This exciting set itinerary adventure takes you into the interior of the island as well as enjoying time on the ocean with the dolphins and whales. Our local guide will take you on day trips of discovery to the truly fascinating geysers, bubbling with the geo thermal activity that created these islands in the middle of the Atlantic ocean over 20 million years ago, enjoy time on the lakes where you can kayak as well as seeing whales and dolphins at sea in their natural habitat. This exciting itinerary caters for every member of the family and will create some wonderful life long memories.

Your voyage of discovery will cultivate your thirst for knowledge. On this holiday you don’t just go out on the open ocean to meet our resident whales and dolphins you will learn all about the biology of this incredible ocean, the creation of these volcanic islands and their geothermal activity.

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”.
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.

“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

You will stay in our superb family accommodation and have free time to relax by the pool, don hiking boots or take a ride around the island. Additional sea voyages are also available. Leaving no stone unturned the variation of activities on this holiday will keep you and your family engaged and excited at all times!

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 ethos on the islands is to preserve the natural environment and develop responsible and sustainable tourism that contributes to conservation.

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.

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. Our boat company use a large stable catamaran with excellent viewing platforms and toilet facilities or our 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. Lookouts, the “Vigia”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! 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.

You will 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. Our expert guides and marine biologists have plenty of experience working with children and make sure they understand the information so that children of all ages can learn in a fun and exciting way.

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!”   

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.

We offer attractive child prices (12 years and under) when sharing a large quad room with adults and also teen discounts. 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 the cost of holiday.

You’ll leave 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.

“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, 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

These fascinating islands are easy to reach from Europe on a direct three hour flight 

Our knowledgeable local guides will be with you at sea and  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. To burn off extra energy or escape for a day, the family can explore the island at  leisure (on foot, on bike or by kayak), visit the stunning botanical gardens, enjoy presentations from our marine biologist guides or simply relax by the pool.

Dolphins tend to prefer the calmer waters closer to the shore and in the summer months the Atlantic Spotted dolphins come in huge pods, bringing their calves to safe waters to feed and play.

Don your mask and snorkel and enter the underwater world of the Azores. Our expert guides will assist you all the way – they will advise you on the best way to get in and out of the water, how to behave once you are in water and will be in the sea with you. It is a good idea to practice with a mask and snorkel before your holiday to help build your confidence in the water and help children feel comfortable swimming in open water.

You can swap a half day excursion whale watching for a half day swim with dolphins or add it as an extra excursion. You could also opt to join the boat for the trip and not get wet. Please discuss with us for the full details.

We offer attractive child prices (12 years and under) when sharing a large quad room with adults and also teen discounts. 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. There is a budget option to reduce the cost of your holiday.

The Azores attract huge numbers of whales and dolphins throughout the year. In the spring you can see the mighty Blue whales, the largest whales on the planet as they migrate past the islands. In the summer there are many species to be seen too – superpods of dolphins with their babies, as well as the resident sperm whales. You will get amazing photos of their iconic tail fluke as they dive down to feed on the squid. During your time at sea in the Azores, our expert team will ensure you get the most amazing sightings, making memories that will stay with you for a lifetime.

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 and presentations before heading out to sea so you will be well prepared.

Our whale watching company has a research base offering a wealth of information and resources. It is possible to learn about the many research projects being conducted around the Azores which contribute to marine conservation. Their experience of working with children shines through as they make learning inclusive and exciting.

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. Alternatively, you can choose 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. Minimum age is five years old for the RIB.

The ‘Vigia’ (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, said to be some of the best in the world. We see whales and 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.

These packages all include a choice of excellent accommodation, boat trips to see the whales and dolphins, airport transfers and local guide services with the freedom and flexibility of booking a holiday on your preferred dates (weekly departures March-October) as well as being able to add on island tours and activities to explore the island, travelling at your own pace. 

The whales and dolphins kindly plan their time in the Azores to fit in around our school holidays. Easter break or May half term is the best time to see the Blue, Fin and Humpback whales as they migrate past the Islands or come during the summer holidays to see an abundance of dolphins, and many other whale species.

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!” 

Take a full day tour to visit the geysers deep in the island’s interior at Furnas. Local guides will teach you about the geothermal activity and your visit will include a swim in hot thermal pools and lunch (cooked underground) in a local restaurant. See the island on foot, on bike or by kayak. Visit the stunning botanical gardens, and enjoy talks from our marine biologist guides or simply relax by the pool. There really is something for every member of the family!

We offer attractive child prices (12 years and under) when sharing a large quad room with adults and also teen discounts. 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 the cost of holiday.

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.

“I could just write four words to describe our holiday: “ Out of this world ”.  All three of us had an absolutely fantastic time, had loads of dolphin encounters with three of the four species, saw sperm whales breaching, pilot whales breathing on surface , bryde whales being elusive  ….. truly magical, and better than we had dared to hope for. Have to say how much we were impressed by the local  team  as well.  Their commitment to the welfare of the cetaceans was really humbling – and their commitment to ensuring that everyone of us had the most amazing time possible.” Lisa Newman

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. They have plenty of experience working with children and endeavour to make learning fun!

Watch our online presentation “Discover Sperm Whales” where you will learn about the lives of these incredible mammals who live around the Islands and dive deep to find prey (squid) and also learn about the challenges facing the world’s oceans.

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.

Spring is an incredibly exciting time in the Azores and definitely the best time to go. Take a voyage of discovery beneath the ocean with our local marine biologists. This holiday takes you out to the open seas to see these ocean giants and teaches you all about these incredible creatures and the creation of the islands, that took place over 20 million years ago.

You and your family will 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.

“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 

Cetaceans are drawn to the Azores as they know there is a plentiful food supply. In the Springtime there is a  phytoplankton bloom warmed by the temperate waters of the Gulf Stream around the Azores archipelago which has resulted in a unique gathering of huge, ravenous Baleen Whales: Blue, Fin and Humpback on their migration routes to the feeding grounds of the northern Atlantic. This is one of nature’s great events, the whale equivalent of an all you can eat buffet – this is why we call it the “Gulp Stream”.

“The Azores is one of the best places in the world to see Blue Whales with such an abundance and variety of species. These fascinating Islands at sea and on land are easy to reach from Europe on a direct 3 hour flight!”  

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.

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, you might choose to do this on foot, on a family bike tour or even by kayak, visiting the stunning botanical gardens, enjoying talks from our marine biologist guides or simply relaxing by the pool.

We offer attractive child prices (12 years and under) when sharing a large quad room with adults and also teen discounts. 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 the cost of holiday.

The dates of these holidays are the best time to see the largest whales on the planet as they migrate past the Islands ensuring you get the most amazing sightings and memories that will stay with you. LINK TO BEST TIME TO VISIT 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. There will be talks before heading out to sea so you will be well prepared. The guides have loads of experience working with children and always present in a fun and exciting way, to make sure everyone can learn and get involved.

LINK TO MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR GUIDES

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. Your budding marine biologists can ask as many questions as they like, our researchers love sharing their knoweldge. 

LINK TO MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MARINE EDUCATION AND 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.   LINK TO MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BOATS