Our whale and dolphin watching holiday on Faial is based in Horta. A bustling, cosmopolitan yachting harbour, Horta is 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’ crew in the 19th century. This special artistry has now diminished due to the hunting ban and hence lack of whale teeth.
Tuesday – FAIAL: Arrive at Ponta Delgada airport and
catch connecting flight to Horta, Faial (1 hour). Meet our local representative and transfer for your main stay at the Hotel do Canal >
Wednesday – Thursday: Depart Horta harbour at 08h30 for a whale and dolphin watching trip (3 hours). The afternoon is free.
Friday: 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.
Saturday: Depart Horta harbour at 08h30 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 (a 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.
Sunday: Depart Horta harbour at 08h30 for a whale and dolphin watching trip (3 hours). The afternoon is free.
Monday – SAO MIGUEL: Transfer to Horta airport for a flight to Sao Miguel (1 hour). Transfer for your last night at the Hotel Royal Garden >
Tuesday: Transfer to Ponta Delgada airport for the return flight home.
* Saturday departures available from 07 Apr - 29 September
(Please note that a different price may apply)
Saturday – SAO MIGUEL: Arrive at Ponta Delgada airport and transfer for 1 night at the Hotel Royal Garden >
Sunday - FAIAL
Transfer to Ponta Delgada airport for a flight to Horta, Faial (1-hour). Transfer tfor your 5 night stay the Hotel do Canal > Afternoon departure at 14h30 for a whale and dolphin trip (3-hours).
Monday: Depart Horta harbour at 08h30 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 08h30 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 back to the Hotel do Canal.
Thursday: Depart Horta harbour at 08h30 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.
Saturday: Transfer to Ponta Delgada airport for the return flight home.
Price includes:
■ 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 above.
■ All tours including entrance fees as detailed.
■ All transfers as detailed.
■ Four 3-hour whale and dolphin watching trips. No transfers included to/from the whaling base.
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 Faial can be arranged - Please telephone us for a quotation.
■ The Scrimshaw museum is located above Peter’s Café Sport in Horta – open daily.
Important: Children aged 4yrs or under, pregnant woman or any person suffering from severe back problems are not allowed on the whale watching boats.
See all holiday activities available on Faial >
