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Private Caves Tour with Geologist
5.0
11 Ratings
Angra do Heroísmo
Explore volcanic caves with a geologist, taste local cheese, visit an organic farm, and swim in natural pools. Customize your private tour today.
Explore volcanic caves with a geologist, taste local cheese, visit an organic farm, and swim in natural pools. Customize your private tour today.
Duration:
5 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Gruta do Natal - This lava tube cave extends horizontally, showcasing intricate lava formations. Some areas have low ceilings, so caution is advised, making it unsuitable for those with mobility challenges.
- Furnas do Enxofre - A geothermal area with sulfur vents, featuring a small circular walking path that offers the best views of the area’s…
- Gruta do Natal - This lava tube cave extends horizontally, showcasing intricate lava formations. Some areas have low ceilings, so caution is advised, making it unsuitable for those with mobility challenges.
- Furnas do Enxofre - A geothermal area with sulfur vents, featuring a small circular walking path that offers the best views of the area’s unique flora and geology.
- Algar do Carvao - A volcanic chimney, this cave extends mostly vertically, allowing visitors to admire its vast, impressive chambers.
- Cinco Ribeiras - A rocky beach area offering views of the southwest coast and, weather permitting, the islands of São Jorge and Pico.
- Angra do Heroismo - Important Note: The remaining time (hours) will be allocated for travel from pick-up to drop-off.
What's Included
- Private transportation
- Hotel pick up and drop off
- Geologist expert guide
- Private transportation
- Hotel pick up and drop off
- Geologist expert guide
What's Not Included
- Snacks
- Infant’s car seats
- Entrance Fee to Gruta do Natal - €9.00 (combo ticket €15.00 per person)
- Entrance Fee to Algar do Carvão - €10.00 (combo ticket €15.00 per person)
- Snacks
- Infant’s car seats
- Entrance Fee to Gruta do Natal - €9.00 (combo ticket €15.00 per person)
- Entrance Fee to Algar do Carvão - €10.00 (combo ticket €15.00 per person)
Additional Information
Algar do Carvão has been closed for the construction of a new visitor center since October 20th, 2024. The construction is expected to last around 18 months.
Operating hours are from 14:00 to 18:00 in the summer and from 14:30 to 17:30 in the winter. From October to April, it is closed on Sundays, Mondays, and Thursdays.
Have you ever imagined being…
Algar do Carvão has been closed for the construction of a new visitor center since October 20th, 2024. The construction is expected to last around 18 months.
Operating hours are from 14:00 to 18:00 in the summer and from 14:30 to 17:30 in the winter. From October to April, it is closed on Sundays, Mondays, and Thursdays.
Have you ever imagined being inside a volcano? On this tour, led by a geologist, participants will explore Gruta do Natal (Christmas Cave) and Algar do Carvão. From the island’s center, depending on the weather, there is an option to savor the renowned local cheese while learning about the region’s history or enjoy a swim in one of the natural ocean pools along the way. Remember to bring a towel and swimsuit.
This experience is a fully customizable private tour, tailored to meet individual preferences and desires.
Location
Praça Velha
We will meet at "Praça velha", main square, just in front of the city hall main door.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(11 Ratings)
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1 star
Alan_c
Sep 24, 2025
Very professional and genuine - We are adventurous and this was our first trip to the Azores. Ricardo picked us up at the square in Angra do Heroismo. The big cave is closed temporarily for upgrades so he suggested some other activities and left it to us to decide. We went inside lava tubes at Christmas cave and also visited an area with multiple fumaroles. As scientists we knew right away talking with him that he was very knowledgeable. Ricardo says he's from the mainland, and fell in love with Terceira when he was completing exploration work for the geothermal power station that now supplies a percentage of Terceira's electricity. He showed us the outside of the geothermal plant and explained how they use the steam and water to generate electricity. He decided to come back to Terceira after working there. We have met people like Ricardo while traveling before, and he smiled widely when we mentioned some people decide to relocate because they fall in love with a certain location and way of life. Ricardo fits this profile. We spent the last hour enjoying local cheeses in a cantina overlooking the ocean and chatting about travelling. Ricardo's parting advise was to try the fish soup at a restaurant at our last stop, Sao Miguel Island. It was magnificent advise! Overall, it was an amazing time and we felt like we made a new friend. Thank you, Ricardo!
Review provided by Viator
Ivy_g
Jul 23, 2025
Great tour experience - Ricardo was very knowledgeable and an excellent guide. The tour was easy for our 8 and 10 year olds to also enjoy. Don’t miss this opportunity while staying in Terceira.
Review provided by Viator
Szalka22
May 28, 2025
great time :) - Ricardo was kind, knowledgeable and relaxed and made us feel very welcome. His geologist’s perspective was very enriching for our experience of visiting the island. Highly recommend. :)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Vicente_l
Sep 25, 2024
Wonderful in depth tour of the caves - It was a wonderful tour. We enjoyed it a lot, and the guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. The two caves are definitely a must in Terceira, and the Algar do Carvão was breathtaking.
Review provided by Viator
Joanne_a
Sep 21, 2024
Best trip - Best trip of our visit to Terceira! Great communication re Hotel pick up . Having Ricardo as our guide meant that we really got the best out of our visits to Gruta do Natal and Algar do Carvão. Having the features explained and been shown what to look for made the experience soo much more interesting. We loved it . We got to see the island with someone who was great who explained the area and also had a fabulous stop for local wine and cheese. What a great experience!
Review provided by Viator
J5287ujlizb
Aug 27, 2024
Perfect tour! Highly recommend! - This tour is a must! Ricardo is a wonderful and knowledgeable guide (and he takes great photos too!) Beyond the views, I learned a lot about lava formations and other little geology tidbits. The trip to the caves with Ricardo feel personal and special versus a larger group tour. I have already told all my friends (and my mom) they have to do this when they visit Terceira!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Annaly_s
Aug 9, 2024
Volcanoes & Cheese ❣️ - Great tour for a fair price! Richard gave a great perspective on the island and history of volcanoes we wouldn't have gotten without him. I loved learning & seeing the different lava flows and multiple sights. If you go for the half day and have extra time, definitely try the cheese!
Review provided by Viator
Anne_z
Jul 28, 2024
Great guide, great time. - Ricardo was an excellent guide! We highly recommend him. Picked us up on time and taught us much more than we could have on our own in Gruta do Natal and the amazing Carvao. He also took us on a walk around the Furnas do Exofre ( steam vents) and described plants and birds as we went.
We had such visiting a small coffee and fruit farm on our way back to town.
Review provided by Viator
B3562rzrichardb
Jul 27, 2024
Vulkantour - Ricardo was a great guide, explained us very much well. On the way back he showed us a typical restaurant with cheese specialties - a great trip!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jackieonthemove2017
May 1, 2024
Excellent afternoon! Time well spent! - We booked this tour with Ricardo and had a fantastic time. Ricardo was prompt and very friendly and sweet. He was enthusiastic about our tour and excited to show us all of the interesting aspects of the tour. He is very knowledgeable and an excellent Guide. He took us on a side trip to a coffee plantation that we found to be very interesting and we spent some time the the owner and his wife chatting and enjoying their hospitality. I would highly recommend this tour. Far superior to boarding a bus and being dragged around...Thank you again Ricardo!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
