Boat Tour in Vila Franca with a Transparent Bottom

Quick Details

Duration: 2 hours
Ages: Ideal for everyone including wheelchairs and service animals
Availability: Daily at 9h30 and 14h30 (Mon-Sun)
Notes: Snorkeling equipment included
--------------- Price ---------------
Adult 13+: €50
Child 4-12: €35
Infant 0-3: €10

Experience the Ocean Differently – See Below the Surface Without Getting Wet 🌊🔍

Step aboard OceanEye Azores – the one and only glass-bottom boat experience in São Miguel! This isn’t your average boat ride. With our exclusive underwater viewing technology, you’ll float above dazzling marine habitats, watch sea life glide beneath your feet, and uncover the Azores’ hidden underwater world – no snorkel required.🪸
It’s like a window into the sea… minus the wetsuit!

Boat tour description and itinerary

Discover the life that lies deep in the Azores Sea from the comfort of this glass-bottom boat, with an expert crew and guide.

Your adventure begins at Vila Franca do Campo Marina, where a biologist will give you a briefing about the itinerary before the departure. Learn about the marine life, nature, and historical curiosities of Vila Franca do Campo.

You can spot the unique sea life of the protected area and observe the seabirds and crustaceans that fill the islet landscape. The biologist will help you identify the species, but you can expect to see everything from colorful shoals of fish, to starfish, sea cucumbers, and underwater volcanic activity. When you want to cool off you can go for a swim and snorkel, and get closer to some of the wildlife you’ve been spotting.

Highlights

Discover the bottom of the ocean around the islet of Vila Franca do Campo comfortably in an unique boat;
Get closer to the sea life by snorkeling (equipment included)

Included

A biologist guide who will help you identify the species and tell you more about the local history;
Snorkeling equipment;
Insurance

Recommended

If you would like to do snorkeling we recommend bringing swimwear and a towel
Sunscreen
Your camera to capture amazing moments

Good to know

Please be 15 minutes before the starting time for a short briefing;
Everyone is welcome from the youngest to the oldest, including people with physical mobility (wheelchairs) and using service animals;
The activity is subject to weather and sea conditions. If not possible we will rebook or refund you. If you decide to cancel more than 72h in advance you’ll be refunded 100%. After that period we’ll keep 100% of the payment.

Why choose OceanEye Azores?

✅ Exclusive glass-bottom boat – Only here, in São Miguel
✅ Unforgettable views – above and below the surface
✅ Friendly, knowledgeable local crew
✅ Family-friendly & perfect for all ages
✅ Small group experience – zero crowds, all the fun
✅ Eco-conscious and deeply respectful of marine life

Our Gallery

What our guests say about our experiences

      
   OceanEye Azores
   584 Google reviews 
  Write a review 
  
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Bruce Downie 
 28/08/2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a great experience here on the glass bottom snorkel boat. Crew and staff were super friendly and knowledgeable.  The tour around the islet was great, capped off by some great snorkeling with all sorts of marine life to see.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Eli Altes 
 27/08/2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Un recorrido estupendo, una guía fantástica y muy buenas explicaciones.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Paul M 
 27/08/2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Spectacular experience and tremendous hospitality and knowledge. Tour was full of extras. Great value and service. Captain Edmundo and crew were so welcoming!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Matthew Sullivan 
 27/08/2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had an amazing time at Ocean Eye Azores!! The captain and marine bio staff were very qualified, educated and engaging. We really enjoyed snorkeling around the island. Great experience all around!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Juan Rodriguez 
 26/08/2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Hands down the most legendary tour in São Miguel! The crew’s passion for the ocean is completely magnetic. Our guide broke down the marine life with incredible detail, and the snorkeling crew was top-tier! They stayed right alongside us, pointing out hidden fish and making safety feel effortless. The whole vibe was a perfect mix of high adventure and genuine hospitality. You don't just feel like a tourist on this boat; they treat you like part of the crew. Do not leave the island without doing this!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Shaco 
 26/08/2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Absolute peak Azores experience! Seeing the volcanic seabed unfold right beneath our feet through the glass floor was like something straight out of a National Geographic documentary. Having an actual marine biologist on board to decode everything we were seeing added a whole new level to the trip. When we jumped in for the snorkeling, the safety team was phenomenal! Attentive, super encouraging, and made sure everyone felt totally confident in the water. We even got to take the helm on the way back and finished with local drinks at the port. 10/10 crew, epic core memory unlocked
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Pedro Silva 
 26/08/2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Can’t say enough good things about the crew on this trip! Our guide was a marine biologist who gave us awesome context about the islet and sea life while we were out on the boat. Then during the snorkeling stop, the team was super hands-on. They provided all the gear (wetsuits included) and really looked out for anyone who was a bit hesitant in the water. You get the perfect mix of learning cool stuff and feeling completely relaxed during the swim. 10/10 experience!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Pedro Silva 
 26/08/2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 5/5 Estrelas Experiência simplesmente fantástica com a OceanEye Azores! A visão através do barco com fundo de vidro é incrível e permite ver a vida marinha do Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo de uma perspetiva totalmente única. A equipa é extremamente profissional, simpática e conhecedora. Recomendo vivamente a quem visita São Miguel!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Soraia Freire 
 26/08/2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. If you're heading to Azores, this is the one tour you shouldn't skip! Oceaneye Azores Glass-Bottom boat tour delivers a totally unique experience, especially compared to the usual crowded boat trips on the island... The glass-bottom panel give you an awesome view of the sea floor as you cruise along. But what truly makes the trip is having an actual marine biologist as your guide. Ours was so passionate and engaging, breaking down the local ecosystem, answering every single question, and showing us how the volcanic landscape beneath us shaped the area. The snorkeling stop was just as impressiv, they provided full wetsuits to keep us comfortable in the water, and having the biologist swim along with us to spot sea life in the crevices made a huge difference. You can tell the crew takes immense pride in their service. Everything felt organized, unhurried, and genuinely personal. Easily one of our favorite memories from the Azores!
  
 
  
  
 
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Kayak Rentals and Tours

Would you like to get closer to the ocean and paddle at your own pace, then rent one of our sit-on-top kayaks, especially designed for the open sea. For beginners and experienced!

Where to find us

Based in Vila Franca do Campo, the ideal launch spot for boat tours in São Miguel. Its south coast location offers calmer waters and unbeatable views of the stunning Ilhéu de Vila Franca – making it the perfect place to start your ocean adventure.