Hotel Sete Cidades

Hotel Sete Cidades **

Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel Island, Azores

The Hotel Sete Cidades is situated in the centre of Ponta Delgada and just 10 minutes walk from our boat base in the marina. The rooms are decorated in a simplistic style with modern features with the option to choose balcony rooms that have views across the island towards the mountains. A good buffet breakfast is included every morning with fresh local produce and seasonal fruit. Hotel features include a rooftop terrace with panoramic views. All rooms have private ensuite bathrooms, free WIFI and cable TV. Rooms have large windows with mountain views and some have a balcony. The hotel consists of 32 rooms and 2 suites, newly refurbished and modernised.

Hotel top amenities

– Free WiFi

– Free parking

– Air conditioning

Hotel facilities

– 24-hour room service

– 24-hour reception

– Hotel safe

– Laundry service

– Lift

– Shared lounge/TV area

– House keeping

Room facilities

– Air conditioning

– Modern bathroom

– Cable TV

– Central heating

– Desk

– Flatscreen TV

– Free WiFi in the rooms

– Luggage storage

be-a-marine-biologist-for-the-day

“Be a Marine Biologist for the Day”

Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel Island, Azores

Prices from: Adult £118, Child £67

All of our holidays offer the once in a life time opportunity for you to “Be a Marine Biologist for a Day” – the perfect program for those with a keen appetite to learn. You will enjoy talks from one of our marine biologist before spending a day with them learning research techniques such as data collection, photo ID and listening to underwater acoustics using the hydrophone. You will get away from the main tourist trail and have opportunities for a lot more contact with the animals. This a fully immersive day allowing you to step inside the shoes of our marine biologists and learn about their research. This activity can be added onto your holiday program.

Your day starts at our local boat base, walking distance from your hotel. You will then board the sturdy RIB zodiac and spend 4 hours at sea travelling further along the coast to rich feeding grounds, giving you a closer look into the lives of the whales and dolphins you’ll meet – some are even known by name! After your boat trip your marine biologist guide will spend a further 2 hours with you in the classroom at our boat base giving fun and educational audio visual presentations and talks. Do ask lots of questions!

You will be accompanied throughout the day by our expert local guides and marine biologists who love sharing their extensive knowledge of these incredible creatures. They will teach you research techniques such as data collection, photo ID and listening to underwater acoustics using the hydrophone.

You’ll learn about the biology, habitat and behaviour of the cetaceans and participate in valuable research and conservation initiatives helping to preserve the oceans for future generations.

This is a superb addition to any trip and is ideally suited to adults and children who are keen to get hands on in the world of conservation.

A packed lunch is given with the choice of eating out at sea or at the boat base. This tour is for 6 hours starting at 08h30 and finishing at approx. 3pm

NOTE: This tour operates subject to a minimum number of 8 people booking. If this number has not been reached, you will be offered a refund or alternative tour at your balance due date (8 weeks before departure).

“10/10 – a huge hit for the whole family. Especially teens disinterested in traditional sightseeing tourism!

Our Wednesday Marine Biologist for the day tour was the highlight of a great week. The Zodiac boat got us closer to the animals and we had extended views of about 5 sperm whales. The kids were also excited to see a turtle and Portuguese man o’war right next to the boat as well as the red crabs on Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo. On the back we saw 50+ bottlenose dolphins, again right next to the boat, which made a great end to the boat trip. – Smart famiy April 2022

The whole holiday was fantastic but “being a marine biologist for the day” has to go down as the highlight…Seeing the whales and dolphins up close is one thing but gaining an insight into what the
marine biologists are doing on a daily basis and being able to learn from them gives the experience an extra dimension. It was absolutely fascinating and well worth the extra money! – Fletcher Family June 2021

“Many thanks to you and the team. We had a really lovely holiday. Loved our two days out at sea, in particular the ‘Be a Marine Biologist Day’. We saw sperm whale, sei whale, risso’s dolphins and had an amazing encounter with a large group of bottlenose dolphins. Kids also fascinated by flying fish and Portuguese man o war. Really knowledgeable and engaging guides, they really caught the kid’s attention who were very excited to learn how to use a hydrophone and listen to the animals underwater – Roberts Family June 2019

The special tour “Be a Marine Biologist for a Day “ trip on the RIB was the highlight and our kids loved it. We saw Sperm Whales, Fin Whales and a Humpback and Common and Bottlenose Dolphins. On the full day trip we were often the only boat around as we had more time and other trips aren’t out on the sea at lunchtime. All in all we had a fantastic time…” Purslow family May 2018

Coasteering

Prices: £95 (adult/teen/child)

Sao Miguel Island, Azores

Coasteering is an exciting, exhilarating experience set in uniquely beautiful surroundings around the Azores coastline. This is a fun and educational tour – you will jump from cliffs into the Atlantic and climb volcanic rocks under the supervision of our expert guides!. You will also learn about the coastline fauna and see a variety of fish, sea birds, crabs and other marine species!

Engenho Guest House

Pico Island, Azores

Extend you stay with a trip to more remote Pico Island (one hour flight from Sao Miguel Island). You can explore this stunning island at your own pace (car hire recommended) with the option of adding whale and dolphin watching trips to sea and land tours to your itinerary.

This beautifully restored 18^th century Azorean building features ensuite double and family rooms and is located near to our boat base with sea and mountain views.

Shared facilities include a lounge, fully equipped kitchenette (with microwave, fridge, coffee machine and kettle) dining area, and flat-screen cable TV. There is also coffee shop on site.

Sete Cidades Activity Day

Sao Miguel Island, Azores

Half day prices: Adult £55, Child (6-12yrs) £35

Cycling, stand up paddle boarding and kayaking are fun ways to experience the lakes at Sete Cidades and be one with the water and its surroundings. We provide bikes and equipment for your use. You will also be accompanied by a specialist guide. Our pickup and drop off services from Ponta Delgada are included (approx. 40 mins transfer time).

Sete Cidades lake is outstanding in size, being 2.4 miles long, 1.2 miles wide. The perimeter of the lake is coated with incredible hydrangeas. These are most radiant with colour from the months of June to September. There are a number of other lakes in surrounding areas, all with different shades of green and blue.

The tour includes a nature guide and a variety of activities-based exercise. This includes: kayaking, SUP and cycling. Life jackets and helmets will be provided. There are also dressing rooms with hot showers and a picnic lunch for full day tours.

If this tour is not included in the holiday you are booking and you wish to add it to your itinerary, just let us know at the time of booking. You can also add this tour to your holiday any time before departure and also at our boat base in the Azores (subject to availability – to avoid disappointment, we suggest booking additional tours by the balance due date 8 weeks before departure).

Location: SETE CIDADES LAKES

Duration: 4hrs approx. including transfer time

Included: Guide, kayak, SUP, lifejacket, bike, helmet, dressing rooms with showers, transfers from Ponta Delgada.

Please Bring: Comfortable clothes & shoes, sweater, raincoat, backpack, swimsuit and towel, hat, sunscreen, change of clothes, water and snacks.

On Monday we did the inland tour of Sete Cidades, cycling round the crater and kayaking on the lake. The guides were both really informative, and this was a fantastic introduction to the island. The cycle ride was not too hard and the kayaking was about the right length for us as it was a windy day. The views from the top were clear and it was a really great adventure – I would thoroughly recommend this trip for families.

The buffet lunch on the Sete Citades trip was really excellent with a good choice even though we tend not to eat meat. We also enjoyed the choice of activities on that trip with a short cycle trip and then chance to kayak on the blue/green lakes. Our guide was very knowledgeable and informative.