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6 best whale watching tours in the Azores

Viator lists 26 whale and dolphin trips in the Azores. I compared all 26 by reviews, ratings and what’s included. These are my 6. Details checked 30 September 2026 · edited by Roman Antonov

A whale watching boat next to a sperm whale off São Miguel

On São Miguel, I'd book Picos de Aventura from Ponta Delgada. The adult ticket starts at €65. I'd take the catamaran with small children.

On Terceira, I'd book Water4fun from Angra do Heroísmo. The adult ticket starts at €65. On Pico, I'd book Aqua Açores from Lajes do Pico. The adult ticket starts at €66.

Compare whale watching tours in the Azores Hide the table Six trips side by side

Six whale watching trips, in page order. Prices are per adult in EUR, the lowest listed. Details checked 30 September 2026.
	Trip	Departs from	Group limit	From price	Duration	Departures (local time)	Rating
01	Picos de Aventura whale watching from Ponta Delgada Azores Whale Watching Tour – Ponta Delgada São Miguel	Ponta Delgada	up to 75	€65 per adult	2 to 3 hours	08:30, 09:00, 13:00, 13:30	4.5 (941 reviews)
02	Water4fun whale watching from Angra do Heroísmo Watching whales and dolphins on Terceira Island Terceira	Angra do Heroísmo marina	up to 26	€65 per adult	3 hours	08:30	4.9 (199 reviews)
03	Aqua Açores whale watching from Lajes do Pico Whale and Dolphin Watching in Pico Island - Half Day Pico	Lajes do Pico harbour	boat size depends on bookings	€66 per adult	3 hours	09:00, 14:00	4.6 (187 reviews)
04	Picos de Aventura whale watching from Angra do Heroísmo Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour at Terceira Island Terceira	Angra do Heroísmo, by the Cais d’Angra restaurant	up to 24	€65 per adult	2 to 2.5 hours	08:30, 11:30	4.7 (45 reviews)
05	Espaço Talassa whale watching from Lajes do Pico Whale and Dolphin Watching in Pico Island 3 Hour Small Group Tour Pico	Lajes do Pico, Espaço Talassa by the harbour	up to 24	€63 per adult	3 hours	09:00, 14:00	4.9 (41 reviews)
06	Futurismo whale watching on Pico Whale and dolphin watching in Pico Island Pico	Pico	up to 28	€70 per adult	3 hours	08:30, 13:30	4.9 (52 reviews)

Group limit is the most people the operator takes on one departure. Times are the usual timetable. All six trips give a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before departure.

Three main choices: one trip per island

Azores Whale Watching Tour – Ponta Delgada

4.5 (941 reviews)

São Miguel 2 to 3 hours · groups up to 75 · departures 08:30, 09:00, 13:00, 13:30 · Ponta Delgada

Photos from Picos de Aventura · All 19 photos

I'd book this if you're staying on São Miguel. I'd take the catamaran with small children. The inflatable is for ages 6 and up.

Choose a catamaran, speedboat or fibreglass boat. A marine biologist is on board. Lookouts on land help the crew find the animals.

The trade-off. Groups go up to 75 people. Food and drinks aren’t included. There is no hotel pickup.

Guide languages: Portuguese, English.

Know before you go

There’s no hotel pickup.
The inflatable boat 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.
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.

Watching whales and dolphins on Terceira Island

4.9 (199 reviews)

Terceira 3 hours · groups up to 26 · departures 08:30 · Angra do Heroísmo marina

Photos from Water4fun Whale Watching Terceira · All 51 photos

I'd book this on Terceira. It has the most reviews of the island's two trips.

The trip from Angra do Heroísmo takes 3 hours. If no whales or dolphins appear, you choose: a full refund or a second trip.

The trade-off. One departure a day, at 08:30. Groups go up to 26 people.

Guide languages: Portuguese, English, Spanish.

Know before you go

Meet at Water4fun store no. 2 in Angra do Heroísmo marina. The store is next to the Marina Grill.
One departure a day, at 08:30.

Whale and Dolphin Watching in Pico Island - Half Day

4.6 (187 reviews)

Pico 3 hours · boat size depends on bookings · departures 09:00, 14:00 · Lajes do Pico harbour

Photos from Aqua Açores · All 17 photos

I'd book Aqua Açores for its refund rule. You get a full refund if no whales or dolphins appear.

Skippers, biologists and a lookout on land work together. The boat size depends on how many people book.

The trade-off. Bottled water isn’t included. A shuttle to the meeting point isn’t included.

Guide languages: Portuguese, English.

Know before you go

Meet at the Whale Watching Center at the entrance of Lajes do Pico harbour. Arrive 30 minutes before the start.
Departures at 09:00 and 14:00.
Give this one a miss if you’re pregnant or if you have a spinal injury.

Three alternatives on Terceira and Pico

Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour at Terceira Island

4.7 (45 reviews)

Terceira 2 to 2.5 hours · groups up to 24 · departures 08:30, 11:30 · Angra do Heroísmo, by the Cais d’Angra restaurant

Pick this on Terceira if 08:30 is too early for you. It also leaves at 11:30.

The trip takes 2 to 2.5 hours. A local guide gives live commentary on board.

Whale and Dolphin Watching in Pico Island 3 Hour Small Group Tour

4.9 (41 reviews)

Pico 3 hours · groups up to 24 · departures 09:00, 14:00 · Lajes do Pico, Espaço Talassa by the harbour

I'd book this if you want a small group with a biologist on board. Guides speak English, French, German and Portuguese.

A land lookout and onboard hydrophones help find the whales. The price includes a waterproof jacket and the observation permit. You also get a drink on return.

Whale and dolphin watching in Pico Island

4.9 (52 reviews)

Pico 3 hours · groups up to 28 · departures 08:30, 13:30 · Pico

Pick this on Pico if the two Lajes trips are full. Groups go up to 28 people.

The trip takes 3 hours. A marine biologist or nature guide joins you. You get a briefing before departure.

Before you book

How much does whale watching cost in the Azores?

These six trips start at €63 to €70 per adult. That’s the lowest price each operator lists. Prices checked 30 September 2026. Espaço Talassa from Lajes do Pico is the cheapest, at €63.

How long is a whale watching trip and when do boats leave?

2 to 3 hours. Four of the six take 3 hours. The Ponta Delgada trip takes 2 to 3 hours. The shorter Angra trip takes 2 to 2.5 hours. Departures, local time:

Picos de Aventura from Ponta Delgada: 08:30, 09:00, 13:00, 13:30. Daily.
Water4fun from Angra do Heroísmo: 08:30. Daily.
Aqua Açores from Lajes do Pico: 09:00, 14:00. Daily.
Picos de Aventura from Angra do Heroísmo: 08:30, 11:30. Daily.
Espaço Talassa from Lajes do Pico: 09:00, 14:00. Daily.
Futurismo on Pico: 08:30, 13:30. Daily.

Is whale watching better on São Miguel or Pico?

I’d choose the island you’re staying on. For a catamaran, book Picos de Aventura on São Miguel: from €65, 2 to 3 hours, groups up to 75. On Pico, book Aqua Açores for its refund rule: from €66, 3 hours. The Pico groups are smaller: Espaço Talassa takes up to 24 people, Futurismo up to 28.

Which Azores whale watching tours refund you if nothing is seen?

Three trips give a full refund if neither whales nor dolphins appear: Picos de Aventura from Ponta Delgada, Water4fun from Angra do Heroísmo and Aqua Açores from Lajes do Pico. Water4fun also lets you choose a second trip instead. A dolphin sighting counts.

Which whale watching trips take children?

I’d take the Ponta Delgada catamaran with small children. It has shade and a toilet. Infants 0 to 5 travel free on that option. Children 6 to 11 pay €32.50. Children must be with an adult. Weather can limit children’s participation.

Picos de Aventura, Ponta Delgada: the inflatable boat is for ages 6 and up.
Water4fun, Terceira: infants 0 to 5 free, children 6 to 9 €32.50.
Aqua Açores, Pico: infant tickets cover ages 1 to 2, up to two per booking. Children 3 to 12 pay €49.
Picos de Aventura, Terceira: bookable ages start at 6. Children 6 to 11 pay €32.50.
Espaço Talassa, Pico: tickets cover ages 5 to 99.
Futurismo, Pico: minimum age 6. Children 6 to 12 pay €35.

Can I cancel?

All six trips give a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before departure. Later cancellations get no refund.

Other boat trips

Dolphins and whales sometimes appear on the crossing. It isn’t a whale watching trip, so it stays out of the six.

Corvo Boat Trip

4.8 (60 reviews)

Flores 7 hours · boat size depends on bookings · departures 09:00 · Santa Cruz das Flores

The trip from Flores to Corvo takes 7 hours. You pass the Gruta do Galo and the Talisca waterfall on the way out. Dolphins and whales sometimes appear on the crossing.

Roman Antonov, editor

I live in Portugal and I love these islands. I read the listings and put this selection together.

Something wrong or out of date? Tell me which trip and what →