The waters around the Azores islands are perfect spots to catch sightings of whales and dolphins. Whales usually spotted are: Sperm, Northern Bottlenose, Pilot, Sowerby’s Beaked and occasionally Orca’s. We have organised three holiday itineraries see these beautiful creatures.
Recorded sightings of Cetaceans
Twenty-four of the planet’s 80 species of whales and dolphins have been sighted off the coast of the Azores making this one of the best places in the world for whale watching. The most frequently spotted cetaceans are:
Most frequent: Sperm whale, Short-finned pilot whale, Common dolphin, Bottlenose dolphin, Atlantic spotted dolphin and Risso dolphin.
Occasionally: False killer whale, Fin whale, Sei whale, Gervais’ beaked whale, Sowerby’s beaked whale, Blue whale, Curvier’s beaked whale, Northern bottlenose whale and Stripped.
Rare: Killer whale (Orca), Humpback whale, Minke whale, Bryde’s whale, Pygmy sperm whale, Blainville’s beaked whale and Longfinned pilot whale.
The whale watching season on Sao Miguel runs all year, with the height of the season being in July and August. Although dolphins can be seen all year round, whales are less frequent in winter. Each excursion starts with a 20-minute briefing by a marine biologist, introducing the cetaceans of the Azores and discussing their habitat, communication and behavioural patterns.
Go to Sao Miguel >
The whale watching season on Pico and Faial runs from April to October, with the height of the season being in July and August. Each excursion starts with a 15 to 20-minute briefing by a marine biologist, introducing the cetaceans of the Azores and discussing their habitat, communication and behavioural patterns.
Go to Pico >
Go to Faial >
Sunvil Discovery is committed to the principle of responsible tourism. In other words, we seek to protect and enhance the natural and cultural environment at our destinations. Read about Whale and Dolphin watching etiquette here >
Podcast
Sunvil Discovery Reservations member PJ talks about whale watching trips in the Azores >
