Ponta Delgada: Sete Cidades Volcano Lakes Shore Excursion
Hightlight
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English-Speaking
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Group-Friendly
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Reservations
History
Sete Cidades is a massive volcanic caldera formed over 20,000 years ago during a series of explosive eruptions that collapsed the crater into twin lakes. Local legends speak of a princess and shepherd whose tears created the contrasting Green and Blue Lakes.
European settlers in the 15th century turned the fertile crater into farmland, while the surrounding ridges became strategic lookouts. Today, it’s a UNESCO-recognized biosphere reserve and São Miguel’s most visited natural wonder.
Highlights
- Explore the legendary Sete Cidades volcanic crater and twin lakes
- Enjoy panoramic views from Vista do Rei and Pico do Carvão
- Walk through the peaceful village and relax by the Blue Lake
- Discover Azorean pineapple cultivation with a guided greenhouse tour and tasting
- Perfectly timed for cruise passengers with guaranteed post-docking departure
Full Description
Embark on a half-day journey from Ponta Delgada to the breathtaking Sete Cidades caldera, one of the Azores’ most iconic volcanic landscapes. Designed exclusively for cruise passengers, this tour guarantees departure after your ship docks, ensuring no missed connections.
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Travel west along scenic coastal roads, stopping first at Pico do Carvão for sweeping views of the island’s north and south coasts. Ascend to the famous Vista do Rei lookout, named after King Carlos I’s 1901 visit, where the Green and Blue Lakes shimmer within the vast crater. Continue into the caldera, pausing at hidden Lagoa de Santiago before reaching the tranquil village of Sete Cidades.
Stroll along the Blue Lake shore, visit the charming São Nicolau church, or enjoy coffee with locals during free time. On the return, visit a traditional pineapple plantation to learn the unique 2-year glasshouse growing method and savor fresh samples. The tour concludes back at port with optional city center drop-off.
Why Choose This Experience?
Tailored specifically for cruise travelers, this excursion eliminates timing stress with flexible start times and port pickup. A knowledgeable local guide brings the geology, legends, and culture of Sete Cidades to life in engaging English commentary.
The combination of dramatic volcanic scenery, village immersion, and exclusive pineapple tasting creates a perfectly balanced introduction to São Miguel’s west coast, all within a convenient 4-hour window.
What’s Included
- Pickup and drop-off at cruise terminal (Portas do Mar)
- Optional city center drop-off
- Professional English-speaking local guide
- Guided tour of pineapple plantation greenhouses
- Fresh pineapple tasting
- Air-conditioned minivan transport
- All entrance fees and taxes
- Bottled water onboard
- Rain ponchos (if needed)
- Photo stops at all major viewpoints
Itinerary
- Starting location: Multiusos Portas do Mar (cruise terminal)
- Scenic drive with coastal pass-by views (15 minutes)
- Quick scenic drive segment (7 minutes)
- Vista do Rei Lookout – photo stop & panoramic views (15 minutes)
- Lagoa de Santiago – pass-by sighting (5 minutes)
- Lagoa das Sete Cidades – photo stop & scenic views (15 minutes)
- Sete Cidades village – free time, walk, church visit, coffee break (30 minutes)
- Pico do Carvão – photo stop & scenic drive (15 minutes)
- Pineapples St. Anthony – greenhouse tour & tasting (30 minutes)
- Return: Multiusos Portas do Mar
Pricing
From $52 per person
Meeting Point
Primary: Multiusos Portas do Mar cruise terminal – stay on ground floor after disembarking, look for guide holding IDILICAZORES – Enjoy Nature sign (past tourism counter, outside glass doors). Alternate (commercial harbor): Take ship shuttle to old fort, then walk along sidewalk to guide with IDILICAZORES sign.
How to get there
- Direct pickup at cruise terminal platform (no walking required)
- Shuttle bus provided by ship if docked at commercial harbor
- Guide waits with clear signage in designated meeting zone
- WhatsApp contact available for real-time assistance
Good to Know
What to bring
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Light jacket or raincoat
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- Camera or smartphone
- Small euro cash for coffee/souvenirs
- Reusable water bottle
Know before you go
- Tour starts after ship docking (even if after 09:00 am)
- Itinerary order may adjust based on weather for best views
- Not suitable for electric wheelchairs due to rural paths
- No food or alcohol allowed in vehicle
- Full refund only if ship cancels port call
- Dress in layers—temperature drops at higher elevations
Reviews
- Mario Rosa was an outstanding guide who navigated cloudy weather to maximize lake views; his passion made the tour unforgettable!
- Perfect amount of information—engaging without overwhelming; guide adapted route brilliantly to changing conditions.
- Knowledgeable guide covered history, geology, and culture; scenic stops were stunning despite rain—great half-day adventure!
Maps
Contact
Video
FAQ's
What happens if my cruise ship arrives late?
This tour is exclusively designed for cruise passengers, so departure is guaranteed only after your ship has fully docked and passengers are cleared to disembark, even if arrival is delayed past the standard 08:45 am pickup time. Your guide monitors ship tracking systems in real-time and remains at the meeting point with the IDILICAZORES sign until the last passenger from your vessel joins. The itinerary is flexible—stops may be shortened or reordered to ensure you experience all highlights, including the pineapple tasting, and return to port at least 1 hour before all-aboard time. In rare cases of extreme delays (over 3 hours), the operator will contact you via WhatsApp with options to join a later departure or receive priority booking for the following day if your ship remains in port. This policy eliminates stress and has successfully accommodated hundreds of ships with varying schedules.
Will we still see the lakes if it’s cloudy or rainy?
Yes, the tour operates rain or shine, and your guide is a weather-routing expert who adjusts the sequence of stops to chase clear pockets and maximize visibility. For example, if clouds cover Vista do Rei upon arrival, the group may first explore the village or pineapple plantation, returning to the lookout later when conditions often improve due to the Azores’ rapidly changing microclimates. Sete Cidades’ magic lies not only in perfect blue skies but in the dramatic mist rolling over crater rims, which many guests find even more atmospheric and photogenic. Rain ponchos are provided, and all vehicles have covered seating. Over 90% of tours achieve clear lake views from at least one viewpoint, and the guide’s local knowledge of alternative lesser-known lookouts ensures you won’t miss the twin lakes’ beauty regardless of weather.
Is this tour suitable for limited mobility?
The tour is partially accessible and can accommodate guests with mild mobility challenges, but it is not recommended for wheelchair users or those requiring significant assistance. The minivan has high steps for entry/exit, and while main viewpoints like Vista do Rei and Pico do Carvão have paved or short gravel paths (under 50 meters) to viewing platforms, the village walk in Sete Cidades includes optional uneven cobblestone streets and a gentle lakeside path that may be slippery when wet. The pineapple greenhouse visit is fully accessible with flat concrete floors. Guests with folding walkers or canes generally manage well, and the guide assists with boarding and provides extra time at stops. Electric wheelchairs are not permitted due to vehicle limitations and rural terrain. For full accessibility, consider private tours with adapted vehicles—contact the operator in advance to discuss specific needs.
What makes Azorean pineapples unique and what will we taste?
Azorean pineapples are grown using a traditional 19th-century glasshouse method that takes 2 full years from planting to harvest, unlike the 12–18 months for tropical varieties, resulting in smaller, sweeter, and more aromatic fruit without chemical ripening agents. At Pineapples St. Anthony, you’ll tour active greenhouses to see every stage—tiny crown plants in smoky beds, fruiting plants in heated chambers, and the hand-pollination process using paintbrushes since no bees are present. The 30-minute visit includes a guided explanation of soil fumigation with volcanic ash, temperature control via wood-fired stoves, and the labor-intensive harvesting that produces only 100–150 pineapples per greenhouse annually. Your tasting features fresh-cut slices, pineapple liqueur, jam, and sometimes warm pineapple cake, allowing you to compare flavors and textures. Many guests buy gift boxes to take home, as these pineapples are exclusive to São Miguel and cannot be exported fresh due to EU regulations.
Can I stay in Ponta Delgada city center instead of returning to the ship?
Yes, an optional city center drop-off is included at no extra charge, perfect for guests who wish to explore Ponta Delgada’s historic streets, shops, or waterfront cafés before returning to the ship independently. Simply inform your guide at the start of the tour or during the pineapple stop, and you’ll be dropped at a central location like Jardim António Borges or near the city gates, just 5–10 minutes from the port. This flexibility is especially useful for passengers with late all-aboard times (after 4:00 pm) who want to combine the excursion with lunch or souvenir shopping. The guide provides a map highlighting key landmarks and walking routes back to the terminal (15-minute stroll maximum). For safety, confirm your ship’s final boarding time and allow at least 60 minutes to return. If plans change, you can always rejoin the group for direct port drop-off.
