Whales Migration Route

The Azores are blessed with whales and dolphins throughout the year. Some of these beautiful creatures make our islands their home. Others pass by on their migration routes, stopping to feed on the abundance these deep channels provide.  Would you like to see the largest whales on the planet? Then join us in the Spring – from March to June – when the giants pass through our waters. We’ll be exploring for the great fin, blue, and Sei whales as they visit the Azores on their migration journey. This is one of our most popular tours and for a good reason! The whale and dolphin watching off Ponta Delgada is hard to match. Departing from the south coast of São Miguel Island, we’ll be looking for seasonal and resident whales journeying along our coast.

The adventure begins at our comfortable facility at Ponta Delgada harbor. You’ll meet our biologists and guides and learn about the different species you might spot during your tour. They’ll also explain how to respect the whales’ environment as well as important rules to ensure the animals’ safety and wellbeing. Every whale and dolphin watching tour is unique, we never know what species we will see. This is a three-hour journey, searching for more whales and dolphins, as well as sea birds and turtles. Every tour is unique, with its own weather and sea characteristics – we can never predict exactly which species we’ll see. If you’re hoping to spot the largest breeds like blue, fin or Sei whales, booking a tour in Spring is your best bet.  The rest of the day will be with freetime to explore on your own or enjoy one of the optional tours.

On this complete tour, you will feel and experience the volcanic origins of the island in Furnas, a magical place full of geothermal activity. After the pick-up in Ponta Delgada at 9 am, we will start with a visit to the local tea pictures for your album about the Azores. Then, we will go to the Caldeiras das Furnas to visit the famous fumaroles and taste gasocarbonic mineral waters from different springs.  Passing by the Lagoa das Furnas, the local restaurant is our next stop to taste the famous “Cozido”, one of the most emblematic dishes of the Azores. It is a mixture of regional vegetables and meats cooked with the help of a volcanic activity. A gastronomic experience you cannot miss. This is a very special meal cooked only with the steam of the Earth. After lunch, we will visit the centenary Terra Nostra botanical garden, famous for its extraordinary collection of native plants from the Azores, as well as others from all over the world that have adapted to the local conditions.  After lunch, we will visit the centenary Terra Nostra botanical garden, famous for its extraordinary collection of native plants from the Azores, as well as others from all over the world that have adapted to the  go for a dip in an iron-rich hot water swimming pool that has a temperature of 35-40oC (95-104°F), a relaxing experience. On the way back to Ponta Delgada, we will pass by the South Coast and also at Vila Franca do Campo where we will be able to see the Princess Ring islet and know more about the first capital of the island and the strong earthquake of 1522.