São Miguel, Azores: Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour

Overview

Available languages

Portuguese

English

Mobile ticket

- Frequent sightings throughout the year, with different species depending on the season;

- Specialized guides who share knowledge about marine life and the Azorean ecosystem;

- Guarantee of no sighting: If you do not see any animal during the tour, we offer the possibility to reschedule a new activity.

Additional Info

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Lifevest; Experienced guide; Bathroom in the Catamaran; Change room available in our facilities for free; Sightseeing Warranty Policy: we offer a new tour in case you don't spot any animal.

Bottled water

Meals

Pick-up /Drop off

Entrance on the islet

What To Expect

Vila Franca do Campo

Embark on a magical journey with our whale and dolphin watching tours in the Azores. Designed for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike, our tours are tailored to offer an immersive experience on both catamaran and RIB boat. From spotting humpback and sperm whales to marveling at the playful dolphins, our tours provide a rare glimpse into the vibrant marine life of the Atlantic. Admire magnificent whales or interactive dolphins in their natural habitat. Discover the magic of the Atlantic Ocean and embark on one of the most exciting experiences in the Azores: whale and dolphin watching! This 3-4 hour tour takes you to encounter some of the most impressive creatures on the planet in a natural setting. The Azores are one of the best destinations in the world for whale watching, as more than 25 species of whales and dolphins pass through here throughout the year.

2 hours • Admission Not Applicable

Islet of Vila Franca do Campo

Depending on the season, you may be lucky enough to see whales such as the blue whale, the largest animal on the planet, or different species of dolphins playing in the waves close to the boat. Accompanied by marine biologists and expert guides, you will learn about these fascinating creatures and the Azorean marine ecosystem. On the way back, the tour doesn't end without first going around the spectacular Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo, an ancient volcanic crater that is now a protected nature reserve. This little paradise is famous for its impressive rock formations, which make it one of the most beautiful places in the Azores. This final moment is perfect for taking incredible photos, enjoying the unique landscape and ending the experience with a true postcard of the Azores. Don't miss this unique opportunity to witness the beauty of marine life in the Azores up close!

Admission Not Applicable

Options

Catamaran Tour

Catamaran

Speedboat Tour

Zodiac/RIB Boat: up to 12 people

Reviews

5.00

17 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Absolutely recommend it!
PaulaS1203,
Oct 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
My trip ended up taking a bit over 4 hours, which I was supper happy about! We saw two (or three?) kinds of whale, and two of dolphins. We also got to swim with the dolphins, which was unforgettable! The guide and the captain are knowledgeable and always make sure to keep everyone safe. I really loved it!
Adventure
alexanderbX4843WL,
Sep 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Edmundo and Alex showed us a lot and also gave some info about the animals we saw. Would repeat this trip at any time:)
Very great experience!
Dennis S,
Sep 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Just great! Whales & dolphins seen these have even swam close to the boat. Were even allowed to drive Zodiak ourselves. Small local Enterprise. The owner even drove out with us himself.
Whale watching on speed boat
cristinadarosa87,
Sep 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
The captain/owner is amazing and loves what he does allowing guests to be out on the water long enough to make sure they get the experience to see as much marine life as possible. We were on the speed boat, as long as you anticipate getting quite wet (and the front seat is very bumpy) it is a blast!
A unique experience
N9376ICangelikak,
Sep 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Super Bootstrips. A sperm whale and lots of dolphins. Swimming with the dolphins was fantastic and impressive. 🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬
Highly recommended!
hf1403,
Aug 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Fantastic whale and dolphin watching trip! We saw different species of whale and a few pods of dolphins which swam in front of and at the side of our boat for ages. There were a couple of opportunities to jump out and swim with the dolphins for those who wanted to. Alex was an excellent guide and a very knowledgable marine biologist. Edmundo was a very friendly and fun captain who let our boys steer the boat for a bit on the way home. We were in a speed boat which made it all a lot of fun. We were on the water for a long time (4.5 hours) and spent some time waiting for whales to reappear so may not be ideal if you get sea sick. Thanks so much Edmundo and Alex, one of the highlights of our trip!
Tour wonderful! For all that person who loves the sea!
868lidel,
Aug 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Super ultra grateful for everything!! Whale watching has been a blast! Alex's explanations, the marine biologist, have been wonderful, wise and passionate; and the captain an incredible positive energy. Super recommended for all those people who love the sea. Thank you! Mila esker!!
Top!
lillyrosel972,
Aug 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I had two great times with them: dolphin watching and snorkeling. Two incredible experiences that I recommend to all without hesitation. The staff is pleasant and competent and their explanations are clear and complete. You can go with your eyes closed
Unforgettable experience
Daniela A,
Aug 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It was a really special experience. We have not only seen whales and dolphins, we were even allowed to swim with them several times. However, since I almost only made videos, unfortunately I cannot show the many dolphins that we were allowed to see and that followed our boat. On the return trip you also got an instruction in the boat if interested. In the end, we got a lot more for the price than expected. We were on the road for a total of five hours because everyone had so much fun and made another detour to Vila Franca do Campo.
Fabulous trip highly recommend
E6135GWsaraht,
Jul 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had an amazing trip our guide Erica was lovely and really informative. Eduardo our captain did a wonderful job getting us to where the animals were and making sure we all got a good view of everything. I would really recommend this trip it was reasonably priced compared with others on offer (especially considering we were given the opportunity to swim). I had been worried we might be one of lots of boats all crowded around the animals but that wasnt the case, and at multiple points we were the only boat and surrounded by dolphins. We were really lucky and saw lots of dolphins and whales.