We are in the capital of the Azores, Ponta Delgada. Once an ordinary fishing village, today it is the main port of the island of San Miguel. The capital is considered a tourist center for lovers of pristine nature and the largest inhabitants of the sea depths.
Over dinner, you'll get to know everyone on the trip. We'll tell you all the details of the itinerary and answer all your questions. Get a good night's sleep, from the next day you won't have much time for that.

In the crater of the Stratovolcano Sete Cidades Massif is the largest body of water on the island, Sete Cidades. It is a double lake that consists of two lagoas, Lagoa Verdi (Green Lake) and Lagoa Azul (Blue Lake). The color of the lagoons is different not only in the name, but also in reality. Together with the abandoned hotel located nearby on a hill, they are one of the hallmarks of the Azores.
On the west coast of the island of San Miguel, amidst a pile of volcanic lava is Ferraria Bay, called the "hot ocean. The hot springs are located right in the ocean. First you are in a stream of heated underground water, and in a second you are cooled by the waves of the Atlantic. For children there is a pool with hot thermal water. The bottom of the bay was formed by lava, so in order not to scratch your feet on the uneven stones, it is better to bring slippers. Do not forget that staying in the hot springs for more than half an hour is not recommended.

In the Azores you can find different kinds of dolphins. Some packs move fast enough and you can't swim with them. Others are more sociable - we will jump to them. If we are lucky, we will see a bottlenose, a manta or a turtle, with which you can also swim.
Water is cool enough, so without a wetsuit can not do. You can bring it with you (recommended) or take it on the spot, but it is quite thin. Snorkels and masks also have the necessary amount, but the flippers only your own.
To avoid disturbing the animals, the number of people in the water at the same time is limited, so we will split into groups and take turns jumping. Everyone will have enough time to have a good swim. Dolphins are quite contactable animals and often swim very close. Especially if you can dive and swim some distance underwater. We recommend to turn your head to 360°, then you are more likely to see something special, for example a scene of "dolphin love".
IMPORTANT: you must take a pill for seasickness. This is the ocean - even the toughest of the toughest get sick.
The afternoon will be devoted to local attractions, such as a pineapple plantation, black sand beach, a cave, or something else.

The most famous dish in the Azores is Cozido das Furnas, which we will prepare. It is a stew of vegetables and meat that is stewed in a large bagged pot for about six hours in the volcanic sand.
While the delicacy is cooking, we will bathe in the Fournache thermal complex surrounded by mountains, which is located in the basin of an extinct volcano. We will walk through the Terra Nostra Natural Park, a 12-hectare area with about 600 plant species, 10% of which are endemics.

A half-day trip out into the ocean on a specially prepared boat. Always have your camera ready to catch a photo of the whale surfacing. You can see it from afar by its characteristic fountain over the surface. If you're lucky, you'll see the whale's tail or jump.

We cannot guarantee who or how many we will meet. In our experience, we haven't had any unsuccessful outings yet: sometimes we were a little luckier, sometimes a little less. And some exits would make even National Geographic jealous.

Lagoa do Fogo, or Lake of Fire, is the second largest lake on the island. It is located in the crater of a volcano and is surrounded by amazing natural landscapes. To the northwest, there are hot springs.

Chá Gorreana is a family business, maintained for five generations since 1883. The factory produces about 33 tons of tea a year, which is exported to mainland Portugal, as well as to Germany, France, Italy, the United States, Canada and many other countries.

If the hot springs haven't bored you yet, let's visit Caldeira Velha. Although they are relatively small, their distinctive feature is that you can see how the boiling water cools down on the way to the bathtub for bathing. The park staff checks the temperature every hour so that the bathers do not get burned. It is also possible to swim in the cool waters of a small waterfall.

We're saving a day in case one of the planned days doesn't work out, but if everything goes according to plan, you can have a great day out in Ponta Delgada or go on your own to explore the island of San Miguel. If everything goes according to plan, you can have a great day in Ponta Delgada or explore San Miguel Island on your own: see Baroque architecture, visit museums, picnic on the ocean, talk to locals and buy souvenirs.

We saw whales, swam with dolphins, swam in hot springs, spent sunsets on the ocean and had a huge portion of unforgettable experiences. Thank you for sharing this experience with us! See you on another trip!

The order of days and the program within a day can vary. For example, going out to the ocean depends on the height of the waves and the presence of whales/dolphins. The visit to the observation points depends on the fog.
Besides the main points mentioned above, for each evening, if there is energy left, the cultural program is prepared:

• A lecture from our biologist about whales
• A story about our other voyages
• Viewing of thematic films
• Much more