Blue Whale tour in the Azores
Expert guides, marine science and spectacular volcanic landscapes complete the experience.
Description of Blue Whale tour in the Azores
Each spring, some of the largest animals on Earth pass through the deep Atlantic waters surrounding the Azores. Blue, fin and sei whales migrate through the region to feed, joining resident sperm whales, pilot whales, dolphins and a remarkable variety of other marine life.
This small-group holiday is designed to give you the best possible opportunity to experience that seasonal spectacle, with five half-day whale and dolphin watching trips spread across the week. Rather than relying on a single excursion, repeated departures allow you to spend more time at sea, build your understanding from one trip to the next and experience how different every encounter can be.
You’ll travel aboard a large and stable catamaran with toilet facilities, indoor seating and elevated outdoor viewing areas. Your DWC group travels together with its own tour coordinator, although the catamaran is shared with other passengers and is not privately chartered for the group. Experienced marine biologists provide expert commentary on the wildlife, behaviour and ecology of the species encountered. Land-based lookouts help locate activity offshore and guide the boats towards the best available sightings, while all encounters are approached carefully and respectfully to minimise disturbance.
Two dedicated Ocean Discovery presentations are also included. These sessions bring the science behind the sightings to life, covering species identification, communication, behaviour, migration, conservation, photo-identification and the research techniques used by local teams. Together, the talks and repeated sea trips create a much richer experience than whale watching alone.
Although the ocean remains at the heart of the holiday, the programme also introduces you to some of São Miguel’s most memorable landscapes. A half-day tour to Sete Cidades reveals the island’s famous volcanic crater and twin lakes, while Lagoa do Fogo and Caldeira Velha combine dramatic viewpoints, lush forest and the opportunity to bathe in naturally heated pools.
You’ll also spend a full day exploring Furnas, one of the island’s most active geothermal areas. Visit steaming fumaroles, hot springs and the beautiful Terra Nostra botanical gardens, with time to bathe in the thermal pool. Lunch is included and features traditional cozido, slowly cooked underground using the natural heat of the earth.
The holiday includes seven nights in a centrally located three-star hotel with breakfast, return airport transfers, a welcome dinner and a farewell dinner with your group. There is also a free day to relax, explore Ponta Delgada or add an optional experience.
The programme is deliberately flexible. Whale watching is weather and sea-condition dependent, and the exact running order may be adjusted during the week to make the most of suitable opportunities at sea. Land tours may also be moved where necessary so that whale watching remains the priority.
Why visit in spring?
Spring is one of the most exciting times for whale watching in the Azores. Seasonal blooms of phytoplankton support the marine food chain and attract migrating baleen whales as they move through the North Atlantic.
Blue, fin and sei whales may be seen during this period, alongside resident sperm whales and several species of dolphin. Other possible sightings include pilot whales, beaked whales, turtles, seabirds and, occasionally, orcas.
Wildlife can never be guaranteed, but this holiday is scheduled during one of the strongest periods for encountering the larger whale species, with multiple sea trips included to maximise your opportunities.
Getting there
Flights are not included in the holiday price.
The tour takes place on São Miguel Island, with accommodation in Ponta Delgada, approximately 15 minutes from the airport. Direct British Airways flights from London Heathrow operate on Saturdays during the season and fit well with the tour dates. Connecting options are also available from other UK and international airports.
A dedicated flight agent can assist with arranging flights if required.
Itinerary
| Day 1: | Arrive at Ponta Delgada Airport, where you will be met and transferred to Hotel Ponta Delgada for your seven-night stay. Extra nights can be arranged to suit available flights. This evening, make your way to a nearby marina restaurant for a relaxed welcome dinner with your tour coordinator and fellow travellers. It is a chance to get to know the group, ask questions and hear more about the week ahead. |
| Day 2: | Begin the morning with your first Ocean Discovery presentation, led by one of the local marine-biologist team. Learn more about the whales and dolphins found around the Azores, how different species can be identified, and the behaviour and biology you may observe during the week. After time for lunch, board the catamaran for your first half-day whale and dolphin watching trip. Local land-based lookouts help the boat crews locate wildlife, while the onboard team interprets the sightings and shares information about the animals encountered. |
| Day 3: | Today includes two half-day whale and dolphin watching trips, one in the morning and another during the afternoon. Returning to sea several times during the holiday gives you the opportunity to experience changing conditions, locations and wildlife. Every trip is different, and sightings may range from resident dolphin species and sperm whales to the migrating baleen whales that pass through Azorean waters during spring. There will be time ashore between the two trips for lunch and a short rest. |
| Day 4: | Head out on your fourth half-day whale and dolphin watching trip this morning. During the afternoon, travel inland to Sete Cidades, one of São Miguel’s most celebrated volcanic landscapes. The tour includes viewpoints overlooking the vast crater and its twin lakes, together with stops that reveal the green countryside and dramatic scenery of the island’s western side. |
| Day 5: | Your fifth scheduled whale and dolphin watching trip takes place this morning, offering another chance to encounter the diverse marine life found around São Miguel. In the afternoon, explore the island’s volcanic interior on a half-day tour to Lagoa do Fogo and Caldeira Velha. Weather permitting, enjoy views across the crater lake before continuing into the lush forest of Caldeira Velha, where geothermal pools and warm waterfalls sit beneath tropical vegetation. Entrance to the park and the opportunity to bathe in the thermal pools are included. |
| Day 6: | Today you will travel east for a full-day tour of Furnas, one of São Miguel’s most active geothermal areas. Explore the volcanic landscape, with its steaming fumaroles, mineral springs and geothermal vents. Lunch is the traditional cozido das Furnas, a meat and vegetable stew slowly cooked underground using natural volcanic heat. You will also visit Terra Nostra Park, known for its extensive botanical gardens and large iron-rich thermal pool. There will be time to explore the gardens and, should you wish, bathe in the warm mineral water. |
| Day 7: | The daytime is free for you to explore at your own pace. You may choose to wander through Ponta Delgada, relax at the hotel, hire a car, or book an additional optional sea or land excursion. In the early evening, return for a second Ocean Discovery presentation focusing on marine research and conservation in the Azores. Topics may include how cetaceans are located and studied, photo identification, acoustics and the work carried out by local researchers. The holiday concludes with a farewell dinner alongside your tour coordinator and fellow travellers, providing an opportunity to share photographs, revisit favourite encounters and celebrate the week together. |
| Day 8 | After breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to Ponta Delgada Airport for your journey home. Extra nights can be arranged where required to suit flight schedules. |
Price information
Expert guides, marine science and spectacular volcanic landscapes complete the experience.
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Reviews
38 Reviews of Blue Whale tour in the Azores
Reviewed on 01 Jun 2026 by Edward McDaid
Our holiday was fabulous in all aspects. Many thanks to the operators team. Read full reviewReviewed on 17 May 2026 by Sandra Hauserman
Seeing a Blue Whale. It was all that I could have wanted. It was just the right level comfort and freedom on our own. Read full reviewReviewed on 17 May 2026 by Anne Jackson
The whale watching trips by rib were superb with a very professional organisation. Our local guide Rui was fantastic and made the holiday very special, 5 star rating at least! Read full reviewReviewed on 16 May 2026 by Colin Crisp
Fantastic and felt very privileged to witness magnificent wildlife in its natural habitat. We saw Blue whales, Sperm whales and several species of dolphins. We would highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting the Azores — an extraordinary adventure made even more special by such knowledgeable guides and a deep respect for the ocean and its wildlife. Fantastic it exceeded our expectations in may ways. Read full reviewReviewed on 10 May 2026 by Janet Carson
One of the best we have had. Seeing so much unspoilt sea life and the way in which the whale watch company conduct their responsibilities towards both the sea and islands. Read full reviewReviewed on 06 May 2026 by Christine Stockton
Seeing the blue whale. It’s more than whale watching - we had two very informative talks, were invited to meet a campaigner against plastic litter who was walking the coasts, had a day trip to the thermal waters and beautiful botanic garden of Furnas. And free time to explore Ponta Delgada including another fabulous botanic garden. Read full reviewReviewed on 02 May 2026 by William Mainholm
Seeing these majestic creatures, especially the biggest animal ever to have lived, is an experience never to be forgotten and should be on any thinker's bucket list. Seeing blue whales! 5 stars. Read full reviewReviewed on 17 May 2026 by Chris Clough
Fantastic to see blue whales, sperm whales and loads of dolphins. Day trip to Furnas was really good too. Ponta Delgada is a really great place to stay - lovely little town with a surprising number of excellent restaurants and bars. We had a really great week and thoroughly enjoyed the boat trips. Wonderful to see some massive whales, and we got the impression that you're pretty much guaranteed plenty of dolphin sightings. Read full reviewReviewed on 16 May 2026 by Angela McNamee
Actually the first sighting of the blue whale. I achieved what I wanted which was interaction with whales. Read full reviewReviewed on 10 May 2025 by Deirdre Flanagan
Seeing blue whales. Fantastic, magical, felt really well taken care of - 5 stars. Read full reviewReviewed on 10 May 2025 by David Alexaner
Going out on a RIB and seeing a baby Sperm Whale. Really enjoyed the over all experience. Marina Atlántico was a good and convenient hotel, with helpful staff who resolved any problems. Saw dolphins on every trip and whales on 2 out of 3. Read full reviewReviewed on 04 May 2025 by Anna Murphy
Definitely the chance to go out to sea and view the marine life! It was a very big experience; not always what we expected but we feel we got the maximum out of the week. Read full reviewReviewed on 17 May 2024 by Lorraine Singh
We visited a new country, learnt about the culture and were surrounded by a beautiful environment. The crowning glory was in seeing the whales. Read full reviewReviewed on 13 May 2024 by John Nightingale
The most memorable part of the holiday was the boat trips. Read full reviewReviewed on 13 May 2024 by Jim Kerr
Responsible travel go above and beyond in their efforts to make your holiday of a life time Read full reviewReviewed on 12 May 2024 by Fiona Hecker
We had a fabulous holiday. I can’t recommend enough if you are looking for a whale and dolphin watching trip. I would definitely travel with responsible travel again. Thanks to Carina our tour guide and all the staff at the operator Read full reviewReviewed on 11 May 2024 by Paul Eastoe
We were very lucky and had a fantastic viewing of a mother and calf Blue Whale. Truly amazing. Read full reviewReviewed on 08 Jun 2023 by jon whitta
All of it. Had such an amazing time... Top marks all round. Read full reviewReviewed on 13 May 2023 by Peter kudelka
Well organised. Special thanks to Gaynor who answered emails promptly over the 4 years it took me to actually be able to take this trip and was a constant and reassuring presence throughout. Read full reviewReviewed on 20 May 2023 by Mary Monro
"Wonderful to see 3 species of whales and 3 species of dolphins up close.[…] Great trip, well organised, nice accommodation and good support on the ground." Read full reviewReviewed on 28 May 2022 by Jacqueline Dunkerton
We have some bad weather unfortunately but on an island in the Azores it has to be expected. Even with bad weather we still went out on the boat and ssw wildlife including whales so it was excellent. Read full reviewReviewed on 25 May 2022 by Alex Duckworth
It was one of the best holidays I have experienced and I have traveled a lot. The scenery, people, food and beautiful gardens were memories to cherish. Only hope I will be able to return and visit more of the islands. Thank you for a wonderful holiday. Read full reviewReviewed on 22 May 2022 by Paula Turner
Outstanding value for money and a fantastic experience- incredibly well organised and hosted by lovely and knowledgeable people. Read full reviewReviewed on 11 May 2022 by David Taylor
I believe this tour helps the local economy and the way the tours are conducted is done with great respect for the whales in keeping distance and not ‘hounding’ them. Read full reviewReviewed on 20 Apr 2022 by Barbara Potter
I didn't feel welcome and found the local people unfriendly Read full reviewReviewed on 09 Jun 2021 by Nicholas Fletcher
The memories we have of this holiday will last a lifetime. Everyone we met on the island was extremely welcoming and the landscape and wildlife truly breath taking. I would rate it a 10/10. Read full reviewReviewed on 19 May 2019 by Barry Brown
The most memorable part of our holiday? All of it ! Read full reviewReviewed on 28 May 2018 by Wendy Cadman
The highlight was the blue whales. A superb experience, and we would have changed hardly anything once we were there, although we had big problems with the flights both ways. Read full reviewReviewed on 07 May 2018 by Jean Tuck
Informative, even as to the exact moment to click the camera shutter, skilled in being in the right place at the right time, positioning the boat for everyone's advantage, including the whale's, knowing the whales' routines, and even helping organise the non-water days. Read full reviewReviewed on 01 Jul 2018 by Barbara and James Knight
Seeing the whales and dolphins in their own environment. Read full reviewReviewed on 09 Jun 2018 by Mike Segal
A great trip, it was exciting to see so many huge and rare animals, and it was also very interesting to visit the Azores, see and learn about their extraordinary geology. Read full reviewReviewed on 21 May 2017 by Trish Byrne
Excellent. Great experience....It was all very exciting, but the very best part was when we found a blue whale and a fin whale swimming side by side. This allowed us to clearly see the differences between them - almost as if they were doing it for our benefit. Read full reviewReviewed on 01 Jun 2016 by Tim Hall
Best bits: seeing five sperm whales "socialising" together and swimming in a perfect line, almost managing to synchronise their "blows", catching a great picture of the tail fin of the massive blue whale, seeing the huge side fins of the humpback just under the water giving them an eerie blue colour Read full reviewReviewed on 28 May 2016 by Janet Gaten
Whales, whales and more whales, plus lots of dolphins. Read full reviewReviewed on 28 May 2015 by alice caldwell
Magical! It was so beautiful, seeing so many whales and dolphins. Read full reviewResponsible Travel
Planet
The way the boats approach the whales follow local regulations to protect the marine life. We only use licensed boat operators who are very sensitive to the well-being of the dolphins and whales. There is a good spirit of cooperation amongst the boat companies and agreements to respect the animals as a priority.Research is ongoing on the boats, so these trips are helping to build our knowledge of these fantastic animals. Many of the skippers are professional photographers and maintain a comprehensive photo ID database, in particular sperm whales, bottlenose dolphins and pilot whales. The more we can learn about the whales and dolphins of the Azores the better we can understand things like their migrations and social structures. All this moves us closer to protecting them and the marine environment in a more knowledgeable, effective way.
Guests are encouraged to send in any photos they have taken on the whale watching trips that can be used in the ongoing photo identification projects. Every trip has a huge emphasis on conservation and sustaining the marine environment so future generations may also have the privilege of seeing marine mammals in the wild.
People
We only work with local suppliers who employ at least 80% local people which means financial benefits to families here. The land based lookouts whose immense skill at tracking the animals previously earned money from whaling now earn money from tourists - an enormous change that we are passionate about supporting. Many of their adult children now skipper the whale watching boats and work within the small scale tourism.Our whale watching company offers presentations in local schools to educate the children about the marine life on their doorstep with an emphasis on conservation. They are also planning to host an Azorean Whale Festival to promote the islands as one of the key locations worldwide to see whales. The Dolphin and Whale Connection donates a percentage of it's profits to the World Cetacean Alliance (WCA), helping to protect whales and dolphins worldwide.
All the activities we recommend locally are run by Azoreans and are designed to maintain good relationships between visitors and the local people. For example, we sell and promote only local crafts to our guests to support local craft makers and artisans and to spread tourism income to many islanders. Our favourite restaurants are all run by Azorean people, and we do recommend that our visitors try the delicious local cuisine while supporting sustainable local fishermen in particular.
As well as whale watching we offer geological and cultural tours hosted solely by experienced local guides with an in-depth knowledge of their island and its landscape. We support the local vineyards where guests can sample the fantastic Azorean wine and take these locally produced gifts back to people at home.
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