Travel and transport agencies Flores

Located just opposite the Santa Cruz airport, this friendly local agency offers a variety of tourist excursions on the island, as well as excursions to Corvo. These start with a visit to the caves around Flores Island and are accompanied by a guide. The agency also offers a whole range of other activities, from canyoning and yoga sessions to massages and a shuttle service to take you to your hotel, the airport or the natural site of your choice, ideal if you don't have a car.

The Atlanticoline shipping company operates year-round services between Flores and Corvo. The minimum frequency in winter is two round trips a day, two days a week (usually Tuesday and Saturday), except in the event of very bad weather. The journey takes around 40 minutes. This is the pink line (timetables available on the website). For several years now, Atlanticoline has no longer linked the Western Group to the Central Group by ferry. If you want to reach an island other than Corvo, you have no choice but to fly.

From France, SATA Azores Airlines flies direct to the Azores only to Ponta Delgada. To get to the other islands, you'll need to either take an inter-island flight from Ponta Delgada, or fly via Lisbon or Porto to the other islands. Inter-island passes available at reduced rates. For travel to and within the archipelago, visit the airline's website. Please note that flights to the Azores are always highly dependent on weather conditions. It is sometimes impossible to take off!

Five bus routes cover the island of Flores: route 1 between Santa Cruz and Ponta Delgada, route 2 between Santa Cruz and Lajes, route 3 between Lajes and Fajã Grande, route 4 between Fajã Grande and Santa Cruz (via Mato), and route 5 between Santa Cruz and Fajã Grande. Timetables available at the Santa Cruz tourist office and on the website. If you don't want to rent a car, this is the best way to get around Flores.

Correspondent of Avis and Europcar, Ilha Verde is a serious company established on all the islands except Corvo and Graciosa. Renting with this agency is an extremely rare practice and will facilitate the process if you plan to travel to several islands in the Azores and move around by car. The A category generally corresponds to a Renault Twingo. As for the other categories, you will have the choice between Nissan Qashqai, Ford Focus, Renault Capture... Minibuses or 4x4 vehicles can also be rented. All with unlimited mileage.

With the possible exception of Lisbon, you've probably never seen an airport so close to the city it serves! In fact, it stretches all the way to the top of Santa Cruz. From the city, you can see the planes landing so close it's almost frightening... On foot, the airport entrance is less than 1 km from the center, so if you're not too heavy, you can save yourself a cab! The airport is alive with aircraft landings. The tourist office opens to coincide with arrivals, and car rental companies also follow the choreography of the skies.

Autatlantis is a solid car rental agency present on seven islands: São Miguel, Santa Maria, Pico, Terceira, São Jorge, Faial and Flores. So if you're planning an itinerant holiday on these islands, you can ask for a global quote. The fleet is renewed every year to offer you the latest car models and a high level of safety and comfort. Two types of insurance packages are available. You can also rent a minibus or 4x4 vehicle.

For those with a love of the sea and an adventurous spirit, FloreSail organizes sailing excursions around the Western Group. A superb opportunity to explore Flores and Corvo in a different way, to the rhythm of the lapping waves. Discover the seabed, incredible bays and aquatic life of the islands aboard a small sailboat for up to 4 people. Tours can be customized: crossing to Corvo (1 or 2 days), sunset, full day... They can include snorkeling and meals. Unforgettable.