Our whale and dolphin watching holiday on Faial is based in Horta. A bustling, cosmopolitan yachting harbour, Horta is also home to one of the few scrimshaw museums in the Azores. Scrimshaw, the art of engraving on whales’ teeth, was primarily born out of the boredom endured on board whaling vessels by the ships’ crews in the 19th century. This special artistry has now diminished due to the hunting ban and hence lack of whale teeth.
Twenty four of the planet’s 80 species of whales and dolphins have been sighted in the Atlantic waters of the Azores, making this one of the best places in the world for whale watching. The most frequently spotted cetaceans are the Sperm whale, Short-finned pilot whales, Common dolphin, Bottlenose dolphin, Atlantic spotted dolphin and Risso dolphin. Occasionally the False killer whale, Fin whale, Sowerby’s beaked whale and Blue whale are also spotted in these waters.
The whale watching season on Faial runs from April to October, with the height of the season being in July and August. In 2005 99% of our excursions recorded sightings of dolphins and 69% sightings of whales. Each excursion starts with a 15-minute briefing by a marine biologist, introducing the cetaceans of the Azores discussing their habitat, communication and behavioural patterns.
Day One - Tuesday - FAIAL: Arrive at Ponta Delgada airport and catch connecting flight to Horta, Faial (1 hour). Meet our local representative and transfer to the Hotel do Canal.
Days Two & Three: Depart Horta harbour at 8.30am for a whale and dolphin watching trip (3 hours). The afternoon is free.
Day Four: Free day to explore the town of Horta - the yacht harbour is world famous with transatlantic sailors, as is the popular drinking bar ‘Café Sport’ (also known as Peter’s Café)where you must try the local speciality ‘Gin & Tonic’ and visit the scrimshaw museum housed above the bar!
Day Five: Depart Horta harbour at 8.30am for a whale and dolphin watching trip (3 hours). After your excursion you will be transferred to the island of Pico where you will enjoy lunch in a local restaurant (5 minute unaccompanied walk). After lunch, depart for a tour of Pico visiting the island’s vineyards which cultivate the famous Pico ‘Verdelho’ wine, the whaler’s museum, the Sao Joao cheese factory and the lake of Capitao. Return to Faial by boat.
Day Six: Depart Horta harbour at 8.30am for a whale and dolphin watching trip (3 hours). The afternoon is free.
Day Seven – SAO MIGUEL: Transfer to Horta airport for a flight to Sao Miguel (1 hour). Transfer to the Hotel Royal Garden.
Day Eight: Transfer to Ponta Delgada airport for the return flight home.
* Saturday departures available from 03 May-20 September
(Please note that a different itinerary and price applies)
Saturday - FAIAL: Arrive at Ponta Delgada airport, meet our local representative and transfer to the Hotel Royal Garden in Ponta Delgada.
Sunday: Transfer to Ponta Delgada airport for a flight to Horta, Faial (1 hour). Meet our local representative and transfer to the Hotel do Canal in Horta.
Monday: Depart Horta harbour at 8.30am for a whale and dolphin watching trip (3 hours). The afternoon is free.
Tuesday: Free day to explore the town of Horta - the yacht harbour is world famous with transatlantic sailors, as is the popular drinking bar ‘Café Sport’ (also known as Peter’s Café) where you must try the local speciality ‘Gin & Tonic’ and visit the scrimshaw museum housed above the bar.
Wednesday - PICO: Depart Horta harbour at 8.30am for a whale and dolphin watching trip (3 hours). After your excursion you will be transferred to the island of Pico where you will enjoy lunch in a local restaurant (5 minute unaccompanied walk). After lunch, depart for a tour of Pico visiting the island’s vineyards which cultivate the famous Pico ‘Verdelho’ wine, the whaler’s museum, the Sao Joao cheese factory and the lake of Capitao. Return to Faial by boat and transfer to the Hotel do Canal.
Thursday: Depart Horta harbour at 8.30am for a whale and dolphin watching trip (3 hours). The afternoon is free.
Friday: Transfer to Horta airport for a flight to Sao Miguel (1 hour). Transfer to the Hotel Royal Garden in Ponta Delgada.
Saturday - SAO MIGUEL: Transfer to airport for flight home.
Prices include:
- Direct scheduled flight with SATA International from London Gatwick to Ponta Delgada (Sao Miguel)
- Inter island flights between Sao Miguel and Faial
- 7-nights accommodation on a bed & breakfast basis as detailed
- All tours including entrance fees as detailed in the tour.
- All transfers in the Azores as detailed in the tour
- Four 3-hour whale and dolphin watching trips. No transfers included to/from the whaling base
Notes:
- Rigid hull inflatable boats (Zodiac boats) carrying 7-12 people, are mainly used for these excursions. These boats have been carefully chosen to allow safe and fast access to the whales and dolphins and do not disturb the mammals.
- We can not guarantee that you will see a cetacean but it is unlikely that you should be so unlucky.
- Alternative accommodation on Faial can be arranged. Please telephone us for a quotation.
Important: Children aged 4yrs or under, pregnant woman or any person suffering from severe back problems are not allowed on the whale watching boats.
| No. of nights |
Accommodation |
Location |
| 6 |
Hotel do Canal |
Horta, Faial |
| 1 |
Hotel Royal Garden |
Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel |
See all holiday activities available on Faial >
