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Flexible Whale Watching • Family
Flexible Whale Watching • Family
Holiday Highlights
- 3 half day whale and dolphin watching trips to sea (3hrs) on either hard hulled RIB or sturdy catamaran
- Talks and presentations from local marine biologists
- Choose from our accommodation options (4*, budget, boutique/5*)
- All airport transfers included
- Tailor your itinerary with exciting activities, land tours to explore the island and extra trips to see the dolphins and whales.
- 2019/2020 DATES: YEAR ROUND
- Year round 7 night holidays – option to stay for more/less than 7 nights – arrive/depart any day of the week.
Dolphins and Whales
The Azores archipelago is renowned as one of the best places to see dolphins and whales in the wild. Throughout the year, March to October being the best time to visit for abundant sightings and diversity of species. The temperate spring waters of the Gulf Stream create a phytoplankton bloom attracting a unique gathering of huge, ravenous blue, fin and humpback whales, the largest baleen whales on the planet. These whales migrate past the islands and can be seen in April, May and June, close to land as they stop to feed on their way to the northern Atlantic. This is one of natures great events, the whale equivalent of an all you can eat buffet – this is why we call it the “Gulp Stream”.
The whale numbers and sightings seem to be increasing around the Azores, as are the super pods of various species of dolphins riding in the bow wave of the boat and leaping and twirling with joy.
All our trips are with responsible operators who have sensitivity and respect for the wellbeing of the whales and dolphins. The ethos on the Islands is to preserve the natural environment and develop responsible and sustainable tourism that contributes to conservation.
Be a Marine Biologist
All of our holidays offer the once in a life time opportunity for you to “Be a Marine Biologist for a Day” – the perfect program for those with a keen appetite to learn. You will enjoy a fun filled classroom presentation from one of our marine biologist before spending a full day with them on a small RIB learning research techniques such as data collection, photo ID and listening to underwater acoustics using the hydrophone. You will get away from the main tourist trail and have opportunities for a lot more contact with the animals. This a fully immersive day allowing you to step inside the shoes of our marine biologists and assist them in their research. This activity can be added onto the week program or exchanged for 2 half day regular whale watching trips.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1
Transfer to your hotel from the airport, free time to settle in and explore the town. If you have time, you can make your own way to the boat base to meet the team and discuss your whale watching schedule. Itineraries are flexible, below is a suggested itinerary only as you can choose additional activities as mentioned above.
Day 2
Take a 10-minute walk to the boat base for an audio-visual briefing on the Azores’ whales and dolphins. Morning or afternoon boat trip.
Day 3
Morning boat trip to watch whales. Spend the afternoon snorkelling in a lagoon or relaxing on the beach.
Day 4
Morning boat trip to watch whales. In the afternoon, take a jeep tour around the island’s forests and lakes, or hike to famous spots in the island’s history.
Day 5
Breakfast. Whale watching (morning or afternoon) activity or full day excursion to the geo thermal heart of the island. Bubbling hot mud, spouting geysers, see the steam rising from the rocks and sample the local cuisine cooked underground. Visit to the local botanical gardens close to the hotel. You have the opportunity to visit the vineyards with an exceptional wine tasting activity
Day 6
Morning boat trip to watch whales. Optional half day excursion to “The Fire Lake” the biggest geo thermal crater on Sao Miguel with dramatic views from the highest point of the island of the north and south coasts from the top. Visit the hot thermal waterfalls where you can bathe in hot springs set in lush rainforest. Before going back to the city, you will visit a liquor distillery to sample the local tipple.
Day 7
For your final day, you may like to get active with a trip up to the blue and green lakes to our activity centre where you can do some kayaking, paddle boarding, mountain biking or hiking. Alternatively, you may want to relax by the hotel pool and wander around the charming town.
Day 8
After breakfast, you may have time for a bit of souvenir shopping in town before being transferred to the airport for your flight home.
Booking, Location and Flights
Location: Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel Island, Azores
The Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal, are an archipelago of 9 islands in the mid-Atlantic. Our holidays are based in Ponta Delgada, the capital of Sao Miguel Island – the largest island in the archipelago.
The abundance of dolphins and whales around the islands make the Azores one of the key locations worldwide for whale and dolphin watching. Few locations in the world offer such immaculate landscape and exceptional marine wildlife. Read more about the Azores here.
Prices for this Holiday
4* hotel BB with indoor/outdoor pool
LOW SEASON DATES 02 Jan – 31 March. Prices are per person
- Solo Traveller (Single Room) £805
- Adult Price (2 Sharing a Room) £610
- 3rd Adult Sharing a Room (Family Room) £710
MID SEASON DATES 01 – 30 APR & 01 – 31 OCT. Prices are per person
- Solo Traveller (Single Room) £805
- Adult Price (2 Sharing a Room) £610
- 3rd Adult Sharing a Room (Family Room) £710
3* hotel BB with indoor/outdoor pool
LOW SEASON DATES 02 Jan – 31 March. Prices are per person
- Solo Traveller (Single Room) £805
- Adult Price (2 Sharing a Room) £610
- 3rd Adult Sharing a Room (Family Room) £710
MID SEASON DATES 01 – 30 APR & 01 – 31 OCT. Prices are per person
- Solo Traveller (Single Room) £805
- Adult Price (2 Sharing a Room) £610
- 3rd Adult Sharing a Room (Family Room) £710
Guest Lodge with outdoor pool (self catered)
LOW SEASON DATES 02 Jan – 31 March. Prices are per person
- Solo Traveller (Single Room) £805
- Adult Price (2 Sharing a Room) £610
- 3rd Adult Sharing a Room (Family Room) £710
MID SEASON DATES 01 – 30 APR & 01 – 31 OCT. Prices are per person
- Solo Traveller (Single Room) £805
- Adult Price (2 Sharing a Room) £610
- 3rd Adult Sharing a Room (Family Room) £710
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