4WD side-by-side tour from cruise ship - wonderful scenic tour from Ponta Delgada - We had a group of 6 people and we opted to take a private tour of Sete Cidades and the North coast when we were in Ponta Delgada for a day from a cruise ship. There was an option to try for a scheduled 9am group tour, but we weren't sure we could make it in time. In the end, our choice was PERFECT! Two of us had been to the island before and had already done city, landmarks, food, wine, tea and other South coast tours from Ponta Delgada during those visits. This time we wanted to see more scenery and nature. Lots of tours were available, but as we dug through the options, we found unexpected logistics issues. In the end, we finally found Vita Azores and the tour was amazing (see "tricky parts" below for more information about the unexpected glitches we ran into). We opted to book a private tour for the 6 of us because we were not confident we could make the 9am regularly scheduled tour they advertised due to the ship's scheduled port time (and accounting for time to clear customs and immigration, gangway prep and travel time to the tour meeting point). Ricardo was GREAT coordinating with us up front. We needed to clarify everything about the tour (vehicles, timing, meeting location, tour options) and he responded to all of our concerns thoroughly and in a timely manner. We opted to have a private tour given our single day, time-constrained visit. It was a great choice. We met our guide, Andre, who was energetic, conscientious, attentive and knowledgeable. He made sure we covered all the safety items and kept track of our small group. We saw unique and amazing sites that buses and hikers could not reach in the limited time we were there. We thoroughly enjoyed our tour, thanks to Ricardo and Andre. _____________________ The tricky parts finding a tour that met our needs were (meeting point/start locations not close to ship, tour times vs ship docking times, shared vehicles, group sizes, vehicle options, etc.), specifically: 1) finding a tour that departed from Ponta Delgada instead of elsewhere on the Island (North coast), which would have required getting to/from the departure location on our own in addition to adding transport time to the tour time. 1a) We found 2 tours that left from Ponta Delgada and Vita Azores was close enough to walk to from the ship using a good map or GPS. (Side note - Vita Azores office and tour starting point is about 1km from the port exit, but it is uphill from the port via uneven sidewalks so there can be mobility issues you need to adjust for). 1b) The other tour operator from Ponta Delgada was far enough away from the port to need a taxi (it was closer to the airport area, at least 3km away from the cruise port). 2) finding a tour that met our cruise ship arrival and departure time. Vita Azores has a private tour option that let us book our own schedule and tailor the tour a bit, in addition to flexing a bit if the ship arrived late 3) finding a tour with vehicles our group was comfortable with (side-by-sides, ATVs, etc.), along with providing safety equipment (goggles, helmets, etc.). We were fortunate that the dirt roads were damp when we were there, which limited the dust and dirt we kicked up quite a bit. 4) The cruise ship may not dock if winds or seas are bad, so be sure to clarify the cancellation policy with any tour company before you book. 5) Other things to keep in mind: the bigger the tour group, the more likely you will share a vehicle with other people. Side-by-side 4x4s are mainly 4 person vehicles and other ATVs can hold 2 people...big tours require sharing vehicles unless you book a private tour. The island is wonderful, and knowing what to expect can prevent a lot of disappointments. VITA AZORES was the perfect option for our group!!

Great fun! - Guide was very good and fun! Scenery beautiful and loved the coffee stop in the sunshine

Worth it! - We had an awesome time! Andre was very informative throughout the trip. Everything was smooth. We had been to Sete Cidades previously, but it was completely different areas and views.

Andre is fantastic! - Andre went out of his way to make sure that we had a fun time on the buggies! We saw so much of the countryside and caldera and of course the beautiful blue and green lakes; taking many stops along the way to take photos and to admire the lush green scenery. Andre is extremely knowledgeable about the geology and topography of the island so don’t hesitate to ask questions. He is happy to answer and strives to make sure you have a wonderful day and we did! Obrigada!

Fantastic, don’t pass this up! - It was fabulous. The guide was from the Azores and was very knowledgeable and informative. The tour took you to breathtaking vistas around the volcano among other historical locations.

Adventure to sete cidades - The best way to see the island. Also lots of fun. Andre was a fabulous guide. Tremendous knowledge of the area and history of portugal. Extremely caring. It was a special experience.

Great experience, fun time - Best way to tout and learn about the island.

The tour guide was... - The tour guide was friendly and knowledgeable . We saw some of the most beautiful views we have ever experienced. Our kids (13 and 9) had a blast riding in the quad and buggy- it made it more fun and interesting than a regular tour bus, and we had a more personalized experience with 1 guide and just one other family.

Exceptional 4x4 tour! - Exceptional tour and guide with Andre for our day in Port! We had the most amazing experience filled with fun facts and stunning views. Just enough stops to get incredible views and pictures, with a short coffee/bathroom break in the middle. Would 100% recommend to anyone wanting to do a true 4x4 experience to Sete Cidades, consider the buggies if weather is questionable! Plenty of time to explore the city before getting back onboard. Thank you, Vita Azores for an unforgettable ride!!!

Buggy Ponta Delgada - Spectacular Possibility to see landscapes that otherwise would not be possible. Parking in strategic locations I recommend Better to make a reservation