Whale watching
Up-close encounters with whales and dolphins, respecting their habits and freedom
The Azores archipelago is a naturally good area for whale watching. Attracted by the deep waters that occur close to shore and the abundance of food, more than 25 species of whales and dolphins are reported to its waters, about 30% of all the cetaceans known…
Considered a sperm whale hotspot, the archipelago is also on the route of some migrating species, such as the blue, fin, humpback and sei whales. Few people know Faial Island as a blue whale destination, but it is in fact one of the best places in the northeast Atlantic to get up close with the biggest animal on earth!
Every whale watch tour is a unique experience and sightings vary daily, with two main seasons:
- Spring for blue, fin, humpback, sei and sperm whales and year-round dolphin species such as the common, the bottlenose and the Risso’s dolphins. Orcas and minke whales are rare, but possible sightings during these months.
- Summer for a peak of abundance of sperm whales and other species of dolphins, such as the Atlantic spotted and the stripped dolphins, the short-finned pilot whale, the false killer whale and various species of beaked whales.