Flexible Family Whale & Dolphin Watching Holidays Azores
2024 DATES: 30 March – 13 April, 25 May – 01 June, 27 July – 31 August
Prices From £930 per adult, child (5-13) £565 teen (13-18) £795 based on sharing a triple family room
Our flexible itineraries are a selection of the best flavours of the Azores. Take trips to sea for dolphin and whale watching and add excursions and day tours to explore Sao Miguel island and all it has to offer.
Overview
Location: Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel Island - Azores
What’s included:
- Three half day trips to sea dolphin and whale watching
- Talks 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 from/to Ponta Delgada airport
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. Self catered options available
Flights are not incuded. We give you guidance on booking flights to Ponta Delgada (PDL) Sao Miguel Island, Azores. See location and flights above
2024 dates: 30 March - 13 April, 25 May - 01 June, 27 July - 31 August
Flexible dates: This holiday can also be arranged to start any day of the week to fit with flights
About this holiday
Choose your preferred travel dates and choice of activities
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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.
Best place to see dolphins and whales in the wild!
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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!”
Island tours and activities
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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!
Choice of accommodation
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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.
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. Weekly DIRECT day time flights from the UK to Ponta Delgada are available with Ryanair from Stansted on Tuesdays (April - October), British Airways from Heathrow on Saturdays (mid-May to end of September) and from Gatwick on Tuesdays and Thursdays with SATA Azorean Airlines (June - Sept). 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).
BE A MARINE BIOLOGIST FOR THE DAY
£118 (adult) £67 (child 12yrs and under)
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 talks from our marine biologists 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 learn about their research. This activity can be added onto your holiday program.
Your day starts at our local boat base, walking distance from your hotel, with talks from our marine biologists. You will then board the sturdy RIB zodiac boat and spend a full day 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 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 will break for lunch, on land, joined by your marine biologist so be sure to ask lots of questions!
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 a superb addition to any trip and is ideally suited to adults and children who are keen to get hands on in the world of conservation.
This is a 6 hour tour consisting of 4 hours out at sea and 2 hours at the boat base with talks and presentations. A packed lunch is given with the choice of eating out at sea or at the boat base.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival day – You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
Day 2
Enjoy a leisurely morning exploring the local town and walking around the stunning botanical gardens. You could even take a dip in the towns naturally heated open air pool before heading down to the boat base for your first half day whale and dolphin watching trip to sea. You will be given the onboard briefing all about Marine life in the Azorean Ocean, how we work and how best to spot the whales.
Day 3-7
Days 3 to 4 inclusive: Overall itinerary of the week will be announced when you arrive to fit with best weather. This holiday includes two, half day sea excursions to see the dolphins and whales which will be either a morning or afternoon boat trip. 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.
We can build the rest of your itinerary around you and your famillies preferred activities.
Take a 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!
Add extra whale and dolphin watching excursions, giving you more chances of sighting the giant whales and large pods of dolphins.
Join a walking or mountain bike tour, try kayaking or SUP on the lake, or for the more adrenalin fuelled of the family, take the plunge and go canyoning. Our Geotourism day tours explore the islands ancient, and more recent volcanic activity and visits the local lava caves. Or just relax and simply spend time by the hotel pool.
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
Discover, be inspired! Marine wildlife, sea air and the wow factor
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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
Education and Conservation
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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.
Great choice of boats
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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.
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.
Family Whale and Dolphin Watching Holiday Per Person Prices
4* Sao Miguel Park Hotel
Low Season • 01 Nov - 31 Mar
Mid Season • 01 - 30 April
01 - 31 October
High Season • 01 May - 30 September
The price of this holiday with any of our alternative accommodation options below is the standard holiday price (staying at 4* Sao Miguel Park Hotel) with either a discount or supplement applied. Please see your preferred accommodation page below for details of the applicable discount or supplement. 
All of the accommodation featured below 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.
