This 2-hour Guided Glass Bottom Boat Tour with Snorkeling in São Miguel offers a unique opportunity to explore marine life beneath the Azores Sea. Your adventure starts at Vila Franca do Campo Marina, where you'll be introduced by a marine biologist about today's journey and insights into local ecosystems. The tour includes visits to nearby islets of São Miguel Island, with educational highlights on seabirds, crustaceans, colorful fish, starfish, and the area’s underwater volcanic activity.

Audio guidance in English, Portuguese, and Spanish ensures a diverse audience can fully enjoy this exploration. Notable landmarks like Vila Franca do Campo Marina and protected marine areas around São Miguel Island are key highlights of your tour, offering an memorable look at the Azores' unique ecosystem.

Explore Vila Franca do Campo Marina

The journey begins in one of the oldest marinas in the Azores—Vila Franca do Campo Marina. Established in 1957 and spanning about 20 acres, this picturesque site is a hub for both tourism and marine research. Visitors can see various boats used for fishing or leisure while learning about local maritime culture and sustainable practices essential to preserving the region's natural beauty.

Located near São Miguel Island’s coast, Vila Franca do Campo Marina provides easy access to protected areas where diverse fish species, crustaceans, and seabirds are visible. It also features amenities like a restaurant and souvenir shops for an enhanced experience.

Witness Underwater Volcanic Activity

Your tour will take you to spots around São Miguel Island known for their underwater volcanic activity—a hallmark of the region. From your glass-bottom boat, hot springs and geysers near Vila Franca do Campo's coast are visible. This area was dramatically reshaped by a 1522 eruption that created new marine habitats.

The volcanoes form part of an extensive system including seamounts and hydrothermal vents, contributing to the rich biodiversity in the Azores Sea. You'll have up to 30 minutes from your glass-bottom boat to observe these geological wonders.

Snorkel with Marine Life

A snorkeling session is included for you to closely encounter marine life near São Miguel Island's coast, lasting about one hour. This segment lets you explore colorful fish, starfish, sea urchins, and other intriguing creatures under the guidance of experienced instructors in English, Portuguese, or Spanish.

Tour Highlights

• A guided tour starting at Vila Franca do Campo Marina lasting for 2 hours
• Observation of underwater volcanic activity near São Miguel Island's coast
• An hour-long snorkeling experience with colorful fish, starfish, and sea urchins in clear waters
• A marine biology briefing provided by an expert biologist before departure
• Exploration of protected marine areas rich with diverse seabird species
• Audio guidance available in English, Portuguese, Spanish
• Viewing hot springs and geysers from the glass-bottom boat ride

Educational insights into sustainable practices at Vila Franca do Campo Marina

Ideal for nature lovers, families with children, and marine biology enthusiasts, this guided tour offers an educational exploration of the Azores Sea's unique ecosystem. Highlights include witnessing underwater volcanic activity near São Miguel Island coast, snorkeling among colorful fish and starfish, receiving briefings by expert biologists, exploring protected areas filled with diverse seabird species, enjoying audio guidance in multiple languages such as English, Portuguese, Spanish, observing hot springs and geysers from the glass-bottom boat ride, and learning about sustainable practices at Vila Franca do Campo Marina.

Tips for Visitors

• Book your tour in advance during peak season to ensure availability and avoid sold-out sessions.
• Prepare for an educational experience by listening attentively to the biologist's briefing at Vila Franca do Campo Marina before setting sail.
• If interested, take advantage of the optional snorkeling gear provided to explore marine life up close during your visit.