Ponta Delgada Azores Cruise Port: Whales, Calderas & Lakes

Ponta Delgada Azores Cruise Port is a very popular port of call on Transatlantic voyages, of which many of them are re-positioning cruises. As the summer sun fades and the autumn chills start to set in, most cruise ships “re-position” themselves across the Atlantic in October / November to the warmth of Florida and the Caribbean until April the following year. Hence the term “re-positioning cruises”.

Ponta Delgada Azores cruise port tends to be the last port of call when ships sail west, giving cruisers a chance to stretch their legs before the stretch of sea days on the Atlantic crossing.

Never taken a re-positioning cruise? If you love sea days, then you’ll love re-positioning cruises! Not only do you typically get at least 5-7 sea days in a roll, these re-positioning cruises can also be a real bargain! Cruise lines, on a per day basis, will gladly discount these re-positioning cruises to rock bottom prices. After all, you’ll be a “captive audience” for a few days at sea and most likely be incurring additional spend onboard.

However, the downside is the need to buy open jaw flights from one’s home airport to the embarkation port and then from the disembarkation port to one’s home airport. Depending on your home airport, this may or may not be easy!

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Where is Ponta Delgada Azores?

Nestled in the heart of the North Atlantic Ocean, Ponta Delgada Azores graces the southern coast of São Miguel Island, the largest and most populous of the nine islands that comprise the Azores archipelago. This unique location, roughly 1,000 miles west of mainland Portugal and about 950 miles northwest of Morocco, places Ponta Delgada at a fascinating crossroads between Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

The Azores themselves are an autonomous region of Portugal, and São Miguel Island, often referred to as the “Green Island,” is renowned for its lush landscapes, volcanic formations, and picturesque lakes. Ponta Delgada, as the capital of the Azores, serves as the archipelago’s vibrant cultural and economic hub, so most cruise ships who stop in the Azores stop in Ponta Delgada.

Note: Don’t confuse Ponte Delgada in the Azores with Ponte Delgada on the island of Madeira. I used Ponta Delgada Azores Cruise Port in this blog post, to distinguish between the two and to make sure that those heading to Madeira (also part of Portugal) don’t get the two mixed up. I know “Ponta Delgada Azores” is quite a mouthful but I did it for a reason!

Ponta Delgada Azores Cruise Port: Is a DIY Excursion Easy? 😎😎😎😎😎 Easy Peasy

Ponta Delgada Azores Cruise Port is hard to grade! If you’d like to have a few hours wondering around the town of Ponta Delgada itself, then it’s absolutely easy peasy 😎😎😎😎😎! Here’s why it’s easy to do your own thing at Ponta Delgada:

• 10-minute walk to town: You can stroll from Ponta Delgada Azores Cruise Port to the town centre of Ponta Delgada in less than 10 minutes. The walk is on flat ground, along the waterfront, with views to enjoy along the way!
• Easy Peasy DIY Walking Tour: What’s to see in Ponta Delgada is relatively close together distance-wise, so use my DIY walking tour guide below to plot out your own plan based on on what you’d like to see!
• Tours leave from Waterfront Marina: Most whale watching tours & land based tours to Sete Cidades depart from around the marina, right outside the cruise terminal. It’s easy to do a third party tour, if you don’t see anything you like on your cruise line’s list of excursions!

But Ponta Delgada isn’t the most exciting town. And there’s so much more to see on the island of São Miguel itself, not to mention whale watching opportunities, off the coast of the island. The rest of the island, such as the famous Sete Cidades (volcano caldera) and the Twin Lakes, are less accessible for DIY excursions, so a tour is best – I’ll have details of those below.

Ponta Delgada Azores Cruise Port Essentials: All You Need to Know

Ponta Delgada Azores Cruise Port Address: Avenida Infante D. Henrique, Galerias Comerciais, Portas do Mar, 9500-770, Ponta Delgada – see this marked on my Ponta Delgada Azores Cruise Port map below 🗺️📍👇

• Currency: Euros
• Language: Portuguese
• Official Websites: Visit Azores is the official tourism board
• Recommended Transport App: Use Google Maps for general walking directions and navigation
• eSim for roaming in Portugal: For a great data connection without the huge roaming fees, use an eSim data pack from Airalo. I always recommend having a smartphone with a valid plan when you’re at port touring independently. Get US$3 off your first eSIM data pack from Airalo when you use ROXANN1666 when you sign up or apply it at checkout

Ponta Delgada Azores Cruise Port Map

• On Desktop | Laptop? Use buttons on bottom left to zoom in/out. Click on the upper right hand corner to see a bigger version.
• On Tablet | Mobile? Pinch your screen to zoom in/out and use two fingers to move map around. If you have Google Maps installed on your tablet/mobile, my map will open in your Google Maps app if you click on the upper right hand corner.
• If map is not loading correctly, click here to see it directly on Google Maps

On Google Maps, the Ponta Delgada Cruise Terminal may look like it’s floating on water! It certainly looks rather odd on the map. But the purpose-built passenger cruise terminal, Portas do Mar, doesn’t just have the usual cruise terminal facilities, there’s a whole shopping centre, with a few restaurants, a bar and even a bowling alley!

The aerial photo above 👆 hopefully helps you visualise the layout. As soon as you walk outside the cruise terminal, you’ll be at the main road, Av. Infante Dom Henrique, along the waterfront, towards the town centre.

Ponta Delgada Azores: Top Things to Do

1. Stroll through Historic Heart of Ponta Delgada

Step back in time as you wander through the cobblestone streets of Ponta Delgada’s historic center. Marvel at the iconic Portas da Cidade, a 17th-century triumphal arch, and admire the intricate facades of centuries-old churches like the Igreja Matriz de São Sebastião. See below for a more detailed guide for a DIY Walking Tour in Ponta Delgada.

2. Visit the Volcanic Landscapes at Sete Cidades

Sete Cidades is a volcanic caldera, one of the most iconic and recognizable features of São Miguel Island. The caldera is home to two stunning lakes, Lagoa Azul (Blue Lake) and Lagoa Verde (Green Lake), which are separated by a narrow isthmus. The lakes are known for their contrasting colors, with the blue lake reflecting the sky and the green lake tinted by minerals from the volcanic rock.

A tour will typically take you to at least one of the two popular viewpoints:

• Vista do Rei (King’s View): Located on the highest point of the caldera, it offers panoramic views of both lakes and the surrounding landscape.
• Miradouro da Boca do Inferno (Hell’s Mouth Viewpoint): Named for its dramatic cliffs and views of the ocean, it provides a different perspective of the caldera.

Sete Cidades is still a volcanically active area, and you can find evidence of this in the form of hot springs and fumaroles. Sete Cidades is located on the western side of São Miguel Island, about 20 minutes by car from Ponta Delgada. A half day tour on 4WD Jeeps leaves from Hotel Marina Atlantico, opposite the street from the cruise terminal entrance.

3. See the “Fire Lake” at Lagoa do Fogo

Lagoa do Fogo (Fire Lake) is a stunning crater lake nestled within the Água de Pau volcano in the centre of São Miguel Island – see the photo of Lagoa do Fogo at the top of this blog post. The last eruption happened in 1563. Although dormant, the volcano still shows signs of geothermal activity, with hot springs found in the surrounding areas. The lake is located about 16 miles (~27 km) east of Ponta Delgada and takes about 30 minutes by car to get there.

The lake’s deep blue waters are surrounded by lush green slopes, creating a striking contrast. The water’s colour is due to its depth and the reflection of the sky. A small, secluded beach lies at the northern end of the lake, perfect for a peaceful escape. Several waterfalls and streams cascade down the surrounding hillsides, adding to the area’s picturesque charm. You might spot endemic plants like the Azores juniper and various bird species, including the Azores bullfinch and the Cory’s shearwater.

It’s difficult to get to Lagoa do Fogo on your own, unless you’d like to rent a car for the day. So my recommendation is to join a full day tour to see both the Sete Cidades and the Lagoa do Fogo. The tour pickup point is the Hotel Marina Atlantico, across the street from the cruise terminal.

4. Take a Whale Watching Boat Tour

Whale watching from Ponta Delgada is an incredible experience! This is because the Azores, in the middle of the Atlantic, is along the migratory routes of many whale species. Here’s what you’ll likely see on a typical 3-hour whale watching boat tour:

• September to November: Baleen whales such as blue whales, fin whales and humpback whales migrate south to their breeding grounds. If you’re doing a re-positioning cruise heading west around October to November, you’ll have a high chance of seeing Baleen whales.
• March to May: Baleen whales migrate north to their feeding grounds. If you’re doing a re-positioning cruise heading east around April, you’ll be in the middle of the baleen whales’ annual migration!
• If you’re really lucky, you may also see some sperm whales (which usually visit the Azores in summer), minke whales, pilot whales and sometimes, even orcas (aka killer whales).

The Azores are also home to several resident dolphin species, including common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins and Atlantic spotted dolphins. These dolphins are always around, so there’s a very high chance of seeing them while you’re on a whale watching boat tour.

Tip: If you book whale watching boat tours that don’t leave from the marina next to the cruise terminal, then ask for a pick up either at Marina Ponta Delgada or Hotel Marina Atlantico, a big hotel opposite the cruise terminal.

Ponta Delgada: DIY Walking Tour

1. Portas da Cidade

Start your DIY Walking Tour at Portas da Cidade, about a 10 minute walk from Ponta Delgada Cruise Port (Portas do Mar). These City Gates are the most recognisable symbol of Ponta Delgada. Its three elegant arches in the main square, Praça Gonçalo Velho Cabral, is a good landmark to help orient your walk around Ponta Delgada.

Built in the 18th century, these City Gates were originally located near the old pier and moved to the current location in 1952. The gates are particularly stunning at night, so if you’re still at port after sunset, be sure to come back! Also, a local legend claims that couples who walk through the central arch together will experience eternal love, so that’s another reason to see this landmark!

2. Igreja Matriz de São Sebastião

Across the street from Portas da Cidade is Igreja Matriz de São Sebastião (“Main Church of Saint Sebastian”), dedicated to the patron saint of the island, Saint Sebastian.

The main facade has ornate Baroque doorways, a rosette window and four windows added in the 18th century. The bell / clock tower is also a late addition. Inside the church, there is intricate wood carvings in cedar and other exotic woods, along with a collection of gold-embroidered liturgical vestments from the 14th century. I found many churches on the island which are similarly styled.

3. Town Hall of Ponta Delgada

Head back to the main square, Praça do Município, to see the Town Hall of Ponta Delgada. Built in the 17th century, the current building replaced an earlier version destroyed by an earthquake in 1522. The statue of Archangel Michael and the reflecting pool outside the Town Hall is a recent addition in 1955. This area also lights up at night!

4. Forte de São Brás

The Forte de São Brás was built around 1522, as part of Ponta Delgada’s coastal defense system. The fort is a classic example of Renaissance military architecture, with thick walls, bastions, a moat and a drawbridge (and now replaced by a fixed bridge). Inside, you’ll find a central courtyard, barracks, storage rooms and other spaces that once housed soldiers and weaponry.

Today, Forte de São Brás houses the Military Museum of the Azores (Museu Militar dos Açores). The museum tells the story of the Azores’ military history from the 16th century to the present day. Come and have a stroll, even if you’re not interested in military history, as the location itself offers good views of the harbour and Ponta Delgada. The fort is free to enter, open 10am to 6pm daily.

5. Igreja de São José

Igreja de São José was built in the early 18th century on the site of a 16th century chapel dedicated to Our Lady of the Conception. This original chapel was part of a Franciscan convent. The convent was later adapted into a hospital in the mid-19th century and today it houses the Ponta Delgada hospital but the church remains. You’ll notice the facade has similar style to other churches on the island.

The interior is predominantly Baroque, with ornate gilded woodwork (talha dourada), a stunning high altar, and walls adorned with beautiful azulejos (traditional Portuguese tiles). The 18th century paintings and sculptures mostly relate to the life of St. Joseph.

6. Museu Carlos Machado

The main Museu Carlos Machado is a natural history museum housed in a beautiful 17th century convent, the former Convent of Santo André (aka Santo Andre Centre). You’ll find some local species, such as the Azorean blue jay and the Formigas de São Miguel (a unique species of ant). There’s also an interesting collection of minerals, rock and fossils that tells the story of the geological history of the Azores and the volcanic eruptions which has shaped the islands.

The other branch of Museu Carlos Machado is the Sacred Art Centre 👆, housed in the former Igreja do Colégio dos Jesuítas (Church of the Jesuit College). Again, you’ll notice the similarities in architectural style, with the black and white basalt stonework, the ornate doorway and the prominent arched window above the main entrance. There’s also a small bell tower!.

• Opening Hours: Closed Mondays. Open Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:30am to 5:30pm from October to March and 10am to 6pm from April to September.
• Tickets: €2 adults, free on Sundays for everyone and free to kids under 14, for each centre.

7. Mercado da Graça

If you like to walk through local food markets, then Mercado da Graça is for you! This is where the locals shop for their fresh produce, so don’t expect lots of ready-to-eat goodies in various stalls. This market is not touristy at all! But you will see lots of fruits and vegetables piled high, locally caught fish gleaming on ice and colourful flowers bursting from buckets.

• Opening Hours: Closed Sundays. Typically 7:30am to 6:30pm on weekdays but closes early on Saturdays at 2pm.

8. Igreja de São Pedro

Igreja de São Pedro is the last church you’ll come across on your way to the port. IMHO, if you only see the interior of one church at Ponta Delgada, this is the one to see! Yes, the exterior facade looks rather unassuming and is partially obscured by the stairs leading to it. But the interior is richly decorated in Baroque style, with a rich collection of religious art.

Featured Photo of Lago do Fogo Lake by Alexandre Moreira

If you’re visiting Ponta Delgada Azores during your Transatlantic cruise, I hope that this guide has helped you plan your day at port! I’ve done re-positioning cruises both heading east in April and heading west in October and the weather in the Azores are still relatively mild. Do drop me a line below in the comment section if you have any questions! Have a most wonderful Transatlantic voyage!

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