5 independent reviews for Azores whale watching and walking holiday
Reviews for Azores whale watching and walking holiday
Sue Johnson review 30 May 2026
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Hard to pick just one. We especially enjoyed the Sanguino hike and whale watching organized by the host company, but we did 3 hikes and one jeep tour with them. All were great, with informative and friendly guides. We also enjoyed staying two nights in Furnas. Walking around the lake was lovely, and the environmental center was very interesting. The Grand Hotel in Ponta Delgada and Terra Nova in Furnas were both excellent.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The botanical gardens in Ponta Delgada are worth a visit. Abracadabra in Ponta Delgada has delicious gelato, Nonna's shrimp pizza was amazing and steak at the Big Bull steakhouse was perfect! In Furnas, Banhos Ferreos has the best cozido. Late May was foggy several days, which resulted in cancellation of whale watching several times.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes! All the guides were born and live on Sao Miguel. The tours and restaurants were all locally owned. And they all had an emphasis on sustainable practices.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Outstanding overall! And Responsible Travel and the host company staff were very helpful and responsive to questions.Jan Heaton review 6 May 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Whale and dolphin sightings and the volcanic scenery.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Double check on arrival. The local whale watching company said they did not have our email address so we didn't know our whale watching was cancelled until we got to the office. Also they did not transfer us to the airport. We had to get a taxi and they still have not answered our emails.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Our tour guides were Azorean and very knowledgeable. As for the other I'm not qualified to judge.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Thoroughly enjoyable. I might consider visiting some of the other islands next year. 4.5 stars.Suma Setty review 13 Aug 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Seeing a baby Bryde whale curious about our boat. Seeing a whale shark. Literally all the cetacean sightings.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take polarised sunglasses!3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I feel tourism carried out responsibly always benefits locals and wildlife tourism should help with awareness of the envirnment and all natural things. I feel that the cetacean watching was carried out very responsibly.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was fabulous.Carl Rawling review 2 Aug 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
So many exciting elements to the holiday such as going Whale watching on the Rib and seeing Sperm Whales and three kinds of Dolphins. Kayaking on the crater lake was also a fantastic experience.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Make sure at least one of your Whale watching trips is on a Rib.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Whale watching is obviously more environmentally friendly than hunting them. The Whale watching company followed the recommendations on how to safely approach the cetaceans. The guides and marine biologists were a mixture of nationalities, however, the trips visited local businesses such as the tea factory and local restaurants.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
A fantastic and exciting experience.Karen Bonanno review 22 May 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The whale watching trips2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The Jeep tour to is a fun day out, Book good restaurants in advance, whale watching is a given3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The team are very enthusiastic that every trip looks at the environmental impact on the Azores4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Great , good mix of seeing what the Azores has to offer and chilling outHoliday Reviews
You can trust Responsible Travel reviews because, unlike many other schemes, reviews can ONLY be written by people who we have verified have been on the holidays. In addition, we don't run these holidays ourselves - our only interest is giving you the best independent advice.
