Mystic Furnas: Canoeing on Lagoa das Furnas and Terra Nostra Garden
Paddle across a volcanic lake, taste the legendary Cozido, and soak in thermal waters — all in one unforgettable day in the Azores.
This immersive full-day experience combines canoeing on Lagoa das Furnas with a guided visit to the renowned Terra Nostra Botanical Garden, creating a journey that moves seamlessly between active adventure, cultural heritage, and natural relaxation.
Lagoa das Furnas is one of the most volcanically active lakes in the Azores archipelago. Paddling out to its center reveals the rim of an ancient crater, a perspective few visitors ever reach. Along the far shore, a striking neo-Gothic chapel built in the nineteenth century stands as a quiet landmark against the lush green hillsides.
After the morning on the water, the experience transitions to one of the Azores' most iconic culinary traditions: the Cozido das Furnas. This Portuguese stew is slow-cooked underground using geothermal heat, and tasting it in the village where it originates is a genuinely rare cultural moment.
The afternoon unfolds inside Terra Nostra Park, a botanical garden of exceptional diversity. Guided pathways lead through centuries-old tree ferns, camellias, and plant species gathered from across the world, before guests step into the famous iron-rich thermal pool for a restorative soak.
Tour Highlights
Kayak across the volcanic Lagoa das Furnas using sit-on-top canoes, suitable for all experience levels.
Observe the volcanic crater from the center of the lake, a vantage point only accessible by water.
Discover a nineteenth-century neo-Gothic chapel perched on the far shore of the lagoon.
Savor the authentic Cozido das Furnas, a slow-cooked stew prepared using volcanic geothermal heat underground.
Explore Terra Nostra Botanical Garden, home to rare plant species from across the globe in a beautifully kept park setting.
Relax in the thermal iron-rich pool inside Terra Nostra Park, a legendary bathing experience unique to the Azores.
Observe the fumaroles near the lake shore, where volcanic steam vents shape the surreal landscape of Furnas Valley.
Itinerary
The day begins with a safety and equipment briefing at the meeting point. Guides introduce the route and provide all necessary canoeing gear, including sit-on-top kayaks designed for lake paddling.
Participants paddle toward the center of the lake, where the submerged volcanic crater becomes visible beneath the surface. The route continues along the shoreline toward the neo-Gothic chapel on the opposite bank.
After returning to shore, the group makes a brief stop to observe the fumaroles — natural steam vents along the lakeside where the traditional Cozido is buried and cooked by geothermal energy.
The group sits down for lunch at a local restaurant in the parish of Furnas, where the signature Cozido das Furnas is served. This slow-cooked stew of meats, sausages, and vegetables is a cornerstone of Azorean gastronomy.
A guided walk through the paths and avenues of Terra Nostra Botanical Garden introduces guests to its remarkable collection of flora gathered from tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions of the world.
Guests are invited to swim in the park's iconic iron-rich thermal pool before the group departs for the return journey to Ponta Delgada, completing a full circuit of the Furnas Valley experience.
What Is Included
Included
- Professional certified guide throughout the activity
- Sit-on-top canoe equipment and safety gear
- Guided visit to Terra Nostra Botanical Garden
- Lunch featuring the traditional Cozido das Furnas at a local restaurant
- Terra Nostra Park entry (thermal pool access)
- Transport back to Ponta Delgada after the activity
Not Included
- Personal travel insurance
- Gratuities for guides
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Additional food or beverages beyond the included lunch
- Waterproof bag or camera protection equipment
Important Information
Reserve Your Spot in Furnas Valley
Places on this guided full-day tour are limited. Secure your booking in advance to guarantee access to canoeing, the traditional Cozido lunch, and the Terra Nostra thermal experience.
Book Now
