
How We Got Started
Between 1987-91 the 46ft sailing ketch " Song of the Whale " owned by IFAW (the International Fund for Animal Welfare) cruised the islands, conducting cetacean research and a feasibility study for Azorean "whale watching". IFAW wanted to see if this could replace lost income for the Azoreans, who had ceased whaling just 2 years before, and Lisa Steiner and Chris Beer were crew members. In 1993 "Song of the Whale" moved onto other projects, paving the way for the founding of Whale Watch Azores by Lisa and Chris, with the aims of continuing and expanding on the research programme initiated by IFAW and increasing peoples’ awareness of the plight of cetaceans.

Our Vessel
We go to sea on the amazing catamaran “Physeter”.
This highly manoeuvrable vessel carries a maximum of just 12 guests plus 3
crew and is inspected for safety annually by the UK and Portuguese authorities.
“Physeter” (latin for sperm whale) has 4 deck areas from where
you get excellent views of the whales and dolphins, a toilet, cooker for brewing
tea and coffee and a fridge for cold drinks. Her hulls are specially designed
to create a low wash, which disturbs the animals less and offers better fuel
consumption, thus reducing pollution. She also has the ability to get to sea
areas fast if necessary and her twin hulls provide a stable comfortable platform
for good viewing and photography. There is seating in the main cabin if you
want to get out of the breeze or the sun, an awning over the top deck and
she is fitted with the latest electronic navigation equipment and 220V power
supply for video/camera battery charging.
The Itineraries
Tours operate from May to October and are of either 5, 9 or 11 nights duration. No two tours have the same itinerary as we are affected by the location of the whales and dolphins, the frequency and species of cetacean seen, the weather and re-supply of the vessel. We try to visit different areas around the coasts of the islands during the tour and would expect 3 to 6 full days whale watching, depending on the tour. We leave port at 0900 each morning and get back around 430-530pm each day, so you will have a chance to explore on land before and after dinner, as well as on shore days.
2009 Tour Dates
| Tour Number and Dates | Cost £ (€) | Duration in nights | Tour Type |
| SA4 – MO13 APR | Fully Booked | 9 | Whale & Dolphin Tour |
| SA18 – MO27 APR | Fully Booked | 9 | Whale & Dolphin Tour |
| SA2 – MO11MAY | Fully Booked | 9 | Whale & Dolphin Tour |
| SA16 – MO25 MAY | £1295 (1675€) | 9 | Whale & Dolphin Tour |
| WE27MAY – FR5 JUNE | Fully Booked | 9 | Whale & Dolphin Tour |
| SA6 – MO15 JUNE | £1295 (1675€) | 9 | Whale & Dolphin Tour |
| WE17 – FR26 JUNE | £1295 (1675€) | 9 | Whale & Dolphin Tour |
| SA27 JUNE – MO6 JULY | Fully Booked | 9 | Whale & Dolphin Tour |
| WE8 – FRI17 JULY | £1295 (1675€) | 9 | Whale & Dolphin Tour |
| SA18 – MO27 JULY | £1295 (1675€) | 9 | Whale & Dolphin Tour |
| MO10 – WE19 AUG | Fully Booked | 9 | Whale & Dolphin Tour |
| FR21 – SU30 AUG | £1295 (1675€) | 9 | Whale & Dolphin Tour |
| WE2 – SU13 SEP | £1295 (1675€) | 11 | Whale & Dolphin Tour |
| WE16 – SU27 SEP | £1295 (1675€) | 11 | Whales & Trails Tour |
| WE30 SEPT – SU11 OCT | £1295 (1675€) | 11 | Whales & Trails Tour |
| 5 Night Short Break Tours | |||
| WE10 – MO15 JUNE | £ 725 (925€) | 5 | Whale & Dolphin Tour |
| WE17– MO22 JUNE | £ 725 (925€) | 5 | Whale & Dolphin Tour |
| SU21– FR26 JUNE | £ 725 (925€) | 5 | Whale & Dolphin Tour |
| WE8 – MO13 JUNE | £ 725 (925€) | 5 | Whale & Dolphin Tour |
| SU12 – FR17JULY | £ 725 (925€) | 5 | Whale & Dolphin Tour |
| SA18 – TH23 JULY | £ 725 (925€) | 5 | Whale & Dolphin Tour |
| WE22 JULY – MO27 JULY | £ 725 (925€) | 5 | Whale & Dolphin Tour |
| TU28 JULY – SU2 AUG | £ 725 (925€) | 5 | Whale & Dolphin Tour |
| FR21 AUG – WE26 AUG | £ 725 (925€) | 5 | Whale & Dolphin Tour |
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| Single supplement is £50 per tour (65€) (5 night tours) and £85 (105€) (9 and 11 night tour). Full deatails of our holidays are given in our brochure (please email us for a copy) but above prices include en-suite accommodation for the tour, six days whale and dolphin watching (and 2 shore days to explore the islands), all meals from dinner on day one to breakfast on day ten (excluding 2 evening meals and lunches on shore days), tea and coffee, Horta airport transfers, slide show and talks, local whale watch taxes and our services as tour guides. On Short Breaks Tours we include 3 days Whale and Trails tours have 4 days whale and dolphin watching, 3-4 days easy grade walking and 2-3 free days to explore independently. Flights are not included in the tour price or things of a personal nature such as sightseeing on the islands, souvenirs, personal laundry, gratuities and canned and bottled drinks. As a guide, return flights from UK are generally between £290 and £370 pp including taxes. As soon as you have reserved a space with us on a tour, you should contact TAP AIR Portugal to book these ( 0845 601 0932 or at www.flytap.com ). We are based at Horta and the airport code is HOR. As well as return flights from the UK with TAP via Lisbon, it is also now possible to book the UK to Lisbon section with Easy Jet ( www.easyjet .com - Luton, Gatwick, Liverpool and Bristol) or BMI Baby ( www.bmibaby.com Spaces on the Short Break Tours have limited availability. If you would like us to try and match you with another guest to share a room, again please tick the relevant choice on the tour booking form. We will have to charge you the supplement if this is not possible but in most cases we are able to find someone for you to share with. The deposit is £125 pp and cheques should be made payable to "Whale Watch Azores". Your tour balance is due 70 days before departure. Your booking will be confirmed within 21 days of receipt of your deposit. During 9 night tours we average 6-7 species (4-6 on the Short Break Tours) of whale and dolphin, including sperm whales and several species of dolphin. Air temperatures range from 17-26C during the season with mainly sunshine but occasional rainy days expected throughout the summer. We are at sea for around 7-8 hrs each sea day. It is a condition of travel with us that all clients must have insurance that covers them for personal accident and death (the latter to an equivalent of £15,000 UKP/ 20,000€), repatriation and health expenses. Other cover such as loss of bags, cancellation, delays, missed connection etc. is strongly recommended Booking A Tour
For further information you can read our occasional blog at www.whalewatchazores.blogspot.com or Please call for further details. |
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