Santa Maria
SĂŁo Miguel
Terceira
Graciosa
SĂŁo Jorge
Pico
Faial
Flores
Corvo
Real Estate
Activities
Activities
Bird Watching
Bird watching, a hobby in all islands
Whale Watching
Whale watchers paradise
A port of call for all yachtsmen
In Horta - Faial
Big Game Fishing
Best fishing in the Atlantic
Hiking
Excellent hiking and trekking
Whale Watching
Courtesy of Picos de Aventura
Golf
Golf in S. Miguel and Terceira
The Azores Islands are perfectly suited for all types of outdoor activities with its lack of pollution both in land and at sea as well as wonderful sceneries and unique and diverse terrain. The link between adventure and activities in an environmentally friendly scenario is perfect for the adventurer and the fun seeker.
Activities are spent around stunning green views, crater lakes and grottos, beaches, fields of endemic vegetation, plants and birds of all varieties, all while surrounded by a clean blue ocean with pleasant water temperature that meets a pristine shoreline and a ocean fauna of priceless value.
Whale watching and swimming with dolphins
Some of the major towns offers whale watching and/or an opportunity to swim around dolphins. The most departure reliable ports/marinas are Ponta Delgada, Vila Franca do Campo, Horta, Lajes do Pico and Madalena. They take you out on small boats and often get you within ten yards of the whales. Swimming with Dolphins means to swim around these fun and audacious creatures, but contrary to the “mass-produced” captivity swimming with the dolphins around the popular places, in the Azores, one is not allowed to touch the dolphins due to environmental concerns.
Coastal Adventure Sailing
Spend time sailing between the islands and exploring what each one has to offer. The boat moors in sheltered marinas or anchors in secluded.
Horse Riding
There are several Equestrian centers in S. Miguel, Santa Maria and Terceira for those wanting a more formal school centered program. However you may book a horse riding tour via places such as Picos da Aventura, local farms such as Quinta das Raiadas. The horse riding tours are made along the beautiful countryside.
Walking Tours / Trekking / Mountaineering
Several organizations plan walking circuits or tours along some of the most wonderful trails on the planet. Local organizations such as the “Os Montanheiros” have spent countless hours mapping and cleaning trails all about the Azores. The Mountain of Pico and the Pico is a “must climb” for those wanting a moderate exercise and a unique stunning view of 4 other islands in a cloud-free day (Terceira, Faial, S. Jorge and Graciosa).
Yachting
The marinas of Ponta Delgada and Horta are world famous for those crossing the Atlantic. Horta in particular has been used along centuries by the who’s who of yachting for a well-deserved rest and a gin-and-tonic at the local pubs. Yacht leasing and rental is available via your travel agent or at local activity centers.
Diving and Underwater Activities
The Azores is home to some unique and fantastic sub-aquatic setting. With a variety of fish and water mammals great coastal formations, excellent water visibility and temperature, the Azores have become a must-visit place for diving aficionados. Many certified diving centers are located in the various islands. Two decompression chambers are available in S. Miguel and Terceira.
Sailing, Windsurfing and Surfing
Sailing, windsurfing and surfing are popular activities in the Azores. International surfing competitions occur yearly in S. Miguel, more specifically in the northern coast.
Canoeing
This activity can be done in the main marinas as well as some of the lakes in S. Miguel and Flores such as Sete Cidades e Furnas.
Deep Sea Fishing
Several captains operate well equipped fishing boats for deep sea fishing between the months of April and October.
Golf
The Azores are a great place for golfing due to its pleasant weather. There 3 golf courses in the Azores. Two in S. Miguel and one in Terceira. They are fully certified and internationally recognized 18 hole courses. For more information check out Azores.com travel pages.
Surfing
Surfing in the Azores had been one of the best kept secrets in the surfing world until about a decade ago. Positioned in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, the Azores have plenty of swell most of the time. Now with major international events being held for both men and women in the island of S. Miguel, the Azores are slowly becoming a surfing mecca for those want to surf without getting the crowds; just you and your surfing mates. The main spots are Ribeira Grande, a powerful beachbreak with consistent waves, and Rabo de Peixe, a left hander created by the harbor development. Be aware that you are surfing in more or less unchartered and sometimes dangerous waters.
Volcanism
There are various signs of the volcanic origin of the islands, besides the volcanic cone and craters. Deserving special mention are sulphur grottoes, with an underground lake (Graciosa), the volcanic cones of Furnas valley (Sao Miguel), the remains of the Capelinhos volcano (Faial), the sulphur grottoes next the "caldeira de Guilherme Moniz" (Terceira), the basaltic columns of "Rocha dos Bordoes" (Flores) and the grottoes and caverns, some of them hundreds of meters long, on the islands of Sao Miguel, Santa Maria, Pico, Sao Jorge and Terceira.
Other Sports
One may enjoy many other sports such as Hang-gliding, bicycle trips and tours, tennis, jeep safaris, moto-quad, bird watching and more.
