The Best 5 things to do in São Miguel

Most travellers to the Azores begin their journey in São Miguel, and it is easy to understand why. Floating between Europe and the Americas, the island feels like travelling to the past in Portugal, where nature leads and adventure is part of everyday life. São Miguel is a land of open skies and wild landscapes, where crater lakes glow beneath volcanic ridges and narrow trails wind through lush green mountains. From the rush of surfing Atlantic waves to the quiet thrill of hiking through ancient forests, every moment here invites you to explore, to move, to feel. It is not just a destination, but a living, breathing adventure.

Whether you are visiting for a first time or eager to discover the island’s natural wonders or a returning adventurous traveller wanting to delve deeper into its hidden gems, São Miguel is brimming with spectacular activities that celebrate its volcanic heritage, pristine waters, and magnificent nature. If you are seeking for an incredible adventure in São Miguel and wondering what are the best outdoor activities to do on this stunning island, here is a selection of the top five outdoor activities that truly capture the essence of the Green Island, São Miguel.

Before You Roam: How to Explore São Miguel with Ease

São Miguel, the largest island in the Azores, spans around 760 square kilometres, roughly the same size as the entire city of Amsterdam. Picture exploring an area as expansive as Amsterdam’s city and surrounding waters, but instead of canals and historic streets, you’ll find dramatic volcanic landscapes, lush green hills, and serene crater lakes framed by the endless Atlantic Ocean.

Driving on São Miguel allows you to take in its rich variety of scenery at your own rhythm. Quiet roads wind through fragrant forests, vibrant meadows, and rugged coastal cliffs, all bursting with natural beauty. With a car, it is easy to cover around 150 kilometres a day, giving you the chance to visit must-see spots like the twin lakes of Sete Cidades, the hot springs and botanical gardens of Furnas, and the rolling tea plantations near Gorreana.

By booking your rental car ahead of time, you unlock the freedom to discover the island beyond the usual tourist trails. Each drive is filled with the scent of salty sea air, the calls of seabirds overhead, and colourful bursts of hydrangeas lining the countryside. With your own vehicle, São Miguel becomes a vibrant canvas, inviting you to explore its wild spirit and stunning landscapes fully and freely.

Surfing

Watergliders Azores Surf Club

The northern shores of São Miguel pulse with the untamed rhythm of the Atlantic, where black sand beaches and rolling green hills meet the endless horizon. In the coastal town of Ribeira Grande, surfing is not just a sport, but a way of connecting with the raw beauty of the island. The air is thick with salt and possibility as surfers gather in the early morning light, eyes fixed on the swell building just offshore.

Depending on the mood of the ocean, you might find yourself paddling out at Santa Bárbara Beach, a long stretch of dark sand backed by volcanic cliffs and thick vegetation. The waves here break with power and precision, perfect for feeling the rush of a clean drop or carving across a fast face as the sea breathes beneath you. Just a few minutes south, Milícias Beach offers a softer, more welcoming embrace. Its gentler surf and laid-back vibe create the perfect space for learning and improving, where each fall becomes part of the rhythm and each small victory feels like a celebration.

Surfing in São Miguel is not only about technique or adrenaline, but about immersing yourself in the island’s wild heart. It’s the sound of waves crashing in your ears, the grip of cool water on your skin, the laughter shared between sets, and the deep calm that settles in your chest as you sit on your board, watching the horizon glow gold in the late afternoon sun.

Snorkelling

Oceaneye

Drifting just below the surface of São Miguel’s vivid blue waters offers a quiet yet thrilling way to connect with the island’s volcanic soul. The Atlantic here is alive with movement and colour, and snorkelling reveals a world shaped by lava and teeming with marine life in secluded coves and shimmering shallows. The sensation of floating above sunlit reefs and schools of curious fish while the volcanic coastline looms above is both peaceful and awe-inspiring.

One of the most remarkable places to snorkel is around the islet of Vila Franca do Campo. This ancient volcanic crater just off the southern coast shelters a natural lagoon with clear, calm waters that feel like a hidden sanctuary. Its protected conditions allow for easy snorkelling, while vibrant fish and intricate rock formations appear just beneath the surface. Sunlight dances through the water, illuminating every crevice of this surreal underwater amphitheatre.

Another unforgettable snorkelling experience awaits in the open waters off Ponta Delgada where you can swim and snorkel alongside wild dolphins in their natural habitat. As you slide into the ocean and watch these graceful creatures move effortlessly around you, you’ll feel the exhilaration of being welcomed into their world for a brief magical moment. The water here is deep and blue and alive with energy, a striking contrast to the serenity of the island’s sheltered bays. Whether you’re exploring volcanic islets or following dolphins through the open sea, snorkelling in São Miguel invites you into a silent, vibrant realm where nature unfolds in colour and motion.

Whale Watching

Azores Whale Watch

Embarking on a whale watching tour from Ponta Delgada or exploring the waters around the Vila Franca do Campo islet offers a breathtaking gateway into the rich marine life of São Miguel. This island sits along key migration paths, welcoming an impressive variety of whales and dolphins throughout the year. Imagine spotting a majestic sperm whale as it arches gracefully from the deep Atlantic, or catching playful pods of dolphins weaving through the sparkling waves under a vast open sky.

Cruising these pristine waters, you’ll be surrounded by dramatic volcanic cliffs and the endless blue of the ocean. The vibrant energy of seabirds overhead and the fresh salty breeze create an immersive atmosphere where every sighting feels like a rare gift from nature. These whale watching tours in São Miguel are designed to bring you closer to the powerful rhythms of the sea and the incredible marine creatures that call it home.

With expert guidance from marine naturalists, each whale watching excursion goes beyond simple observation. You’ll gain insight into the behaviour and migratory patterns of the cetaceans, deepening your appreciation for the delicate balance of these ocean ecosystems. Whether it’s the gentle spout of a distant whale or the close-up splash of a breaching dolphin, these moments invite you to connect deeply with São Miguel’s wild and wondrous Atlantic waters.

Canyoning

Fun Activities Azores Adventures

For adventure seekers craving a more intense interaction with São Miguel’s volcanic terrain, canyoning is an unmissable outdoor activity in Sao Miguel. This exhilarating canyoning experience involves descending narrow river canyons using a combination of hiking, climbing, rappelling, swimming, and sometimes jumping into splendid natural pools shaped by volcanic rock and flowing streams.

Two of the island’s most popular canyoning locations are Ribeira dos Caldeirões Natural Park and Salto do Cabrito near Ribeira Grande. The Ribeira dos Caldeirões park is famous for its dense native forests, moss-covered rocks, and stunning waterfalls cascading into crystal-clear pools. Here, guided canyoning tours lead you through shaded valleys and rugged volcanic rock formations, combining natural beauty with thrilling physical challenges.

Salto do Cabrito canyon offers a more adrenaline-packed descent, with rappels down towering waterfalls and jumps into deep pools. The landscape is raw and untouched, offering canyoners the unique chance to explore these hidden volcanic canyons, immersing themselves fully in São Miguel’s wild side.

Paragliding

Azores Islands Experience

Paragliding above São Miguel invites you to discover the island’s breathtaking beauty from an extraordinary perspective. One unforgettable experience takes flight near Sete Cidades, where you soar above the iconic twin lakes nestled inside a vast volcanic crater. From this vantage point, the deep blues and emerald greens shimmer beneath you, surrounded by lush forests and rolling hills that stretch toward the horizon. The air carries a fresh Atlantic breeze, and the silence broken only by the gentle rush of wind, makes every moment feel suspended in time.

Another equally stunning journey unfolds over Furnas, where the island’s geothermal heart reveals itself in plumes of steam rising from bubbling hot springs and the vivid colours of the botanical gardens below. From above, the landscape blends wild volcanic energy with tranquil rural life, painting a picture of contrast and harmony that lingers in your memory long after landing.

For those who want to catch the coastal spirit, gliding near Santa Bárbara Beach offers a unique connection to São Miguel’s rugged shores. The black volcanic sands meet powerful Atlantic waves, and the cliffs tower alongside vibrant greenery, creating a dramatic playground of colour and movement. Floating here, you feel the pulse of the ocean breeze and the energy of the waves below, completing a paragliding experience that is as invigorating as it is peaceful.

Each paragliding experience over São Miguel promises not just breathtaking views, but a chance to engage all your senses and discover the island’s soul from the sky.

Explore São Miguel and beyond

São Miguel captivates with its stunning volcanic landscapes and endless outdoor thrills, but nearby islands like Pico and Terceira await with their own unique adventures. Whether watching majestic whales breach off Pico’s coast or gliding through calm waters on a kayaking trip in Terceira, the Azores offer experiences that stir the soul and awaken your spirit of discovery.

With Manawa, finding and booking these unforgettable activities is effortless, inviting you to craft a journey that extends far beyond São Miguel and deep into the heart of this incredible archipelago. Keep exploring and let every moment become a new story.