Top Azores Stand Up Paddleboarding

Immerse yourself in some of São Miguel Island’s most dramatic scenery—and put your mettle to the test—with this half-day canyoning tour. Pick between morning and afternoon start times, meet your guide at the Ribeira dos Caldeirões Natural Park in the island’s Nordeste region, and take part in a safety and training session. Then, grab your gear and head into nature: You’ll hike, rappel, cliff-jump, try a natural water slide, and more.

The coast along São Miguel is home to notable birdlife, from petrels and terns to buzzards and gannets—a bird-watcher's dream, if you can get close enough. With this small-group tour, cruise out of the marina in Vila Franca do Campo with naturalists and biologists on a marine birding expedition gathering field data for research—approach bird colonies slowly and view them from a distance and through provided binoculars.

Immerse yourself in the Azores’ otherworldly beauty—and enjoy an active excursion as you go—on this small-group electric bike tour of Sete Cidades. Pick between morning and afternoon start times, meet your guide, and grab your e-bike. You can look forward to scaling the region’s volcanic rims, soaking up the sights from the Vista do Rei viewpoint, descending into the caldera, visiting a local village, and more.

Skip the busier stretches of the São Miguel coastline, and head out by boat to discover the marine life and exclusive swimming spots of the island’s south coast. With an in-the-know local guide, you’ll improve your chances of finding the region’s famous whales and dolphins. Swimming and a traditional Azores lunch follow the boat ride at the islet of Vila Franca do Campo.

If you’ve got limited time in Sao Miguel, and you’d like to plan a personalized day tour, this is the perfect option. Avoid waiting around for other travelers, and instead, enjoy a tour with just your party and a private driver. You can customize your day based on your interests, or ask your guide for recommendations. Potential highlights include Furnas, Nordeste, Sete Cidades, or Lagoa do Fogo.