Overview
Our whale and dolphin watching research holidays provide a fascinating insight into the cetacean populations of the Azores.
With the help of resident biologist Lisa Steiner, you’ll observe whales and dolphins in their natural environment, discovering how individual animals are identified, how population data is collected, and how whale tourism helps to support study and conservation.
Lisa’s been researching Azorean cetaceans for over twenty years, collating sightings from her base on the small island of Faial to give a year-on-year record of the lives of the resident cetacean populations. Depending on the size of the research group, Lisa operates two types of boat: larger groups head to sea onboard the Physeter catamaran, and for smaller groups Lisa will switch to a Rigid Inflatable Boat. Lunches and dinners are also included on whale and dolphin watching days. There’s advantages to either boat and you’ll have the same knowledgeable guide and group experience whichever boat is used on the day.
You’ll have time ashore to explore the beautiful landscapes of Faial: on the five-night research trip there’s one shore day, and for nine-night trips there are two. Faial’s weather can be changeable due to it’s mid-Atlantic location – flexibility is key and Lisa is adept at adapting your schedule to allow you the maximum amount of time at sea.
The sea conditions tend to be most stable in the summer months of June and July, when trips concentrate on the resident species of dolphins and sperm whales. April and May are usually the best months to sight the larger migratory species such and Blue and Fin whales.
Here’s a full list of the trip dates for 2025:
Nine-night trips
Sunday 20th April – Tuesday 29th April 2025
Sunday 4th May – Tuesday 13th May 2025
Sunday 18th May – Tuesday 27th May 2025
Sunday 1st June – Tuesday 10th June 2025
Sunday 15th June – Tuesday 24th June 2025
Five-night trips
Sunday 4th May – Friday 9th May 2025
Thursday 8th May – Tuesday 13th May 2025
Sunday 18th May – Friday 23rd May 2025
Thursday 22nd May – Tuesday 27th May 2025
Sunday 1st June – Friday 6th June 2025
Thursday 5th June – Tuesday 10th June 2025
Sunday 15th June – Friday 20th June 2025
Thursday 19th June – Tuesday 24th June 2025
Itinerary
From £3,450 per person
We can create a tailor-made holiday to suit your budget.
INCLUDED: accommodation on a B&B basis in a shared twin/double ensuite room, lunch and evening meals on sea days, airport transfers, flights from London to the Azores. Lunch and dinner are not included on shore days.
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