Our whale and dolphin watching holiday on Pico is based in the small village of Lajes do Pico. Dating from 1460, Lajes do Pico was the first real settlement on Pico and for many years was the island’s principal port and in turn the centre of the whaling industry in the Azores. Traditional hunting and culling of whales in the Azores was stopped in 1987. Three years later, the Azorean whale watching project ‘Men, Dolphins & Whales’ was created. The main aim of the project is to study and protect the marine environment and help educate the public about these magnificent mammals. ‘A Boca’ (Observation Base of Cetaceans in the Azores), the first Azorean whale Watching base in Lajes do Pico, was opened in 1995 in order to do just that.
Tuesday: Arrive at Ponta Delgada airport and catch a connecting flight to Horta, Faial (1 hour). Transfer to Pico by boat (30-minutes) and onto your 6 night stay at the Pension Whale’ Come ao Pico >
Wednesday: Depart at 08h30 for a whale and dolphin watching excursion (3 hours). After lunch, depart for a tour of Pico visiting the island’s vineyards which cultivate the famous Pico ‘Verdelho’ wine, whaler’s museum, Sao Joao cheese factory and the lake of Capitao. Return to Lajes do Pico.
Thursday – Sunday: Depart at 08h30 for a whale and dolphin watching excursion (3 hours). The afternoon is free. Back to Pension Whale' come ao Pico.
Monday: Transfer to Pico airport for flight to Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel (1 hour). Transfer to the Hotel Vila Nova >
Tuesday: Transfer to Ponta Delgada airport for the return flight home.
Prices includes:
■ Direct scheduled flights with SATA International from London
Gatwick to Ponta Delgada (Sao Miguel).
■ Inter-island flights from Sao Miguel to Faial, returning from Pico to Sao Miguel.
■ 7-nights accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis as detailed.
■ All tours including entrance fees as detailed above.
■ All transfers as detailed.
■ Five 3-hour Whale and dolphin watching trips from the base at Lajes do Pico.
* Saturday departures available from 02 May – 26 September
(Please note that a different price applies)
Saturday: Arrive at Ponta Delgada airport and transfer for 1 night at the Hotel Vila Nova >
Sunday: Transfer to Ponta Delgada airport for flight to Pico (1-hour). Transfer to Lajes do Pico for 5 nights at the Pension Whale’ Come ao Pico >
Monday: Depart Pico harbour at 08h30 for a whale and dolphin watching trip (3-hours). After lunch, depart for a tour of Pico visiting the island’s vineyards which cultivate the famous Pico ‘Verdelho’ wine, whaler’s museum, Sao Joao cheese factory and the lake of Capitao. Return to Lajes do Pico.
Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday: Depart at 08h30 for a whale and dolphin watching excursion (3-hours). The afternoon is free.
Friday: Transfer to Pico airport for flight to Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel (1 hour). Transfer for last night at the Hotel Vila Nova.
Saturday: Transfer to Ponta Delgada airport for the return flight home.
Tour notes:
■ The boats used for these excursions are Zodiacs (small, 6 metre long, rigid hull inflatables) carrying 7-12 people. 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 whale but it is unlikely that you should be so unlucky.
■ Alternative accommodation on Pico can be arranged at a supplement. Please telephone us on 020 8758 4722 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.
All holiday activities available on Pico >
