As both Ryanair and SATA International now fly direct to the Azores from London many holidaymakers have the opportunity to explore the undiscovered archipelago for the first time this summer.

In less than four hours, discover nine genuinely unique islands and a world of green volcanoes, incredible wildlife and real 'once in a lifetime' adventures on your doorstep, hidden in the heart of the Atlantic Ocean.

Here are eight of the best things to do in the nine island archipelago this summer:

Swim with wild dolphins

The Azores is the only destination in Europe where wildlife lovers can swim alongside numerous species of dolphin in their wild, natural habitat. Species include the bottlenose, spotted and striped dolphins. No pens involved; just jump off the boat into the ocean. The dolphins often approach swimmers with curiosity, making this a truly exhilarating experience. Swimming with dolphins excursions start from €65 per person with local operator Futurismo (www.futurismo.pt) on Sao Miguel Island.

Stand up paddle board in a volcano crater

Few can claim to have glided across the waters of a lake situated in a volcano crater. Rent a paddle board or take to the water with an instructor for a stand up paddle boarding lesson at the crystal blue and green lakes of Sete Cidades in Sao Miguel Island, the site's known as a 'Natural Wonder of Portugal' and located inside the towering green walls of one of the Azores' most prominent volcanoes.  Stand up paddle boarding lessons at the Sete Cidades volcano crater with Azores Adventure Islands (www.azoresadventureislands.com) start from €35 per person.

Eat dishes cooked in the crater of a volcano

Discover the art of cooking in a volcanoin Furnas, Sao Miguel Island; a subtropical valley and historic village located inside a sleeping volcano crater. It is here that villagers prepare the traditional dish, Cozido das Furnas before burying pots of the stew in the ground. The earth here is so hot that it cooks the dish in a morning. Travellers can see this taking place near Terra Nostra (one of Europe's most beautiful subtropical gardens) and sample the dish at local restaurants such as Tony's or the restaurant at the Terra Nostra Park Hotel. The traditional dish is a hearty stew consisting of different kinds of local sausage, beef, chicken and a variety of vegetables.

Look a whale in the eye

There is nothing quite like looking a whale in the eye, and there are few better places to do than in the Azores. Exhilarating rib boats, which allow up-close proximity to the action, go out to the oceans surrounding Sao Miguel, Pico, Faial and Terceira islands in the spring, summer and autumn in search of the 25 resident and migratory species. These include Sperm whales, Orcas and Pilot Whales.  The Blue Whale, the world's largest creature, can be seen in the Azores mostly commonly in the spring. Whale watching trips with Pico dos Adventurous (www.picosdeaventura.com) start from €55 per person.

Dive with sharks and pelagic sea life

Experience the intense adrenaline-rush of plunging into the Atlantic Ocean in search of pelagic sea life and Blue Sharks. Wary at first, these curious predators tend to approach and inspect each diver with their keen senses as they gain trust. After this, they will often swim slowly among a group - allowing divers to admire their size and agility. Dive from sites such as Condor Seamount (accessible from Pico and Faial), where average sightings typically range from 5-15 sharks per trip. Summer is the best time of year for diving, with dive sites also teaming with manta rays, morays, stingrays, dusky groupers, comb groupers, wrasses, parrot fish, trigger fish, breams and damselfish.

Walk through ancient magma chambers

Fans of geology will be in their element as they descend into the gaping, ancient magma chambers on Pico, the island dominated by Portugal's tallest mountain, Mount Pico. Sportting a hard hat and torch, travellers can take special tours by descending into the chambers. The tours travel through unusual and craggy volcanic formations. Once at the bottom of the chambers guides often turn off all the torches to provide an experience of pure, surreal silence and darkness. Tours start from €7 per person and can be booked by calling (+ 351) 924 403 921.

Visit a recent eruption site

Discover unusual volcanic landscapes and the site of one of the world's best documented volcanic eruptions at the protected landscapes of Capelinhos on Faial Island. The eruption, which started one mile from the coast in 1957, lasted over a year. When it stopped, a new but unusually formed and coloured 2.5 square kilometre landmass had been added to the island. Here, travellers will find one of Europe's best volcanic interpretation centres and museums, and a lighthouse with stunning views over the landscape. Entry to the interpretation centre is €10 per person

Drink volcano wine in UNESCO vineyards

Sample the Azores' volcano wine at UNESCO vineyards in the foothills of Pico Mountain, Portugal's tallest mountain. Here, travellers will find breath-taking views over Mount Pico. Endless walls of black lava stone (enough to travel the world twice) protect the precious vines from the salty Atlantic Ocean. The main wine produced here is a delicious white Verdelho wine. Light and fruity, the wine was once exported to European royalty, but can now be enjoyed and paired with seafood at restaurants across the island.

To find out more about the Azores, please visit www.visitazores.com

22 June 2015

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Editor's Notes:

The nine islands of the Azores are in the middle of the North Atlantic and are an autonomous region of Portugal. They can be reached by direct flight with Ryanair or SATA International (Sata.pt) from the UK in less than four hours from April – October, or via Lisbon year round. These volcanic islands are renowned for their craters, beautiful lakes, stunning sea, thermal pools and mountain vistas, their impressive flora and fauna and marine life. The islands have played a hugely important part in European maritime history, due to their strategically significant position as the westernmost point of Europe.

For more information, high resolution images or details of press trips please contact: David Wilson or David Ezra at KBC PR & Marketing: david.wilson@kbctravelgroup.com / david.ezra@kbctravelgroup.com / 01825 763636