Jul 27, 2014 whale watching in the azores as the lush atlantic isles celebrate 30 years since the end of whaling, rebecca ford searches for the gentle creatures of the deep. Before the ban on whale hunting, these look outs were used to hunt the whales. Youll also visit pico islands whaling museum and cetaceans observation base, and discover the island of terceira on a fullday tour. The most sighted are the sperm whale, sei whale, fin whale, pilot whale, mink whale, common dolphin, bottlenose dolphin, atlantic spotted dolphin, striped dolphin, and rissos dolphin. Still little tourist frequentation, high quantity and diversity of wales observed, little visual pollution, with the mountain of pico as background. From the biggest and in my opinion, also the most beautiful island. The azores changed from hunting whales, to whale watching and researching the cetaceans. The azores are located about 850 miles 1,360 km off the coast of portugal. Join an exciting marine wildlife tour with biologists and naturalist guides, to see and learn more about whales, dolphins, turtles, fish, birds, and the.
The azores are europes leading whale watching destination, home to sperm and pilot whales, beaked whales and false killer whales, and bottlenose, common and northatlantic spotted dolphins. Marinas all along the algarve coastline offer whale and dolphin watching trips, however, its the waters around portugals islands where the countrys best whale watching awaits. Join us on one of our exciting whale watching holidays. Whale watching opportunity to take a boat trip alongside whales and dolphins. Their geographic location in the atlantic between europe and the americas puts the azores in the unique position to enjoy a perfect balance of seclusion and visitation from transatlantic explorers. Fin whales, humpback whales, sperm whales and dolphins are just some of the wonderful cetaceans that youll be watching out for on this magical wildlife holiday. A week long whale watching holiday in the azores islands. Our small group, blue whale tour in the azores is an incredible opportunity to observe these giants in their natural habitat, and sightings over the past few years have been exceptional. Sete cidades adventure tour, whale watching, vila franca do. The islands of the azores are also a geopark a nationally protected area which works closely with unesco and recognised as an important area for whale and dolphin watching with some 25 different species. These animals can be seen in many places around the azores but the waters around the islands of pico and sao jorge harbour some of my favourite spots. Some of the greatest migratory cycles of the natural world come to the protected atlantic islands of the azores every year, in late spring and early summer. Dolphin and whale connection whale watching swimming with dolphins ethical dolphin and whale watching holidays. For over 20 years we have specialised in responsible dolphin and whale holidays in the.
Enjoy your whale and dolphin watching holidays in the azores, portugal. The azores are ideally located in the middle of the atlantic ocean and are considered one of the ten best places in the world to watch whales and dolphins. There are 80 species of whales and dolphins on the planet and 2425 of them have been sighted off the coast of the azores depending on the source of information. More information here whale watching in the azores in the early summer months is the best time to see the baleen whales largest whales on their migration routes to the feeding grounds of the northern atlantic passing close to the. Futurismo azores adventures ponta delgada all you need. For such a farflung string of islands, the azores dish out a broad range of activities and experiences. Futurismo azores adventures ponta delgada 2020 all you. Peak season is from april through to october whilst in the spring, the larger migratory species are passing thr. Much like their balmy annual temperatures, the whalewatching opportunities in the azores are excellent yearround, but travel between february and april to. There are four animals that swim in these waters all year long.
Help a team of researchers and scientists in the azores with an ongoing study of sperm whales, and learn more about. The azores are currently one of the worlds largest whale sanctuaries. Whale and dolphin watching holidays in azores vacations. Holidays to azores island hopping available now from explore worldwide. Its crystalclear waters, the abundance of food, the absence of large scale pollution, and the legal protection provided to the. The atlantic ocean, the archipelago of the azores, is on a migration route for many species of cetaceans, making it one of the best places in the world for whale and dolphin watching activity. Located about halfway between lisbon and new york, the azores are a volcanic group of islands that belong to portugal. Between 2008 and 2017 we have registered more than 11 thousand sightings in a universe of more than 20 different whale and dolphin species. To the east, on the island of santa maria, the beaches of warm white sand are inviting, and the vineyards covering the slopes like an amphitheatre resemble giant staircases. Family activity holiday to the azores islands activities abroad. April to september is peak whale watching season in the azores, with spring and early summer the best time to spot the blue whale the mightiest mammal on the planet.
Today youll drive to the town of lajes, for a threehour whale and dolphin watching trip from the local marina. It is the largest and most comfortable whale watching boat operating on sao miguel island. Before leaving for the sea, a brief explanation is given by a marine biologist on how species can be spotted, safety measures and codes of conduct for cetacean observation. This video includes footage from two whale watching trips. The whaleplanner september a whale watching infographic. To be in the azores and especially in lajes do pico, undoubtedly one of the 10 best spots for whale watching in the world, and for sure the best in the azores. Whale watching holidays the azores the azores holidays. Its particularly refreshing to see the mammals rather than the humans determining the amount of interaction. The portuguese islands of the azores sit conveniently in the middle of the midatlantic feeding grounds of the worlds largest animal. If youre in the azores and want to see whales and dolphins, then you have different options. It certainly doesnt sound like the islands are part of europe but and once you are there, its often hard to believe that you are not in somewhere far further flung like hawaii or new zealand.
Rentacar lowcost em sao miguel acores rent a moto, autocaravanas e passeios guiados. Dolphin and whale connection whale watching our holidays. As well as watching the whales and swimming with the dolphins in the azores, it is also possible to film or photograph them underwater while diving. Among the resident and migratory species, some common, some rarer, you can see more than 24 different types of cetaceans in the waters of the azores. This is an an ecosystem with unique characteristics. Whale watching and snorkelling with dolphins are usually list toppers. No two tours have the same itinerary since we go where the whales and dolphins are. Peak season is from april through to october whilst in the spring, the larger migratory. In may and june, baleen whales including blue, sei, fin and humpback whales pass through these waters on their annual migration to their summer feeding grounds in the north.
Whale watching in the azores activity holidays travel. Nine green dots in the vastness of the atlantic ocean, the azores are currently considered one of the best places for whalewatching in the world. How to get there azores dolphin and whale connection. The azores is one of the best places in the world to see whales and dolphins. Watch for whales and dolphins on this special holiday in the azores. Tourist frequentation is still small, the quantity and diversity of the whales observed is high, theres little visual pollution and pico mountain lies in the background. You can spot whales on the azores from the biggest islands. Aug, 2012 this video includes footage from two whale watching trips. Futurismo is a big reference in the whale watching in the azores with about 30 years of knowledge.
In fact, you can see whales in the azores year round, but the best time to spot them is probably around spring and summer april, may, june and july. Fin whales, humpback whales, sperm whales and dolphins are just some of the wonderful cetaceans that youll be watching out for on this magical wildlife holiday in the unspoilt islands of the azores set off with your expert host for three halfday whale watching trips in the waters of three of the islands that make up this. Among resident and migrant species, common or rare, more than 20 different types of cetaceans can be spotted in the azores. The azores, and especially lajes do pico, is undoubtedly one of the 10 best whale watching spots in the world, and for sure the best in the azores. Dazzle yourself with our lagoons of serene and poetic beauty. The azores also provide a haven for sea birds and migratory birds crossing the north atlantic so it really is a must for nature lovers. An 9day holiday on pico in the centre of the azores archipelago, timed to coincide with the arrival of migrating fin, sei and blue whales, which join resident. Swimming with the wild dolpins of the azores archipelago is a life changing experience. Description of whale watching in the azores with so many species of whales and dolphins surrounding this archipelago, this is one of the best places in the world to witness these marine mammals up close, with sightings on 99 percent of whale watching trips to sea. An 8day holiday on sao miguel in the eastern azores, timed to coincide with the arrival of migrating fin, sei and blue whales, which join resident sperm. Please visit the links on the left to view our whale and dolphin watching in the azores programme, swimming with wild dolphins in the azores programme, accommodation options, prices and how to book page. Whale watching in the azores islands is unquestionably one of the most exciting and unforgettable adventures. With 30 years of experience, futurismo azores adventures is one of the largest active tourism companies in the azores with sea and land excursions in two islands. Over that period, the island archipelago of the azores is among the best places in the world to go whale watching.
Mother nature has created a land full of natural beauty, ready to be explored, in the blue immensity of the atlantic ocean. Whale watching and dolphins swimming in the azores islands, portugal. Why choose espaco talassa for whale watching holidays in the. Get a fabulous introduction to the azores on this action packed family activity holiday, based on.
Whens the best time to go whale watching in the azores. All of the hotels are located in the coastal town of ponta delgada. Futurismo azores adventures active holidays in sao miguel. Azores whale watching and dolphins is known to be among the best in the world. Dolphin and whale connection whale watching swimming with. For management purposes, the international whaling commission iwc has included the azores archipelago in the east greenland and iceland stocks, but there is little evidence to. Vacation whale watching activities in portugal expedia. Description of blue whale tour in the azores the portuguese islands of the azores sit conveniently in the middle of the midatlantic feeding grounds of the worlds largest animal. The seas around the azores are one of the best places to observe cetaceans and ocean wildlife. The azores, in the middle of the atlantic ocean, is an archipelago of nine islands showing nature in its purest state, and one of the largest whale sanctuaries in the world.
Were the uk experts for azores holidays for imaginative island hopping holidays, breathtaking whale watching holidays and unforgettable family holidays. We are the only company that can offer a wide variety of ways to get to know the island of sao miguel. Whale and dolphin watching holidays in azores vacations in. If the cetaceans seem to be agitated in any way then the boat must leave the area, and as a rule boats shouldnt stay in the vicinity of the same whale for more than half an hour. The azores island group is located in the central atlantic, 900 miles 1,450 kilometers off the portuguese mainland. Our small group, blue whale tour in the azores is an incredible opportunity to observe these giants in their natural habitat, and sightings over the. The best whale watching and swimming with dolphins location in europe, and a beautiful adventure playground in a very top sustainable islands holidays destination. It is an impressive figure and it corresponds to a third of the total number of existing species. Includes information about the area and the cetaceans living there, research project details, environmental policy, newsletter, and. We have been active since 2007 and are always looking for new ways to satisfy your best wishes.
Join an exciting marine wildlife tour with biologists and naturalist guides, to see and learn more about whales, dolphins, turtles, fish, birds, and the seasons marine biodiversity of the azores islands. The unspoilt islands of the azores are famed for their stunning natural beauty of rugged cliffs, volcanic craters, towering peaks and bubbling hot springs. We are a young company, based in ponta delgada on the island of sao miguel azores, with extensive experience in providing tourism services. Whale watching in the azores gives you a good chance to see the blue whale, the biggest mammal on earth. The azores archipelago is one of the prime whale and dolphin hotspots in the world and around 30% of the worlds known cetacean species have been recorded there. Dolphin and whale watching holiday in the azores islands. There are so many species of whales in the azores and the ones we most frequently see are sperm and pilot whales, beaked whales and false killer whales. One from ponta delgada on sao miguel island and a second from lajes on pico island. Actually, there are whales around each and every island, but not all of the islands offer whale watching trips.
Whale watching in madeira is an activity which is truly unique, spectacular and fascinating. Whale watching in the azores as the lush atlantic isles celebrate 30 years since the end of whaling, rebecca ford searches for the gentle creatures of the deep. Tours operate from march to october and are of either 5, 7 or 9 nights duration. This tour offers a flavour of three of these islands sao miguel, terceira and faial which are scattered like jewels in the atlantic ocean. The commondolphin, the bottlenose dolphin, the risos dolphin and the sperm whale. Whalewatching in the azores which whales to see and when. Yachtbased whale and dolphin research holidays to the azores archipelago. Includes information about the area and the cetaceans living there, research project details, environmental policy, newsletter, and photos. Active holidays in the azores islands artisan travel. Whale watching in the azores is unique and offers some of the best sightings in the world as we are assisted by the vigia, local land based lookouts. Sitting in the middle of the atlantic ocean is portugals nineisland archipelago, the azores. Among the resident and migratory species, some common, some rarer, you can see more than 24 different types of cetaceans in.
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