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 – and of the larger migratory species which pass through the islands in the springtime. 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 2024, (with availability as of 12th March – availability is good on the unmarked dates):

Nine-night trips

Sunday 5th – Tuesday 14th May – one place remaining

Sunday 19th- Tuesday 28th May – two places remaining

Sunday 2nd- Tuesday 11th June

Sunday 16th- Tuesday 25th June

Five-night trips

Sunday 5th – Friday 10th May – one place remaining

Thursday 9th – Tuesday 14th May – four places remaining

Sunday 19th – Friday 24th May – two places remaining

Thursday 23rd – Tuesday 28th May

Sunday 2nd- Friday 7th June

Thursday 6th – Tuesday 11th June

Sunday 16th – Friday 21st June

Thursday 20th – Tuesday 25th June

Itinerary

You'll begin by flying from the UK to the Azores. You can fly via Lisbon or via the main island of Sao Miguel - we can talk you through the various options.
Lisa will brief you on the week ahead before you head to sea for your first whale and dolphin watching trip.
You'll spend a full day at sea whale watching or a day in port, depending on weather and sea conditions. Horta's a friendly harbour town - her natural seaport was safe-haven from mid-Atlantic storms for transatlantic traders shipping gold, cinnamon and pepper between mainland Portugal and her colonies in Brazil.
A full day whale watching (weather permitting).
A shore day - you might like to explore Faial's iconic volcanic landscapes with visits to the Calbeco Gordo caldera and the Capelinhos peninsula.
A full day whale watching.
A full day whale watching.
A second shore day - you might like to head north to walk the Rocha da Faja trail to the pretty coastal of Praia do Norte.
A full day whale watching (weather permitting).
You'll be transferred to the airport for your flights home.

From £2950 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.

Accommodation

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