Azores Whale & Dolphin Watching Research Holiday Faial – 5-9-11 nights

Details

The trips are guided by the leading Azores cetacean biologist, Lisa Steiner, who has spent the last 19 years researching and studying Azorean Cetaceans, and Lisa will be on board whenever you are at sea. You will watch the whales and dolphins in their natural environment, find out how individual animals are identified, and see scientific data being collected on the various species.  Your vessel for these trips is Physeter, a specially converted motor catamaran that provides shade from the sun, hot and cold drinks, toilet and full safety equipment. Her 4 tiered decks provide guests with a variety of excellent whale and dolphin watching view points.

Based at the port of Horta, Faial’s capital, the 5, 9 or 11 night trips include 3 to 6 full days whale watching and researching, plus 1 or 2 days in port (depending on weather and sea conditions) for island exploring at your leisure. Your accommodation is at Azores Eco Lodge, a simple and friendly guesthouse, run on environmentally sound principles, just 14 minutes walk from Horta marina. All rooms are ensuite and some have a view of Pico. All meals are included except for lunches and evening meals on shore days. You will normally have between 1 and 3 shore days depending on the duration of your trip and weather. All included meals are taken at the Azores Eco Lodge, on board Physeter or at a restaurant a few minutes walk from your accommodation.

Dates & Prices

All prices are per person (£) based on twin sharing but we can also quote for single supplements.  Prices are inclusive of flights from London based on standard economy fares/seats which are subject to limited availability.  Prices may increase based on availability when booking.

Accommodation

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Azores Eco Lodge – 5 nights

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1055

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1055

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Azores Eco Lodge – 9/11 nights

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1625

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Maximum group size: 12

Whale and Dolphin research trip dates for 2008
5 night trips	9/11 night trips
Mon 09th Jun to Sat 14th Jun 2008	Mon 19th May to Wed 28th May 2008
Fri 13th Jun to Wed 18th Jun 2008	Mon 09th Jun to Wed 18th Jun 2008
Thu 19th Jun to Tue 24th Jun 2008	Thu 19th Jun to Sat 28th Jun 2008
Mon 23th Jun to Sat 28th Jun 2008	Thu 10th Jul to Sat 19th Jul 2008
Thu 10th Julto Tue 15th Jul 2008	Mon 21st Jul to Wed 30th Jul 2008
Mon 14th Jul to Sat 19th Jul 2008	Thu 21st Aug to Sat 30th Aug 2008
Mon 21st Jul to Sat 26th Jul 2008	Mon 01st Sept to Fri 12th Sept 2008
Fri 25th Jul to Wed 30th Jul 2008	Sun 14th Sept to Thu 25th Sept 2008
Thu 31st Jul to Tue 05th Augt 2008	Sun 28th Sept to Thu 09th Oct 2008
Thu 21st Augt to Tue 26th Aug 2008

Price includes:
Accommodation on full board (except on shore days) sharing basis, airport transfers, slide show and talks, all boat costs, guide services, flights and airport taxes, pre-departure information booklet
Price excludes:
Meals as above, excursions on free days, travel insurance

Useful Information

What to take:
Waterproof, plastic bag for your camera, sun block etc, polarising filter(suggested)
Minimum age:
4 years
Duration:
5, 9 or 11 nights
Accommodation:
Azores Eco Lodge (Horta)
Operates:
May to October
Boat type:
Fibreglass catamaran (12 seater)

Species

Commonly seen Whales:
Sperm and Pilot whales
Commonly seen Dolphins:
Bottlenose, Common, Spotted, Risso’s and Striped dolphins
Occasionally seen Whales:
Blue, Fin, Sei, Minke, Beaked (Cuvier’s, Sowerby’s, True’s and Bottlenose), Humpback, Pygmy Sperm, Orca and False killer whales
Occasionally seen Dolphins:
Rough Toothed dolphin

Whale Watching Regulations

The main regulations for whalewatching in the Azores are:

• Cetaceans should not be chased
• Boats should not exceed the animal’s speed by more than 2 knots and should keep at a constant speed
• Boats must move in parallel behind each other and at 60 degrees to the rear of the cetaceans
• Boats should avoid sudden changes of direction when approaching an animal
• Boats should maintain a parallel course slightly to the rear of the animals, maintaining an open field of 180 degrees in front of the animals
• Avoid making any noises which may disturb or attract the animals
• Boats should not approach any cetacean closer than 50m
• Boats should not drive through a group of animals separating them, especially isolating the calves from the adults
• No more than 3 boats may approach dolphins closer than 300m at one time and whales closer than 500m
• Observation should not exceed 30 minutes equally divided between all vessels
• Sailing boats may only approach under engine power
• The use of sonar is not allowed, even outside the observation area
• Do not feed the whales or dolphins
• Do not throw litter or other waste in the water

Swimming with the whales is not allowed