Dating from 1460, Lajes do Pico was the first real settlement on the island and, for many years, the principal port and 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 whalewatching base in Lajes do Pico, was opened in 1995 in order to do just that.

 

Whale Watching Holiday on Pico includes: 

 

■ Saturday scheduled flights with SATA International from London Gatwick or
Manchester to Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel.

■ Accommodation on bed and breakfast basis as follows:
   1 night  -  Hotel Vila Nova, Sao Miguel

   5 nights - Pension Whale’ Come ao Pico Pico
   1 night  -  Hotel Vila Nova, Sao Miguel

■ All transfers, inter-island flights and tours including entrance fees.

■ Four 3-hour whale and dolphin watching excursions.

■ Tour of Pico including the island’s vineyards which cultivate the famous Pico ‘Verdelho’ wine, whaler’s museum and the lake of Capitao.

View our Azores holiday prices here >

 

Pico Whale watching notes:
■ Minimum child age is 5 years (accompanied by parent or guardian).
■ Daily 3-hour excursions depart at 08:30 or 13:30 – schedules to be advised
   locally depending on weather conditions.
■ Apr to Oct is the best period to see whales off Pico.
■ Briefing by a marine biologist (c.30- minute talk).
■ Zodiac boats (small, rigid hull inflatables carrying up to 14 people) are used.
■ We cannot guarantee that you will see a cetacean but it is unlikely that you
   should be so unlucky.

■ Pre-booking in August is recommended.

 

Important: Children aged 4yrs or under, pregnant woman or any person suffering from severe back problems are not allowed on the zodiac boats.
  

All holiday activities on Pico >