The azores are really inspiring because theyre remote, pristine and unspoilt. Swimming with dolphins imagine yourself immersed in the deep blue sea with the dolphins kayaking and sup this is definitely the best way to enjoy the magical nature of the azores sunset cruises need to relax. Tours operate from march to october and are of either 5, 7 or 9 nights duration. Avenida infante dom henrique, 71 solmar avenida center loja 128 9504529 ponta delgada azores. Join us during your holidays in sao miguel and pico islands. Whalewatching in the azores which whales to see and when.
A week long whale watching holiday in the azores islands. Get the ultimate whale watching experience during the peak season from april through october, when over 20 kinds of whale flock to the north atlantic. Definitely, our lookouts are one of the most important part for the whale watching, without them the activity in the azores would not be the same. In may and june, baleen whales including blue, sei, fin and humpback whales pass through these waters on their annual migration to their summer feeding grounds in the north. The main season runs from april all the way through the summer to october and during these months different species pass by the azores on their migratory paths april and may are usually a good time to go for a chance to see the larger whales such as blue, fin and sei whales, whilst october can be a good time to spot humpbacks. In general, the best time of the year to see whales in the azores is during the spring time, with april and may being our strongest months. At futurismo, we offer responsible whale watching and adventure tours in the azores. Before the whale watching trip a briefing is given to go over the characteristics of the species to be observed as well as safety measures aboard, procedures of protection of species at sea. It is possible to observe sei, fin and blue whales, at this time, as well as short finned pilot whales, orca. The azores are europes leading whale watching destination, home to sperm and pilot whales, beaked whales and false killer whales, and bottlenose, common and northatlantic spotted dolphins.
Volunteers wishing to see a wider variety of whale species may wish to visit the azores during the spring, as blue, fin, sei and humpback whales tend to be spotted in the area at this time of year. Our whale watching trips have a strong educational element with multimedia briefings before each trip and debriefings on return to shore. The azores are currently one of the worlds largest whale sanctuaries. Whales and whalers this is the documentary film about the whale hunters of the azores isles. Other species are only present during certain months when they pass by the azores islands on their annual migration. Whale watching in the azores islands is unquestionably one of the most exciting and unforgettable adventures. The azores is an archipelago of nine islands, in the north atlantic ocean, and part of the country of portugal. Description of whale watching in the azores with so many species of whales and dolphins surrounding this archipelago, this is one of the best places in the world to witness these marine mammals up close, with sightings on 99 percent of whale watching trips to sea. Join an exciting marine wildlife tour with biologists and naturalist guides, to see and learn more about whales, dolphins, turtles, fish, birds, and the seasons marine biodiversity of the azores islands. The azores are located about 850 miles 1,360 km off the coast of portugal. With 30 years of experience, futurismo azores adventures is one of the largest active tourism companies in the azores with sea and land excursions in two islands. There are 80 species of whales and dolphins on the planet and 2425 of them have been sighted off the coast of the azores depending on the source of information.
We are based in lajes do pico, recognised as one of the top 10 best spots for whale watching in the world. Theres a special energy in the archipelago its a place where i feel touched by nature and the elements. The portuguese islands of the azores sit conveniently in the middle of the midatlantic feeding grounds of the worlds largest animal. Whens the best time to go whale watching in the azores. How to go whale watching in the azores wapiti travel. No two tours have the same itinerary since we go where the whales and dolphins are. Amanda stafford of whale and dolphin connection is one of our suppliers, she feels you havent really experienced the azores until youve been out on the water by boat. Surrounded by several large tunas and countless other species of fish, these giants of the sea pass close to the archipelago as they make their way across the atlantic. The azores, in the middle of the atlantic ocean, is an archipelago of nine islands showing nature in its purest state, and one of the largest whale sanctuaries in the world. Whales are the largest yet also some of the most mysterious creatures on the planet.
The azores are ideally located in the middle of the atlantic ocean and are considered one of the ten best places in the world to watch whales and dolphins. This whale watching activity provides the opportunity to watch up to twenty cetacean species that can be found in the ocean waters of the azores islands. With sightings possible all year round, the azores islands are one of the best places for whale watching in the atlantic. April to september is peak whale watching season in the azores, with spring and early summer the best time to spot the blue whale the mightiest mammal on the planet. Watch for minke whales, dolphins and humpbacks on a whale watching cruise from reykjavik, and take in views of the coast from an open viewing platform or an enclosed cabin. Whale watching in the azores in the early summer months is the best time to see the baleen whales largest whales on their migration routes to the feeding grounds of the northern atlantic passing close to the islands of the azores. The azores, and especially lajes do pico, is undoubtedly one of the 10 best whale watching spots in the world, and for sure the best in the azores. Nine green dots in the vastness of the atlantic ocean, the azores. Whale watching holidays the azores the azores holidays. Among the resident and migratory species, some common, some rarer, you can see more than 24 different types of cetaceans in the waters of the azores. This is an an ecosystem with unique characteristics. A work that looks for the present viewpoint of an extinct industry, which gave rise to a culture that still exists, both at sea and on land.
An absolute must if visiting the lovely horta in the azores. We use small and efficient boats with limited size groups in order to limit the impact on wildlife. Blue whales are sighted every year around the azores islands, which apparently provide an important seasonal foraging area. This location, in the middle of the atlantic, made it an important starting point for whalers in former times. Our small group, blue whale tour in the azores is an incredible opportunity to observe these giants in their natural habitat, and sightings over the past few years have been exceptional. Inhabitants of the nearby island of pico took note of the demand for whale products and decided to launch their own shorebased whaling industry from the village. Azores whale watching and dolphins is known to be among the best in the world. Join marine eco expeditions to wildlife and nature in the heart of the atlantic ocean. Yachtbased whale and dolphin research holidays to the azores archipelago. It is an impressive figure and it corresponds to a third of the total number of existing species.
March in the azores is one of the most exciting months since we consider it as the beginning read more. Diving with whale sharks santa maria island diving with the worlds largest fish in clear waters is undoubtedly one of the best diving experiences of the azores. The island chain was an important stop for new england whaleships of. The best whale watching and swimming with dolphins location in europe, and a beautiful adventure playground in a very top sustainable islands holidays destination. Thanks again and we are looking forward to see you soon. Serge left in front of his whale watching base on pico. Among resident and migrant species, common or rare, more than 20 different types of cetaceans can be spotted in the azores. Watch amazing hd underwater and drone footage of sperm whales in the azores. The azores archipelago is situated in the atlantic ocean miles west of portugal. Lying about a third of way across the atlantic between portugal and north america, its the permanent or temporary home of more than a quarter of all known cetacean species mark carwardine, whale watching specialist. Whale watching tours have been organized since 1990 by futurismo, which is one of the most experienced companies operating in azores. March in the azores is one of the most exciting months since we consider it as the beginning. Includes information about the area and the cetaceans living there, research project details, environmental policy, newsletter, and photos.
When is the best time to see whales and dolphins in the. If you book a whale and dolphin watching holiday to the main azorean island of sao miguel with archipelago choice the chances are that your trips will start either from the marina in ponta delgada, the capital, or from vila franca which was the capital until it was destroyed by an earthquake back in the early 1500s. The man featured in this photograph, antonio viera soares, was the harpooner that struck this massive sperm whale, while whaling off of the azores in may of 1965. During this time we have many fin whales, blue whales and sei whales passing the azores on their annual migration. Set sail around the princess ring islet of vila franca do campo on a cruise, accompanied by a marine biologist guide, and look out for sperm and pilot whales, bottlenose and rissos dolphins, sea turtles, and other marine. Azores whale watching beauty of the azores, episode 1. Around the remote portuguese archipelago of the azores today you can still hear baleia a vista. See more ideas about whale watching, azores and whale. Dive with whale sharks in azores snorkeling holidays. Tourist frequentation is still small, the quantity and diversity of the whales observed is high, theres little visual pollution and pico mountain lies in the background.
Weve created a series of films showcasing the beauty and character of the amazing azores archipelago. The most sighted are the sperm whale, sei whale, fin whale, pilot whale, mink whale, common dolphin, bottlenose dolphin, atlantic spotted dolphin, striped dolphin, and rissos dolphin. Today, you can spot about 30% of all types of whales from all over the world from here, including blue whales, finbacks and sperm whales. Whale watching in the azores, check our programs futurismo. Whale hunting, an activity important for cultural identity, but also the economy of the azores, started being practiced back in the 19th century. Multiscale habitat preference analyses for azorean blue whales. Whale conservation project in the azores the great projects. If you come back to faial dont hesitate to contact us for anything you need. This azores packing list will cover the essentials for both men and women and ill show you what is in my carryon as well as my checkin. Their geographic location in the atlantic between europe and the americas puts the azores in the unique position to enjoy a perfect balance of seclusion and. Peak season is from april through to october whilst in the spring, the larger migratory species are passing through.
There are 3 groups of islands, the eastern group sao miguel, santa maria, the central group faial, pico, sao jorge, teceira and graciosa and the western group corvo and flores it is the only land between america and europe. This is a guide that will detail what to pack for the azores for all seasons. Dolphins in the channel between pico and sao jorge image courtesy of marinhera fernanda. Whaletrips azores best tips for whale watching on azores. Oceanemotion is a company specialized on whale watching and others sea activities, operating on terceira island, azores, portugal, with an office in angra do heroismo marina.