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.

Accommodation for your holiday is in the Casa do Lado guesthouse located close to the centre of Horta, on Faial. This simple, friendly, family run pension offers twin sharing rooms and was renovated in August 2003 to a good standard. All rooms are en suite, have TV and some have balconies with a view of Pico. Breakfasts are taken at Casa do Lado, with lunches (a mix of salads, fresh bread, cheeses, meat and fish) taken at sea on “Physeter” and dinners at local restaurants, where you can choose from a selection of mouth watering local meat and fish dishes. Vegetarians and some special diets can be catered for with advance notice.

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.

   WHALE WATCH AZORES TOURS 2010

 
  Cost £ (€)
Duration in nights
Tour Type
SA3 - MO12 APR Fully Booked 9 Whale and Dolphin Tour
SA17 – MO26 APR Fully Booked 9 Whale and Dolphin Tour
SA1 – MO10 MAY Fully Booked 9 Whale and Dolphin Tour
MO10- WE19 MAY Fully Booked 9 Whale and Dolphin Tour
TH27MAY – SA5 JUNE Fully Booked 9 Whale and Dolphin Tour
WE9 – FR 18 JUNE £1295 (1400€) 9 Whale and Dolphin Tour
SU20 – TU29 JUNE Fully Booked 9 Whale and Dolphin Tour
SU11 – TU20 JULY Fully Booked 9 Whale and Dolphin Tour
WE21 – FR30 JULY £1295 (1400€) 9 Whale and Dolphin Tour
FR13 – SU22AUG Fully Booked 9 Whale and Dolphin Tour
MO23 – WE1 SEP £1295 (1400€) 9 Whale and Dolphin Tour
TH2 – SA11 SEP Fully Booked 9 Whale and Dolphin Tour
WE15 - SU26 SEP Fully Booked 11 Whales & Trails Tour
WE29 SEPT – SU10 OCT Fully Booked 11 Whales & Trails Tour
5 Night SHORT BREAK TOURS
WE9 – MO14 JUNE £725 (785€) 5 Whale and Dolphin Tour
SU13 – FR18 JUNE £725 (785€) 5 Whale and Dolphin Tour
SU20 – FR25 JUNE Fully Booked 5 Whale and Dolphin Tour
TH24 -TU29 JUNE Fully Booked 5 Whale and Dolphin Tour
TH1 - TU6 JULY Fully Booked 5 Whale and Dolphin Tour
SU11 - FR16 JULY Fully Booked 5 Whale and Dolphin Tour
TH15 – TU20 JULY Fully Booked 5 Whale and Dolphin Tour
WE21 – MO26 JULY £725 (785€) 5 Whale and Dolphin Tour
SU25 JULY- FR30 JULY £725 (785€) 5 Whale and Dolphin Tour
MO23 AUG- SA28 AUG £725 (785€)
5
Whale and Dolphin Tour


Single supplement is £75 per tour (85€) (5 night tours) and £105 (120€) (9 and 11 night tours). 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
and talks, local whale watch taxes and our services as tour guides. 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. Whales 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, 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 £125 pp and cheques should be made payable to "Whale Watch Azores". 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 7-8 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

  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 cheque) of £125 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
An inquisitive sperm whale visits