Vila Franca Islet Tour

Sail from São Miguel to Vila Franca and enjoy a hiking tour of this tiny volcanic islet in the Azores, where you'll discover incredible bird-watching opportunities.

Vila Franca Islet Tour

Meet at the port in Vila Franca do Campo, south of São Miguel. After an introduction to local wildlife, we'll take a 10-minute zodiac trip to the islet of Vila Franca Nature Reserve.

Upon arrival at this uninhabited, protected nature reserve, we'll start a hiking route of approximately 1.5 hours, focusing on bird watching. The area hosts a diverse avian population, including buzzards, sandpipers, little egrets, and curlews, as well as colonies of canaries and wagtails. Favorable sea conditions might allow for spotting crabs and small fish.

With a naturalist guide, you'll learn about endemic plants and enjoy views of the south coast of São Miguel from the caldera. The total experience lasts around 3 hours before returning to the port of Vila Franca do Campo.

Summer Tour

From April 15th to October 14th, disembarking on the islet is not allowed. Instead, we take a 45-minute boat trip around it. Departing from Vila Franca do Campo, enjoy views of the submerged volcano and its features shaped by seismic and marine activity. Learn about the marine life that flourishes here, especially between autumn and spring.

Throughout the trip, we will discuss the impact of the volcano on Vila Franca do Campo's history and life. After enjoying the views and insights, we'll return to the Marina.

Bird Watching

The islet of Vila Franca do Campo is one of the best places in the Azores for bird watching, although sightings can vary due to weather conditions and breeding seasons.