Whales & Dolphins of the Azores

Day 1. Depart London

Depart London for Horta in the Azores, flying via Lisbon. On arrival you will be met and transferred to the Hotel Horta, a comfortable 3-star hotel, which will be your home for the next three nights. Your afternoons are free for you to explore the town of Horta and its surroundings. You can of course book further whale and dolphin watching trips for the afternoon and pay locally.

Days 2 & 3. Whale & dolphin-watching [B]

The Azores are a volcanic island chain, lying 1,500 kilometres west of Portugal in the North Atlantic. They have a justifiable reputation as one of the finest places to watch whales and dolphins in the Northern Hemisphere.

There will be two whale and dolphin-watching trips on day two aboard fast zodiac-style craft to give you the best opportunity to get close to some of the wonderful creatures that frequent these seas. The Azores are most famous for Sperm Whale sightings, since the area is used by females as a calving ground. However you may also see, Common, Risso's, and Bottle-nosed Dolphin, together with the more elusive Pilot, False Killer, Pygmy Sperm, Fin, Blue, and Orca Whales. You may even catch a glimpse of sharks and turtles in the clear seas that surround these islands. On day three enjoy a half-day excursion of Faial Island by Jeep or taxi.

Day 4. Homeward [B]

The morning is free for sightseeing and shopping, or for the hardened enthusiast, another optional whale and dolphin-watching trip. At lunchtime you transfer to the airport for your homeward flight via Lisbon. There is a great deal to do in the Azores, why not consider extending your stay or perhaps visiting Puerto Delgado?