Ilheu Vila Franco Campo - Sao Miguel, Azores

The Azores is slowly coming into radar of Wanderlusters and Travelers near and far. It has been the best kept secret of European summer vacationers.  Today's Azores feature is a beautiful nature reserve/island-- Ilheu Vila Franco Campo. 

So imagine swimming on the crater of a volcano in the middle of the ocean. This island is a natural reserve and you can take a ferry over from Vila Franco do Campo. The island is opposite the town, about 1 km from the coast.

The island is classified as a Nature Reserve and is the result of the crater of an ancient submerged volcano. The swimming hole in the center (called the Boquete) faces north towards the coast of Sao Miguel and the port of Vila Franco do Campo. This is an excellent spot to swim and snorkel in a secluded area. The water is cold (you are in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean) but I still jumped in because how many times do you have a chance and a view like this? There are also bathrooms and changing rooms on the island.

If swimming isn't your thing, you can walk these beautiful little boardwalk around the island and enjoy the beautiful scenery.  

If you are lucky, on the ride back to the main island, you can travel around the island, passing through this tiny "canyon" featured below. 

If you are really lucky, you are here in time for the Red Bull Cliff Diving Championships. They were just setting it up for the next week when we were here. The platform was placed off of the pilar structure adjacent to the island and must be amazing to watch.

Red Bull Cliff Diving Azores- DailyMail.co