Whale watch terceira the islands of the azores are shaped by the peaks of the midatlantic ridge, surrounded by the endless deep blue of the ocean. We went on a holiday to the azores for a week at the end of aprilbeginning of may during the whale season. There are more than 20 species of whales and dolphins to be seen here, including minke, fin, sperm, humpback, blue whales and orca. It is an impressive figure and it corresponds to a third of the total number of existing species. Therefore, whales, dolphins, sharks, turtles, mobulas and pelagic fish are abundant in these waters. Summer time is when whale sharks arrive to santa maria. Set sail around the princess ring islet of vila franca do campo on a cruise, accompanied by a marine biologist guide, and look out for sperm and pilot whales, bottlenose and rissos dolphins, sea turtles, and other marine life.
Whalewatching in the azores which whales to see and when. We went out with futurismo on 4 trips it was an incredible, fantastic, magical experience. Over 20 species of whale have been spotted in the waters around the island, with the most common including shortfin pilot whales, false killer whales, melon head whales, pygmy sperm whales, and humpback whales. Santa maria is the smallest of azores but one of the most popular among divers. During 9 night tours we average 67 species 46 on the short break tours of whale and. It was the peak of whale watching season when we visited the azores. The 9 islands are full of landscapes displaying a wonderful natural beauty.
With sightings possible all year round, the azores islands are one of the best places for whale watching in the atlantic. Late july and august are peak season in the azores, so prices rise and tourist numbers increase, but great encounters can be had throughout the summer. Best time to visit the azores responsible vacation. A winter trip to azores can still be beautiful, with landscapes wilder and rougher than ever. The possibility that i might not spot a whale during my visit at the height of the whale watching season. We saw something each trip and futurismo give you the chance to go on another trip for free if you dont see anything at all. Call 01768 721050 and talk to someone who has been to the islands and can help you plan your tailormade holiday. Azores whale watching terra azul vila franca do campo. Among resident and migrant species, common or rare, more than 20 different types of cetaceans can be spotted in the azores.
The best time to visit the azores is quite simply whenever you get the chance. Most tours start at the islands of san miguel, faial and pico, and are usually done by high speedzodiacs for up to 12 persons. A week long whale watching holiday in the azores islands. By 1998 eight tour operators were running tours from the village of only 400 permanent inhabitants, with some running two boats, each making up to two trips per. During this time we have many fin whales, blue whales and sei whales passing the azores on their annual migration. The following table is a guide to show roughly which months our most commonly sighted species appear each year in the azores. The archipelago forms a meeting place for rich marine life. The sperm whale is still encountered on a regular basis. There are numerous organizations that offer azores whale watching tours. When is the best time to see whales and dolphins in the azores.
Whale watching in the azores futurismo is one of the most experienced whale watching companies in the azores, offering yearround responsible whale and dolphin watching tours and swimming with dolphins tours. The large number of marine species that can be found in its 10 dive sites represent an extraordinary diving holydays on an island of only 90 km 2 santa maria not only gives you the opportunity to dive with whale sharks during the summer, you can also be an spectator to a. In 1987 the international fund for animal welfare ifaw and the european community supported feasibility studies to investigate the potential for whale watching in the azores. The azores are europes leading whale watching destination, home to sperm and pilot whales, beaked whales and false killer whales, and bottlenose, common and northatlantic spotted dolphins. Located right in the course of the gulf stream, the azores are also one of the areas richest with fish worldwide. September and october high season is over for humans but not so for whales and dolphins. The best time for whale watching is the summer from april to october, though. The azores is home to over 30 species of cetacean that either migrate through islands or are resident inhabitants. Among them is the northern bottlenose whale up to 9metre long. These include island tours, nature treks, birdwatching excursions and snorkelling trips. We saw something each trip and futurismo give you the chance to go on another trip for free if. Santa maria, the island of sun, is the southernmost and smallest of the azores islands. When is the best time to see whales and dolphins in the.
Season ends at the north american east coast with still good chances to see humpbacks and blues. How to go whale watching in the azores wapiti travel. The whale watching season runs from april to september, with april and may being the peak months where most whales species can be found roaming the azorean waters. Whale sharks escape warming in azores live science. Blue whale migration 2020 is a special whale watching and research program for. More than 30% of all the worlds types of whales and dolphins pass the azores on their annual travels between arctic and tropical waters.
Many of our clients choose to visit the islands out of high season, either to see the migrating whales in the spring, or in september and october when prices drop but sightings are still great. There are variations from year to year, for example the season of the baleen whales mostly fin whales, blue whales and sei whales can begin. Watch for minke whales, dolphins and humpbacks on a whale watching cruise from reykjavik, and take in views of the coast from an open viewing platform or an enclosed cabin. One year of whale watching in just one infographic. Azores best tips for whale watching on azores whaletrips. Still undertheradar as a whale watching destination, iceland is actually one of the best places in europe to do it. The best whale watching and swimming with dolphins location in europe, and a beautiful adventure playground in a very top sustainable islands holidays destination. Whale watching in the azores islands is unquestionably one of the most exciting and unforgettable adventures.
The azores islands, owing to their geographic position, in the middle of the atlantic ocean, a mild climate and natural beauty of the bottom of its sea are undoubtedly one of the best paces for diving in europe, allowing in its crystal clear waters the observation of an amazing diversity of underwater fauna and flora. Enjoy your whale and dolphin watching holidays in the azores, portugal. Whaletrips azores best tips for whale watching on azores. We are based in lajes do pico, recognised as one of the top 10 best spots for whale watching in the world.
The azores are currently one of the worlds largest whale sanctuaries. The azores, and especially lajes do pico, is undoubtedly one of the 10 best whale watching spots in the world, and for sure the best in the azores. Located right in the course of the gulf stream, the azores. Spotted dolphins are more common during the summer, while blue whales can. Whale watching in dominica 2020 sperm whales, dolphins. The baleen whale season from march to june sees one of the largest concentrations of ocean giants in one place at one time and is world renowned for whale watching and dolphin swimming. The best azores whale watching season is april and may. Tourism in the azores was on the increase, and whale watching was a new form of marine tourism that was taking off in coastal areas around the world 3. To maximize our chance to see whales, we decided to try on sao miguel first and see how things went. It is possible to spot them during a coastal dive, but you are more likely to swim with one further off the coast. Tourist frequentation is still small, the quantity and diversity of the whales observed is high, theres little visual pollution and pico mountain lies in the background. There are four animals that swim in these waters all year long. Dolphins and whales in the azores, madeira and portugal. This is an an ecosystem with unique characteristics.
This is when you can see the majority of species that exist in the nearby waters regardless of whether they call the azorean waters home or are simply passing through. There are 80 species of whales in the world and 21 can be found in the waters around the azores. Nobody knows sao tome and principe like archipelago choice. An important thing to remember about the area is that in the azores the whale watching season mayoctober is dictated by the weather and not by the migrations of the whales and dolphins, which are seen year round. In the azores we booked whale watching from sao miguel. There are variations from year to year, for example the season of the baleen whales mostly fin whales, blue whales and sei whales can begin earlier or. Whale watching in the azores, check our programs futurismo. Join an exciting marine wildlife tour with biologists and naturalist guides, to see and learn more about whales, dolphins, turtles, fish, birds, and the season s marine biodiversity of the azores. Look for humpback whales on our whale watching trips from sao tome and principe. In general, the best time of the year to see whales in the azores is during the spring time, with april and may being our strongest months. Dive with whale sharks in azores snorkeling holidays. Whale watching tours in the azores futurismo experiences. The whaleplanner october a whale watching infographic. We currently organise dolphin and whale watching in the azores and madeira and dolphin watching in the algarve, arrabida and cascaisnear lisbon the power, beauty and grace of whales and dolphins have long captured peoples imagination and portugal is a great place to see them.
The main season runs from april all the way through the summer to october and during these months different species pass by the azores on their migratory paths april and may are usually a good time to go for a chance to see the larger whales such as blue, fin and sei whales, whilst october can be a good time to spot humpbacks. Although it is possible to spot whale sharks on several islands of the azores, santa maria is the island most visited by this colossus of the sea. Blue whale migration march 2020 cw azores whale watching. Description of whale watching in the azores with so many species of whales and dolphins surrounding this archipelago, this is one of the best places in the world to witness these marine mammals up close, with sightings on 99 percent of whale watching trips to sea. The azores is the ideal destination for fishing holidays. The commondolphin, the bottlenose dolphin, the risos dolphin and the sperm whale. Whale sharks the worlds largest fish are appearing more frequently near the azores islands, due to climate change, a new study finds. In fact, you can see whales in the azores year round, but the best time to spot them is probably around spring and summer april, may, june and july. Some of these cetaceans can be spotted yearround, but the peak season is june to august when. The best place to book such a tour is in the village of lajes.
Whalewatching tours are available from the larger islands such as sao miguel, terceira, sao jorge, pico and faial, making it a popular activity for visitors to these. The whalewatching season runs from april to september, with april and may being the peak months where most whales species can be found roaming the azorean waters. October is the perfect time to visit south africa main season for southern right whales. Get the ultimate whale watching experience during the peak season from april through october, when over 20 kinds of whale. We have almost 30 years of experience of whale watching in the azores. The azores archipelago has been distinguished by many excellence prizes being now recognized as a perfect destination for travelers.
Azores whale watching tours ethical sao miguel options. Peak season is from april through to october whilst in the spring, the larger migratory species are passing through. Many years prior to the establishment of cw azores, we started to promote whale watching in all 6 continents antarctica is a continent. Whens the best time to go whale watching in the azores. From whale watching to canyoning, hiking to diving, there are so many experiences to discover and places to explore in the azores. With an area of just only 90 km2 and a population of 5,000 inhabitants, it boasts some of the most beautiful beaches of azores, crystal clear waters and beautiful bays and natural pools. Our tours of around 3 hours operate daily, depending on weather conditions.
With waters off the islands of over m deep, youll find huge pelagic fish such as the atlantic blue marlin, white marlin, and occasionally yellow fin and big eye tuna, swordfish, and various types of sharks including hammerheads, six gill and mako. Which species of whale have been spotted in dominica. Swimming with dolphins in sao miguel, azores whale watching. That said, sea conditions can get rougher during the winter season so the best time to visit the azores for boat trips is. Depending on the time of year, different whales can be spotted in the azores. The pod of sperm whales is the biggest draw though. Go whale watching from sao miguel in the azores retired. Also the perfect weather to relax in thermal springs.
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