Terceira Island: Caves and Craters Tour

Terceira Island, one of the Azores’ volcanic gems, beckons adventurers with its Caves and Craters Tour. Over four hours, this immersive experience unveils the island’s diverse ecosystems, from the breathtaking Serra do Cume to the captivating Gruta do Natal lava tube. Guided by experts fluent in multiple languages, the tour prioritizes safety and comfort, ensuring participants can fully savor the natural wonders that lie ahead. Though the iconic Algar do Carvão remains temporarily closed, the tour promises to deliver an unforgettable journey through Terceira’s volcanic landscapes.

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Key Points

This 4-hour tour explores the natural wonders of Terceira Island, including the largest crater in the Azores and lava tubes.
Highlights include panoramic views from Serra do Cume, the Gruta do Natal lava tube, and the Furnas do Enxofre fumaroles field.
The tour is led by a knowledgeable guide fluent in multiple languages, who provides educational insights about the volcanic origins and formations.
Participants will have the opportunity to explore diverse vegetation and ecosystems, with a focus on alternative natural attractions due to the closure of Algar do Carvão.
The tour is not suitable for individuals with mobility impairments, and participants are required to follow safety regulations, including proper attire and footwear.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview and Pricing

The Terceira Island: Caves and Craters Tour offers visitors an opportunity to explore the natural wonders of this captivating Azorean island.

Visitors can explore the natural wonders of the captivating Azorean island of Terceira on this caves and craters tour.

Priced from $75.53 per person, the 4-hour tour provides free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and allows customers to reserve their spot without upfront payment.

Tour highlights include visiting the largest crater in the Azores, exploring lava tubes and volcanic cones, and witnessing the fumaroles field.

A live tour guide fluent in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish provides an immersive and informative experience for participants.

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Tour Highlights and Itinerary

Exploring Terceira Island’s natural beauty, the tour takes visitors on a journey through mountains, hills, craters, volcanoes, and caves.

The highlights include:

Visiting the largest crater in the Azores, Serra do Cume, for panoramic views.
Experiencing Gruta do Natal, a lava tube, and the fumaroles field at Furnas do Enxofre.
Discovering Algar do Carvão, an empty volcanic cone, and learning about its formation.
Exploring the island’s diverse vegetation and ecosystems with the guidance of knowledgeable local experts.

Guided Experience

A live tour guide is available throughout the experience, who can provide information in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Particularly noteworthy is the guide’s professionalism and extensive knowledge of the Azores and its vegetation, as highlighted in positive reviews.

The guide’s professionalism and deep expertise on the Azores’ natural wonders are praised in enthusiastic reviews.

Visitors can expect to learn extensively about the region’s natural formations, such as the volcanic origins of the crater and lava tube.

The guide’s expertise brings the tour to life, providing an immersive and educational experience for participants.

Participant Information

Participants meet at their accommodation in either Angra do Heroísmo or Praia da Vitória to begin the tour.

The tour isn’t suitable for individuals with mobility impairments. Recommended items to bring include:

Comfortable shoes
Warm clothing
Swimwear
Towel

The tour guides expect participants to follow the rules, which prohibit alcohol, drugs, and bare feet.

With the Algar do Carvão monument and visitors center closed for construction, the tour focuses on exploring Terceira Island’s other natural wonders, including the Serra do Cume crater, Gruta do Natal lava tube, and Furnas do Enxofre fumaroles field.

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Important Notices

Although the Algar do Carvão monument and visitors center are closed for construction since October 20, with an expected completion in 18 months, the tour focuses on exploring Terceira Island’s other natural wonders.

The tour focuses on exploring Terceira Island’s other natural wonders while the Algar do Carvão monument is closed for construction.

Participants should be aware that alcohol and drugs are strictly prohibited on the tour. Likewise, wearing bare feet isn’t allowed for safety reasons.

The tour isn’t suitable for individuals with mobility impairments, as the itinerary involves navigating uneven terrain and visiting sites that may not be easily accessible.

Proper attire, such as comfortable shoes and warm clothing, is recommended for the tour.

There's plenty more to explore in Terceira

Exploring the Largest Crater in the Azores

One of the highlights of the Terceira Island tour is the visit to the Serra do Cume, the largest crater in the Azores. This massive volcanic crater offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

Visitors can:

Admire the breathtaking vistas from the rim of the crater
Observe the unique geological formations and vegetation within the crater
Learn about the island’s volcanic history and how this crater was formed
Snap photos to capture the awe-inspiring natural wonder of this remarkable site

The Serra do Cume provides a truly immersive experience, allowing travelers to connect with the raw power and beauty of Terceira’s volcanic origins.

Discovering Gruta Do Natal and Furnas Do Enxofre

After exploring the breathtaking Serra do Cume crater, the tour continues to Gruta do Natal, a captivating lava tube. Descending into the cave, visitors are greeted by a mesmerizing display of rock formations and unique geological features. The tour then moves on to the fumaroles field at Furnas do Enxofre, where steam vents and sulfurous gases emerge from the earth’s surface. Here, guests can observe the active volcanic activity that has shaped the island’s landscape over time.

Feature	Gruta do Natal	Furnas do Enxofre
Type	Lava tube	Fumaroles field
Geology	Rock formations	Volcanic activity
Sights	Mesmerizing	Steam vents

Algar Do Carvão: an Empty Volcanic Cone

The Algar do Carvão, an empty volcanic cone, is the next captivating destination on the Terceira Island tour.

Visitors can explore this unique geological formation and learn about its fascinating history:

The Algar do Carvão is a 75-meter deep volcanic chasm, formed by the collapse of a magma chamber.
Visitors can marvel at the striking rock formations, including stalactites and stalagmites, within the cone’s interior.
The site offers spectacular views of the surrounding landscape, including the lush green hills and distant craters.
Due to ongoing construction, the monument and visitors center are currently closed, but the outdoor areas remain accessible.

Since You Asked

Is Transportation to the Meeting Point Included in the Tour Price?

The tour price does not include transportation to the meeting point. Customers must arrange their own transportation to the designated accommodation locations in Angra do Heroísmo and Praia da Vitória to join the tour.

Can the Tour Accommodate Visitors With Limited English Proficiency?

The tour accommodates visitors with limited English proficiency, as it offers live tour guides available in multiple languages, including English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish, providing an informative and engaging experience for all participants.

Are There Any Discounts Available for Children or Seniors?

The tour doesn’t mention any discounts for children or seniors. However, the guides are available in multiple languages, so visitors with limited English proficiency can still participate and enjoy the tour.

How Many People Typically Participate in Each Tour Group?

The tour group size typically ranges from 8 to 15 participants. This allows for a more personalized experience and ensures that the guide can provide each guest with attentive service and ample opportunities to ask questions.

Are There Any Restrictions on Photography or Filming During the Tour?

There are no explicit restrictions on photography or filming during the tour. However, participants should be respectful of the natural environment and follow the guide’s instructions. Some locations may have limited access for safety reasons.

The Sum Up

The Terceira Island: Caves and Craters Tour offers a captivating exploration of the Azores’ volcanic landscapes. Participants can expect to journey through diverse ecosystems, guided by experts, and discover stunning natural wonders like the Serra do Cume, Gruta do Natal, and Furnas do Enxofre. Despite the temporary closure of Algar do Carvão, the tour provides a safe and comfortable way to experience the island’s remarkable geology.