Overview

The Azores are Europe’s #1 destination for blue whale watching.

The seas around the Azores are one of the best places to observe cetaceans and ocean wildlife: resident species of bottlenose dolphins, sperm whales, loggerhead turtles and blue sharks can be seen throughout the year. For this very special holiday, the mission is also to sight the bigger baleen species – blue whales and fin whales as they pass through the waters of the Azores on their spring migration.

On our Blue Whale Watching holiday, you’ll spend a week with one of our favourite crews in the Azores: the team at Terra Azul. We’ve been working with Terra Azul for over twenty years – since their creation back in 2000 by local naturalist and whaling historian Miguel Cravinho. It’s Miguel’s philosophy that permeates through the whole team: whale watching and whale tourism helping to support wildlife studies and conservation.

As you’d expect, blue whale season doesn’t begin and end on precisely the same dates each year. Based on Terra Azul’s experience and their many years of sightings data, we’ll be offering this holiday between 1st April and 30th May – historically the best period for spotting migratory whales.

You’ll also have some downtime on dry land – time to relax and explore the spectacular landscapes across Sao Miguel with our resident guides, including visits to the famous hot springs at Furnas and the Vista do Rei viewpoint at Sete Cidades. We’re also offering a choice of accommodation at two of the best boutique hotels on the island: the historic Convento Sao Francisco in Vila Franco do Campo or the boutique Quinta do Mar in the peaceful south coast village of Caloura.

Itinerary

You’ll begin your holiday by flying to the main Azores island of Sao Miguel. You’ll be collected on arrival by our driver for the transfer to your accommodation in south-coast town of Vila Franca do Campo.
You’ll head down to the local marina for the first of six whale and dolphin watching trips, and you’ll spend the afternoon exploring historic Vila Franca with our resident guide.
You’ll return to the marina this morning for your second whale and dolphin watching trip. In the afternoon, you’ll take a drive to a drive up to the summit of Pico da Barrosa (947m) for a birdseye view of Lagoa do Fogo (the Lake of Fire) and a dip in the geothermal pools at Caldera Velha.
After your third whale and dolphin watching trip, you’ll meet up with Senhor Miguel Cravinho – the founder of Terra Azul and the island’s foremost authority on whaling history and cetacean conservation. Miguel will show you on-board his reconstructed whaling boat, the Senhora de Fatima, followed by a tour of the Vigia da Furada whale spotter’s lookout.
Your day begins with your fourth whale and dolphin trip. In the afternoon, you’ll explore Sete Cidades: the largest caldera on the island, with visits to the famous Vista do Rei viewpoint, Lagoa Verde, Lagoa Azul and geothermal seapools at Ferraria.
It’s back to the marina for your fifth whale and dolphin trip. After lunch, you’ll meet Terra Azul’s resident marina biologists, where you’ll learn of the crucial role whale watching plays in supporting their continuing research.
Today begins your sixth and final whale and dolphin trip. In the afternoon, you’ll head east to explore the Furnas valley – home to the 200-year-old Terra Nostra botanical gardens and the Azores’ most famous geothermal swimming pool.
You’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight home.

From £2300 per person

We can create a tailor-made holiday to suit your budget.

INCLUDED: international flights, accommodation in twin/double en-suite rooms on a B&B basis, return airport transfers, six half-day whale and dolphin watching trips, a marine biologist and whaling history session, and three half-day guided tours.

Location

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