Whale Watching in Sao Miguel

8.60 / 10

489 reviews | 6,397 travellers

The activity is good, we managed to see a sperm whale in the distance (obviously you can't get too close) and quite a few dolphins that swam close to the boat. The boat is very new and in very good condition and the staff is very attentive.

8 Heliodoro Briongos
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the service starts

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The Azores Islands are home to all kinds of whales and other marine mammals. Get up close and personal with them on this boat trip along the coast of Sao Miguel.

Description

The Azores Islands are home to all kinds of whales and other marine mammals. Get up close and personal with them on this boat trip along the coast of Sao Miguel.

Description

Once we've met at Avenida João Bosco Mota Amaral, in the capital of Sao Miguel, we'll walk down to the Ponta Delgada port. Here we'll board a boat ready to set sail along the south coast of the island.

During the journey, a guide specialised in the wildlife of the Azores will explain the habits of the whales, dolphins and other marine mammals that live in this area of the Atlantic Ocean. Not only will we find out about their way of life, but we'll also get the chance to see them first-hand as they swim up close to our boat.

You'll discover how the marine mammals in Sao Miguel use the ocean currents at this latitude to undertake their journey across the Atlantic, always swimming alongside one or more of their species. After the jaw-dropping experience of seeing these animals in the flesh, the boat will head back to the port of Ponta Delgada.

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Details
More Information

Duration

3 hours.

Language

The activity takes place with a guide that speaks in English and other languages.

Included

English–speaking guide

Boat trip

Lifejackets

Not included

Optional jet ski rental (€ 70 (US$ 73.80))

When to book?

You can book up to the tour start time subject to availability. Book now to guarantee your spot.

Type of voucher

Electronic. Show the voucher on your phone.

Accessibility

Not wheelchair accessible.
Sustainability
All services published on Civitatis are carried out in accordance with our Sustainability Code.

Sustainability Code

Our providers commit to:

Provide a safe and satisfying experience.

Reduce, reuse, recycle.

Incorporate eco-conscious technologies.

Uphold fair employment standards.

Foster the growth of local communities.

Preserve the integrity of local culture.

Safeguard both cultural and environmental heritage.

Ensure ethical treatment of animals.

Operate with honesty and transparency.

Encourage sustainable behaviors among customers and staff.

This particular activity contributes as follows:

Printed material is avoided.

No single-use plastics are used.

The activity helps the conservation of biodiversity.

The activity helps the dissemination of local cultural heritage.

No printing of documentation required.

Has a gender equality policy.

Promotes local employment.
Provider
Picos De Aventura Show more

Picos De Aventura

Corporate name: PICOS DE AVENTURA - ANIMACAO E LAZER S A

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Pets

Not permitted.
Frequently asked questions
Q - Does the activity still take place in bad weather?

A - Should weather be bad, the activity may be cancelled. Should this be the case, we'll offer you alternatives or a refund.

Q - Are we guaranteed to see whales?

A - Whales and dolphins are unpredictable. Thus, whether we see more or less of these animals will depend on various factors such as the direction of the sea currents, winds, and weather conditions at the time.

Q - Why do this activity with Civitatis?

A - At Civitatis we guarantee the best quality and prices, click here if you want to know how we select our activities.

Q - How to book?

A - To reserve the activity, choose the date and complete the form on this page. You will receive your confirmation immediately.

If you have any other questions please contact us.
Cancellations

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity starts. Any cancellations after this time or no-shows on the day will not be refunded.
Meeting point

Meeting point

Marina Pêro de Teive

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Reviews

Our customers' reviews
These are genuine reviews written by our customers.

5 out of 489 reviews

8.6 / 10

8.5554192228998 489 reviews | 6,397 travellers

65 photos of travellers

8

Sep / 21 / 2024

A

Anonymous

Madrid, Spain

Ya sabíamos que en septiembre era mala época aún así vimos delfines y un cachalote. Podríamos haber esperado un poco para ver la cola y completar las 3 horas de paseo en total. A las 9 te explican y sales a y 20 y estábamos entrando en el puerto a las 11:50. Nos pusimos delante en el catamarán y vimos todo muy bien. Pero otras personas no habrán visto nada. El chico del tour muy muy majo. Respetuoso con el mar. Habrá que repetir en primavera. Translate this opinion into English.

We already knew that September was a bad time of year, but we saw dolphins and a sperm whale. We could have waited a little to see the queue and complete the 3-hour tour in total. At 9 they explain the details and you leave at 20:00 and we were entering the port at 11:50. We got to the front of the catamaran and saw everything very well. But other people may not have seen anything. The guy on the tour was very, very nice. Respectful of the sea. We will have to repeat in spring. Opinion translated. Show original.

I travelled with my partner

8

Sep / 12 / 2024

S

Silvia

Barcelona, Spain

El paseo en barco fue genial, pudimos ver una ballena "tímida" y 3 especies diferentes de delfines, es espectacular verlos así en su hábitat natural. Además la explicación de los guías es muy interesante y completa. Muy recomendable esta actividad, nos mareamos un poco a la vuelta pero disfrutamos mucho. Translate this opinion into English.

The boat ride was great, we were able to see a "shy" whale and 3 different species of dolphins, it's spectacular to see them like this in their natural habitat. Also, the guides' explanations are very interesting and complete. I highly recommend this activity, we got a little seasick on the way back but we enjoyed it a lot. Opinion translated. Show original.

I travelled with my partner

10

Aug / 29 / 2024

G

Gabriele Zaffiro

Italy

Uno dei migliori tour in barca della mia vita!! Le Azzore oggi rappresentano un luogo dove le balene sono rispettate e ognuna delle poche compagnie che ha l'autorizzazione per fare questi tuor rispetta in modo rigoroso regole che garantiscono il rispetto delle balene e di altro animali acquatici. Le balene non sono quindi disturbate durante questo tour perchè le barche non si avvicinano a più di 50m dalle balene e non le rincorrono. L'equipaggio è estremamente preparato!! Translate this opinion into English.

One of the best boat tours of my life!! The Azores today are a place where whales are respected and each of the few companies that have the authorization to do these tours strictly respects the rules that guarantee the respect of whales and other aquatic animals. The whales are therefore not disturbed during this tour because the boats do not get closer than 50m from the whales and do not chase them. The crew is extremely prepared!! Opinion translated. Show original.

I travelled by myself

10

Aug / 28 / 2024

N

Nicola Cristian Sandu

Castellón, Spain

La experiencia fue muy bonita, nosotros vimos 3 especies distintas de delfines y los guías estaban en todo momento avisándote en que lado del catamarán se veían mejor los animales. Ballenas no pudimos ver aunque intentaron encontrarlas en todo momento. Seguramente el paseo en lancha esté mejor ya que ves a los animales mas de cerca, aunque desde el catamarán no se veía mal. Translate this opinion into English.

The experience was very nice, we saw 3 different species of dolphins and the guides were constantly telling us which side of the catamaran was the best place to see the animals. We were not able to see any whales although they tried to find them at all times. The boat ride is probably better since you see the animals closer up, although the view was not bad from the catamaran. Opinion translated. Show original.

I travelled with my partner

10

Aug / 24 / 2024

P

Pablo

Spain

Fue una experiencia increible. Gran equipo y 3 horas de viaje donde pudimos ver 3 tipos de especies de delfines. En esta ocasión no pudimos ver ballenas pero el grupo de la mañana vieron 2 cachalotes. Las empresas tienen obsevadores en los puntos más altos de la isla y les indican al barco donde están los delfines o ballenas, pero no esta asegurado ver los 2 tipos de animales ya que depende de que se acerquen a la isla en ese mismo momento. Translate this opinion into English.

It was an incredible experience. Great team and 3 hours of travel where we were able to see 3 types of dolphin species. This time we were not able to see whales but the morning group saw 2 sperm whales. The companies have observers at the highest points of the island and they tell the boat where the dolphins or whales are, but it is not guaranteed that you will see both types of animals as it depends on whether they approach the island at that moment. Opinion translated. Show original.

I travelled with teenagers

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