The 15 Best Whale Watching Trips in the Azores

From Ponta Delgada: Whale and Dolphin Watching Trip - Catamaran or Zodiac: choosing the right ride for your comfort

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 4,109 reviews · 3 hours · from $82Our pick

3-hour whale and dolphin watching from Ponta Delgada with a marine biologist, clear animal-spotting rules, and a second outing if none are seen.

“This was a wonderful first activity on my holiday to São Miguel. The weather was great and we did see some cetacean species out at sea. It was such a thrill to see the whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. The guides were very informative and knowledgable and I learned a few things that I didn’t know before.”

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Azores: Whale Watching & Islet Boat Tour w/ Marine Biologist

2.Whale Watching & Islet Boat Tour w/ Marine Biologist

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 2,945 reviews · 3 hours · from $73

Marine biologist-led whale watching from Vila Franca do Campo with guaranteed sightings, zodiac comfort, and a volcanic islet loop on São Miguel.

“Enjoyed it very much. Our guide was very enthusiastic. We saw a sperm whale, pilot whales, and white spotted dolphins. Great trip”

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São Miguel: Whale-Watching Cruise with Marine Biologist

3.Whale-Watching Cruise with Marine Biologist

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,311 reviews · 3 hours · from $76

Marine biologist whale cruise from São Miguel with ethical spotting, a fast search by lookout radio, and refund help if whales don’t show.

“It was so much fun exploring the waters on the zodiac boat. You go fast and it can be bumpy so not for those wanting a smooth ride. We saw so many dolphins and got to see two whales as well. Overall the team is excellent and really did all they could to make our time enjoyable.”

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Azores Whale Watching Tour – Ponta Delgada

4.Azores Whale Watching Tour – Ponta Delgada

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 740 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $78

Whale and dolphin tour from Ponta Delgada, guided by marine biologists on an open boat, with rain gear and a sighting refund.

“Excellent tour with good information. A fun morning! They prepare you well for the trip and make sure you will be warm and comfortable.”

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Pico Island: Whale Watching Experience from Lajes do Pico

5.Whale Watching Experience from Lajes do Pico

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 723 reviews · 3 hours · from $82

3-hour zodiac whale watching from Lajes do Pico. Marine biologists guide you to whales and dolphins away from crowds.

“Enthusiastic and knowledgeable guides and great views of cetaceans. We saw five different species of dolphins and whales and huge numbers of shearwaters.”

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Pico Island: Azores Whale & Dolphin Watching on Zodiac Boat

6.Azores Whale & Dolphin Watching on Zodiac Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 408 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $53Best value

Zodiac whale and dolphin watching from Lajes do Pico, Pico Island. Spot whales, dolphins, turtles, birds in 2.5 hours.

“So plenty of dolphins and Whales. The guides were friendly and informative.”

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Terceira: Whale and Dolphin Watching in a Zodiac Boat

7.Whale and Dolphin Watching in a Zodiac Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 230 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $82

Terceira, Azores zodiac whale watching with Water4fun. 2.5 hours, Monte Brasil spotter guidance, whales and dolphins.

“Guide looked after everyone from start to the end perfectly. We saw dolphins , false killer whales and a sperm whale. Does what is says on the tin.”

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Horta: University Startup Whale and Dolphin RIB Boat Trip

8.University Startup Whale and Dolphin RIB Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 225 reviews · 3 hours · from $101

3-hour RIB trip from Horta with university biologists. Look for sperm, blue, and fin whales, dolphins, turtles, and seabirds.

“Great experience and a guide who explained a lot. The Skipper moved carefully and in a certain distance to the whales. I can recommend it 100%. Also the water proofed clothes were super.”

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Terceira: Half-Day Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour

9.Half-Day Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 219 reviews · 3 hours · from $70

3 hours in Terceira’s seas to spot whales and dolphins, learn real Azores cetacean ethics, and take in dramatic coastline geology.

“Great trip. Saw a sperm whale and two types of dolphins”

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Whale and Dolphin Watching in Pico Island – Half Day

10.Whale and Dolphin Watching in Pico Island – Half Day

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 157 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $79

Pico Island half-day whale and dolphin cruise with instant booking, expert briefing, fast zodiac ride, and Pico coastline views from the water.

“Great experience, although a bit "wet" due to wind and waves. We managed to see two different species of dolphins and one false killer whale. Unfortunately we didn't see any sperm whale :( the staff was very nice and helpful”

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Watching whales and dolphins on Terceira Island

11.Watching whales and dolphins on Terceira Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 150 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $78Top rated

Terceira whale watching by speedboat with a top-range spotter on Monte Brasil. Small group, safety gear, and a cetacean sighting guarantee.

“Got to see a whale and many, many dolphins! The whale (Cachalote) was amazing! So worth it! Great tour guides and amazing job spotting these wild creatures.”

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Rabo de Peixe: Sperm Whale Sanctuary Expedition

12.Rabo de Peixe: Sperm Whale Sanctuary Expedition

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 135 reviews · 3 hours · from $82

3-hour sperm whale expedition from Rabo de Peixe in the Azores, led by marine biologists on a small boat for respectful wildlife viewing.

“Personale molto cortese e competente. Giornata fortunata con avvistamenti di capodogli. La biologa Emma è riuscita a trasmettere passione ed emozione. Non vedo l'ora di riguardare le fotografie.”

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São Miguel: Whales & Volcano Full-Day Tour with Lunch

13.Whales & Volcano Full-Day Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 95 reviews · 7 hours · from $182

Whale and dolphin spotting by catamaran from Ponta Delgada, then Lagoa do Fogo crater lake and geothermal energy in one full day.

“La journée s’est bien déroulée, nous avons pu apercevoir deux cachalots lors de la sortie en mer, mais nous n’avons pas eu la chance de voir de dauphins ou de baleines, l’océan est vaste, c’est bien normal. Les différents arrêts effectués par notre guide Joachim étaient sympathiques. Joachim est avenant, dans l’échange et a su donner des informations riches. Merci pour cette journée en compagnie de Joachim!”

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Whale watching

14.Whale watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 77 reviews · 3 hours · from $70

3-hour whale watching from Ponta Delgada on the Buggs Bunny boat, guided by a biologist, with chances to see 25+ cetaceans.

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Observation of whales and dolphins in island Pico

15.Observation of whales and dolphins in island Pico

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 76 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $70

Whale and dolphin watching off Pico Island from Lajes do Pico, with live English and Portuguese guidance, great marine sightings, and a fast boat ride.

“Insgesamt eine tolle Tour mit vielen Walsichtungen. Von unserem Guide hätte ich mir noch mehr Erläuterungen zu den Walen gewünscht. Ich empfehle die Tour aber auf jeden Fall weiter, wenn man einigermaßen seetüchtig ist. Die Fahrt mit dem Boot bei teilweise 38 mph ist ein zusätzlicher Kick wenn man Tempo mag.”

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