Gruta do Carvao Long Tour: What to Expect, Wear, and Bring

Gruta do Carvao is a long lava tube/lava cave underneath the city of Ponta Delgada on São Miguel Island in the Azores islands off of mainland Portugal. The cave was formed by ancient volcanic activity. Now, it’s a research site and tourist attraction that’s a popular activity to do when visiting São Miguel.

Visiting Gruta do Carvao was at the top of my activities list when I went to the Azores, but I didn’t actually look into how to visit it until I was there. That’s when I learned there are two tours you can take: a short tour and a long tour. After reading some online reviews that said the long tour was worth it, I booked it and then tried to find information on what I could expect. However, I could barely find anything outside of what was provided on Gruta do Carvao’s website.

I created this guide on everything you need to know about the Gruta do Carvao long tour to fill this gap. If you’ve booked the long tour and have questions about what you should wear, bring, and expect, I’ve got answers! And if you’re deciding on whether the long tour is a fit for you, this guide will help you decide.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission if you click a link and make a purchase. There’s no extra cost for you, and I only recommend products and companies I use. Learn more.

What is the Gruta do Carvao long tour?

• Duration: 2 to 3 hours
• Cost: €35.00
• Max capacity: 6 people
• Location: R. do Paim, 9500-230 Ponta Delgada
• Schedule: All tours start at 10 AM. Tours are offered one to two times each week.
• How to book: Book your tour online at the Gruta do Carvao website.

The Gruta do Carvão long tour is a guided, small-group cave experience that takes you deep into sections of the lava tube that aren’t accessible on the short tour. It takes you through about one kilometer of the lava tube, which is unlit and runs underneath Ponta Delgada.

During the tour, you’ll climb over large volcanic rocks, crawl on your hands and knees through cramped tunnels, crouch under low ceilings, and navigate uneven terrain while learning about the cave’s history and geological formations from your tour guide. Some areas are large enough to comfortably stand and walk through, while others require crouching or crawling to pass through. Experiencing Gruta do Carvao in this way feels more like a real cave expedition than a typical sightseeing tour.

The long tour is physically active, and you’ll definitely sweat. Most reasonably fit travelers should be able to complete it comfortably. If you have good cardio or rock climb, you’ll probably find it easier and less tiring than others.

Beyond the entrance to the cave, there’s no lighting. Everyone is equipped with headlamps, which are your only light source for the tour.

There’s extremely limited availability for the long tour. Groups are limited to six people, and tours are only offered one to two times a week. The long tour often sells out, so it’s important to book ahead. Before my tour started, a couple showed up hoping to join the long tour. My tour guide had to turn them away since our tour was fully sold out.

The small group size also makes the experience feel more personal and allows you to interact more with the guide. You won’t feel rushed, as your guide lets you take your time moving through the trickier parts of the cave.

What to wear and bring

What you wear and bring to the Gruta do Carvao long tour should be simple and functional. You want clothing that is breathable, is comfortable for physical activity, and protects you from the sharp rocks. Besides that, all you need is your phone for capturing memories.

• Long pants or leggings: The rocks inside the cave are rough and sharp, so it’s easy to scrape or cut your legs when crawling in narrow spaces. Wearing pants that fully cover your legs will protect you from this. I wore full-length active leggings that have pockets on the thighs, which was perfect for storing and having quick access to my phone for photos and videos.
• Athletic sneakers or hiking boots: Any closed-toe shoe will do, but athletic shoes or hiking boots with good grip are best for navigating the rocky, uneven terrain.
• Long-sleeve shirt or a t-shirt: I wore a t-shirt and light zip-up jacket, and started sweating about halfway through the tour after we crawled through some narrow spaces. My tour guide wore a long-sleeve, and a few other people in my group had a second layer that they ended up taking off in the cave. Based on that, I think it’s best to wear just a long-sleeve shirt or a t-shirt. But if you tend to be cold, you can add a thin jacket, hoodie, or pullover. You can take off and leave your extra layers as needed in the cave. You’ll return to the same areas on your way back so you can pick up anything you shed.
• Phone (for pictures)

I do not recommend bringing:

• A large camera like a DSLR or mirrorless camera, since it may get scratched when navigating tight spaces
• A bag or backpack
• Anything valuable that might accidentally fall out of your pockets

What’s provided on the tour

Your tour guide for the Gruta do Carvao long tour will provide you with:

• Gloves to protect your hands, since you’ll be holding on to rocks as you climb and navigate through the cave.
• Helmet with a headlamp to protect your head from hitting the rocks above you and to light the cave.
• Knee pads to cushion your knees and protect them from getting scraped up when crawling through low tunnels.

Where to store your belongings

You’re probably not showing up to Gruta do Carvao with nothing but yourself. You’ve got a bag, a jacket that you don’t want to wear into the cave, or car keys that you’re afraid will fall out of your pocket. Don’t worry about these extra items.

You can store anything that you don’t want to bring into the cave in a large basket that the tour guide provides. Once everyone puts their things in, your guide will store the basket in their office for safekeeping. After the tour, the guide will get the basket from the office so that you can retrieve your items.

I walked from Ponta Delgada’s city center to Gruta do Carvao, so I had a small crossbody bag with an umbrella, water bottle, and rain jacket. I left my bag in the basket, while one person in my tour group left their car keys and another person left his backpack.

If you’re driving to Gruta do Carvao, you can also leave your belongings in your car. Gruta do Carvao is on a small side road outside of the city center, so I think it’s okay to also leave valuables, like a wallet, in your car. Just make sure they’re out of sight.

Who is the long tour for (and not for)?

The long tour is listed as medium difficulty on Gruta do Carvao’s website. I think that’s an accurate rating, but let’s unpack what that actually means so you can honestly assess whether it’s a fit for you.

Physical fitness: You don’t need to be an athlete, but you should be comfortable with short periods of physical activity that includes crawling, crouching, and climbing over uneven rock. People with a history of respiratory or cardiovascular problems shouldn’t do the long tour. But if you can handle a moderate hike, you can handle the long tour. I run at least twice a week and usually get 10,000 steps every day, and I found the physical activity to be pretty easy.

Claustrophobia: Some of the passages in the cave are tight. If you’re uncomfortable in small spaces but can manage it, you should be okay. If enclosed spaces are a hard no for you, the short tour is the better fit.

Age: The minimum age for the long tour is 10. This means if you have children that are under 10 years old, they won’t be able to participate in the long tour.

Mobility: The cave isn’t accessible to people with reduced mobility. Entering the cave involves going down a staircase, and the cave floor is highly irregular throughout. This is a non-starter if you have significant knee, hip, or balance issues.

What it’s not: The Gruta do Carvao long tour is not technical caving. You don’t need any prior experience or special skills. You just need to be reasonably fit and comfortable getting a little dirty and sweaty.

How to get to Gruta do Carvao

Gruta do Carvao is located just outside Ponta Delgada’s city center. It’s a 34-minute walk from the city gates (Portas da Cidade) or a nine-minute drive.

Since I don’t drive, I walked to the cave from my hostel. The walk was pleasant and straightforward. I passed by many houses, some businesses, and a small retail strip. There’s always a sidewalk, although quite narrow in some areas, and pedestrian crossings, which made it an easy and safe walk.

If you’re driving, you can park in the street in front of the office or on the main street just before you turn into the side street that leads to Gruta do Carvao.

Taxis and rideshare apps, like Uber and Bolt, are also available in Ponta Delgada. Rates are reasonable if you don’t have a car and prefer not to walk.

Is there a bathroom in Gruta do Carvao?

Yes, there is a bathroom at Gruta do Carvao. The bathroom is in the office where all tours meet before going down in the lava cave. There’s one toilet for females and one toilet for males. I was also pleasantly surprised to find toilet paper is provided, since I noticed that some museum and public bathrooms do not have toilet paper.

Once you go into the cave, there is no bathroom inside. To be safe, I recommend going to the bathroom before the tour starts. I also used the bathroom after my tour, since I had a 30-minute walk back to my hostel.

Is the Gruta do Carvao long tour worth it?

Yes, I think the Gruta do Carvao long tour is absolutely worth it if you’re looking for a short, adventurous physical activity.

After doing the long tour and seeing what the short tour is like, I was very happy that I chose to do the long tour. Instead of seeing just a short portion of the lava cave, I loved being able to explore nearly the entire length of it. The smaller group size of the long tour also makes the experience feel more personal. My tour guide, Alberto, was fantastic. He was friendly, chatty, funny, and knowledgeable. He took great care of us, keeping an eye on everyone as we crawled through tight spaces and allowing everyone to go at their own pace.

Most attractions in São Miguel revolve around viewpoints, hikes, hot springs, and whale watching. The long tour gives you the chance to experience a completely different side of the island by exploring the volcanic landscape beneath your feet.

FAQs

More resources for traveling Portugal

• Perfect One Day in Porto Itinerary: Everything to See & Eat
• Best Albergues on the Camino Portuguese
• Camino Portuguese Central Route: Stages, Itinerary, and Map
• Camino Portuguese Coastal Route: Guide, Stages, and Map
• Camino Portuguese Lisbon to Porto Route: Guide, Stages, and Map