Whalewatching tours are available from the larger islands such as sao miguel, terceira, sao jorge, pico and faial, making it a popular activity for visitors to these. Located right in the course of the gulf stream, the azores are also one of the areas richest with fish worldwide. Although whale season is almost over in october we went out on the. That said, sea conditions can get rougher during the winter season so the best time to visit the azores for boat trips is. The islands of sao miguel, and pico are two of the best places for dolphin and whale watching, so we did our research and chose futurismo, one of the first companies responsible for transitioning from whale hunting, to whale watching in the azores.
Season ends at the north american east coast with still good chances to see. The naturalists will be amazed by our plantsgeo tours and birdwatching. You can spot whales on the azores from the biggest islands. The whalewatching season runs from april to september, with april and may being the peak months where most whales species can be found roaming the azorean waters. 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. Whale watching in the azores cw azores operates march through october on the island of pico, in the central group of the azorean archipelago, where abundance of whales and dolphins and species diversity is highest.
Best month for whale watching azores forum tripadvisor. Dolphin and whale connection whale watching swimming with dolphins ethical dolphin and whale watching holidays. Over that period, the island archipelago of the azores is among the best places in the world to go whale watching. Actually, there are whales around each and every island, but not all of the islands offer whale watching trips. Blue whales, sperm whales and several dolphin species are some examples. Sperm whale the azores are known, in particular, because of its constant presence of sperm whales. Whale watching tours in the azores futurismo experiences. The best time for whale watching is the summer from april to october, though. This is an an ecosystem with unique characteristics. Whale watching in the azores islands is unquestionably one of the most exciting and unforgettable adventures. Whale watching and dolphins swimming in the azores islands, portugal. 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.
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. The azores island group is located in the central atlantic, 900 miles 1,450 kilometers off the portuguese mainland. Vacation whale watching activities in portugal expedia. Swimming with the wild dolpins of the azores archipelago is a life changing experience. The azores is one of the best places in the world to see whales and dolphins. It is an impressive figure and it corresponds to a third of the total number of existing species. 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. There are 80 species of whales in the world and 24 can be found in. Remember that in the azores the time of whale watching is dictated not by migratory rhythms of cetaceans but by atmospheric conditions.
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. The island chain was an important stop for new england whaleships of the 18th and 19th century, as it was a convenient place to refresh supplies, recruit crewmembers, and also to hunt for sperm whales, which frequented the deep waters. A week long whale watching holiday in the azores islands. Whale watching in august azores message board tripadvisor. 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. So the whale watching is reserved for the period between the months may and october. The azores are located about 850 miles 1,360 km off the coast of portugal.
Dive with whale sharks in azores snorkeling holidays top. Surrounded by several large tunas and countless other species of fish, these giants of the sea pass close to the archipelago as they make their way across the atlantic. The answer depends on which species you would like to see. Among resident and migrant species, common or rare, more than 20 different types of.
If youre in the azores and want to see whales and dolphins, then you have different options. The whale shark is a titan, known to reach up to 41. Azores best tips for whale watching on azores whaletrips. Spotted dolphins are more common during the summer, while blue whales can be easily spotted at the end of the winter. The operation areas, number of daily trips and other relevant factors are also limited. The commondolphin, the bottlenose dolphin, the risos dolphin and the sperm whale. See more ideas about azores, whale watching and whale. Yachtbased whale and dolphin research holidays to the azores archipelago.
Futurismo whale watching azores had an active role in the transition between the old whaling tradition and the sustainable tourism that is practised nowadays. The azores are north of the canary islands and madeira, on roughly the same latitude as lisbon and washington dc. Whale watching in the azores espaco talassa pico island. Among the resident and migratory species, some common, some rarer, you can see more than 24 different types of cetaceans in. Peak season is from april through to october whilst in the spring, the larger migratory species are passing thr.
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. There 80 species of whales in the world and in the azores may be observed 21 and it is normal to find them throughout the year, including the blue whale. Whale watching in the azores go world travel magazine. More than 30% of all the worlds types of whales and dolphins pass the azores on their annual travels between arctic and tropical waters. Please click below to download the publication 434kb, pdf. Among resident and migrant species, common or rare, more than 20 different types of cetaceans can be spotted in the azores. Jul 16, 2014 the whale shark is a titan, known to reach up to 41. We are based in lajes do pico, recognised as one of the top 10 best spots for whale watching in the world. Most tours start at the islands of san miguel, faial and pico, and are usually done by high speedzodiacs for up to 12 persons. Dive with whale sharks in azores snorkeling holidays. Diving with whale sharks santa maria island diving with the worlds largest fish in clear waters is undoubtedly one of the best diving experiences of the azores. Whale watching in the azores orca whales jumping youtube. Serge left in front of his whale watching base on pico. 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.
The best whale watching and swimming with dolphins location in europe, and a beautiful adventure playground in a very top sustainable islands holidays destination. 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. We have almost 30 years of experience of whale watching in the azores. Best time to visit the azores responsible vacation. We are based in lajes do pico, recognised as one of the top 10 best spots for whale watching in the world we use small and efficient boats with limited size groups in order to limit the impact on wildlife. The vessel is a whalewatching and scientific twohull catamaran, and for part of the year, chris and his wife lisa lead scientific expeditions into the azorean waters. The azores, a remote portuguese archipelago in the north atlantic ocean, sit within one of the worlds largest whale sanctuaries. This is the north coast of sao miguel island where the whales swim close to the shore. When is the best time to see whales and dolphins in the. 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. Whaletrips azores best tips for whale watching on azores. Azores is a true paradise for nature lovers with blue lakes smothered in flowers, deep verdant craters of dormant volcanoes and breathtaking landscapes from the mountains.
We are a team of researchers and field biologists univ. Whale watching holidays the azores the azores holidays. There are numerous organizations that offer azores whale watching tours. The azores are currently one of the worlds largest whale sanctuaries. More than a third of all cetaceans species can be sighted here throughout the year.
Join an exciting marine wildlife tour with biologists and naturalist guides, to see and learn more about whales, dolphins, turtles, fish, birds, and the season. Blue whale migration 2020 is a special whale watching and research program for. Air temperatures range from 1726c during the season with mainly sunshine but occasional rainy days should be expected throughout the summer. Dolphin and whale connection whale watching swimming. During this time we have many fin whales, blue whales and sei whales passing the azores on their annual. Or enjoy the colorful autumn on the azores with trillions of flowers. Join an exciting marine wildlife tour with biologists and naturalist guides, to see and learn more about whales, dolphins, turtles, fish, birds, and the season s marine biodiversity of the azores islands.
From today, direct flights to the azores from the uk return for their summer season, with a weekly nonstop link from gatwick to the largest island. The azores is an archipelago of nine islands, in the north atlantic ocean, and part of the country of portugal. Miguel island, azores whale watching activity provides the opportunity to watch up to twenty cetacean species that can be found in the ocean waters of the azores islands. Whale watching in the azores with only 20 participants you get the feeling that you are on an adventure and not just another trip with the masses of tourists. The waters surrounding the nine volcanic islands are frequented by some 24 whale and dolphin species, representing more than a quarter of all cetaceans. The best time to visit the azores is quite simply whenever you get the chance. 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. There are 80 species of whales in the world and 24 can be found in the waters around the azores. Enjoy the whales, dolphins and other marine life of the azores. Azores whale watching and dolphins is known to be among the best in the world.
In addition to resident species, such as common dolphins and common bottlenose dolphins, with which you can swim, there are also the whales that pass through the azores in their migration routes. The best periode to see whales in the azores is from spring or better may to september there is no ship or boat from lisbon to the azores, only the ferry durng may to the begginig of october between the islands, and the interislands beetween faial, pico and s. Whale sharks escape warming in azores live science. Whalewatching in the azores which whales to see and when. The main season runs from april all the way through the summer to october and during these months different species pass by the azores on their migratory paths april and may are usually a good time to go for a chance to see the larger whales such as blue, fin and sei whales, whilst october can be a good time to spot humpbacks. 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. Whilst visiting the azores in 20, i had the privilege to go whale watching and see the extraordinary orca whales orcinus orca or more commonly known as killer whales up close. There are four animals that swim in these waters all year long.
The whaleplanner october a whale watching infographic whaletrips. In general, the best time of the year to see whales in the azores is during the spring time, with april and may being our strongest months. Temperatures are rarely lower than 14c, and they dont tend to get much higher than 25c, which makes it perfectly pleasant all year round. 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. The island chain was an important stop for new england whaleships of. 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. 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. Freed from the pressure of the whalers, taking benefits of the clean waters and abundant food, the whales remain near the islands throughout the year, being easily sighted and making the archipelago one of the best observation points of sperm whales in the world. Dolphin and whale connection whale watching swimming with. Lying about a third of way across the atlantic between portugal and north america, its the permanent or temporary home of more than a quarter of all known cetacean species mark carwardine, whale watching specialist.
Join us on one of our exciting whale watching holidays. How to go whale watching in the azores wapiti travel. Before the ban on whale hunting, these look outs were used to hunt the whales. Includes information about the area and the cetaceans living there, research project details, environmental policy, newsletter, and photos. The man featured in this photograph, antonio viera soares, was the harpooner that struck this massive sperm whale, while whaling off of the azores in may of 1965. Blue whale migration march 2020 cw azores whale watching. The azores, about 1600 km 992 miles off portugals coast, are basalt tips rising thousands of meters off the midatlantic ridge. Peak season is from april through to october whilst in the spring, the larger migratory species are passing through. Mobydicktours is a company that allows you to enjoy our beautiful sea landscape of the azores and enjoy the best that we have to offer. Includes information about the area and the cetaceans living there, research project details, environmental policy, newsletter, and. Whales and dolphins are in the ocean around the azores all day long. We offer azores whale watching, swimming with dolphins, snorkeling, van and jeep half or full day tours and hiking, trail, walking tours volcanoes and forests throughout the year.
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. Swimming with dolphins imagine yourself immersed in the deep blue sea with the dolphins kayaking and sup this is definitely the best way to enjoy the magical nature of the azores. Jul 12, 20 whilst visiting the azores in 20, i had the privilege to go whale watching and see the extraordinary orca whales orcinus orca or more commonly known as killer whales up close. By 1998 eight tour operators were running tours from the village of only 400 permanent inhabitants, with some running two boats, each making up to two trips per. Whale watching and a trip to vila franca do campo islet a natural reserve for snorkeling and more. During 9 night tours we average 67 species 46 on the short break tours of whale and. From the biggest and in my opinion, also the most beautiful island. Whale watching futurismo azores adventures, ponta delgada. Whale and dolphin watching holidays in azores vacations in. The azores changed from hunting whales, to whale watching and researching the cetaceans.
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. Our whale watching trips have a strong educational element with multimedia briefings before each trip and debriefings on return to shore. Whens the best time to go whale watching in the azores. Trips last around 3 hours and you can choose to go out in the morning. Oct 16, 2017 whale watching in azores islands portugal. The azores islands are considered to be one of the 10 best destinations in the world to see whales and dolphins collectively known as cetaceans. We use small and efficient boats with limited size groups in order to limit the impact on wildlife. During 9 night tours we average 67 species 46 on the short break tours of whale and dolphin, including sperm whales and several species of dolphin. Before the whale watching trip a briefing is given to go over the characteristics of the species to be observed as well as safety measures aboard, procedures of.
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