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Best of Sao Miguel Island
Best of Sao Miguel Island - Private island boat tour with professional local guide
 



Full day private Ponta Delgada shore excursion combining the two most popular half day routes on Sao Miguel Island. Visit the twin crater lakes at Sete Cidades from the Miradouro da Vista do Rei viewpoint, then continue to Lagoa do Fogo and the historic town of Ribeira Grande. Free time for lunch is built into the day, along with optional stops at a pineapple plantation or liqueur factory. English speaking driver guide, round trip from the Ponta Delgada cruise port. 8 hours.

8 hours (private)
private excursion
driver guide
english speaking local
all group sizes
sedan to full size coach
››
port or hotel
pick up either location
  • Pick up from your Hotel or the Port of Ponta Delgada
  • Your contact will hold a welcome sign with your name written
  • English Speaking Driver-Guide
  • Private Vehicle
Read Full Tour Description





Tour Number:
PAPON-03


Group Size (Prices in USD)*:
2 People - $230 Per Person
3 People - $156 Per Person
4 People - $118 Per Person
5 People - $94 Per Person
6 People - $78 Per Person
7 People - $68 Per Person
8 People - $60 Per Person



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TOUR DESCRIPTION
 

Best of Sao Miguel Island

This is one of the most popular Ponta Delgada tours. We combine the two half day tours to provide a 'Best of Sao Miguel Island' tour. You will visit a large part of the island including Sete Cidades in the western part of the island and Lagoa do Fogo in the central area. In addition to many view points and other places of interests, free time for lunch is also built into the day.

After meeting your driver-guide at the Ponta Delgada pier you depart for the Sete Cidades Crater and Village. You will enjoy stunning views of the crater lake from almost 2,000 feet above sea level. After enjoying the view from the viewpoint, you drive down to the lakes themselves. We can park near the edge of Lagoa Azul (Blue Lake) and take a leisurely stroll along its shore. You also see the Green Lagoon before we visit the small village of Sete Cidades, where you will have a chance to walk through its winding streets and explore the local charm. After this stop we head to the center of the island.

After a morning of natural beauty there will be a stop for you to enjoy lunch (meal not included).

Your next stop is at a viewpoint called Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo where you enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the lake and its surroundings. In good weather, it's an ideal spot for taking photos and soaking in the natural beauty of the area.

After exploring Lagoa do Fogo, you continue on to the historic town of Ribeira Grande, located on the northern coast of Sao Miguel Island. While you are there you have the chance to stroll through the charming streets of the town center with its local shops and cafes.

Weather pending your guide might also suggest stops at Santa Barbara Beach, the Pico da Barrosa, a prominent peak which offers spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding landscape or Ponta do Cintrao, known for its sheer cliffs plunging into the ocean below and lush greenery covering the landscape.

Other possible stops include the beautiful waterfall and swimming hole at Salto do Cabrito or the Caldeira Velha Environmental Interpretation Center (small entrance fee not included in tour price). Depending on interests there is also the possibility of a local pineapple plantation or a liqueur factory.

Please remember that the weather in the Azores can be quite unpredictable but we will enjoy the tour, rain or shine. Don't forget to bring your camera to capture the stunning beauty of Sao Miguel island!

If you cannot find what you are looking for, our Ponta Delgada shore excursions can also be customized to fit your needs. If you have a larger group, we can offer some private Ponta Delgada shore trips using a mid-size bus or full size coach. Please contact us with any questions or to receive a customized quote.

What's Included

Included

  • Pick up from your Hotel or the Port of Ponta Delgada
  • Your contact will hold a welcome sign with your name written
  • English Speaking Driver-Guide
  • Private Vehicle

Not Included

  • Meals and beverages not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Gratuities (optional, at your discretion)
  • Personal shopping

Resources

Visit Azores - Official Tourism Website. Official Azores tourism portal covering Sete Cidades, Lagoa do Fogo, and Ribeira Grande on Sao Miguel Island. Official Website

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this better than booking the two half day tours separately?
This full day tour is designed for guests who only have one day in Ponta Delgada but want to see both Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo. If your ship calls more than once, the two half day tours allow more time at each location.
Is lunch included?
No, lunch is not included in the tour price, but time is built into the day for you to stop and eat at a local restaurant.
How much time do we spend at each main site?
Plan on roughly 2 hours around Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo combined with the drive time between them, plus time in Ribeira Grande, spread across the full 8 hour day.
Is this a lot of driving for one day?
The tour does involve more driving than our half day options since it covers both the west and central parts of the island, but stops are frequent and the scenery along the way is part of the experience.

Also Available:

›Sete Cidades Crater & Village - A shorter 4 hour version of the Sete Cidades portion of this tour, for guests with limited time in port.
›The Lake of Fire and Ribeira Grande - A shorter 4 hour version of the Lagoa do Fogo and Ribeira Grande portion of this tour, for guests with limited time in port.

Our Back-to-Ship Guarantee

Every excursion returning 1.5 hours before departure is covered. If we are late, we cover your costs to reach the next port. More info ›


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