Vila Franca Islet is the exposed remains of a Surtseyan volcanic cone of phreatomagmatic origin heavily eroded by the sea and seismic forces over time. It is composed mostly of basalt and palagonitic tuff, resulting in characteristic vertically fractured rock formations resembling columns. The islet contains a few underwater caves.
The islet is located between 500 meters and 1 kilometre off the south-central coast of the island of São Miguel, adjacent to the municipality, town, and port of Vila Franca do Campo. The semicircular islet measures approximately 5 hectares in area. The islet's highest point is approximately 62 meters above sea level. One of the islet's most notable geological formations is the 32.5-meter volcanic stack called Farilhão, which is located off the islet's southern end.
The boat tour navigates around the islet's exterior to show all sides and its marine life, such as crabs and seagulls, as well as Cory's shearwaters, which come to the islet year-round to nest. The duration of the boat tour is 45 minutes.