Activity
🐬 Swimming with Dolphins + Van Tour in Sete Cidades
🧭 Overview
Swimming with Dolphins + Van Tour in Sete Cidades combines two of São Miguel’s most iconic experiences in one unforgettable day, wild dolphin swimming in the Atlantic, then a scenic afternoon exploring the Sete Cidades volcanic caldera. Start your morning at sea with a professional team of marine biologists, then travel by van to panoramic viewpoints like Vista do Rei, with lunch included in Ponta Delgada.
This is a nature-rich, small-group day tour designed for travelers who want both marine life and dramatic crater-lake landscapes in the Azores.
🌊 What to Expect
Your day begins at the Picos de Aventura office at Marina Pêro de Teive in Ponta Delgada, where you check in and join a detailed safety and environmental briefing. You will also have a short adaptation to snorkeling equipment, using a mask and snorkel, before heading out to sea.
Next, you will board a semi-rigid boat and search for a group of wild dolphins. When conditions allow, you enter the water in small groups to swim near the dolphins, always guided by the team and with full respect for the animals’ natural behavior. After returning to the marina, you can freshen up, then enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Ponta Delgada.
In the afternoon, shift from ocean to volcano as you travel by van toward Sete Cidades. Along the way, your guide shares insights into São Miguel’s geology, culture, and local legends. From famous viewpoints such as Vista do Rei, you will admire the legendary twin lakes, one blue and one green, set inside an ancient volcanic crater, before continuing to the village of Sete Cidades and returning to Ponta Delgada.
✨ Highlights
- 🐬 Swimming with Dolphins + Van Tour in Sete Cidades, a full day of sea and volcanic scenery in São Miguel
- 🧑🔬 Swim with wild dolphins guided by marine biologists and certified monitors
- 🛥️ Semi-rigid boat experience, with mandatory life jacket and provided waterproof jacket
- 🌋 Explore the Sete Cidades volcanic complex, one of the most photographed landscapes in the Azores
- 📍 Stop at Vista do Rei viewpoint for panoramic crater-lake views
- 🍽️ Lunch included at a local restaurant in Ponta Delgada
- 👥 Small-group format, up to 8 for dolphin swimming, and 8 to 16 for the Sete Cidades van tour
🗺️ Itinerary
- 08:30, Briefing at Picos de Aventura
- 09:00, Start of the sea activity
- 11:30, Arrival at Marina of Ponta Delgada
- 12:00, Lunch
- 14:00, Departure toward Sete Cidades (van tour)
- 15:00, Miradouro da Vista do Rei
- 16:00, Sete Cidades village
- 17:00, Return to Ponta Delgada and end of the activity
Duration: 7 to 8 hours total. Dolphin swimming is approximately 2 hours, Sete Cidades van tour is approximately 3 hours.
🎒 What’s Included
- Activity presentation and briefings
- Boats, semi-rigid boats for 8 people and rigid boats
- Life jacket, mandatory use
- Waterproof jacket
- Support by certified Picos de Aventura monitors
- Marine biologists on the dolphin activity
- Lunch
- Vehicle for the Sete Cidades tour
- Guide and driver
- Insurance, personal accident and civil liability
🚫 Exclusions
- Dry bag for phone or camera, not included
- Water, sunscreen, swimwear, towel, change of clothes, and personal hygiene items
- Any items or services not clearly listed in “What’s Included”
📌 Important Information
Meeting point: Picos de Aventura office, Marina Pêro de Teive, Ponta Delgada. Please arrive 10 to 15 minutes before the start time and check in at the counter.
Age limits: Minimum age is 12, maximum age is 80.
Group size: Up to 8 participants for the dolphin swimming activity. Sete Cidades van tour runs with 8 to 16 participants.
What to bring: Dry bag for phone and or camera, water, sunscreen, swimsuit, change of clothes, towel, and personal hygiene items. A shower is available after the sea activity.
Health and safety: Please inform the team in advance if you have any medical condition, including pregnancy, heart problems, back problems, or recent surgeries. This activity is always carried out on a semi-rigid boat.
Not suitable for: Pregnant women, children under 12, and people with reduced mobility.
Weather note: The experience depends on sea conditions and the dolphins’ natural behavior, and entry into the water happens only when conditions allow.
🌿 Make Today Your Azores Signature Story
Two worlds, one island day, wild dolphins in the morning, volcanic lakes in the afternoon.
Book Swimming with Dolphins + Van Tour in Sete Cidades to experience São Miguel at its most unforgettable, guided by experts at sea and on land. If you want a single day that captures the Azores’ raw Atlantic energy and the calm beauty of a volcanic crater, this is the adventure to choose.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions, FAQ
1) Where do I meet for the tour and when should I arrive?
You meet at the Picos de Aventura office at Marina Pêro de Teive in Ponta Delgada. Please arrive 10 to 15 minutes before the activity starts and check in at the counter.
2) How long does the experience last, and how is the day divided?
The full day lasts about 7 to 8 hours. Dolphin swimming takes around 2 hours, and the Sete Cidades van tour takes around 3 hours, with lunch in between.
3) Who guides the dolphin swimming portion?
The dolphin swim is guided by a professional team of marine biologists, supported by certified monitors from Picos de Aventura. You will also receive a safety and environmental briefing before heading to sea.
4) What are the age limits and group sizes?
Swimming with Dolphins + Van Tour in Sete Cidades is available for ages 12 to 80. Group size is up to 8 people for dolphin swimming, and 8 to 16 participants for the Sete Cidades van tour.
5) Are there restrictions or health conditions I should report in advance?
Yes, the activity is not suitable for pregnant women, children under 12, or people with reduced mobility. Please inform the team in advance about any medical conditions such as heart or back problems, pregnancy, or recent surgeries, and note that the sea activity is always on a semi-rigid boat.
Activity
Availability
You can book up to the start time, as long as there are places remaining. Book now to guarantee your spot.
Additional Information
Physical: Wheelchair Not accessible
Duration
7 a 8 horas
Languages
English - Speaking Guide
Additional Information
Electronic. Show the voucher on your phone.
Cancellation Policy
Select Date
Meeting Point
Complete Operator information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, are included on your Confirmation Voucher. Our Product Managers select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination, removing the guesswork for you, and ensuring your peace of mind.
End Point
Complete Operator information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, are included on your Confirmation Voucher. Our Product Managers select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination, removing the guesswork for you, and ensuring your peace of mind.
