Vila Franca do Campo islet: the ideal getaway for summer
Situated more than 1000 km away from the nearest land surface, San Miguel, the Vila Franca do Campo islet attracts a great number of tourists every season. Regardless if it’s for fun, relaxation or exploration, the natural landscape and setting are the ideal getaway for anybody.
Here is what makes this place stand out from the wide range of islands belonging to Portugal.
First of all, it’s the shape. The islet slightly resembling a slice of pizza and has a perfectly shaped circle right in the middle of it. The circle is a lake formed by an ancient underwater volcano, with a small channel connecting it to the ocean waters.
The same channel is a path for boats transporting tourists to the magical natural setting. Due to the shape and formation of the islet, there are no beaches – however, visitors don’t seem to mind at all. When it comes to having fun, the braver ones can jump off cliffs or climb nearby to explore the wide forests. Furthermore, the lake protected by the surrounding land is perfect for diving, particularly due to its various depths.
During the past century, the Vila Franca do Campo islet was a commonly visited tourist attraction all year long regardless of the weather. After 1983, when the location became a Natural Reserve, visitors were welcomed only during summer – between June and September. Also, tourists are not allowed to come here with their own boats; the only way to get here is by a special boat taking a couple of passengers at a time.
The road towards this wonder of nature is not only an unique way of getting away from the daily life, but also an exciting discovery.
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo, off São Miguel, Azores, Portugal
- Coordinates
- 37.705638, -25.444336
- Access
- 2026 access rules distinguish bathing-season swimming from off-season visits. Ordinary bathing-season visits are limited to the designated swimming area. From October 15 to April 15, access is by reservation for guided nature and wildlife interpretation with certified local maritime-tourism operators; use the marked trail and follow conservation closures. The daily limit in this period is 160 people, with no more than 40 at once. From October 15 to November 15, access to upper parts is conditional on the absence of juvenile Cory’s shearwaters. Confirm the operator, sea conditions and permit before going.
- Admission
- The 2026 regional regulation sets a €4 access fee per visitor for regulated islet activities; residents of the Azores Autonomous Region are exempt. Boat/operator charges are separate or may be included in a package; confirm the total with the certified operator before booking.
- Time needed
- For the October 15–April 15 guided nature-visit period, the regional rule caps time on the islet at 1 hour 30 minutes. No official total visit time is published for bathing-season visits; add boat travel and any waiting time.
- Best season
- For bathing, the 2026 visitor-boat season ran June 12–October 11. From October 15 to April 15, the islet allows a different, reservation-only guided nature/wildlife visit on weekdays; this is not the regular bathing visit. Dates and rules can change each year.
- Opening hours
- 2026 bathing-season boat departures were scheduled at 10:00, 11:00, 11:30, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00 and 17:00, with the last return at 18:10; the ticket desk operated 09:45–12:00 and 12:50–17:00. For guided off-season visits from October 15 to April 15, the legal visit window is 09:00–17:00 on weekdays; no weekend or public-holiday bookings. Check current operator availability.
- Location checked
- 2026-10-19
- Facts checked
- 2026-10-19
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This article is full of mistakes. Please, search for more information and correct this. It’s not 1000 km is 500 m.
The cliff diving is only when the event Red Bull Cliff Diving is on, and there is only for the athletes, not for everyone, because it’s very dangerous.
The limit of tourist per day is 400 and the boat doesn’t take only 2 people at once, carries many more!