Volcanic Island of Vila Franca

The island is beautiful and has a nature reserve with an old volcanic crater which is now a natural pool full of fish. I recommend going any day except on Sundays because it is full of picnicking families. The maximum capacity of the island is 300 people, but I got the feeling that they do not control it much because when we arrived there were no tickets. The last boats back from the island are very overcrowded and we were queuing at the pier for an hour, so get there early in the morning or go on weekdays. It is about 30 km from Ponta Delgada.