Azores Whale Watching Tour

Half day whale watching for up to 28 guests, led by a marine biologist in one of the world’s top areas for wild cetacean encounters.

• Starting point: Meeting point at a central Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel Island; final harbor details in your voucher. No road transfer included.
• Everything you get: Ride a Zodiac RIB with safety briefing, wildlife interpretation, waterproof suit, and life vest
• Species spotted: Up to 28 whale and dolphin species recorded in this area, with sightings like sperm whales which are seen year-round, alongside resident dolphins, turtles, seabirds, and seasonal migratory whales which can vary by season and sea conditions.
• Ethical considerations: Land based lookouts and skippers follow respectful approach rules, keeping boats at a safe, non intrusive distance from animals.
• Why choose this: Focused on learning as much as spotting, ideal if you want clear explanations on local marine life, geology, and Azores ecology.

Inclusions #

• Half-day whale watching cruise

• Zodiac RIB boat (12 to 28-person capacity)

• Marine biologist or wildlife guide

• Professional skipper and crew

• Impermeable full suit and life vest

• All admissions, fees, and insurance

Exclusions #

• Food

• Hotel transfers

What to bring

• Voucher: Bring your voucher in digital or printed form to present at check-in.
• Warm clothing: Bring warm clothing, since it can feel cooler and windier on the open Zodiac boat.
• Sun protection: Bring sunscreen and chapstick, as you will be exposed to sun and salt air during the cruise.
• Water: Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated throughout the half-day tour.
• Snacks: Bring light food if you wish to eat on board, since full meals are not included.
• Camera: Bring a camera and protect your equipment from water, especially if you love photography.
• Seasickness medication: Consider bringing motion sickness medication if you are prone to seasickness.
• Footwear: Wear non-slip, closed-toe shoes suitable for boarding and moving around the boat.

What’s not allowed

• Wildlife interaction: Do not attempt to touch or feed any wildlife at any time during the tour.
• Restricted participants: Pregnant women and people with weak backs or delicate health conditions are not allowed on this tour.
• Young children: Children below 4 years old are not allowed to join this experience.
• Unaccompanied minors: Minors must be accompanied by an adult and cannot join the tour alone.

Additional information

• Tour conditions: The tour is subject to weather and safety conditions and may be modified or canceled without prior notice.
• Minimum participants: Departures require a minimum number of participants and may be rescheduled if this is not met.
• Language: English is the official guiding language, but the multinational crew will try to assist in other languages when possible.
• Vessel type: The experience uses a Zodiac RIB boat that accommodates between 12 and 28 guests.
• Sighting guarantee: Sightings of whales or dolphins are not guaranteed, as wildlife encounters depend on natural conditions.

Watch whales and dolphins with marine experts aboard a small-group wildlife cruise.

• Starting point: Depart from Ponta Delgada Marina, São Miguel.
• Everything you get: Join a guided whale watching cruise with experienced skippers and marine experts, including a safety briefing and live commentary throughout your journey.
• Sights covered: Cruise along São Miguel's south coast while searching for whales, dolphins, seabirds, and volcanic coastal scenery.
• Why choose this: Land-based lookouts work with your skipper to maximize wildlife sightings while guides explain the behavior and ecology of every encounter.

Inclusions #

• Half-day whale and dolphin watching tour

• Professional skipper

• Biologist guide

• Lookout team support

• Life jacket

• Insurance

Exclusions #

• Hotel transfers

• Food and drinks

What to bring

• Voucher format: Bring your voucher in digital or printed form for check-in.
• Windbreaker: Wear a light jacket, as conditions can be cooler and windier at sea.
• Sun protection: Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.
• Camera: Bring a camera or binoculars for wildlife viewing.

What's not allowed

• Wildlife interaction: Do not touch, feed, or attempt to disturb whales, dolphins, or other marine animals.

Additional information

• Languages: Live commentary is available in English and Portuguese.
• Weather policy: Tours may be modified or canceled due to sea or weather conditions.
• Marine conservation: All wildlife encounters follow responsible whale-watching guidelines to minimize disturbance.
• Motion sensitivity: Consider taking motion sickness medication before departure if you're prone to seasickness.
• Briefing: Before departure, the crew explains cetaceans, sighting methods, safety rules, and the Azores code of ethics.

A Zodiac whale watching tour from Lajes do Pico, guided by marine biologists and experienced skippers.

• Starting point: Depart from Aqua Açores Whale Watching Center at Lajes do Pico harbor.
• Everything you get: Marine biologist guides, experienced skippers, raincoat and pants if needed, life vest, and insurance.
• Species spotted: Look for over 25 cetacean species found in the Azores, including whales and dolphins, alongside seabirds, turtles, and other marine wildlife.
• Ethical considerations: Whales are approached slowly and carefully to support responsible observation and animal well-being.
• Why choose this: Includes a 100% money-back guarantee if no cetaceans are spotted during your tour.

Inclusions #

• 3-hour whale watching boat tour from Lajes do Pico

• Zodiac boat tour (as per option selected)

• Marine biologist guide

• Experienced skipper

• Land-based lookout network (vigias) (as per option selected)

• Raincoat and pants (if necessary) (as per option selected)

• Life jacket

• Insurance

Exclusions #

• Food or drinks

• Hotel pickup and drop-off

What to bring

• Voucher format: Bring your voucher in digital or printed form for check-in.
• Clothing: Wear weather-appropriate outdoor clothing and a windbreaker for time at sea.
• Sun protection: Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, and sunscreen.
• Dry storage: Carry a waterproof bag to protect your phone, camera, or valuables.
• Motion sickness: Take seasickness medication 30 minutes before departure if you are prone to motion sickness.

What’s not allowed

• Footwear: High-heeled shoes are not permitted on board.
• Pets: Pets are not allowed on this experience.
• Smoking: Smoking is not permitted during the tour.
• Children: Unaccompanied minors are not allowed.
• Alcohol: Alcoholic drinks are not permitted on the vehicle.

Accessibility

• Age restriction: This experience is not suitable for children under 2 years.
• Health restrictions: This tour is not suitable for pregnant guests or people with back or heart problems.
• Medical restrictions: This tour is not suitable for guests who have had recent surgeries.

Additional information

• Languages: The live guide speaks Portuguese and English.
• Food policy: Light food is permitted on board.
• Weather policy: The tour may be canceled or rescheduled if sea or weather conditions are unsuitable.
• Sighting policy: A 100% money-back guarantee applies if no cetaceans are spotted.

A small-group dolphin swim, guided by biologists and naturalists using conservation-led wildlife practices.

• Everything you get: Guided by Biologist or naturalist guide, neoprene gear, Zodiac RIB boat, skipper, insurance, poncho, and windguard for a safe swim with the dolphins.
• Your experience: Search for wild dolphins by Zodiac, enter the water in rotating pairs, then snorkel a coastal site near Vila Franca do Campo.
• Swim & fitness level: Minimum age 4. Comfortable water confidence recommended. Not suitable for pregnancy, back problems, mobility impairments, or wheelchair users.
• Conditions & safety: Only 2 swimmers enter at a time. Dolphins choose the interaction. Touching, feeding, chasing, or disturbing wildlife is prohibited.

Inclusions #

• Wild dolphin swimming and snorkeling tour

• Biologist or naturalist guide

• Professional skipper

• Neoprene gear

• Poncho and windguard

• Specialized Zodiac RIB boat

• Insurance

What to bring

• Swimwear and clothes: Bring swimwear, a change of clothes, and a towel for after your dolphin swim.
• Sun protection: Use biodegradable sunscreen to protect your skin and the marine environment.
• Hydration: Carry your own water to keep yourself hydrated during the tour.
• Camera: Bring a camera if you want to capture the scenic São Miguel coastline.

Restrictions

• Age requirement: Children under 4 years cannot participate.
• Health restrictions: Not suitable for pregnant travelers or guests with back problems.
• Accessibility: Not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or wheelchair users.
• Swimming ability: Non-swimmers may join onboard but should advise the operator during booking.

What's not allowed

• Wildlife interaction: Do not touch, feed, chase, or deliberately approach dolphins.
• Behavior near animals: Avoid loud noises, abrupt movements, or swimming rapidly toward wildlife.
• Equipment restrictions: Fins are not permitted during dolphin interactions.
• Unaccompanied minors: Children must be accompanied by at least one adult.

How the day runs

• The experience begins with a wildlife and safety briefing before boarding the Zodiac.
• Land-based lookouts help locate dolphins and direct the boat to suitable observation areas.
• Swimmers enter the water in rotating pairs when conditions and dolphin behavior allow.
• The tour concludes with a snorkeling stop at a coastal marine site before returning to the marina.

Additional information

• Languages: English is the primary tour language, though multilingual staff may assist when possible.
• Wildlife sightings: Dolphin proximity and interaction can never be guaranteed.
• Weather policy: Tours may be modified, postponed, or canceled due to weather or sea conditions.

Swim alongside wild Atlantic dolphins in a small group of just 8 participants under expert supervision.

• Everything you get: A guided dolphin swimming experience in the Atlantic, with instructors overseeing every stage from briefing to water entry.
• Your experience: Head out by boat in search of dolphins before entering the water in carefully supervised sessions if conditions allow.
• Swim & fitness level: Suitable for confident swimmers only. Not recommended for pregnant guests or anyone with back or heart conditions.
• Conditions & safety: Swimming depends on sea conditions, dolphin behavior, and instructor assessment. Wildlife interactions follow responsible observation practices.

Inclusions #

• Swimming with dolphins experience

• Experts to guide

Exclusions #

• Snorkeling gear

• Swimsuit

• Towel

• Food and drinks

What to bring

• Voucher format: Bring your voucher in digital or printed form for check-in.
• Swimwear and towel: Wear your swimsuit and bring a towel plus dry clothes for after the activity.
• Footwear: Wear practical shoes that can get wet.
• Sun protection: Bring a hat, sunscreen, and drinking water.
• Dry storage: Carry a waterproof bag for your phone or camera.
• Sea layers: Bring a windbreaker, lycra shirt, or neoprene gloves if you get cold easily.

What's not allowed

• Wildlife interaction: Do not touch, feed, or deliberately disturb dolphins.

Accessibility

• Age restriction: This experience is not suitable for children under 6 years.
• Swimming ability: This experience is not suitable for non-swimmers.
• Health restrictions: This experience is not suitable for pregnant guests or people with back or heart problems.

Additional information

• Languages: The activity is conducted in Portuguese and English.
• Group size: This experience is limited to 8 participants.
• Weather policy: The activity may be modified or canceled depending on sea and weather conditions.
• Wildlife sightings: Swimming opportunities depend on dolphin behavior and environmental conditions and cannot be guaranteed.

Half-day whale watching cruise pairing offshore wildlife encounters with close-up views of volcanic cliffs and coastal rock arches.

• Starting point: Depart from Picos de Aventura, Pátio da Alfândega, Angra do Heroísmo. No road transfer included.
• Everything you get: Professional skipper, biologist, and lookout team, live commentary in English or Portuguese, and safety briefing.
• Species spotted: Up to 27 cetacean species may be sighted around Terceira, depending on sea and wildlife conditions.
• Ethical considerations: Briefing covers Azores cetacean observation codes, sighting methods, and safety rules before departure.
• Why choose this: A coordinated lookout team helps improve sighting chances while biologists add science-led context on board.

Inclusions #

• Half-day whale and dolphin watching boat tour from Terceira

• Professional skipper, biologist, and lookout team

• Live guide in English and Portuguese

• Observe up to 27 species of cetaceans

• Views of Terceira Island's coastline and geological formations

Exclusions #

• Hotel transfers

• Food and drinks

What to bring

• Voucher format: Bring your voucher in digital or printed form to present at check-in.
• Windbreaker: Wear a windbreaker, as it can feel cooler and windier out at sea.
• Sun protection: Bring sunscreen and a hat to protect yourself during the cruise.
• Waterproof bag: Carry a waterproof bag to keep your phone and valuables dry.
• Swimwear and towel: Pack swimwear and a towel if you plan to get wet before or after the tour.
• Water: Bring drinking water to stay hydrated throughout the experience.
• Footwear: Wear closed-toe shoes suitable for a moving boat deck.

What’s not allowed

• Wildlife interaction: Do not attempt to touch or feed any whales, dolphins, or other marine animals.

Additional information

• Languages: The guided tour is operated in Portuguese and English.