Overview

On the Whales & Birds of São Miguel holiday, spend a week staying in a lovely 4 star hotel in Ponta Delgada with trips out to see the whales and dolphins offshore and a unique guided birdwatching opportunity onshore.

Spend a day with our popular expert guide searching for birds around crater lakes or maybe visiting the Serra da Tronqueira in the mountainous east of the island, home to the endemic Azores Bullfinch. Atlantic Canary and the local subspecies of Common Buzzard, Blackcap, Chaffinch and Goldcrest should all also be seen along with Wood Duck, Pied-billed Grebe and Semipalmated Plover, gulls and terns.

As part of your Whales & Birds of São Miguel holiday you’ll also go out on two exciting half day whale and dolphin watching trips from Ponta Delgada marina. When you’re out at sea the species you’re most likely to spot are sperm and pilot whales, beaked whales and false killer whales, together with bottlenose, common, spotted, Risso’s and striped dolphin. If you come at the right time of year, you might also see blue, fin, sei, minke and humpback whales.

Itinerary

Fly London to São Miguel. Transfer to accommodation (10mins). Overnight in Ponta Delgada at Hotel do Colegio for 7 nights.
In the afternoon - 3 hour whale and dolphin watching trip from Ponta Delgada marina on board either a 8/12 seater RIB or larger catamaran. Please let us know if you have a preference of boat type.
Full day guided birdwatching tour including lunch. This is a mixed day out where we look for birds, insects and plants and find out more about the eco-systems which allow them to thrive. Due to the nature of the weather in the Azores and the vagaries of bird movements, the itinerary for the day is not set. However, our guide usually visits the Western Lakes in and around Sete Cidades to see local subspecies and Mosteiros (a fishing village on the west coast) to see shorebirds and seabirds. You may also see the Azores Bullfinch during your day. From May to October, he may take you to see the Citrine Forktail dragonfly colony, the only American dragonfly living in Europe and the only all-female population in the world. From mid-September to mid-April, you are likely to visit the central part of São Miguel to view migrants.
In the morning - 3 hour whale and dolphin watching trip from Ponta Delgada marina on board either a 8/12 seater RIB or larger catamaran. Please let us know if you have a preference of boat type.
Free day to explore.
Free day to explore.
Free day to explore.
Transfer to airport (10mins). Fly São Miguel to London

From £1334 per person

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

INCLUDED: International flights (guide price), accommodation on on B&B sharing basis, airport taxes, airport transfers, tours as described in the itinerary above. EXCLUDED: Meals not specified as above, insurance and additional excursions on free days. Supplement for Santo Cristo : please note there is a supplement 3/7 May 2018 during this festival.

Accommodation

You'll be based in the lovely 4 star Hotel do Colegio in the heart of the old part of Ponta Delgada, just 10 minutes walk from your whale watching boat. If you prefer other accommodation though, just let us know.

Activities

Ideal for wildlife enthusiasts everywhere, the Azores provide unique whale and bird watching opportunities.

Location

You will be based on the main island of São Miguel - a spectacular island and a must see if you've never visited the archipelago before.

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