Terceira Lava Tube Tour: Algar do Carvão & Volcanic Sites

Walk inside a lava tube and descend into a volcanic crater on the same morning

A half-day guided tour of Terceira Island's volcanic landscape, visiting four geological sites: a crater lake, a lava tube, a geothermal field and a rare visitable volcano. A certified guide leads the route in English or Portuguese, with entrance tickets and air-conditioned transport included. The tour requires moderate fitness.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Terceira Island's volcanic sites

• Visit Lagoa das Patas
• Walk through Gruta do Natal lava tube
• Explore Furnas do Enxofre fumaroles
• Descend into Algar do Carvão volcano

The experience

The tour centers on Terceira's volcanic geology, built around four stops that show how lava shaped the island over millennia. You start at Lagoa das Patas, a crater lake ringed by dense forest where the water stays calm and clear, then move into the Gruta do Natal: a lava tube you walk through to see how molten rock carved the passage centuries ago. The Furnas do Enxofre comes next: a geothermal field where hot springs and sulfurous vents rise from cracks in the ground, and the air carries the sharp smell of active volcanic energy beneath your feet.

The final stop is Algar do Carvão, one of the few volcanoes in the world open to visitors. You descend into the crater to see sílica formations that hang from the walls and vegetation that grows nowhere else, all preserved in the natural cavity left by an eruption thousands of years ago. The certified guide explains the geology at each site and handles the logistics: pickup is included, and entrance tickets to the Gruta do Natal and Algar do Carvão are paid upfront as part of the booking. The whole route takes three hours and moves by air-conditioned vehicle between stops.

The tour works best for travelers with at least moderate fitness, since you walk through the lava tube and descend into the crater. Service animals are welcome, and specialized infant seats are available if you're traveling with young children. Public transport options exist nearby if you prefer to meet the group at a specific site instead of arranging pickup.

What’s included

• Certified guide in English or Portuguese.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport.
• entrance tickets to Gruta do Natal and Algar do Carvão.
• hotel or meeting-point pickup.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday, Wednesday, Friday and SaturdayDeparts at 14:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (6 to 10 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupUp to 26

Live guideEnglish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 18 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 or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Azores On Route

Is this one for you?The tour is shared and guide-led, so you move as a group on a fixed three-hour route with scheduled stops. This works well for travelers who want the geology explained by someone who knows the sites and prefer not to navigate the volcanic terrain alone, but it means you follow the group's pace and cannot linger at one stop while skipping another.

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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 (6 to 10 years); Infant (under 6): free.

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 exactly is the Gruta do Natal and what do you do inside it?

The Gruta do Natal is a lava tube: a tunnel carved by flowing lava during a volcanic eruption. You walk through the interior to see the geological formations and volcanic rock walls, experiencing firsthand how the lava shaped the island's landscape over time.

Can I visit Algar do Carvão, and what will I see there?

Yes, Algar do Carvão is open to visitors with restricted access due to ongoing maintenance. You descend into the crater to view sílica formations on the walls and unique vegetation that grows in the volcanic cavity, offering a rare look inside an active volcanic formation.

How long does the tour take and what's the physical demand?

The tour runs three hours total and requires at least moderate fitness. You'll walk through a lava tube and descend into a crater, so comfortable shoes and reasonable mobility are necessary. The tour is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.

What's included in the price, and do I need to pay anything extra?

The tour includes a certified guide in English or Portuguese, air-conditioned transport, entrance tickets to the Gruta do Natal and Algar do Carvão, and hotel or meeting-point pickup. No additional entrance fees apply at the other two stops.

What is Furnas do Enxofre like, and why does it smell?

Furnas do Enxofre is a geothermal field where hot springs and sulfurous vents emerge from fissures in the ground. The strong sulfur smell comes from the volcanic gases and thermal activity beneath the surface, and you can feel the heat rising from the earth as you walk the trails.