Isla Terceira : Natación con Delfines + Snorkel

The activity is divided into two periods: swimming with dolphins in the morning, and snorkeling in the afternoon. The dolphin excursion was amazing! Some of this was due to luck of the calm weather and seas, and (unknowing ;)) cooperation of the large pod of spotted dolphins we found. Some was also the skill of the boat captain, and the excellent communication of our guide. The dolphins did not seem habituated to humans, which is a good thing because I don't want to swim in a zoo. I have been spoiled by past snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef, and in Hawaii, so I don't think I would sign up for the snorkeling activity again because, for me, there wasn't much to see, and there was some current (we were not given fins). The ?3mm wetsuit did ok in the cooler water, and I was fine getting into the water from the side of the boat, and coming out on the ladder in the back - it was just a little slim on sea life next to the rocky shore. But finding and swimming next to those dolphins - wow! For me, that part was definitely the experience of a lifetime. This website asks if I would recommend this activity to a friend, and only gives the choice of yes or no. I would say maybe, depending on the friend. If they have been snorkeling elsewhere, maybe adjust expectations to enjoy the uniqueness of snorkeling in the Azores, rather than to see multitudes of fish and corals. And be sure to adjust expectations regarding the randomness of perfectly aligned wildlife and ocean conditions. This has nothing to do with the activity staff, who were kind, skillful, and knowledgeable.