Caldeira Santo Cristo is a spectacular 10km hike on São Miguel island
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Even better, booking your trip with British Airways Holidays means that all the usual elements of planning, like accommodation, flights and car hire, can be wrapped up in one easy process – freeing up your time to plot your adventurous itinerary. Trips can be secured with a low deposit, and payment plans mean you can stagger the cost before you travel. A generous luggage allowance also means you’ll have plenty of space to pack all the extra kit you may need.
Once you’re there, you’ll quickly realise that part of what makes these islands so perfect for adventures is the diverse terrain, with towering volcanoes, crater lakes of turquoise water, cascading waterfalls, Atlantic-beaten shorelines and deep ocean beyond. Hikes here can range from the challenging (how about scaling Mount Pico, the highest mountain in Portugal, which also happens to be a volcano) to a little more sedentary, with hilly trails through ancient forests and along coastlines. One of the islands’ most spectacular hikes would be the incredible 10km hike at Caldeira Santo Cristo on São Jorge island, before continuing on to the oceanside lagoon at Fajã dos Cubres. The island of São Jorge is fantastic for adventures, with caving and canyoning opportunities too.
Hop in a kayak and enjoy the serenity of Sete Cidades’ volcanic crater lake
Handily, you don’t have to venture beyond the main island, São Miguel – known as the Green Island thanks to its lush landscapes – for exciting adventures. It’s on São Miguel that you can kayak across the serene crater lake of Sete Cidades, or if you prefer to be in the water as opposed to on it, it’s also an unrivalled surf destination. Head to Praia do Areal de Santa Bárbara and ride the swell along this black-sand beach on the north coast of the island. It’s great for pros, but beginners will be happy here too, thanks to the excellent surf school. If surfing is high up on your agenda then take a look at Santa Barbara Eco Beach Resort – it’s just one of the carefully selected hotels featured by British Airways Holidays and is set above the ocean on a dramatic cliff edge.
The island is also a geotourism hotspot – in fact, the Azores as whole has an impressive 121 geosites scattered across its nine islands, and you’ll see calderas, lakes, lava fields and hot springs as you hike and cycle through the terrain – so much so that stopping off for a swim in a pool surrounded by black lava rocks or hopping off your bike to watch hot volcanic chimneys can become regular activities. For something faster paced, you may prefer a quad-biking tour, scaling mountains and crossing ravines as you go.
Look out for large marine life off the coast – sperm whales can be spotted year-round
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But when it comes to the ultimate adventure in the Azores, it may just be the chance to spot dolphins, whales and blue whales in the incredibly deep waters beyond the shoreline. Hop in a small RIB boat and you’ll head out into the ocean on day-long excursions. Sperm whales can be spotted year round, while blue, humpback, fin and killer whales can be seen on their migration route from April to October. It’s a spectacular site that’s as close to guaranteed as you can get.
Craving an adventure? Look no further than the Azores.
Book your holiday to the Azores with British Airways Holidays
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Publish date : 2024-10-28 08:15:00
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