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- Azores Whale Watching Tour – Ponta Delgada
Azores Whale Watching Tour – Ponta Delgada
4.5 (941 reviews) · Ponta Delgada, São Miguel · Operator: Picos de Aventura
- 2 to 3 hours (approx.)
- Groups up to 75
- Offered in: Portuguese, English
- Mobile ticket
- Departures 08:30, 09:00, 13:00, 13:30, daily
Editor’s take Roman Antonov · 6 best whale watching tours in the Azores, choice 1 of 6
I'd book this if you're staying on São Miguel. You choose the boat: a catamaran, a speedboat or a fibreglass boat. All three cost €65 per adult and take about 3 hours.
I'd take the catamaran with small children. It has shade and a toilet. The speedboat is for ages 6 and up, and it's the one to pick if you want to sit close to the water.
If no whales or dolphins show up, you get a full refund. There's no hotel pickup: you meet at the marina in Ponta Delgada.
Options
Three boats, same price. Pick one on the booking page. Prices are the lowest listed, per adult, ages 12 to 99.
| Option | What it is | From |
|---|---|---|
| Tour on Catamaran Compared in the collection | Stable, with shade and a toilet on board. Infants and small children can come. With children or if you get seasick easily | €65 per adult |
| Tour on Speed Boat | Open rigid inflatable, close to the water. Ages 6 and up. If you want speed and spray | €65 per adult |
| Tour on Fiberglass Boat | 30 seats with a sun cover. A middle ground: covered, not as big as the catamaran | €65 per adult |
What’s included
- Rain Coat and Life Vest (mandatory on the small boats)
- Full refund if no whales or dolphins are seen
- Food and drinks
- Hotel drop-off
- Hotel Pick-up
Meeting point
Meeting point
Picos de Aventura base, Ponta Delgada marina.
Arrive 15 to 20 minutes before departure for check-in. No hotel pickup or drop-off.
End point
The trip ends back at the meeting point.
Itinerary
- Ponta Delgada marina: check-in and briefing
Arrive 15 to 20 minutes before departure. The biologists give a safety briefing and tell you which species you may see.
- At sea: whales and dolphins
2 to 3 hours on the water with the crew and biologists. Lookouts on land tell the boat where the animals are. Sperm whales and dolphins are the usual sightings; baleen whales pass through in season.
- Back at the marina
The guides stay for questions after the trip.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the trip starts. Later cancellations get no refund.
Cancelled for bad weather: another date or a full refund.
Know before you go
- There's no hotel pickup. Meet at the Picos de Aventura base in the Ponta Delgada marina, 15 to 20 minutes before departure.
- The speedboat is for ages 6 and up. Infants and small children can ride in a pram.
- Children must be with an adult. Weather can limit children's participation.
- A rain coat and life vest are provided. The life vest is mandatory on the small boats.
- If no whales or dolphins show up, you get a full refund.
- Give this one a miss if you're pregnant or if you have a heart condition.
- The guide may speak two languages on one trip.
Reviews
88% of reviewers gave 4 or 5 stars. 264 reviews on Viator (4.5) and 677 on Tripadvisor (4.5), as shown on Viator on . I don’t have the review texts.
Photos
From the Picos de Aventura listing, with the operator’s captions.
From the operator
In Picos de Aventura’s own words, from the listing.
Biologist-guided experience: our tours are always accompanied by professional marine biologists who provide live commentary, species identification and insights into whale behaviour and marine conservation. Land-based lookouts (vigias): we use traditional lookout points on land to spot whales and dolphins before the boats leave the marina. Comfort and choice: whether you prefer a rigid inflatable speedboat or the stability of a catamaran, we offer different vessels to suit your comfort level.
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