Hunt’s Photo Adventure: The Azores

Workshop Description
Immerse yourself in the beauty of São Miguel, Flores, Corvo and Terceira Island, capturing stunning moments along the way. Join this unforgettable journey to discover the unique charm of each island through your lens.

The Azores are nine beautiful islands located in the North Atlantic Ocean. The archipelago benefits from a mild, temperate climate year-round, making it an appealing destination in any season. Temperatures are relatively stable, with moderate rainfall, contributing to the island’s lush green landscapes. The location of the Azores has historically made it an important waypoint for transatlantic navigation, still contributing to a significant route and meteorological studies.

The islands are getting more and more renowned for their breathtaking landscapes and sea views, including volcanic craters, the lush green valleys and dramatic coastlines. Each one of the nine islands offers a distinct experience as well as a safe and pristine place to visit.

The Azores provides the opportunity to immerse yourself in the unique culture, warm-hearted people and photographic treasures. From volcanic villages and hot springs to captivating whale-watching excursions, here is the perfect spot for those with a sense of adventure. For ocean enthusiasts, the waters around the archipelago are a hotspot for whale and dolphin watching, with species like sperm whales, blue whales and orcas.

The Azores are a paradise in the middle of the Atlantic, once you arrive every moment is an opportunity to capture the magic of these islands.

Itinerary:

Day 1 – São Miguel

Welcome to João Paulo II airport in Ponta Delgada. Have the day to relax or explore the surrounding beaches. Later, we’ll pick you up for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant—an ideal opportunity to ask questions, bond with fellow travelers, and share in the anticipation of the journey ahead.

For sunset we head to picturesque beaches of Santa Bárbara and Monte Verde. Alternatively, we may head to the jagged cliffs of Miradouro do Cintrão, providing a breathtaking view of the north coast and the majestic Sete Cidades volcano in the background. Get ready for a day filled with exploration, delicious cuisine, and the perfect moments to capture with your camera.

Day 2 – São Miguel

The day starts at Lagoa do Fogo volcanic lake, one of the highest points of the island. If you have a drone, take full advantage of it to capture unique perspectives up here.

After lunch, our journey heads west to explore the volcanic crater of Sete Cidades, home to the captivating multi-colored lakes of Lagoa Verde and Azul. It’s a truly incredible sight, providing a sense of the surrounding area. If you’re into adventurous activities, kayaking and paddleboarding are delightful options on these scenic lakes.

Our next destination is one of the Azores’ highlights—the Grota do Inferno viewpoint. While the crater lakes of Sete Cidades can be admired from various vantage points, this spot stands out as one of the best. For those equipped with a drone, capturing Lagoa do Canário from the air reveals an intriguing and visually stunning shape.

For sunset, we head to Mosteiros Beach to capture the last light of the day in a beautiful seascape photography location.

Day 3 – São Miguel

Our morning begins at the Santa Iria viewpoint for a captivating sunrise overlooking the north coastline of the Island.

After breakfast we head to Lagoa das Furnas—a spectacular crater lake offering opportunities to photograph mud pools and steaming geothermal features.

Our journey continues to the Terra Nostra Park, renowned as one of the most beautiful gardens, featuring inviting thermal pools. Remember to pack your swimwear, as temperatures range between 35 and 40 degrees Celsius, providing a soothing and relaxing experience for the remainder of the day.

For lunch we try the famous local dish, Cozido das Furnas, uniquely cooked by volcanic steam. Indulge in the sweet muffins look-alike known as bolo lêvedo, adding a delightful local flavor to our experience.

In the afternoon, we venture to the oldest tea plantation in Europe, Gorreana Tea plantation. Discover the intricacies of the factory and its scenic surroundings. The unique landscape, shaped by the vibrant green tea leaves, offers endless possibilities for captivating photography.

As the day unfolds, we head back to the island’s coastline to capture the mesmerizing colors of the sunset, concluding the day with the perfect photographic moment.

Day 4 – São Miguel / Flores

We kick off our morning with a visit to one of the most unique locations in São Miguel, the Vila Franca Islet, renowned for its unique geological formation. This islet features a volcanic crater that has partially collapsed, allowing seawater to enter and form a natural circular pool inside the crater. To capture truly distinctive perspectives, a bird’s eye view from a drone is essential.

Time to pack because another island is expecting us.

Welcome to the best-kept secret of Europe—the wild and beautiful Island of Flores.

After settling into our accommodations we have some time to relax before we head out to the impressive basalt columns of Rocha dos Bordões. The variety of compositions you can create at this location is truly remarkable.

For the last light of the day we explore the waterfalls of the western part of the island, overlooking the majestic Ribeira Grande waterfall and Poço da Ribeira do Ferreiro.

Day 5 – Flores

Our day kicks off with a sunrise at the scenic Baía da Alagoa, a rocky bay offering a mesmerizing view of rugged basalt sea stacks as our main subject, with Corvo Island in the background.

Our next stop is the picturesque town of Santa Cruz and it’s natural basalt swimming pools, an excellent photographic opportunity to play with long exposure techniques.

After lunch we get together for an editing session before we head out for the last light of the day to one of the most beautiful spots of the Azores. A short hike takes us to the stunning waterfalls of Poço da Ribeira do Ferreiro. Nestled at the base of the waterfalls is an astonishing lagoon, offering a variety of exciting compositions for your photography.

Day 6 – Flores

The weather in the Azores, especially in Flores, is notoriously unpredictable, with rapid changes that may require us to always have a plan B, so our sixth day starts with the panoramic views of Lagoa Negra (the deepest lagoon in the Azores) and Lagoa Comprida, or Lagoa Rasa and Lagoa Funda, offering a fascinating rugged landscape characterized by differences in altitude and color between the two lagoons.

After lunch take some time to rest or jump to the waters of the Atlantic ocean, our accommodations are right in front of natural swimming pools.

In the evening we head north, where we explore the rugged north coastline of Ponta Delgada, stopping at viewpoints along the way. The day concludes at the impressive Baía do Além, offering striking seascapes in its surroundings with Albarnaz lighthouse perched on the edge of the cliffs. Be prepared for the unexpected and embrace the dynamic beauty of Flores.

Day 7 – Flores / Corvo

Depending on the conditions of the Atlantic, our day is dedicated to discovering the Island of Corvo with Carlos Mendes of Extreme Ocidente. Our boat ride takes us through the impressive coastline of Flores, showcasing jaw-dropping waterfalls and caves. There’s also a high likelihood of encountering dolphins and other whales during our journey. Once in Corvo we’ll get to a short ride to the Caldeira.

Day 8 – Flores / Terceira

We fly to Terceira Island, home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angra do Heroísmo. Get to know this beautiful and charming city, different patterns and colors from the Portuguese architecture make for very interesting subjects.

Next in our list are the forests of the Island and the Black Forest, a unique location with dense vegetation where light struggles to penetrate, ensuring every photograph is a one-of-a-kind capture, specially if the fog rolls in.

For sunset, we visit Biscoitos. A picturesque town, known for its wine-growing region and even more for its beautiful natural pools. The rugged black-colored lava fields sculpted by waves make for really interesting seascapes.

Day 9 – Terceira

Our morning starts in the south coast of the Island at Serretinha natural swimming pools, overlooking Ilhéu das Cabras in the background, a fantastic spot for the first light of the day.

Next, we head out to the most picturesque volcano cone in the Azores, Pico Dona Joana. With Ilhéu das Cabras in the background has to be one of the most unique perspectives you will see in the Azores.

Short break before we head out to Praia da Vitória to have lunch and enjoy the view of the beach. Terceira Island is known to have the best food of the Azores, so we have to make the best out of it.

Our next stop we reach one of the island’s highlights, Algar do Carvão, the only volcano in the world that you can walk inside. While tripods are not allowed, be sure to bring your fastest and widest lens for this extraordinary experience.

Considered one of the most beautiful viewpoint in Portugal, we reserved the best for the last day. The unique view of the interior of the island, known as the “patchwork”, consisting of walls of volcanic stones dividing the farmer fields into square-shaped figures, makes Serra do Cume the epic spot to photograph the first light of the day.

Day 10 – Terceira

Enjoy a final breakfast together, reminiscing about the incredible moments shared during the tour. Unfortunately, it’s time to say goodbye and fly home.

We hope you cherish all of these amazing memories and fantastic photographs from the Azores.

Your Trip Includes:
• All local transportation, including airport pickup and drop off
• Accommodations during the workshop
• Opening night reception dinner and closing night dinner
• No single supplement pricing!
• English-speaking professional drivers, and licensed, local guides
• Professional photographer-guide/teacher (Don Toothaker)

Your Trip Does Not Include:
• Flights to and from the Azores (Ponta Delgada- PDL)

• Meals (except opening and closing night)
• Travel insurance (which is highly recommended for all travelers)

Your passport will be required on this workshop.

Skill Sets: All Levels of Photographers are Welcome, but please note: This is a photography workshop.
Physical Activity: Medium. We will be walking and touring historic sites, towns, and villages for a few hours each day. We will have structured days with planned leisure time.

Payments
A deposit of 25% of the total cost of the trip is required upon sign-up to secure a spot. The remaining balance is due 90 days prior to the workshop. We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance.