Holidays to Terceira

Scuba Diving
Enjoy an unforgettable adventure, with a personalised service, exploring different dive sites for beginners to more experienced divers. Discover caves, volcanic drop-offs, underwater arches, sea mountains, rock reefs and an underwater archaeological park with an abundance of both Atlantic and Tropical fish life: parrot fish, flounders, blennies, groupers, sting and eagle rays, moray and conger eels, barracudas and amberjacks. The water temperature is around 18ºC in June, 23ºC in August and 20ºC in October, with 10 to 30 metres visibility. A fully equipped SSI (Scuba Schools International) dive and aqualung partner centre, with experienced diving staff (SSI and PADI certified instructors) is based in Praia Vitória.

• Price for 1 boat dive is £51 per person (own equipment) 
• Price for 1 dive (D. Joao de Castro Bank) is £233 per person (own equipment) - minimum of 6 people 

Notes:

• Meeting point at Octopus Diving Centre base in Praia Vitória at 08:30
• Daily activity (01May-15Nov) and Tues, Wed and Fri in low season
• Suitable for all - from complete beginner to the most experienced, with guided shore and boat dives
• Minimum age of 15yrs applies to all PADI programmes. Younger children’s courses on request (8-14yrs) 
• Divers have to carry valid diving and medical certificates confirming fitness to dive 
• Dives are limited to 40 metres and a maximum group per guide is 4 pax (maximum 9 on Board)
• Dives include a 12 litre steel tank (200 BAR), weight belt, dive master guidance and boat transportation to and from the dive sites within a 6-mile radius
• EAN32 & EAN 36 - NITROX available
• Rib boat 7,5 mt long / 200HP, equipped with Oxygen kit and a leader for divers
• Wetsuits not included but can be rented locally if required

Golf
The golf course is located between the towns of Praia da Vitória and Angra do Heroísmo. Affording rural views over the beautiful pastures of Serra do Cume, a number of small lakes and fairways flanked by trees this course has much to offer golfers of any ability.

Praia da Vitoria

• 18 holes
• Par 72
• Required handicap: 28 Men / 36 Women
• Clubhouse with bar, restaurant and pro-shop
• Driving range, putting green, chipping and pitching green and golf clinic
• Soft spike shoes on the courses are obligatory

Prices for daily green fees are about 50 Euros per person - payable locally

Notes:

• Excursion provider: Melo
• Open Tuesday - Sunday - all year
• Green time at Terceira Island Golf Club can be arranged by our agent locally
• Azores Airlines and TAP Portugal allow one golf bag per person, free of charge, in excess to the standard 23kg luggage allowance

Guided Walks
The islands of the Azores, with their mild climate (day time temperature ranging from 14-22 degrees), are the most wonderful islands for walking. Our suggested walks incorporate some of the best scenic walks on the island.

Guided Walk - Rocha do Chambre (Full Day)
Today’s 11km walk takes you to the heart of the island along one of Terceira’s most spectacular trails surrounded by nature. A varied landscape takes you to one of the highest points of the island where, weather dependent, it is possible to see the outer reaches of the island. You will discover how the island would have looked before the first settlers arrived. On the way to the interior of the island, you will have the opportunity to observe the fields where wild cattle live, as well as how rich the interior of the island is, preserved and maintained by the locals over the centuries, until today. The trail is located in the centre of Terceira Island and along the way you will observe the endemic flora of the Azores, such as cryptomeria forests, large pastures and even observe some of the island's fauna. The attraction of this route is the “Rocha de Chambre”, a vertical wall located at an altitude of 708 m where the view over the Azinhal Valley and the caldera of the Pico Alto Volcano stands out. After this climb, there is also time to admire the view from Pico das Caldeirinhas and Pico Vermelho. The final part of the trail runs along a dry-stone wall, in an area dominated by Azorean Heather, an endemic species. After lunch, time to marvel at the Algar do Carvão Cave, a volcanic chimney that is undoubtedly the most famous volcanic cavity in the Azores. On the way back to Angra do Heroísmo, you will stop at Caldeira do Guilherme Moniz, a protected resource management area of the Terceira Natural Park, due to the presence of protected Macaronesian plant species.

• Difficulty: Grade 3 (Hard) 
• Duration: 6 hours 
• <Price is £48 per adult and £24 per child (6-11yrs) 

Guided Walk – Mistérios Negros (Full Day)
This 5km walk is along one of the most emblematic hiking trails of Terceira, a Laurissilva forest and a really fairy-tale landscape. The certified guides will provide information on the geology of the area and about the native cloud forest in low altitude. On the way to the interior of the island you will have the opportunity to observe the fields where wild cattle live, as well as how rich the interior of the island is, preserved and maintained by the locals over the centuries until today. You will pass in the middle of a volcano, Pico da Bagacina, arriving at the place on the trail where you will be dazzled by the wonderful Lagoa do Negro. The trail runs through the area where one of the most recent eruptions on Terceira Island took place, surrounded by pastures, cryptomeria forest and other species that complement the luscious endemic vegetation. At the end of the trail, you will have the opportunity to observe the crater of the Pico Gaspar volcano, rich in endemism. Your picnic lunch will be at Lagoa das Patas with its natural surroundings where you can breathe the pure air of the forest and try to interact with the friendly ducks that live there. After lunch, you will head deeper into the earth to visit the Gruta de Natal, originally made from lava tubes, and with diverse geological structures such as the flow of different types of lava, stalactites, and side balconies. On the way back to Angra do Heroísmo, you will stop at Caldeira do Guilherme Moniz, a protected resource management area of the Terceira Natural Park, due to the presence of protected Macaronesian plant species.

• Difficulty: Grade 3 (Hard) 
• Duration: 7.5 hours (Full Day) 
• Price is £48 per adult (Full Day) 

Notes

• Pick up from hotels at Angra do Heroismo at around 09:00 or 14:00 - supplier Picos de Aventure 
• Departures: Daily 
• Guided walks with English speaking guide and transfers to and from walks. 
• A picnic lunch is included on the full day walks 
• Minimum 2 people and maximum 12 
• Recommended: Comfortable clothing, walking boots, hiking poles, rain jacket, hat, sun lotion, binoculars, camera and a refillable water bottle or canister - plastic water bottles will not be provided locally.

Land Tours
Angra City Tour (Half Day)
On this walking tour of the capital you will discover the origins of the city’s name ‘Angra Do Heroismo’ and learn why there are so many fortresses and churches dating back to the age of discovery with the sea route to India and to Brazil which passed by Angra – a strategic location in the middle of the Atlantic ocean. Visit Adro Santo, Casa do Provedor das Armadas, Jardim Botânico, Igreja da Sé and Convento de São Gonçalo.

Price is £90 per person based on 2 people

Notes:

• Pick-up from all hotels on Terceira at 08:30 - supplier Angratravel >
• Half Day: 3 hours 
• Escorted by an English speaking driver/guide Includes museum admissions 

Terceira Van Tour (Full Day)
The tour starts by visiting Monte Brasil and its amazing viewpoint of Angra do Heroísmo, the Island capital and UNESCO Heritage. After visiting this submarine volcano we drive through the city centre in the direction of Praia da Vitória, passing by Porto Judeu, Salga Bay where the island natives and their bulls fought against the Spanish army, Contendas Bay, and Porto Martins with its beautiful natural pools. After passing by Praia da Vitória historical centre we will drive to Serra do Facho for an incredible overview of Praia Bay, the biggest bay on the island. Then on to Serra do Cume, considered one of the most beautiful viewpoints on the island, where you can enjoy the patchwork quilt landscape, the largest flat land area on the Archipelago. During lunch time, taste the delicious ‘Alcatra’, a dish of rump cooked for 12 hours to intensify the flavours and textures at a typical restaurant, with a warm and friendly atmosphere. After lunch, the next destination is Biscoitos village and their lava natural pools, the locals favourite swimming spot. On route you will pass by Biscoitos vineyards that thrive in the village's microclimate. Then on to Algar do Carvão, a natural monument and a unique lava chimney, that gives you the opportunity of being inside of a real volcano. Then drive south, in the direction of Veredas viewpoint, for an incredible overview of Angra do Heroísmo and Monte Brasil.

Price is £141 per person (based on 2 people)

Notes:

• Pick-up from hotels in Angra do Heroismo at 09:00 - supplier Angratravel. 
• Departures: Mon-Sat 
• Full Day: 8 hours including lunch at a local restaurant 
• Escorted by an English speaking driver/guide 
• Entrance fee at Algar do Carvão volcanic pit included.

Sea Kayaking 

Sea Kayaking - Half Day

Along the Coast of Monte Brasil, in the bay of the UNESCO city of Angra do Heroísmo, enjoy the beautiful blue waters of the Azores with the beautiful landscapes on land and put your body into motion with these sea kayaking experiences.

Price is £46 per person

Notes

• Difficulty level: Easy
• Pick up from hotels in Angra Do Heroismo at around 09:00.  Supplier Sea Adventures
• Half Day: 3 hours 
• Maximum 1 person per kayak 
• Minimum 2 people  
• Suitable for children aged 6yrs upwards – children must be accompanied by an adult
• Life jacket, kayak and paddle included
• Equipment required: Light, comfortable clothing, sandals, swim suit, towel, rain jacket, extra clothing in case you get wet, sun lotion, hat and a camera

Tourada à Corda
Experience the thrill of a bull running through the streets of towns and villages. The bulls have their horns padded and are not killed in the Azores. This colourful festival runs from 1^st May to 15^th October throughout the island. Should you wish to see one of the oldest pastimes of the archipelago – the first recorded event took place in Angra do Heroísmo in 1622. The hotels or Tourist office can provide the latest details of location and times of the bull running (usually between 20^th and 25^th of each month) during your stay.