Azores Whale Watching Tour – Ponta Delgada
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Biologist-Guided Experience – Our tours are always accompanied by professional marine biologists who provide live commentary, species identification, and fascinating insights into whale behavior and marine conservation.
Land-Based Lookouts (Vigias) – We use traditional lookout points on land to spot whales and dolphins before the boats even leave the marina. This local method dramatically increases our chances of successful sightings.
Ethical Wildlife Observation – At Picos de Aventura, we prioritize respectful and non-invasive approaches to wildlife, ensuring that our encounters do not disturb the animals or their natural behaviors.
Scenic Azorean Backdrop – The dramatic coastline of São Miguel and the deep blue Atlantic create a stunning setting for your adventure.
Comfort & Choice – Whether you prefer the adrenaline of a rigid inflatable speedboat or the stability of a catamaran, we offer different vessels to suit your comfort level and adventure style.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
We offer tours on 2 different types of boats: A zodiac-style rigid inflatable speedboat, designed for speed, safety, and a thrilling close-to-the-water experience OR or a modern Catamaran with plenty of space to move around where you can relax inside the covered cabin or soak up the views from the open-air upper deck. This larger boat offers a more comfortable experience and amenities like toilets for your convenience. Perfect for families with small children.
Children must be accompanied by an adult
May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
Weather conditions may limit the participation of children due to safety concerns.
What To Expect
Meeting Point: Start your adventure at our headquarters in the Marina of Ponta Delgada. Please arrive 15–20 minutes before departure to check in and get ready for your experience. Safety Briefing & Introduction (15–20 minutes) Our team of expert marine biologists will welcome you and give a detailed safety briefing. You’ll also learn about the marine species you might encounter, local conservation efforts, and what to expect during the tour. Departure from the Marina After the briefing, we’ll board the boat and set off into the Atlantic Ocean in search of whales, dolphins, and other marine life. Our biologists will accompany you throughout the trip, offering fascinating insights and helping identify each species we encounter.
Whale & Dolphin Watching (2 to 3 hours) Spend up to 3 hours at sea, guided by our experienced crew and biologists. Sightings vary depending on the day, but you may encounter sperm whales, dolphins, and possibly even baleen whales or other migratory species. The tour combines the thrill of spotting wildlife with informative commentary and breathtaking views of the coastline. Return to the Marina After the tour, we return to our headquarters where your guides are available for any final questions or to share more about the sightings of the day.
Options
Tour on Catamaran
Duration: 3 hours Catamaran: Stable and roomy catamaran designed for a smooth ride. Offers panoramic views, shaded areas, and an onboard restroom — perfec
Tour on Fiberglass Boat
Duration: 3 hours Fiberglass Boat: Spacious 30-seat fiberglass boat equipped with a suncover for shade. Comfortable and ideal for scenic
Tour on Speed Boat
Duration: 3 hours Speedboat: High-speed, open-air zodiac boat for a more adventurous and close-to-the-water experience. Ideal for small groups and fast.
What‘s Included
Two boat types available: Catamaran or Rigid Inflatable Speedboat.
Cetacean sightings guaranteed! Full-refund if we don't spot any whales OR dolphins.
Rain Coat and Life Vest (mandatory on the small boats)
Professional Marine Life Experts on board!
Food and drinks
Hotel drop-off
Hotel Pick-up
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
829 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Take Dramamine/Bonine Before & Don’t Eat!
Laura W,Jun 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00Too many people got seasick. Take Dramamine or Bonine and don’t eat before the trip unless you’re a seasoned sailor. Your fellow passengers will be grateful. It was a puke fest. Nothing against the company- they are in open waters with swells. The crew were very kind and helpful. We did see Sei whales and dolphins. That said, it’s not enjoyable when everyone around you is getting sick. But if you really want to see whales in the wild, you’ve got a great chance here.
Great time!
jessicacZ2433LI,Jun 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was fun!! Saw 4 different species which include sperm whales! Our guide was knowledgeable and passionate about the ocean and its creatures. We had great weather but would advise a warm jacket for sure as it gets chilly on the open water with the speed of the boat.
Be warned
C2262TOkb,Jun 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00Be warned! - If you are prone to motion sickness, I would say to skip this experience. It will not be fun for you! We also didn’t see anything at all. The upside : staff were very kind - They did the best they could to help with participants who got sea-sick.
Whale watching Azores
Angela H,Jun 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great trip Very well organised with safety briefing before hand We saw whales and dolphins definitely consider this if you are travelling to the Azores
It Can Be Fascinating, but You May Not Be Lucky Enough to See Very Much
YacovHerzlia Israel,Jun 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00We booked this whale-watching tour for three couples. Unfortunately, our first scheduled trip was cancelled due to bad weather. Naturally, we were disappointed, but we completely understood that safety must come first. We were immediately informed that we would receive a full refund, and indeed the company handled the situation promptly and professionally, which deserves special recognition. Two days later, we decided to try again, and this time the tour went ahead as planned. To the company's credit, they make it very clear before departure that sightings cannot be guaranteed and that a successful trip depends, to a certain extent, on luck and on the animals being in the area. In our case, we had hoped to be luckier. During more than three hours at sea, the only wildlife we managed to see was a few orcas. While seeing orcas was certainly interesting, we had expected a richer experience. Therefore, anyone considering booking this tour should be aware that, despite the best efforts of the crew, it is entirely possible that during the entire trip you may see very little—or even nothing at all. Having said that, I would still recommend not missing this experience. Being out on the open ocean, searching for these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat, is worthwhile in itself. Hopefully, future visitors will have even better luck than we did
Respect for the animal
colienv2026,Jun 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Top experience at picos de aventura. There are biologists on board who provide enough explanation and distance from the animal. It remains a must to respect the animals in their habitat and not cause stress. We saw two species of whales and two species of dolphins. So grateful for this experience!!
June whale watching 2026
A7845NFmatthewd,Jun 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Was able to see 3 different whale species and 4 whales total. Got a good shot of whale tail right when one dove. Unique and cool experience overall. Do not expect to get right up close to the whales. But with good eyesight you’ll be able to get a nice view
Highly recommended!
Marcus H,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Incredibly great trip! All in all, we were on the speedboat for almost four hours. We have seen three different species of dolphins and sperm whales. Pull up your arms when you're having fun! The skippers then go full throttle and ride the waves properly!:D Absolutely worth the money! Only good seat meat should be available!;)
Great experience!!
Evan D,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We traveled on a rib boat to multiple different locations to observe common dolphins and sperm whales under the guidance of a local marine biologist. She was knowledgeable and helped the tour understand all the observable behaviors of the animals we saw!!!
Super fun and exciting
Voyager828864,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We saw many species, the operators seemed as excited as us, the zodiac boat was also super fun!!
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