Whale Watching

The Azores are Europe’s leading whale watching destination.

The seas around the Azores are one of the best places to observe cetaceans and other ocean wildlife. Bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic-spotted dolphins, and sperm whales can be seen throughout the year, with bigger migratory species such as blue and fin whales passing through in the spring. The best way to enjoy these gentle giants is on our Blue Whale Watching holiday. For dedicated wildlife enthusiasts, our whale and dolphin watching research trips provide a truly unique insight into the ocean wildlife of the Azores.

Whale tourism is key to the ecology of the Atlantic, helping to support cetacean studies and conservation. Trips to sea are much more than simply whale watching – in the capable hands of our resident marina biologists, you’ll learn about the habitats of the Azorean populations of sperm whales, the behavioural patterns of Atlantic-spotted dolphins, and how different cetacean species communicate.

Trips normally last around three hours and we’ll usually recommend heading to sea on a Rigid Inflatable Boat. RIBS are a favourite way of experiencing whale watching – you’re low in the water and feel closer to the wildlife. Larger catamarans are also available – they’re a bit more stable if you’d like to take photographs, and they’re more suitable for families with toddlers.