Enjoy surfing the waves of the azores, during your surf holidays in portugal, one of the top vacations destinations in europe. Backpacking azores portugal lonely planet forum thorn tree. Explore the highlights of sao miguel on a fullday tour by land and sea. There are 80 species of whales and dolphins on the planet and 2425 of them have been sighted off the coast of the azores depending on the source of information. Ponta delgada is the cosmopolitan capital of sao miguel island which is the largest and most populated island in the archaepelago. The whale was sighted in the azores on 5 january 2009 travelling in a westsouth westerly direction at a constant speed. From the top of the pico volcano 2,351 m you have an outstanding view and you can look out over faial and sao jorge islands. A sperm whale tale near sao miguel island, azores, portugal. The azores are currently one of the worlds largest whale sanctuaries. The azores islands have also been isolated from the portuguese mainland, both socially and politically for many years. Azores best tips for whale watching on azores whaletrips. Accommodations type all types youth hostels local lodging camping parks hotels rural tourism island all islands santa maria sao miguel terceira graciosa sao jorge pico faial flores corvo.
Whales and whaling play an important part in the history and culture of the azores. Daneben werden auch mehrtagestouren angeboten, sogar mit bis zu 15. Includes information about the area and the cetaceans living there, research project details, environmental policy, newsletter, and photos. Graciosa, terceira, sao jorge, pico, and faial in the centre. Jul 29, 20 whale watching from ponta delgada sao miguel azores. Sao miguel island is a culturally diverse destination that will please a great variety of visitors. Sao miguel is the biggest island and home to the most surfers. Whale watching in pico, terceira and sao miguel is typically. Freed from the pressure of the whalers, taking benefits of the clean waters and abundant food, the whales remain near the islands throughout the year, being easily sighted and making the archipelago one of the best observation points of sperm whales in the world. With majestic whales and friendly dolphins, the blue atlantic ocean becomes even more magic around these nine islands.
The village of capelas was once the site of a whaling factory in sao miguel azores. Head out from ponta delgada on a whalewatching boat to spot some of the atlantic oceans most magnificent mammals. Whale and dolphin watching holidays in azores vacations. Museums, live entertainment venues and regularly scheduled artistic performances offer travelers an opportunity to experience the many facets of azorean history and tradition. Which azores islands offer the best dolphin and whale watching opportunities. Sao miguel or terceira whale watching azores forum. Book whales bay hotel apartamentos, capelas on tripadvisor. Whale watching and dolphin watching outside sao miguel island. Swim with dolphins in azores couldnt ask for a better experience enjoying nature and conservation efforts to protect and respect these ocean creatures. A monument to the whale industry capelas sao miguel azores. Cruise along the coast and look out for the more than 25 cetacean species that can be found in the azores. Azores whale watching and dolphins is known to be among the best in the world.
Our whale and dolphin watching tours in the azores take place in ponta delgada on the island of sao miguel. In the winter it can be around 10 to 20% to see whales, plus weather ocean conditions make the. The azores are home to all kinds of whales and marine life. There are nine major azorean islands and an islet cluster, in three main groups. Whale and dolphin watching trip from ponta delgada getyourguide. Includes information about the area and the cetaceans living there, research project details, environmental policy, newsletter, and. Whale and dolphin watching holidays in azores vacations in. With spirit of mission, we perform expeditions for observations and scientific research in the azores, a midatlantic wildlife legacy to be shared and protected. Here at the terra azul base in sao miguel island, we provide unique and interactive holiday experiences in the marine wildlife oasis of the azores islands. Whales, dolphins, turtles, whale sharks, mantas, fish and birds, a vast number of species, all in a set of blue shades, the unique azorean sea colors.
How to go whale watching in the azores wapiti travel. Whale and dolphin watching azores dolphin and whale. They extend for more than 600 km 370 mi and lie in a northwestsoutheast direction. Get up close and personal with them on this boat trip along the coast of sao miguel.
It is the only island in the chain with northfacing beachbreaks at ribeira grande and probably has the greatest variety of surf spots. Surrounded by lush vegetation, with view over the val. Whalewatching in the azores which whales to see and when. Both the western and eastern ends of sao miguel are very cliffy as the land drops away sharply from the volcanic peaks that used to be two. This is an an ecosystem with unique characteristics. The photographs posted on the website azoresphotos. Take a whale and dolphin watching excursion by boat, then explore the islands volcanic crater lakes in an. Join marine eco expeditions to wildlife and nature in the heart of the atlantic ocean.
Pico is a truly beautiful island in the central group of the azores called the triangle. Museums, live entertainment venues and regularly scheduled artistic performances offer travelers an opportunity to experience the. As annex of an former water mill, this small guest house is located directly above the river. It is an impressive figure and it corresponds to a third of the total number of existing species. Sao miguel, azores tourist guide the way up the flourishing wild hills brings you through the freshness of this natural and unexplored land until you reach spectacular large craters, filled with deep blue waters and surrounded by magical forests. Amora is a beach located on sao miguel island in azores.
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. Sao miguel and pico have the best whale watching opportunities. It is an archipelago composed of nine volcanic islands in the macaronesia region of the north atlantic ocean, about 1,360 km 850. Whale and dolphin watching is possible throughout the whole year due to the great number of species existing in the waters of the archipelago. Yachtbased whale and dolphin research holidays to the azores archipelago. Whale watching from ponta delgada sao miguel azores. The probalities in summer spring to autumme are around almost 75% to see whales and 99% to see dolphins. Thorn tree forum country forums western europe portugal. Together with the island of sao miguel, it forms the eastern group of the azores archipelago, with the two islands distancing 81 km from each other. Swim with dolphins in azores azores whale watching. The area now has a great natural swimming area that you can see in the next picture.
I have heard more about sao miguel in whale watching then terceira, but like 64novpt said, it is a matter of many times of luck and more tourists visit or stay on sao miguel then terceira. In addition to resident species, such as common dolphins and common bottlenose dolphins, with which you can swim, there are also the whales that pass through the azores in their migration routes. Pottwale, gewohnliche delfine, finnwale, rundkopfdelfine juni 2010 encountered. Go back to the map and choose your points of interest. Futurismo azores adventures ponta delgada aktuelle. Whales bay hotel, sao vicente ferreira, azores, portugal. Sperm whale the azores are known, in particular, because of its constant presence of sperm whales. Among resident and migrant species, common or rare, more than 20 different types of cetaceans can be spotted in the azores. On sao miguel you will find lagoons, beaches, volcanos, geisers and hot springs.
Whale watching and dolphin watching outside sao miguel. Most tours start at the islands of san miguel, faial and pico, and are usually done by high speedzodiacs for up to 12 persons. The 16 best things to do in sao miguel, azores chosen by a. Associacao turismo dos acores does not hold responsibility in any direct, indirect, accidental, special or related damages, revenue loss or activity interruption resulting from the inability of downloading the photographs posted on the website azoresphotos. The area has changed in the past thirty years, now that whaling is no longer practiced in the azores. Sao miguel is a truly beautiful island and is located in the azores archipelago in portugal.