Be a Marine Biologist Whale and Dolphin Holiday
2024 DATES: April – October
Prices From: Adult £905 per person, Solo Traveller £1160
(flexible arrival/departure dates to fit with flights)
Enjoy this once in a life time opportunity to be a “Marine Biologist for a Day”.
Take to the open seas and learn techniques used by marine biologists. This holiday also takes you deep into the island’s interior to see geothermal activity.
Overview
Location: Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel Island - Azores
What’s included:
- One full day "Be a Marine Biologist for the Day" whale and dolphin trip to sea including lunch
- 1 additional half day trip to sea dolphin and whale watching on large catamaran boat with multiple viewing platforms
- Full day tour to the geothermal area of Furnas bathe in hot springs, swim in a hot thermal lake and experience the bubbling geysers.
- Talks and presentations from local marine biologists
- 7 nights accommodation
- Services of local personnel at our boat base who co-ordinate your entire holiday program
- All airport transfers between Ponta Delgada airport and hotel
Optional activities: Book additional trips to sea and land tours
Extra nights: Option to extend your stay in the Azores, with extra nights at your hotel, visit another part of Sao Miguel or visit other islands
Accommodation: Standard 4* B&B hotel, with budget and upgrade options available
Meals: Breakfast included. Lunch included during full day tour to Furnas and picnic on the boat during the be a marine biologist tour. Self catered options available
Flights are not included. We give you guidance on booking flights to Ponta Delgada (PDL) Sao Miguel Island, Azores. See location and flights above
Dates 2024: This holiday runs April - October
Flexible dates: This holiday can be arranged to start any day of the week to fit with flights
About this holiday
Learn from the experts
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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.
More opportunities to see the whales and dolphins
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Exhilarating Boats
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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!
Island Tour
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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.
Choice of accommodation
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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.
Location and Flights
Holiday location: Ponta Delgada (PDL), Sao Miguel Island, Azores. The Azores are an archipelago of 9 islands in the middle of the Atlantic - the only territory between America and Europe. There are 3 groups of This holiday takes place in Ponta Delgada, the capital of Sao Miguel Island, in the eastern group and 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. A Portuguese territory, the nine islands, dominated by a volcanic mountain range, offer a rare and unspoiled natural beauty, having retained their cultural integrity and escaped the ravages of commercial tourism. There is a wild and elemental quality here, the ocean’s presence is never far away and breathing the air alone is invigorating. Some say, it is the last vestiges of the lost continent of Atlantis! Hot springs steam into the fresh and unpolluted air. There are meadows filled with the scent of wild herbs and vivid, colourful flowers line the roads. It is the perfect setting to relax and slow down. Flights are not included in the cost of our holidays. For 2025, weekly DIRECT day time flights from the UK to Ponta Delgada are available with Ryanair from Stansted on Tuesdays (April - October) and with British Airways from Heathrow on Saturdays (April to end of September). On most days of the week there are flights from the UK to Ponta Delgada via mainland Europe. Direct flights also operate from America and Canada and some European cities including Paris. See all current flight options at Skyscanner. For ease we have a dedicated flight booking agent, Rupender Bhoday from The Flight Centre. Rupender knows our holidays and can book the best flights for you. Please email: [email protected] or call: 07442 857639. You can also reach her via The Flight Centre main contact number 0207 925 1114 (ask to speak to Rupender Bhoday on the “Associates” team). 
islands: the eastern group (Sao Miguel, Santa Maria), the central group (Faial, Pico, Sao Jorge, Terceira and Graciosa) and the western group (Corvo and Flores).
Sample Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival day – You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
Day 2
Your day starts at our local boat base, walking distance from your hotel. You will then board the sturdy RIB zodiac boat and spend 4 hours at sea, travelling further along the coast to rich feeding grounds, giving you a closer look into the lives of the whales and dolphins you’ll meet – some are even known by name! You will then return to our boat base for a further 2 hours in the classroom with our marine biologist guide so be sure to ask lots of questions! A packed lunch is given with the choice of eating out at sea or at the boat base.
You will be accompanied by our expert local guides and marine biologists who love sharing their extensive knowledge of these incredible creatures. They will teach you research techniques such as data collection, photo ID and listening to underwater acoustics using the hydrophone.
You’ll learn about the biology, habitat and behaviour of the cetaceans and participate in valuable research and conservation initiatives helping to preserve the oceans for future generations.
This is ideally suited to both adults and children who are keen to get hands on in the world of conservation.
Days 3-4
Days 3 to 4 inclusive: Overall itinerary of the week will be announced when you arrive to fit with best weather. There is an additional half day (3hrs) trip to sea on our large sturdy catamaran with multiple viewing platforms. You also have the opportunity to add more trips to sea and island tours to your itinerary. If there is any weather disruption your trips will be moved to another day or later in the day so that you go out during the best possible weather and conditions. Free time can be spent exploring the local town with its stunning architecture and walking around the botanical gardens.
Day 5
Free day to add on an activity that suits you. Join a walking or mountain bike tour, try kayaking or SUP on the lake, or take the plunge and go canyoning.
Day 6
Full day Geothermal tour to Furnas : You will be taken to see the Island’s hot springs, geysers & hot bubbling mud. Take a dip in the hot thermal lake surrounded by the tropical plants and trees of a magnificent garden which was planted by Kew gardeners 100 years ago! You will also be able to try the traditional “Cozido” meat stew cooked geothermally underground (vegetarian options available).
Day 7
Free day or take another half day at sea whale and dolphin watching giving you more chances of sighting the giant whales or visit the local lava caves.
Day 8
Departure. If you have time before your flight you can do some souvenir shopping. You will be picked up from your hotel and taken to the airport
Highlights
Learning and conservation
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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
Expert Guides
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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.
Travel any time
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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:
What people said!
Prices for this Holiday and Acccommodation
Use the tabs below to find out more about our different accommodation options
Our holiday prices below include accommodation at our standard 4* Sao Miguel Park Hotel
You can also upgrade to a boutique hotel or 5* or you can opt for budget options to reduce the cost of your holiday.
A beautiful 4-star hotel with excellent location and facilities. It is a 15-minute walk to our base for the boats and the city’s beautiful botanical gardens are close by. The rooms are light, quiet and well-ventilated. Even though the hotel has great access to our boats, the hotel is far away from the noise of the seafront or busy city areas. The hotel is ideal for families or large groups and rooms can easily accommodate up to two extra beds. Spacious rooms are sound proofed with air-conditioning and equipped with TV and fridge. There is the option to upgrade to sea/city view rooms (ask us for details). The hotel has a gym, indoor and outdoor pool with sun loungers, sauna, jacuzzi, games room, bar, restaurant with sea views and free parking for guests. A buffet breakfast is included. Be a Marine Biologist Whale & Dolphin Holiday Prices
4* Sao Miguel Park Hotel
Mid Season • 01 - 30 April & 01 - 31 October
High Season • 01 May - 30 September
Upgrade Accommodation Options
All of the accommodation featured has been visited by us and checked for quality, good reviews, facilities and distance to our boat base and the harbour (5-20mins walk). They are also a short walking distance to good restaurants and shops.
Budget and Self Catering Accommodation Options
All of the accommodation featured has been visited by us and checked for quality, good reviews, facilities and distance to our boat base and the harbour (5-20mins walk). They are also a short walking distance to good restaurants and shops.
