Overview
Our Whale and Dolphin Watching Research Holidays provide a fascinating insight into the cetacean populations of the Azores.
With the help of resident biologist Lisa Steiner, you’ll observe whales and dolphins in their natural environment, discovering how individual animals are identified, how population data is collected, and how whale tourism helps to support study and conservation.
Lisa’s been researching Azorean cetaceans for over twenty years, collating sightings from her base on the small island of Faial to give a year-on-year record of the lives of the resident cetacean populations. Depending on the size of the research group, Lisa operates two types of boat: larger groups head to sea onboard the Physeter catamaran, and for smaller groups Lisa will switch to a Rigid Inflatable Boat. Lunches and dinners are also included on whale and dolphin watching days. There’s advantages to either boat and you’ll have the same knowledgeable guide and group experience whichever boat is used on the day.
You’ll have time ashore to explore the beautiful landscapes of Faial: on the five-night research trip there’s one shore day, and for nine-night trips there are two. Faial’s weather can be changeable due to it’s mid-Atlantic location – flexibility is key and Lisa is adept at adapting your schedule to allow you the maximum amount of time at sea.
The sea conditions tend to be most stable in the summer months of June and July, when trips concentrate on the resident species of dolphins and sperm whales. April and May are usually the best months to sight the larger migratory species such and Blue and Fin whales.
Here’s a full list of the trip dates for 2026:
Nine-night trips
Sunday 3rd May – Tuesday 12th May 2026
Sunday 17th May – Tuesday 26th May 2026
Sunday 31st May – Tuesday 9th June 2026
Sunday 14th June – Tuesday 23rd June 2026
Five-night trips
Sunday 3rd May – Friday 8th May 2026
Thursday 7th May – Tuesday 12th May 2026
Sunday 17th May – Friday 22nd May 2026
Thursday 21st May – Tuesday 26th May 2026
Sunday 31st May – Friday 5th June 2026
Thursday 4th June – Tuesday 9th June 2026
Sunday 14th June – Friday 19th June 2026
Thursday 18th June – Tuesday 23rd June 2026
Itinerary
From £3,450 per person
We can create a tailor-made holiday to suit your budget.
INCLUDED: accommodation on a B&B basis in a shared twin/double ensuite room, lunch and evening meals on sea days, airport transfers, flights from London to the Azores. Lunch and dinner are not included on shore days.
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