Activity Snapshot
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Sensation Level: Adventurous
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Spoken languages: German, Spanish, Portuguese, English
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Fitness level: Everybody welcome
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Minimum age: minimum 1 y/o
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Duration: 3 hrs
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Cancellation policy:flexible 1) Cancellation 4 days or more prior to the agreed activity starting date
→ You are automatically refunded for the full activity price
2) Cancellation between 48 and 96 hours prior to the agreed activity starting date
→ You are entitled to a 50% refund
3) 48 hours or later are what we call last-minute cancellations
→ No refund will be made -
Meeting point:Aqua Açores Turísmo Aquático, Venda e Aluguer de Equipamentos, Lda Rua Manuel Paulino Azevedo e Castro nº9 9930-149 Lajes do Pico Açores, Portugal
Activity description
Witness the world’s largest marine animals on this whale watching trip from Pico Island.
Bringing nature to life, the Azores are considered one of the best places in the world to see ocean giants like sperm whales and blue whales. A marine reserve with increasing populations of resident and migrating cetaceans, explore the horizon for stunning breaches and porpoising behaviour from the island of Pico in the Azores!
Location
Previously a strategic post for commercial whaling, today Pico Island in the Azores is one of the most popular for whale watching. The largest of the three main islands, the marina is situated at Lajes do Pico and can be reached by flying to Horta (Island of Faial) and then getting the ferry from Horta to Madalena do Pico, with a crossing time of just 30 minutes.
Activity
Meet the team at the activity based in Lajes do Pico for the whale watching excursion. Organised according to the weather and time of year, boats will set off from the port with a dedicated marine biologist. As you head out into the open ocean, they will explain more about the unique biodiversity of the marine area and why so many species can be found in this unique archipelago. During the three hour excursion, your skipper will be in contact with a ‘Vigia’ or lookout that will guide you towards the whales and ensure you see as many as possible. There are over 27 species of cetacean to spot – with some very special encounters with the ocean’s biggest – the blue whale! Once you have completed a circuit of the marine protected area, you will return to the port where your adventure will end.
Conditions
This activity operated during April – October and boats are organised according to tides and ocean conditions. Due to the nature of this tour, whale encounters are frequent but not guaranteed. Regular sightings include, Sperm whale, Short-finned Pilot Whale, Risso’s Dolphin, Bottlenose Dolphin, Striped Dolphin, Atlantic Spotted Dolphin & Common Dolphin.
Minors must be accompanied by an adult
Special terms
Reductions for groups of 5+ at time of booking - rates subject to low, medium and peak season:
Low:€50
Mid: €55
High:€65
Subject to weather restrictions - sightings cannot be guaranteed
- Skipper & Guide
- Suitable Clothing
- GoPro/Camera
