Recently Viewed
Santa Maria Island Jeep Safari: Full Day Off-road Exploration
5.0
13 Ratings
Forte de Sao Bras
Embark on a full-day off-road exploration of Santa Maria Island on our Jeep Safari. Discover hidden details and points of interest from a unique perspective, with expert interpretation of history, culture, fauna, and flora.
Embark on a full-day off-road exploration of Santa Maria Island on our Jeep Safari. Discover hidden details and points of interest from a unique perspective, with expert interpretation of history, culture, fauna, and flora.
Duration:
10 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Forte de Sao Bras - Start at Forte São Brás and learn about its historical importance in defending the island;
- Baia dos Anjos - On Anjos, visit the tidal pools as well as the first church of the Azores. Also, find out about Cristopher Columbus memorable stopover in the island.
- Barreiro da Faneca - Barreiro da Faneca, a well-known…
- Forte de Sao Bras - Start at Forte São Brás and learn about its historical importance in defending the island;
- Baia dos Anjos - On Anjos, visit the tidal pools as well as the first church of the Azores. Also, find out about Cristopher Columbus memorable stopover in the island.
- Barreiro da Faneca - Barreiro da Faneca, a well-known geosite will surely take your breath away with its Mars-lookalike landscape
- Miradouro das Lagoinhas - Still on the North of the island, take a glance at Ilhéu das Lagoinhas and stop at Santa Bárbara parish where its inhabitants take great pride at preserving Santa Maria’s unique architecture
- Poco da Pedreira - On the way to São Lourenço, the most beautiful bay of the Azores, you’ll visit another memorable geosite of the island – an abandoned quarry whose intense extraction in the past lead to an amazing scenery – Poço da Pedreira.
- Miradouro Sao Lourenco - Visit São Lourenço, the most beautiful bay in the Azores
- Santo Espirito - Santo Espírito will be next, the parish owning the greatest example of the Azorean baroque-style – its remarkable church;
- Farol de Goncalo Velho - Down we go to Maia, another well-known bay if the island for its vineyard landscape as well as Cascata do Aveiro, second tallest waterfall in Portugal;
- Ribeira do Maloas - Now well on the South Coast, another famous geosite rests for contemplation – Ribeira do Maloás. It’s pillarlike structures are result of horizontal contraction ocurred as the lava cooled down. Similar to Giant’s Causeway in Ireland, but cooler.
- Pico Alto - Next to Pico Alto, highest point of the island where you can get a 360º view and appreciate all you have seen so far (if weather conditions allow it!).
- Praia Formosa - Finish the tour at Praia Formosa, the most popular sand beach of the Azores and host of the oldest uninterrupted music festival in Portugal, Festival Maré de Agosto since 1984.
What's Included
- island map
- Lunch
- island map
- Lunch
What's Not Included
- Snacks
- Snacks
Additional Information
Santa Maria Island holds a plethora of sights beyond the usual tourist vantage points – there are aspects you can only experience if you opt for an off-road adventure. Our Jeep Safari offers you the opportunity to explore the island’s primary attractions from a unique perspective. We also provide insights into the notable historical, cultural, and ecological aspects of what you witness.
Santa Maria Island holds a plethora of sights beyond the usual tourist vantage points – there are aspects you can only experience if you opt for an off-road adventure. Our Jeep Safari offers you the opportunity to explore the island’s primary attractions from a unique perspective. We also provide insights into the notable historical, cultural, and ecological aspects of what you witness.
Location
Forte de Sao Bras
Freguesia de Vila do Porto
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
(13 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Melissa_b
Sep 15, 2025
We had a great time and... - We had a great time and saw a lot. Henrique was knowledgeable on the history and guide of places. Well worth the day to see so much and be able to see so many different beautiful sights.
Review provided by Viator
Jan
Sep 9, 2025
Special experience on special island :) - The tour was awesome! Is absolutely recommended if you want something special. The jeep takes you safely across the island and the guide has all the information. Lunch was simple but just right.
In the end, there are even places that can be reached very easily to explore on your own the next day.
Thank you for this experience:)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
662carolp
Sep 5, 2025
Best tour I took across all 9 islands - This was a wonderful back road view of the entire island, filled with facts about the history, the culture, the flora, and the natural landscape. The home made picnic of traditional food was an extra treat.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Carol_p
Sep 4, 2025
Fabulous back roads tour - All of the island highlights and as much as possible on beautiful back roads. The guide provided a lot of information about the parishes, the flora, the history, and the landmarks.
Review provided by Viator
Miguelm6079
Aug 4, 2025
The ultimate experience in Santa Maria - Henrique shows his passion from the moment we first contact him, and makes us embrace the island as if we were part of it! He promotes an authentic immersive journey, covering all the historical, cultural and social aspects of the island and its setting within the Azores Archipelago. If you want to have an unforgettable experience on the fantastic island of Santa Maria, Henrique will be the best host for you! Thank you very much, Henrique, for the remarkable and unforgettable experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dreamer287929
May 3, 2025
“Bootla”—Let’s Go! - Henrique was the best guide! I saw so many gorgeous sites on the island. He was very knowledgeable about everything too and put up with all my many questions. Definitely take this tour with Henrique! It will probably be my favorite day in the Azores and I just arrived.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
James_r
Jun 11, 2024
Outstanding Santa Maria Island Tour with Henrique! - Great day. Henrique is a great tour guide and driver. He took us to every main spot on the Island and covered a lot a back roads. He is very knowledgeable about the history, natural items (plants and rocks) and how the Island came to be. We had a very enjoyable picnic lunch he provided and a lot of good conversation and great information. Highly recommend. If 10/10 is a good recommendation, I would say he earned a 15/10. He loves what he does and is excellent at it.
Review provided by Viator
Rvman1955
May 1, 2024
Best tour - This was the best tour with our tour guide Henrique Simone’s. Some of the most beautiful sights of the island. We traveled the back roads around the whole island. Then we went to the highest point on the island, and our last stop was on the beach.
I came here for work but had a day to do this tour. If you get a chance and come here please contact Bootla and you will enjoy the best tour about the famous island.
My sincere thank you for this tour. 5 plus stars.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sanhen78
Jan 21, 2024
Must-do tour in Santa Maria (Azores) - Fun and informative tour with a knowledgeable guide who showed me all the sides of Santa Maria: natural, architectural, and cultural.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
V5967swnathaliep
Oct 10, 2023
It was a magnificent ride. To do it once in your life - Magnificent landscapes to recommend. The time wasn't really there. But I saw landscapes that you don't see elsewhere.
Review provided by Tripadvisor