São Miguel: Whale Watching, Furnas & Local Flavors

The Azores Getaways package includes round-trip flights, 6 nights in a centrally located hotel in Ponta Delgada, daily breakfast, airport transfers and three tours: whale watching by catamaran, a full-day Furnas tour with lunch and entrance to Terra Nostra Park, and the Traditions & Flavors tasting tour. Not included: other meals, a rental car, optional activities and city taxes.

• Whale watching: about 3 hours by catamaran off the south coast of São Miguel, from the meeting point at Portas do Mar, store 24, Ponta Delgada, with morning and afternoon departures. Hotel pick-up is not included.
• Full-day Furnas tour: 9:30 AM to 5 PM with hotel pick-up, visiting Vila Franca do Campo, Lagoa das Furnas, the Caldeiras, Terra Nostra Park and Gorreana Tea Factory, with a traditional lunch.
• Traditions & Flavors tour: 9 AM to 1 PM with hotel pick-up, visiting the pineapple greenhouses, a farmers' market, a liqueur factory and a tea factory, with tastings.

Group sizes vary by tour. The Traditions & Flavors tour runs in a small group of up to 8 people. The full-day Furnas tour has a maximum of 16 people. Whale watching takes place on a shared catamaran with room for up to 70 passengers. If a smaller group matters to you, contact the Azores Getaways team before booking and we will suggest the options available for your dates.

Sightings are not guaranteed. Whales and dolphins are wild animals, and what you see depends on the sea and the animals on the day. The trip is on a shared catamaran, and if the sea is too rough to go out, the trip may be rebooked to another departure during your stay. São Miguel has several departures a day, which leaves room to rebook.

Yes. Entrance to Terra Nostra Park is included on the full-day Furnas tour, with time for a dip in the warm thermal pool. Bring a towel and a swimsuit you do not mind staining, as the iron-rich water can turn fabric orange.

The Furnas and Traditions & Flavors tours are sightseeing tours by van, with short walks at each stop and no hiking. Whale watching means boarding a boat and spending about 3 hours at sea, which can be bumpy on windy days. If you have mobility concerns or are prone to seasickness, contact the Azores Getaways team before booking and we will confirm what each tour involves.

Your hotel is in or close to the center of Ponta Delgada, within walking distance of the main sights. The exact options for your dates are shown when you click a date in the booking calendar and proceed to the next step. Upgrades are available on request, and the package price depends on the hotel you select. Contact the Azores Getaways team to discuss your preferences before booking.

Breakfast is included at your hotel throughout the stay. The Furnas day trip includes lunch, and the Traditions & Flavors tour includes tastings of pineapple, liqueurs and tea, which are not a full meal. Other meals are yours to discover freely.

No. City taxes are not included in the package price. They are paid directly at the hotel, on arrival or at checkout, and the amount is set locally.

Ponta Delgada is very walkable, and the central location of your hotel makes it easy to explore the city on foot. To reach Sete Cidades, Lagoa do Fogo or the Nordeste on your free days, taxis and local tour operators are available. The Azores Getaways team can also add a rental car or pre-book optional tours before or after you book.

Yes, round-trip flights are included. The package price varies depending on your departure airport. Other departure cities are available on request. Contact the Azores Getaways team before booking to discuss departure options. Checked luggage is not always included and depends on the airline and fare type. Confirm what is included and add luggage during the booking process. Seat selection and cabin class upgrades can be arranged as paid add-ons, subject to availability.

Checked luggage is not always included and depends on the airline and fare type in your package. You can confirm exactly what is included by clicking a date in the booking calendar and proceeding to the next step. Contact the Azores Getaways team when booking for help adding luggage. 

São Miguel can be visited year-round. Spring (April to May) brings mild days around 16°C (61°F), fewer crowds and lower prices. Summer (June to August) is the busiest period, with temperatures around 24°C (75°F). Autumn (September to October) is warm and quieter, a good time for Furnas and the thermal pools. Winter is mild, rarely below 14°C (57°F).

Yes. The team can adjust flights, add nights, upgrade hotels, or combine this package with other islands or destinations. Contact the Azores Getaways team with your dates, departure city, and group size and we will put together a tailored proposal by email, usually within 24 hours.

The package price is based on two travelers sharing a room. Solo travelers pay a single supplement. Contact the Azores Getaways team directly and we will make it easy. You can also check solo pricing on the website by changing the number of guests from 2 to 1 in the booking calendar before clicking See Dates and Prices.

The Azores are part of Portugal and the European Union. US and Canadian passport holders do not currently need a visa for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your return date. ETIAS is not yet required, and the Azores Getaways team will let you know when it is. Entry requirements are the traveler's responsibility and can change, so check the official government website before you travel.

Starting November 3, 2026, all passengers flying to the United States, or connecting through U.S. territory, must hand in a signed declaration at check-in. This applies to U.S. citizens too. It confirms you have not been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the 21 days before your flight. Download the form from the CDC website, fill it in, sign it and date it with your travel date. Passengers without a completed form may be denied boarding, so we recommend arriving at the airport with extra time. Requirements can change, so please check the CDC page before you travel.

The land portion of your package (hotels, tours, and transfers) is refundable if cancelled at least 14 days before your travel date. Airfare is non-refundable from the moment it is issued, but the Azores Getaways team will always check with the airline on your behalf to explore available options. Contact the team as soon as you know you need to cancel. Travel insurance with cancellation cover is strongly recommended.

The Azores Getaways team is available every day from 4:00 AM to 8:00 PM Eastern Time. Outside these hours, an emergency number is provided in your trip documents. For local emergencies anywhere in Portugal, including the Azores, dial 112.

The Azores are part of Portugal, a stable and safe destination. Crime rates are low, and São Miguel is well set up for international visitors. As with any international trip, we recommend travel insurance and keeping copies of your travel documents.