WILDLIFE AND MORE...
The Azores are synonymous with marine biodiversity with unparalleled riches anywhere in the world.
Thanks to the archipelago’s volcanic origin, its deep waters close to the coast and the Gulf Stream, going out to sea becomes a journey full of surprises and encounters with the many species of our waters.
Whales
The Azores are one of the fastest-growing whale-watching destinations in the world. The islands offer you unsurpassed whale-watching opportunities. More than 20 different species of whales and dolphins can be found in the waters surrounding our islands.
In spring and autumn, we can see some baleen whales, such as the Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus), the Minke Whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), the Sei Whale (Balaenoptera borealis), the Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) and the Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus). The Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) is the most frequently observed whale during the summer months.
There are a number of different behaviours you may witness during a whale-watching tour:
Blowing: A sound made when expelling air through the blow-hole, accompanied by a spout of condensed water.
Breaching: Leaping out of the water and falling back with a resounding slap.
Lobtailing: The slapping of the fluke on the water, causing a loud sound.
Spy hopping: The head is lifted vertically out of the water, enabling the animal to see what is happening above the water.
Experience the thrill of viewing the giants of the deep close-up, by taking an at least 4-hour boat-based whale-watching trip.
Dolphins
Dolphins love riding and jumping ‘Moby Dick’s’ bow and stern waves and often accompany us during the trips.
The most common ones found in our waters are the Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis), the Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), the Atlantic Spotted Dolphin (Stenella frontalis) and the Risso’s Dolphin (Grampus griseus).
And More...
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The Azores are also famous for encounters with many other animals and birds.
The waters around the islands are home to various types of sea turtles, manta ray (Manta birostris), ocean sunfish (Mola mola or common Mola) and even whale sharks (Rhincodon typus).
Often we see large numbers of birds during our trips, such as the Cory’s shearwater (Calonectris diomedea borealis), the most abundant seabird in the Azores.