Sete Cidades shore excursion: Blue and green crater lakes

Two crater lakes and a working pineapple plantation in three hours

This small-group shore excursion from Ponta Delgada port explores Sete Cidades on São Miguel's west side, stopping at Pico do Carvão Viewpoint and the famous twin crater lakes, then visiting Arruda Pineapple Plantation, where pineapples grow inside glass greenhouses. A live guide in English or Portuguese narrates the route in an air-conditioned vehicle, with pickup and drop-off at the cruise port. The itinerary adjusts for weather, visibility and ship schedules, though the main highlights remain covered.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Arruda Pineapple Plantation20m
2. Pico do Carvão Viewpoint10m

Explore Sete Cidades and Pineapple Plantation

• Visit Arruda Pineapple Plantation
• Enjoy view at Pico do Carvão Viewpoint
• See inside the volcano crater
• Admire blue and green lakes viewpoint

The experience

The pineapple plantation is the unusual stop here. Arruda grows pineapples under glass (a method rare enough that the operator names it as unique in the world), and the tour includes time to see how the plants thrive in the Azores climate. From there, the route climbs to Pico do Carvão Viewpoint, which overlooks half the island and opens into the crater itself before reaching the most photographed vantage point in the Azores: the view down into the twin lakes, one blue and one green, sitting inside the volcanic crater.

The whole excursion runs three to four hours, timed to cruise ship schedules so you can return to the port with time to spare before re-boarding. Pickup and drop-off happen at the port. The guide provides live commentary in English or Portuguese as the vehicle moves between stops. Weather and visibility shape what you see (the crater views depend on cloud cover), and the stops may shift if the ship's docking or departure time changes, but the operator commits to covering the main highlights regardless.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off at Ponta Delgada port.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• live guide commentary in English or Portuguese.
• visits to Pico do Carvão Viewpoint and Arruda Pineapple Plantation.
• viewpoints over the blue and green crater lakes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (under 11)

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats available

Operated by Azores Dream Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a shared group experience that departs and returns on a fixed schedule timed to your ship's port window, rather than a private tour or self-guided exploration.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 11).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What are the blue and green lakes at Sete Cidades?

The twin crater lakes sit inside a volcanic crater on São Miguel's west side. One lake appears blue and the other green due to mineral content and light reflection. Both are visible from Pico do Carvão Viewpoint and the most famous overlook in the Azores, where the tour stops to photograph them.

How does the pineapple plantation grow pineapples in the Azores?

Arruda Pineapple Plantation uses glass greenhouses to cultivate pineapples, a method the operator identifies as unique in the world. The tour includes a visit to see the plants and learn about this distinctive local tradition.

Will I have time to get back to my ship?

The tour is scheduled to fit cruise ship timing. At booking, you provide your ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time, and the operator plans the three- to four-hour excursion so you return to the port with time before departure.

What if the weather is bad on the day of the tour?

Views at Sete Cidades depend on weather conditions and visibility. The itinerary may adjust due to weather, traffic or group size, but the operator ensures the main highlights are covered. Poor visibility may limit what you see at the crater viewpoints.

Is this tour private or shared with other passengers?

This is a small-group shared experience designed for cruise passengers. Group size varies depending on demand, especially on busy cruise ship days, but it is not a private tour.