeling rushed and feeling in control on the wall.
Vila Franca do Campo: Kayak Tour to Islet & Entry IncludedYou’ll kayak from Vila Franca do Campo with a local guide, cross open water to reach the famous islet, explore volcanic caves along the way, and swim inside a natural crater lagoon. Expect salty air, laughter over paddling mishaps, and quiet moments surrounded by ancient stone—all entry fees included.
