Overview
Our whale and dolphin watching research holidays provide a fascinating insight into the cetacean populations of 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 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 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 2023:
Nine-night trips
Sunday 23rd April – Tuesday 2nd May
Sunday 7th – Tuesday 16th May
Sunday 21st – Tuesday 30th May
Sunday 18th – Tuesday 27th June
Five-night trips
Sunday 7th – Friday 12th May
Thursday 11th – Tuesday 16th May
Sunday 21st – Friday 26th May
Thursday 25th – Tuesday 30th May
Sunday 4th – Friday 9th June
Thursday 8th – Tuesday 13th June
Sunday 18th – Friday 23rd June
Thursday 22nd – Tuesday 27th June
Itinerary
Guide price £2,950 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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