This is such a popular week's holiday for our clients that many book it who aren't on honeymoon! Staying at Quinta do Mar on the south coast of São Miguel 5 minutes walk from the pretty port of Caloura is a real treat and undoubtedly our client's favourite place to stay on the island. The owners are great hosts, they cook wonderfully and the facilities are luxurious but within an informal setting. It couldn't be a better base for a relaxing honeymoon.

For your week, we include a hire car so you can explore the island and it's stunning scenery of volcanic craters, hot waterfalls, dramatic coastline and lovely old towns and villages at your own pace. No trip to the Azores is complete without seeing the whales and dolphins so, depending on when you go, we have included a whale and dolphin watching trip and a swimming with dolphins trip as well.

Archipelago Choice Gift List

We have various options for your guests and friends to make contributions towards your honeymoon. Once your 'ideal' honeymoon has been agreed, we give you a reference for your guests to quote. No amount is too small or too large and your guests can decide whether to make their gift anonymous or not.

What to take:
Waterproof, plastic bag for your camera, sun block etc, polarising filter(suggested)

Duration:
7 nights

Accommodation:
Quinta do Mar

Operates:
Direct flights - Saturdays (Gatwick) April to October
Also, daily scheduled services via Lisbon

Boat type:
Rigid Hull Inflatable (RIB - 12 seater)
On RIBs you usually sit astride a seat which runs down the middle of the boat (your bottom on the seat and feet on the deck)

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