Azores Whale Watching Tour – Ponta Delgada
Description
Biologist-Guided Experience – Our tours are always accompanied by professional marine biologists who provide live commentary, species identification, and fascinating insights into whale behavior and marine conservation. Land-Based Lookouts (Vigias) – We use traditional lookout points on land to spot whales and dolphins before the boats even leave the marina. This local method dramatically increases our chances of successful sightings. Ethical Wildlife Observation – At Picos de Aventura, we prioritize respectful and non-invasive approaches to wildlife, ensuring that our encounters do not disturb the animals or their natural behaviors. Scenic Azorean Backdrop – The dramatic coastline of São Miguel and the deep blue Atlantic create a stunning setting for your adventure. Comfort & Choice – Whether you prefer the adrenaline of a rigid inflatable speedboat or the stability of a catamaran, we offer different vessels to suit your comfort level and adventure style.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Meeting Point: Start your adventure at our headquarters in the Marina of Ponta Delgada. Please arrive 15–20 minutes before departure to check in and get ready for your experience. Safety Briefing & Introduction (15–20 minutes) Our team of expert marine biologists will welcome you and give a detailed safety briefing. You’ll also learn about the marine species you might encounter, local conservation efforts, and what to expect during the tour. Departure from the Marina After the briefing, we’ll board the boat and set off into the Atlantic Ocean in search of whales, dolphins, and other marine life. Our biologists will accompany you throughout the trip, offering fascinating insights and helping identify each species we encounter.
Whale & Dolphin Watching (2 to 3 hours) Spend up to 3 hours at sea, guided by our experienced crew and biologists. Sightings vary depending on the day, but you may encounter sperm whales, dolphins, and possibly even baleen whales or other migratory species. The tour combines the thrill of spotting wildlife with informative commentary and breathtaking views of the coastline. Return to the Marina After the tour, we return to our headquarters where your guides are available for any final questions or to share more about the sightings of the day.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- We offer tours on 2 different types of boats: A zodiac-style rigid inflatable speedboat, designed for speed, safety, and a thrilling close-to-the-water experience OR or a modern Catamaran with plenty of space to move around where you can relax inside the covered cabin or soak up the views from the open-air upper deck. This larger boat offers a more comfortable experience and amenities like toilets for your convenience. Perfect for families with small children.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
- Weather conditions may limit the participation of children due to safety concerns.
Reviews(836)
We had a terrrific time on this excursion. The crew was knowledgeable and attentive and our time on the water was fun and educational
Our original booking had to be cancelled due to rough seas but we were able to book in for the following day and fortunately it went ahead (tip to have as much flexibility as possible) We were on the water for about 3 hrs and saw hundreds of friendly dolphins, a whale, some beautiful and rarely seen false orcas and an inquisitive turtle! The guide was super informative and we came back with big smiles on our faces.
Excellent trip, we saw lots of whales and dolphins.
Seen at least 10 dolphins and 2 whales. Nice explanation and in the end the captain became just as enthusiastic with sailing. Truly wonderful experience
Excellent experience. Whale jumped out of water and dived.Lots of dolphins.
Rain jackets and life vests are provided. The tour is conducted in English, but our guide was also proficient in German. It is a rather small speedboat (about 20-25 people in groups of 3-4) and it rocks quite a bit. Not recommended for those affected by motion sickness. The organization was good and the trip was simply fantastic; we saw sperm whales and two species of dolphins. Our guide explained everything fantastically and with enthusiasm, answering all questions. I would do it again immediately, and it is suitable for all ages.
10/10 would recommend. For reference, I am a young woman who likes to solo travel. I was debating between the fast boats or the catamaran and wasn't sure if I made the right decision, as people were saying the speed boats allow you to see more and feel closer to the animals and that the catamaran is crowded. But that wasn't my experience, though each trip is entirely different as it all depends on what the animals want to grace us with. But my group was honored to see a Sperm Whale, a large group of Spotted Atlantic dolphins, a small group of common dolphins, three men of war, and about 6 flying fish (don't take your eyes off the water if you want to catch them). I wasn't seasick at all it wasn't a windy day so the water was nice at still at 9:00am, I always had a good view and both sets of dolphins swam right beside the boat following us (like 1m away) it was magical. They even took us to the Island of Vila Franco since we were so good on time. There is a bathroom on board. They say you can't go if you have high anxiety (in their list of not pregnant, no heart problems, etc. ) which I thought was weird but I'm assuming they mean a fear of boats, water, swimming, animals, etc. not sure, I'd recommend they be more specific as someone with general anxiety would be just fine (me :) ). They must have had a bad experience in the past. Thank you, Team! God bless!
I recommend! We were lucky to observe 2 cachalotes and hundreds of dolphins. Staff members were very attentive and dynamic.
We were first taken for a brief explanation. For people with back problems, seasickness or women who are pregnant, this tour is not suitable and we also discovered why. During the tour you will be asked several times if you are ok. The biologists on board talk enthusiastically about the dolphins and whale we have seen. Very rewarding!!
There was a real effort to spot as many animals as possible. We have seen 2 species of dolphins and sailed a long way to get to a whale. Unfortunately, it had just gone under again. We were only back in port at 12.30pm, so they really took their time for the best results. Friendly staff and good organization! We did another tour at the same organization and that was great too!
