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 or 9 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 4pm each day, so you will have a chance to explore on land before and
after dinner, as well as on shore days.

   WHALE WATCH AZORES TOURS 2012

 
  Cost £ (€)
Duration in nights
Tour Type
MO 2 – WE 11 APR Fully Booked 9 Whale and Dolphin Tour
SA 14 – MO 23 APR Fully Booked 9 Whale and Dolphin Tour
TH 26 APR – SA 5 MAY Fully Booked 9 Whale and Dolphin Tour
TU 8 – TH 17 MAY €1,670 9 Whale and Dolphin Tour
SA 19 – MO28 MAY €1,670 9 Whale and Dolphin Tour
WE 30 – FR 8 JUNE €1,670 9 Whale and Dolphin Tour
SU 10 – TU 19 JUNE €1,670 9 Whale and Dolphin Tour
TH 21 – SA 30 JUNE €1,670 9 Whale and Dolphin Tour
MO 2 – WE 11 JULY €1,795 9 Whale and Dolphin Tour
SA 14 – MO 23 JULY €1,795 9 Whale and Dolphin Tour
TH 26 JULY – SA 4 AUG €1,795 9 Whale and Dolphin Tour
MO 13 – WE 22 AUG €1,795 9 Whale and Dolphin Tour
SA 25 AUG – MO 3 SEPT €1,795 9 Whale and Dolphin Tour
WE 5 – FR 14 SEPT €1,670 9 Whale and Dolphin Tour
SU 16 – TU 25 SEPT €1,670 9 Whale and Dolphin Tour
TH 27 SEPT – SA 6 OCT €1,670 9 Whale and Dolphin Tour
5 Night SHORT BREAK TOURS
TH 14 – TU19 JUNE €925 5 Whale and Dolphin Tour
TH 21 – TU 26 JUNE €925 5 Whale and Dolphin Tour
MO25 – SA 30 JUNE €925 5 Whale and Dolphin Tour
MO 2 – SA 7 JULY €985 5 Whale and Dolphin Tour
FR 6 – WE 11 JULY €985 5 Whale and Dolphin Tour
SA 14 – TH 19 JULY €985 5 Whale and Dolphin Tour
WE 18 – MO 23 JULY €985 5 Whale and Dolphin Tour
TH 26 – TU 31 JULY €985 5 Whale and Dolphin Tour
MO 30 JULY – SA 4 AUG €985 5 Whale and Dolphin Tour
MO 13 – SA 18 AUG €985
5
Whale and Dolphin Tour
FR 17 – WE 22 AUG €985 5 Whale and Dolphin Tour
SA 25 – TH 30 AUG €985 5 Whale and Dolphin Tour


If you will just be in Horta for a few days, give us a call or send us an email. We offer day trips from 9am until around 4pm. Price - €100 per person or €180 for 2.

** ALL ROOMS 4 STAR ACCOMMODATION **
Single room supplement is 175€ / €295 (9 night tours low/high season)
95€ / €175 (5 night tours low/high season)

Full details 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 2 lunches on shore days), tea and coffee, Horta airport transfers, slide show, local whale watch taxes and Lisa's services as tour guide. On Short Break Tours we include 3 days whale and dolphin watching (and one shore day) and all meals except 1 evening meal and shore day lunch.

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, 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 - Cardiff, Birmingham, Manchester), and then use TAP from Lisbon to Horta, which will save some money. Make sure you allow time for the transfer in Lisbon. Occasionally an overnight stop is needed in Lisbon but most tours have same day flights connections.

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 £150 pp and can be made by bank transfer or VISA. We can email you our bank details if you would prefer to do an online bank transfer. 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 should be expected throughout the summer. We are at sea for around 7 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

  1. The process is very easy. Email us to check availability with your chosen tour dates and number of people.
  2. Once we have answered and sent you a booking form, please confirm you want space(s) held and then you can go ahead and book your flights. Please then return the booking form (either by email or post) together with your deposit (bank transfer or VISA) of €150 pp and we will confirm the holiday and send you our extensive pre departure information booklet.
  3. The balance cost of your tour is due 70 days before you join us.

For further information you can read our occasional blog at www.whalewatchazores.blogspot.com or Please call for further details.

 

 

Physeter
A busy day day at sea

Outside view of the Hotel Canal

Hotel Canal Bedroom

Hotel Canal is a 4 star hotel about 2 minutes walk from where the boat is moored Breakfast is served from a buffet, with fresh fruits, breads, hot dishes and cereal. There is a small fitness centre, a Jacuzzi and sauna. A sunroom and lounge with comfortable chairs and great views to Pico over the harbour are located on the 1st floor. The hotel is close to the beach at Porto Pim and the famous Peter’s Café Sport.