Wild Island Adventure in the Azores

A great trip run by the local Fun Activities group. Our Guides Pedro and Guilerme were great fun and successfully adapted the program to suit the variable spring weather in the Azores. This did mean we didn’t kayak or cycle, but these activities were substituted for some good fun alternatives. A very wet whale watching trip but seeing orca more than made up for it. The first hotel we stayed in was a little tired but the second one more than made up for it.

This trip was amazing. Although we didn't get to do all the activities because of the weather, Pedro and Guilharme were amazing at adjusting activities so there was something fun to do each day. This trip was filled with a lot of "firsts" and a lot of "I never thought I'd ever do thats"! The guides Pedro and Guilharme went above and beyond and made this such an amazing adventure! A trip I'll never forget!! There were some issues that I trust MBA will address separately but as far as the adventures themselves and the activities, our guides were top notch!!

We had so much fun in the Azores - it was unlike anywhere I've ever been! All of the activities were so well thought out and organised. Our guides - Pedro and Ricardo - couldn't have done more to create a brilliant week for us. There were some challenges with the sea being rough and the weather but they worked really hard to move things around so that we could still do everything. They were fun, engaged with the group wonderfully and also super well informed about the island. The whale watching was spectacular and my highlight was the rainbow coming out of the whale's blowhole pictured! The canyoning and coasteering were both lots of fun and also felt safe with our guides. A great trip - I'd recommend!

Full of memorable moments even though the weather was cloudy, rainy, and humid for much of the week. Coasteering and kayaking had to be cancelled, but our amazing guides Ricardo and Guilherme went above and beyond to find great alternatives for the hikes, bike ride and a snorkelling session in the rain. The accommodation in Vila Franca do Campo was fairly basic but comfortable and we were lucky to witness the release of Shearwater chicks that had lost their way migrating to Patagonia. The picnic lunches could have been better, but our group of nine adventurous travellers made the experience truly special. Overall, despite the weather challenges, this trip was a great reminder that adventure is about flexibility, great guides and good company. Thanks to Ricardo and Guilherme for making it such an enjoyable experience!

This was a great trip to really get a good feel for the island of São Miguel. We were not very lucky with the weather (fog and rain) but the group was great and our guides Ricardo and Guilherme made the absolute most of our opportunities and were great fun

Overall, I had a great trip with MBA in São Miguel. The activities were fun and the connection with the group was wonderful — such a lovely mix of people. The guides were fantastic and really went above and beyond to make the best of things. The weather in the Azores can be unpredictable, so it’s worth managing expectations — we couldn’t see Sete Cidades or Lagoa do Fogo, and kayaking and coasteering were cancelled, but the canyoning and hot springs were absolutely amazing and made the trip feel really special. The first hotel in Vila Franco do Campo and the packed lunches were honestly pretty bad. I’d definitely recommend MBA for an active adventure in the Azores — just go with an open mind and flexible plans.

I really enjoyed this MBA. The guides were great and the activities were good, especially for beginners. The islands are beautiful and there is not too much travelling about on this trip compared to others, which is refreshing. The first hotel is a bit basic but is in a beautiful location, I would have preferred more days at the 2nd hotel instead.

Action packed week amidst the stunning landscape of the Azores. Our guides worked super hard to make sure every activity happened, shifting the schedule to suit weather and sea conditions. Especially loved the whale watching, sea kayaking into a volcano crater, jumping off rocks and waterfalls (canyoning and coasteering). It was good to stay in 3 different locations, by the sea, in a hot springs town, and in a tent! Pedro and Ricardo made everything feel safe and very well organised, with all the kit - and picnics appearing as if by magic. Clearly they worked really hard behind the scenes, but still managed to be a crazy funny double act, always making us laugh.

Our tour was amazing. Lots of challenges in a beautiful place. The people there are welcoming. Our guides, Pedro and Ricardo made the trip extra fun and enjoyable.

What a great trip! The island is stunning, the activities where great and our guides Pedro and Teresa where fantastic. Perfect if you want a nice mix of different activities.

Outstanding guides who really went above and beyond to give the group amazing experiences on this fabulous trip. Thank you so much Teresa and Pedro.

The Azores really are stunning and this trip gives you the chance to explore every corner of Sao Miguel! The activities are all great fun and varied. From hiking to canyoning, coasteering and E-biking they were brilliantly organised at a good level for everyone on the trip and used really good kit. I was a little nervous about cycling but I shouldn’t have been. The e- bikes are ace and we cycled 27km soaking in the amazing scenery before I’d really noticed. Individually the activities are all pretty simply but over the course of the week you do so much stuff it gets pretty tiring, this is a full on itinerary and our amazing guides even sneaked in a few extra bits for us!! We were a group of 12 mainly 30s and 40s and we got on so well it really made the trip but the biggest shout out has to go to guides Teresa, Pedro and Hugo who are simply the best guides I’ve ever had on a trip. Nothing was too much trouble, everything was organised and relaxed but more importantly they were so much fun and they really made our group feel complete. We were lucky with the weather in that it stayed mainly dry and in the low 20s however it’s very humid and can change rapidly so take lots of quick dry wicking stuff (shorts/tops) Towel poncho was a game changer for easy changing after waterfall swims and coasteering and canyoning. Lots of swimwear required as you will be in the water on most days!! A really fabulous trip cannot recommend highly enough and already wanting to return and explore some of the other islands.

This has been the best MBA trip we have done. Azores is indeed one of the most beautiful places in Europe, it really is the Hawaii of Europe. The schedule was full of various activities which made it all memorable.

Nothing was possible without our amazing guides, Teresa, Pedro and Hugo. They took care of everyone and ensured we all had a good time. They shared a lot of knowledge and history on Azores, but also helped us with a lot of things throughout the trip like dietary requirements, a drive for the pharmacy or requests to see certain spots. They also carried go pros and took pictures and videos during the intense activities.

The group dynamic was fantastic. We were a group of 12 and we all got along just fine.

End of June is indeed the best time to visit the island. We had low 20 degrees throughout the days with barely any rain.

If you dont know how to swim, don’t worry. Except for the canyoning, you always have to wear a life vest. For the canyoning I have requested to wear a life vest and everything was fine.

The kit list is good! I would suggest bringing a few swimsuits ( I had 3) and one poncho towel to help you change after the water based activities.

It’s actually hard for me to put into words how much I loved this trip, and believe me, the photos don’t do it justice. Let me start by saying that everything was organized seamlessly: from airport transfers to hotels, the itinerary, food etc. What a wonderful company Much Better Adventures is and I’m already looking for my next trip with them. The group of folks in our trip were mostly solo travelers in their 30s and 40s and all a good level of fitness so we got very lucky with that and they were wonderful. We had such a good time. We also got really lucky with the weather on the azores and didn’t have to make any changes to the schedule. We actually were able to pack more in due to how well we all got along and how quickly we did the hikes etc. The Azores is one of the most stunning places I’ve ever seen and I can’t wait to explore more. What really made this trip memorable was our guides, Teresa and Pedro. When I tell you that they went above and beyond to ensure we were safe, happy, well informed and entertained. I’ve been on a lot of these trips and these two are the best in the biz. We had enough free time in the evenings to do our own thing and the accommodation was clean and comfortable. That’s all you need! Get a towel poncho! That’s the only thing I didn’t have that I wish I had. Sometimes after hot springs or waterfalls you have to get changed outdoors and these come in very very handy.

Absolutely fantastic holiday and experience on the island with the team. Teresa, Pedro and Hugo were amazing guides and were helpful and informative every step of the way. They were very conscious of the weather and made plans accordingly so that we could get all our activities in. They were great with safety and communication so that we never felt uncomfortable or unsafe. Every activity was fun and the views were breathtaking. With every location we had cultural background, myths and legends to go with the action. Highly recommended!

I had a great trip and enjoyed all activities which were led by our guides Riccardo and Diego, both are great guides who were entertaining, informative, fun and dedicated to ensure that everyone felt safe and had a good time.

Our activities were moved around a little due to weather conditions but we were always briefed the night beforehand so we knew what to prepare for.

This was my first MBA trip so had no idea what to expect but I loved it. I ended the week absolutely exhausted and the agenda was packed.

Our guides, Ricardo and Diego, were brilliant. I started the week scared of heights and never having jumped off anything, but they were so supportive and I trusted them implicitly, I did every jump offered to me. They also know so much about the island and would do anything to make sure we’re looked after.

Tips if you’ve booked on; I did all the hikes in trail shoes which were fine (just muddy at times), I wore shorts even in the rain - they dry quicker and I was rarely cold, take an overnight bag for the camping or you end up like me wheeling a suitcase to a campsite.

Would definitely recommend this trip.

Enjoyed the trip ! Sao Miguel island is beautiful, just a shame there was not Included other islands to visit . Guides Ricardo and Diego are extremely friendly , kind and caring ! Felt always safe around them . Didn’t enjoy the lunch as it was usually cold and soggy bouquets , which is not very enjoyable On a rainy day ( in islands rains a lot !) Lunch meals could be at least something warm and not so cheap .

What an amazing Trip! Very Adventure Filled with either stunning views or adrenaline rush jumps that took my breath away. If you like an active adventure on an island full of green nature, this is the one for you. Our Guides Ricardo&Diego were amazing and it felt like making new friends.

This trip was my first with MBA and I was pleasantly surprised. There were a lot of activities packed in, plus a few surprises along the way that were not listed on the itinerary which made the trip even nicer, e. g. viewpoints, pineapple and tea plantations, etc.

Our guides, Diego and Ricardo, were warm, nurturing, and friendly. I appreciated that they always tried to adjust every activity so that it fits the comfort level of everyone in the group, which can be hard when you have different people, some who complain, some who like to show off, some who think they don't need a guide, and others who might be facing some fears. They navigated these kinds of dynamics well, and made sure everyone had fun and was included.

They also made sure we can learn about and connect with local culture, and also navigated around weather and other surprises well. Their recommendations for free time outside of activities were also good.

The activities are a lot of fun and the ambiance is so beautiful that you will have a good time even just being there. That said the activities were super nice.

My favorite were probably the canyoning and kayaking. Also don't miss out on trying the local fruits (passion fruit, pineapple), pastries (Diego and Ricardo recommended some really good ones), and vino verde (that's from mainland Portugal, but it was everywhere in the Azores and it's fantastic).

The kit list definitely came in handy, I didn't find myself needing anything that wasn't listed. I could have used a poncho instead of a towel at times, would have allowed for a little more privacy, but that's a bonus. I definitely recommend having more shorts that dry fast, for days that you have a hike and a waterfall let's say, so that you can jump in, then get out, and not be soaked all day.

The hotels chosen were nice, the breakfasts were simple, but could do the job. Any constructive criticism that I have to share is really nitpicking. I would suggest to scout for places with good coffee or maybe have some local recommendations for the caffeine-dependent travelers, like me. It's not a big deal, but it would be a nice touch.

Another thing I'd suggest to look into is the packed lunches. They definitely were kind of bland and heavy on the bread.

I think all in all, the trip is generally good value, and very fun, so I'd recommend.

A great trip, well organised and fabulous guides. Nice to be able to do various activities and offers various ways of seeing and experiencing the island. The pace of the activities were very relaxed - nice for those less confident or experienced but for those wanting a faster pace/ more challenging trip then may not be for you. Some tips for packing: bring a quick dry / micro fibre poncho for getting changed in public areas & sturdy sandals for walking over volcanic rock to hot springs.

This trip was my second with MBA and a very memorable one! It was an active week packed with several hikes, biking, kayaking, whale watching, canyoning and coasteering. I found it was a bit more challenging physically than I expected and we had to factor in the unpredictable weather but it was manageable in the end. We had the most dedicated guides who went above and beyond to give us the most enjoyable experience. The scenery was incredible, we had a great group, and I’m already thinking about traveling again with MBA next year.

This trip was action packed. The island is incredible, so much to do and see and all a short drive away! The team from fun activities Azores worked so hard to adjust what we did to make the best of the changeable weather. They communicated clearly throughout and gave us choices. They also surprised us with a fancy lunch and taught us about Azorean culture and history. Do not hesitate to book this trip! I’m planning on returning.

great experience despite bad weather. The guides really did their utmost to adapt the itinerary to accommodate. i only have some constructive criticism to make the trip even better;

1. splitting the group from 12 to 6+6 would help across the majority of activities given those with more confidence/skills a little more freedom and those with less, more time to develop skills in a safe environment - without 11 other people looking on, even with best intentions at heart - this creates added nerves for some i. e. coasteering jumps with the added 'peer' pressure.
2. more time to walk round the lake in Furnas rather than a jump on/off bus tour. Give more choice to those who fancied stretching legs.
3. ebikes - starting with flat and then building to hills up and down, again to gain confidence.
4. weather hampered the hike one day and the decision was made to drive the group to the top of the peak, rather than hiking in the rain. i think that 90% of the group would of happily hiked; good intention meant, but perhaps allowing the group to decide.
5. more time at canyoning - as we only really did one slide, one rappel, one zip and 3 jumps. i think most people would have enjoyed doing it all again, and in smaller sub-groups, so you didn't get cold waiting your turn
6. Hikes were easy (easier than i expected if you have a general fitness) and could have been a little more adventurous, whilst the trees/riverside / waterfall were beautiful, it was a little crowded with tourists. We had probably been spoilt by the fact people on other days/activities to make this more pronounced.
7. the whale watching - give choices to the group re big boat or smaller rib. . pros and cons to each, i did both, and thought rib more fun. safety focused, well organised , engagement, participation, welcoming - all of this!!! would recommend noting easy; with any challenge largely being within yourself re lack of experience in an activity, fear of water/heights. the team really encouraged everyone despite this

I had such a good time on this trip. Yes the weather was iffy, but the guides changed the activities around at the drop of a hat so we always took advantage of good weather windows and did wet activities in the wet. Teresa, Riccardo and Daniella were fantastic. Pack a down jacket and lots of leggings as well as shorts.

The main team worked tirelessly to provide a real Azores adventure. They showed us hidden gems and communicated well throughout. Activities were loads of fun and not too hard yet exhilarating! Take heaps of warm, weatherproof wear. Book Porta Delgata restaurants in advance or plan to eat grab and go (while the provided suggestions were lovely, several restaurants turned four of us away before we ate outside - a chilly but bonding experience). Hotels were clean and basic (Furnas’ stay was much brighter). One canyoning guide was more interested in taking pictures badly than safety, which was unfortunate for my ankle. However, I’m thankful that I got to explore and have fun with a wonderful crew!

This trip was nothing short of spectacular—from the breathtaking coastal views and lush forests to the charming, picturesque towns, every moment felt like a postcard come to life. The itinerary struck the perfect balance between high-energy adventure and relaxed exploration. Thrill-seekers will love the canyoning, coasteering, biking, and hiking, while those looking to unwind will enjoy scenic walks, peaceful whale watching, and serene nights of camping. The local cuisine was delicious throughout, and the guides truly made the experience—knowledgeable, kind, and always up for a laugh. An incredible way to discover the magic of the Azores!

We had a lovely activity week in the Azores. The island is beautiful and offers a great setting as a perfect outdoor playground.

We loved all the activities. Nothing too challenging but plenty of variety and lots of fun. Exactly what was described. The guides were great, the equipment was in good nick and the mini buses good.

Accommodation and food was ok. Nothing fancy but the hotel locations and views were perfect. The overnight camp was good fun too. Great bbq in the evening and a delicious breakfast in a local cafe the next morning. We were hoping for a fun loving activity week with a bit of time to relax in the sun and that's exactly what we got. 5 stars.

I had quite a few much adventure tours, usually with one or two types of activities. This one definitely caught my eyes simply because of all 6 different activates. After having been on this amazing tour, I can tell it was not a boast. The activities are not just scrambled. They are very well organized. Each activity had a reasonable length and difficulty level. If you love all these activities, the tour offers the full-scale satisfaction.

The host also match the number of participants and difficulty level with the right number of guides. So the participants feel very safe and well guided. They host is well equipped, not just the necessary activities equipment, but also the video/photo devices. It is always such a sweet memory to look at these exciting moments afterwards. The guides are really nice and friendly. We had a great time together.

Besides the activities, the chosen base sites are well thought through. We were based in Vila Franca, Nordeste and Furnas. Those spots are really beautiful. In Nordest, we had camping. The camping site is really "luxury" in my standard. All the tents, mattress, sleeping bags, even pillows are already prepared neat and clean. The camping site even cooked great BBQ for us.

The difficult rating is easy. I'm a regularly trained person with a handful outdoor experience and used to be amateur athlete. I would say I'm within 10% percentile physical level among all ages considered. I would say the difficult rating might be medium to most people.

All in all, the tour is a great experience and leave me one of the best experiences with much better adventures. Thanks for the great job!

Plenty of activities in beautiful location!

Views were compromised by the weather on first few days - make sure to bring waterproofs but we saw whales, dolphins and sun and steam on the last few days. Final meal and hotel was fabulous, earlier ones not as good. Lovely attentive guides.