This holiday is suitable for adults or children with reduced mobility. We have personally selected hotels that are accessible from entrance to breakfast area to bedrooms (with use of lifts) and are suitable for people with reduced mobility.  The bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms are spacious enough for a wheelchair or walker. None of these hotels have hoist facilities and people considering this holiday should be able to weight bear. Electric wheelchairs cannot be accommodated. The transport that will be used for the trips and airport transfers will be able to hold a folded mobility walker and/or wheelchair and you will need to be able to step into the vehicle. For the sea trips, you will need to step onto the Catamaran, where you will be able to sit in your wheelchair for the duration of the sea trip.  The marina concourse is flat and fully accessible, with several nearby cafes and restaurants offering reasonable prices and easy access via lifts from the street above, where our selected hotels are located.

If you are unsure if this holiday will meet your needs, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss further.

Our guides will assist you onto the Catamaran boat to enjoy this wonderful experience. If you visit in the spring, 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”.

During the Summer (July, August, and September) you will have the opportunity to see many species including sperm, beaked and pilot whales, orca and super pods of dolphins as seen on the BBC’s “Blue Planet”. Autumn/Winter (October to March) you will see resident species and it can be wonderful with 15-20-degree warm weather, a lot of winter sunshine and much quieter.

 All our trips are with responsible operators who have sensitivity and respect for the wellbeing of the whales and dolphins. 

“We were on the cat and a huge gasp went up from everyone on board; a fin whale had swum in front of the boat and opened its mouth out of the water to feed. It was only a split second but that sight is engraved on my memory.” Margaret Merris May 2018

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 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.

“The ocean around the Azores islands is teeming with resident and transient whales and dolphins. It is one of the best places in the world to see Blue Whales in the spring and an abundance and variety of species all year. These fascinating Islands at sea and on land are easy to reach from the UK, Europe and USA/Canada on direct flights!”

This holiday includes 7 nights in a standard 3* hotel with accessible rooms. You can choose to upgrade to a superior 5* hotel (with accessible rooms). We also have a range of alternative accommodation available.

This holiday gives you the once in a life time opportunity to “Be a Marine Biologist for a Day” and is the perfect program for those with a keen appetite to learn. . You will learn research techniques such as data collection and photo ID. This is a fully immersive day, with 4 hours at sea with picnic lunch on the boat, followed by 2 hour presentation back at the classroom at the boat base. This really allows you to step inside the shoes of our marine biologists. During lunch with your marine biologist you can ask even more questions about their work and lifestyle.

As you have a full day at sea you will be taken away from the main tourist trail, travelling further along the coast. Your experience will be more relaxed with more time to spend with the animals, giving you a closer look into the lives of these creatures. You will feel part of their world! 

Our boats are RIB hard hull boats with comfortable seats for an exhilarating ride to get you close to the action. The boats are very sturdy and can move easily even if the sea is choppy. On shore lookouts, called “Vigia” guide us by radio contact and direct the boats to the whales and dolphins. This makes for consistently excellent sightings, the best in the world some say!

Our knowledgeable local guides will be with you at sea and also on land so you will have a truly authentic experience!  They will take you to the geysers deep in the island’s interior at Furnas and teach you about the geothermal activity. Your visit will include a swim in hot thermal pools and lunch (cooked underground) in a local restaurant. Free time can be spent exploring the island at your leisure, on foot on bike or by kayak, visiting the stunning botanical gardens, enjoying talks from our marine biologist guides or simply relaxing by the pool.

You can select the style and budget of an accommodation option that suits your needs. Our standard 4* hotel is included in the package price and you can upgrade to a boutique 5*hotel or you can opt for a budget option to reduce cost of holiday.

Learn about the biology, habitat and behaviour of the cetaceans. Participate in valuable research and conservation initiatives to preserve the oceans for future generations. Our whale-watching company has a research base offering a wealth of information and resources and it is possible to learn about the many research projects being conducted around the Azores

You will be accompanied by our expert local guides and marine biologists who love to share their extensive knowledge on the whales and dolphins you’ll meet – what they don’t know isn’t worth knowing. 

This holiday operates on certain weeks during the spring or summer (check latest dates with us). Travel in spring for optimum sightings of the Blue whales, Fin whales and Humpbacks as they pass the islands or in the summer when a wide variety of whale species and an abundance of dolphins visit the islands when the waters are warmer. See the infographic below which shows the top 10 most sighted species in the Azores:

The Azores archipelago is renowned as one of the best places to see dolphins and whales in the wild, teeming with resident and transient species. March to October is the best time to visit for abundant sightings and diversity of species. 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, 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.

Spending time on Pico gives a real taste of the traditions and heritage of the Azores as it is one of the less populated, more isolated volcanic islands of the archipelago. Enjoy breathtaking views of the dramatic geological formations and caves surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean crashing on to the black craggy cliffs of volcanic rock below.

The sightings here are exceptional with very few other boats. Pico Island formed from a volcano and the majestic Mt Pico stands tall above the island, luring many people to make the ascent to the top, above the clouds. The sides of the mountain also descend deep into the ocean on the south coast of Pico which sets up the perfect conditions for an upswell of the phytoplankton where the whales can feed. Our whale expert chooses to conduct his research here as the sightings are so exceptional.  You will be given talks about whale behaviour and recent discoveries, with opportunities to observe their feeding, hunting and socialising. The research boat will go to areas off the main whale watching trail and will frequently be surrounded by curious dolphins and whales.

You will have exclusive use of this incredible villa, perched high up on the cliff top with stunning views across the Atlantic Ocean. There are 2 double bedrooms and a twin room. A large spacious living area, an open air kitchen and dining room with a large terrace overlooking the bay of Lajes. Lounge by the outdoor pool or curl up on cushioned seating on the veranda, relax with your book or take a few minutes to start organising your photos. The villa boasts mature manicured gardens, bursting with life.

A delicious fresh, locally sourced breakfast will be delivered to villa each morning and subtly cleared away during the day before you return from your days activities

During your free time you can enjoy walks from the villa and of an evening enjoy the outdoor BBQ. The villa is located a shot drive form our boat base in Lajes, car hire is highly recommended.

Your party will have exclusive use of the boat during your whale watching trips to sea accompanied by your own private guide. They will teach you about the different species of animals you will see as well as the incredible biodiversity of the ocean and why so many of the worlds Ocean Giants choose the Azores This is a unique opportunity to have one to one time with our expert guides and marine biologists, so be sure to ask lots of questions.

The boats used are hard hulled inflatable RIB boats (exclusive use). The boats are very sturdy and can move easily and reach the whales swiftly, even if the sea is choppy. However, there can be some jerky movements on rougher seas. If you have back problems, or feel you prefer a boat with toilet facilities, we recommend you go on the Ocean Giants small group tour on Ponta Delgada as this tour uses a large stable catamaran.

Often, our boat is the only vessel around the animals which is very special. The research boats go to the best places to see the whales and approach with minimum disturbance in order to see as much natural behaviour as possible.

“We were on the boat and a huge gasp went up from everyone on board; a Fin whale had swum in front of the boat and opened its mouth out of the water to feed. It was only a split second but that sight is engraved on my memory.” Margaret Merris, May 2018

Included in the holiday is a full day tour of Pico Island. Exploring the history of the island from the first settlers to modern day, you’ll see that many aspects of life have remained the same. A gentle walk up the slopes of Mt Pico, the tallest mountain in Portugal, will give way to breath taking views across the archipelago and the Atlantic Ocean. Pico boasts one of the largest colonies of Cory’s Shearwater, known locally as ‘Cagarra.’ Marvel at the daily spectacle as the birds come home to feed their hungry chicks, nestled in the hillsides. You can also treat yourself to a delicious glass of wine whilst we visit one of the islands many volcanic vineyards.

You’ll all come away bursting with facts about the world’s largest whales and the unique biodiversity of the islands. We hope you will deepen your passion for the natural world and more importantly return home with memories that will last a lifetime.

On this exclusive private holiday you will be joined at sea by our whale researcher and guide, Rui Santos, he will be your very own private guide. He has worked as a whale watching guide for the last 12 years and is always very popular with the guests. He is very enthusiastic and passionate about dolphins and whales – you will certainly learn a lot. He genuinely wants to do everything to ensure you have the best experience possible.

Rui Santos has a masters in Marine Biology and has been conducting his ongoing research in Pico since 2008. He has had several publications and lectures about some of his discoveries on this remote location. 

Our expert lookouts or ‘Vigia’ can spot the whales from land as they pass close to the volcanic islands and they direct the boats by radio contact to locate the whales. This makes for consistently excellent sightings, said to be some of the best in the world. It is a much more efficient system than searching for whales when out at sea. The lookouts were historically used to sight whales for hunting which was banned in the Azores nearly 30 years ago. The lookouts are employed by the whale watching companies instead for tourists to appreciate the beauty of these magnificent creatures rather than killing them – a true win for conservation.

Follow in the footsteps of the first settlers as you trace your way across ancient foot paths and animal trails taking in dramatic coastlines, shimmering blue and green lakes, yawning calderas and misty, ancient sub-tropical forests. Centuries ago the main way to travel around the island was by boat as terrain made it impossible to use oxcarts or carriages, smaller cargo and cattle was transported across land on foot. In recent years great care has been taken to restore these pathways so that you can marvel at glittering waterfalls, witness nature’s bounty of flowers plants and trees and look down into the depths of the deep green crater lakes as you hike along the rim of a volcano, all untouched for millennia.

Our incredible guides will enthuse you with their knowledge of numerous endemic species of birds, flora and fauna and the incredible biodiversity of these islands, which erupted from the ocean over 200 million years ago!

There are numerous walking trails to choose from and we can help you choose the ones that best suit you. Difficulty levels range from gentle to strenuous, with circular and linear options. There are half day and full day routes available and you can opt for self-guided if you prefer. Please call us to discuss the walking trails in detail.

The Azores are a perfect year-round destination. Located in the Northern Hemisphere, they enjoy a mild climate 12 months of the year. In the peak of summer temperatures tend to be around 22°C and don’t often drop below 13°C in the winter. Perfect conditions for walking!

Our whale watching boats operate twelve months of the year. Weather is, of course, changeable out in the middle of the ocean but our expert guides will arrange your week so that you take your whale watching excursions during optimum sea conditions. Walking options inland and along the coast mean you will always have great opportunities to see whale tails or walking trails whatever the weather.

This is an ideal winter holiday, leave behind the wind and the rain and take this opportunity to get some, very, fresh air and enjoy the great outdoors. The mild climate means there is no need for woolly hats and thermals and the biodiversity of the island blooms year round. You’ll see no bare trees here, only lush green foliage! At night gaze up at starry skies and indulge in the thermal hot pools, forty minutes away from your hotel. Some of the walking trails even lead you directly to them in the town of Furnas.

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 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.

“The ocean around the Azores islands is teeming with resident and transient whales and dolphins. It is one of the best places in the world to see Blue Whales in the spring and an abundance and variety of species all year. These fascinating Islands at sea and on land are easy to reach from Europe on a direct 3 hour flight!”   

You can select the style and budget of an accommodation option that suits your needs. Our standard 4* hotel is included in the package price and you can upgrade to a boutique or 5* hotel or you can opt for a budget option to reduce cost of holiday.

You’ll come away bursting with facts about the world’s largest whales and the unique biodiversity of the islands. We hope you will deepen your passion for the natural world and more importantly return home with memories that will last a lifetime.

This is a superb opportunity to truly experience everything the Azores has to offer. World renowned for it’s incredible ocean life the Azores is also infamous for it’s incredible biodiversity and geothermal activity. Exploring the island on foot with our expert guides, you will learn about the islands creation over 200 million years ago and witness it’s incredible beauty and majesty. Take a day off and visit Furnas, feel your muscles relax as you soak in the nourishing thermal hot pools.

Our whale watching company has a research base offering a wealth of information and resources and it is possible to learn about the many research projects being conducted around the Azores which contribute to marine conservation. 

You choose your preference of boats from the large stable catamaran with excellent viewing platforms, railings and a great vantage point for taking photos. There is plenty of space to walk around outdoor or indoor seating and toilet facilities OR our smaller RIB zodiac hard hull boats with comfortable seats for an exhilarating ride to get you close to the action. The boats are very sturdy and can move easily even if the sea is choppy.

Your experience starts with a briefing to learn how to swim in the open ocean with the wild dolphins. It is important you are familiar with wearing a mask and snorkel or learn before you go out. Our expert guides will ensure you know what to expect and your safety and confidence are at the heart of the preparation.  We supply wetsuits and snorkelling equipment as part of the holiday. You will go out to sea in small groups of 8 people and the way the boats approach the dolphins and swimmers enter the water follows responsible guidelines

“The numbers of boats were well regulated and the dolphins are approached responsibly with minimum disturbance. We found the guides looked after us and as confidence grew during the week we had some very exciting moments seeing the dolphins right beneath us, truly magical ” Anne Johnson and family

A short distance from the shore we will be guided to the dolphins with the assistance of our expert land based lookouts. It is an absolute joy see large pods of dolphins leaping with joy over the ocean waves, jumping and dancing in the bow waves just an arms’ length beneath your gaze. Both in the water and watching from the boats, you will feel part of the dolphin’s magical underwater world, seeing their exquisite movements and listening to a symphony of sound. It usually takes a little time to get confident and you will be assisted all the way as you climb off the boat and look beneath you. It is a very exhilarating feeling and we ensure all approaches by the boats and people are done with minimum disturbance where the encounters are on the dolphin’s terms. They are very curious and it is a delight to witness their natural behaviour hunting, socialising and playing.

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 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.

You can select the style and budget of an accommodation option that suits your needs. Our standard 4* hotel is included in the package price and you can upgrade to a boutique hotel of 5* or you can opt for a budget option to reduce cost of holiday.

Our expert dolphin swim guides and marine biologists are there to ensure you get the most from this holiday.

During your whale watching excursion you will be accompanied by our expert local guides and marine biologists who love to share their extensive knowledge on the whales and dolphins you’ll meet – what they don’t know isn’t worth knowing. There will be talks before heading out to sea so you will be well prepared.

The “Vigia” or land based lookouts on the shore guide us by radio contact to direct the boats to the whales and dolphins. This makes for consistently excellent sightings, the best in the world some say! We see whales & dolphins on 98% of our trips to sea.  Our guests are very impressed by the high standard offered by our boat company who are dedicated to offering you the best experience, nothing is too much trouble.

Before you embark on your Swimming with Dolphins adventure you will be given pre-trip preparation information and a safety briefing on board the boat. Our guides are there to look after your safety every step of the way. They will give you tips on how to behave in the water to ensure you have some incredible encounters with the dolphins and by the end of the week you will know so much about these beautiful marine mammals, their behaviour and communication as well as having lots of interesting scientific facts about how they live and information on conserving the habitat of the dolphins.

We do everything to minimize disturbance upon the dolphins and their habitat. We invite our guests to be involved, giving feedback when on the water and ensuring all operators are following the best practice guidelines.

Your experience starts with a briefing about how to swim in the open ocean with the wild dolphins. It is important you are familiar with wearing a mask/snorkel, or learn before you go out. Our expert guides will ensure you know what to expect – your safety and confidence are at the heart of the preparation. As part of the holiday we supply wetsuits, which provide bouyancy, as well as the snorkelling equipment and snorkelling life jackets. You will go out to sea in small groups of eight people. The way in which the boats approach the dolphins and swimmers enter the water follows responsible guidelines.

A short distance from the shore, we will be guided to the dolphins with the assistance of our expert land based lookouts. It is an absolute joy see large pods of dolphins leaping over the ocean waves, jumping and dancing in the bow waves just an arm’s length beneath your gaze. Observing both from the water and the boats, you will feel part of the dolphin’s magical underwater world, seeing their exquisite movements and listening to a symphony of sound. It usually takes a little time to get confident and you will be assisted all the way as you climb off the boat and look beneath you. It is an exhilarating feeling and we ensure all approaches by the boats and people are done with minimum disturbance – the encounters are on the dolphin’s terms. They are very curious and it is a delight to witness their natural behaviour hunting, socialising and playing.

You can immerse yourself in the underwater world of the dolphins taking three to five trips (three hour duration) to open the sea with masks and a snorkel. Each time is different and as you get the hang of it you will have more and more amazing experiences.

We prefer people have as many opportunities as possible so the experience is not rushed and we can be calm as we share the underwater world with minimum disturbance.

You can select the style and budget of an accommodation option that suits your needs. Our standard 4* hotel is included in the package price and you can upgrade to a boutique hotel of 5*. A budget option is available to reduce the cost of the holiday.

You will take home some beautiful memories that are guaranteed to stay with you. Guests visiting with family and friends will treasure moments shared on this adventure of a lifetime – you will have some amazing stories to share.

“Eye to eye with a wild dolphin underwater is surely one of the most profound experiences of my life – it was as if the dolphin could see into my soul!

Learn responsible boat approaches from our expert skippers and how to behave in the water in a relaxed and confident way resulting in minimum disturbance to the dolphins’ natural behaviour. This also means the animals will be calm with us rather than swimming away to avoid us.

Our expert dolphin swim guides and marine biologists are there to ensure you get the most from this activity. They give pre-trip preparation information and safety briefing on board, looking after your safety every step of the way. They will give you tips on how to have really great encounters so at the end of the week you will feel you really know a lot about these beautiful marine mammals, their behaviour and communication. You will be given interesting scientific facts about how they live with information on conserving the habitat of the dolphins.

We do everything to minimise disturbance upon the dolphins and their habitat. We invite our guests to be involved, giving feedback when on the water and ensuring all operators are following the best practice guidelines.

The week-long program ensures you get the best opportunities for sightings and that you become skilled and relaxed swimming with wild dolphins. They will accept you as part of their world and can be very curious. The dolphins are often found close to the shore in smaller groups or you can meet the super pods of hundreds of dolphins. Your trips are booked in advance going out from less-crowded areas. If there is any bad weather you will be given priority replacement of trips.

“The wild dolphins can often be found close to the shore and they are very curious to ride in the bow wave of the boat – we were very close to their shimmering skin as they burst through the crystal clear water coming  up to breathe. 

There were so many dolphins leaping and twirling, it was as if the sea itself was alive!”