WHALE AND DOLPHIN WATCHING

Whale watching has become a very popular activity among visitors to the Azores. The abundance of marine mammals reaches its peak in the summer months and more than 20 different speices has been recorded around the islands.

Delphinus delphis

The most commonly sighted dolphin carries the same name; common dolphin – Delphinus delphis. It is not unusual to find a large group of more than 20 individuals that surf the waves and spring out of the water next to the boat! This speices is small and fast and very active.

Resident in the area are also bottlenose dolphins – Turiops truncatus. These dolphins are more shy and calm and usually found in smaller groups. But once they are in the mood, they will make high jumps justs as good as any Flipper on TV.

The Azores has a tradition of whale hunting. The oil produced in the head of the spermwhale was used as a fine lubricant for machinery and oil for light was also produced from the whales' fat. The last whale was caught in 1985 in the island of Pico before hunting was banned. Today the amount of whales has slowly increased and to our joy they are often sighted on the south coast of São Miguel.

The spermwhale – Physeter macrocephalus, is one of the toothed whales. It reaches a magnificient 20 meters and can dive down to 2000 meters. When at surface it is easily recognised by the direction of the spray from its blowhole which is situated on the left side of its head. Females and young of this speices can be sighted all year around.

Mentioned above are just a few of all the marine mammals around the Azores. There are no guarantees when it comes to wildlife, but the statstics show that there is more then 85% chance of spotting something.

So how do we find the animals in the great Atlantic? The traditional way. During the time of whale hunting, vigias – lookouts, would be posted along the coast with binoculars to scan the ocean. The same method is used today. The lookout will contact the skippers with radio and in this way direct the boats in the right direction.

No holiday in the Azores is complete without a trip to the ocean. There is no age-limit for this adventure. The boats are safe and every guest will be provided lifevest and raincoat. During the colder months of the year it is good to wear long trousers and a warm jumper. In the summer shorts and T-shirt will do.

We recommend you not to miss the opportunity to encounter some of the worlds largest mammals!

Daily departures from the marina in Ponta Delgada, kiosk B

DEPARTURES

è MORNING: 08H45

è AFTERNOON: 12H45

PRICES PER PERSON

è ADULTS                              €47.00             

è CHILDREN 5-10 years                €25.00             

è CHILDREN 0-4 years                  FREE

SWIMMING WITH DOLPHINS

è ADULTS                              €63.00             

è CHILDREN 5-10 years                €40.00             

(equipment: wetsuit & mask)