azores dolphin tours

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Created in 2003, Mobydick-Tours is a company that allows you to enjoy our beautiful Sea landscape of the Azores and enjoy the best that we have to offer.  

With an experience of 14 years, Mobydick-Tours is one of the companies in São Miguel more qualified, and certified, for the Azores, whale watching. We organize day trips throughout the year, with an approximate duration of 4 hours or all day parties on board.

Whale & Dolphin Watching

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How to go whale watching in the Azores in 2024

By: Author Kris

Posted on Last updated: January 23, 2024

How to go whale watching in the Azores? Did you know that the Azores in Portugal are one of the best places in the world for whale watching?

You can see some species of whales throughout the entire year in the Azores.

Other species are only present during certain months when they pass by the Azores Islands on their annual migration.

In addition to whale watching in the Azores, you can also spot many different dolphin species here. You can even swim with these curious and funny animals.

In this whale-watching Azores blog post, you can find out about the best time for Azores dolphin and whale watching, which whales and dolphins can be seen here, the best Azores island for whale watching, and the best organizations that offer tours.

So definitely keep reading.

There is a really good chance that this post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission (for which we are deeply grateful) at no extra cost to you.

In a hurry? Here we share our Azores whale watching overview

If you don’t have time to read through the entire post, this overview answers the most important questions you may have about whale watching in the Azores.

• Which whales and dolphins can be seen in the Azores? The Azores is home to more than 25 different species of whales. 
• What’s the best time for dolphin and whale watching in the Azores? From April to October, you will have the most chance of seeing a whale.
• What’s the best place in the Azores to do whale watching? Pico, Terceira, and São Miguel are typically considered the best islands for whale watching. 
• What to take with you on a whale watching tour? Athletic and warm clothes, sunscreen, sunglasses, a camera or a smartphone, and preventive medication for sea sickness
• What do you need to know before booking an Azores whale watching tour? No 100% guarantee that you will see whales, book well in advance, there is no difference in your chance to see whales between morning or afternoon tours.
• From São Miguel: whale watching with a zodiac boat and swimming with dolphins
• From Terceira: whale watching in Terceira and swimming with dolphins
• From Pico: whale watching in Pico  

Table of Contents

Which whales and dolphins can be seen in the Azores?

In the fertile waters of the Azores, there are no fewer than 25 different species of whales and dolphins.

During your boat ride, you can see everything from common dolphins like bottlenose dolphins to sperm whales and even blue whales . The latter is the largest existing whale species. They can get up to 30 meters long and sometimes weigh 173 tons.

You can occasionally also spot killer whales here, although these animals are less often seen.

Looking for the best things to do in the Azores? Check out this post. 

So, your chances of seeing whales on your Azores vacation are quite high.

Note, however, that not all whale species are present throughout the whole year.

Below, we’ll provide more information about the best period for whale watching in the Azores and we’ll also specify which species can be seen when.

What is the best time for dolphin and whale watching in the Azores Islands?

Unfortunately, or luckily I’d say, these are still wild animals. So, no one can offer you a 100% guarantee that you will see whales during your Azores trip. That’s just the way it is in nature.

There are certain months that the chance of spotting the animals is higher, though.

That’s the case from April to October .

  The perfect Azores itinerary for first-time visitors. 

April and May are good months to see the so-called bigger whales, such as fin and blue whales. You can spot sperm whales during the entire year, but your chances are best in the summer months . Summer is also the best time to spot dolphins.

In October , on the other hand, you’ve got a better chance to see a humpback whale.

But winter is also a great Azores whale watching season. This time of year provides some excellent opportunities for whale watching in the Azores because common dolphins, Risso’s dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, and sperm whales are year-round residents in the Azores.

What’s the best Azores island for whale watching?

Whale watching in Pico, Terceira, and São Miguel is typically considered the best. 

Of course, the whales don’t only circle around these Azores islands . They should be visible from all islands. However, these are the islands that are home to 1 or more well-organized operators offering professional Azores whale watching day trips and tours.

For this reason, these three islands are known as those that offer the best whale watching experience in the Azores in general.

If you’d like to see blue or fin whales, it’s best to plan an excursion from São Miguel.  Whale watching in São Miguel  offers the best chances to see these truly massive marine mammals.  This map shows the most recent locations where the animals were last seen .

By the way, did you know that the current whale watching Azores tours have their origins in the whaling industry?

Active whale hunting was a common practice in the Azores up until quite recently.

Today, the same methods to find and spot whales and dolphins are still used.

Luckily, the only way whales are hunted and shot nowadays is with a camera, while the harpoons are now safely stored in museums.

What to take with you when going on whale watching trips in the Azores?

Here are a few things that you should take with you on Azores whale watching day trips:

• athletic and warm clothes: especially when you choose a boat ride with a zodiac.  These boats accelerate quite fast, which can make things feel a few degrees colder.
• A camera or a smartphone because you’ll obviously take lots of pictures 😉 A drybag is not required but make sure you can cover your camera or phone with the provided waterproof jacket when the zodiac rushes from one place to the next.

The organization will provide a waterproof jacket, and also a pair of waterproof pants if you’d like. If the excursion is on a zodiac, you’ll get a life jacket, too (You can also get a life jacket on the catamaran if you’d like).

What does the dolphins and whales tour look like?

There are numerous organizations that offer Azores whale watching tours. We booked our own tour with GetYourGuide and went whale watching with TerraAzul .

They organize whale watching tours from São Miguel.

We had booked a second trip with Espaço Talassa on Pico. Whale watching in Pico is popular as well, and we wanted to compare boat tours.  We attended the informative session that precedes the tour but we had to cancel our tour at the last minute due to weather conditions.

A practical guide to  the Azores hiking trails.

We noticed that the approach of both companies was pretty similar.

Both were very concerned about the environment and acknowledged the irony of protecting the environment while at the same time organizing several daily boat tours.  However, they did their utmost to disrupt the environment as little as possible with their tours. They both tried to compensate for their tours by cleaning up the ocean while doing them.

For example, during the boat ride, they’ll ask you to also keep an eye out for litter so that they can scoop it out of the water.

Before the tour

After we got registered, we were divided into 2 groups. While we waited for every one of our group to arrive, we picked out a waterproof jacket and a pair of pants.

When the group is complete, it’s time for the briefing. As we said, both Espaço Talassa and TerraAzul are very committed to the environment. Both companies start the briefing with a film about the importance of the ocean. We need the ocean, but the ocean doesn’t need us… that’s the clear message of the film.

The introductory film is followed by a presentation about the animals that you may see during the tour.  This explanation is given by the biologist who will also act as a guide to the group. 

The briefing is ended with some important aspects of the safety onboard. The captain or biologist will tell you what you can and cannot do during the excursion and demonstrates how to put on the life jacket.

Both organizations were multilingual. The information was typically provided in English by default, but both teams were surprisingly large and also included members who spoke Dutch, French, German, and Spanish.

During this briefing, we learned that the teams still use the same methods and techniques to look for whales as they did during the whaling age .

On the island are various little huts, from which so-called vigias scan the horizon looking for spouts (a whale that shoots water into the air). From the moment these spotters see something, they’ll notify the boats so that they know where to go.

Of course, the time hasn’t stood still. In the meantime, the equipment has gotten more modern and our boat also had an underwater microphone, through which we could hear the whales even if we couldn’t see them.

Once everything’s taken care of, you’re ready to board and the real fun can start.

During the tour

After all that information, it was time for action.

Some organizations use zodiac boats. These are pretty small rubber boats that are quite fast and agile. Other organizations use larger boats.

Further down in this article we’ll list the pros and cons of both.

Our excursion was with a zodiac boat.

Participants get asked beforehand whether someone is pregnant or has back problems. In that case, it’s best for you to sit further in the back because of the boat’s possible sudden shakes and jerks. They take that into consideration when assigning seats in the boat.

Once everyone’s taken their seats, the ropes are released and the adventure begins.

While we ease out of the port, we receive some last tips, but then it’s pedal to the metal and our zodiac flies across the waves onto the ocean.

The first stop is at a school of common dolphins. These funny animals are so curious it seems like they might just jump into our boat.

We see them jumping out of the water on all sides.

They’re clearly not scared of our presence and stay close to the zodiac, while our captain slowly and carefully maneuvers the boat so that everyone has plenty of time to see and photograph these playful animals.

We then continue on further into the ocean until we arrive at a small group of striped dolphins.

While we wait among these dolphins, Marylou, our enthusiastic and knowledgeable biologist, talks about the differences between these dolphins and those we saw earlier.

This school consists of many mothers with calves. They’re not afraid either and they also get close to the boat, but you do notice they’re less interested in us than the previous school.

After we’ve taken an insane amount of photos of these dolphins, we continue our search for whales.

Filled with hope, everyone scans the horizon for a spout of 1 of these gigantic mammals.

A short while later, we stop at another boat where people are swimming with dolphins. We watch as they enter the water 1 after the other to spend a few minutes in the water with the dolphins.

Hoping that we’re still able to track down some whales, the underwater microphone is lowered into the water. This device can pick up the communication of the whales up to 15 kilometers away. However, we’re out of luck, there don’t appear to be any whales around at the moment.

A little disappointed we start retracing our route. On the way back to the port, we’re able to scoop up a plastic bucket from the water, a good deed that makes the ocean a tiny bit cleaner.

TerraAzul finishes every tour with a trip around the small island of Ilhéu de Vila, which lies just off the coast of Vila Franca do Campo.

The island is the result of a volcanic eruption and the nearly perfectly round crater creates a well-protected bay, which provides delightful swimming opportunities.

Additionally, this island was also the location of the 2019 Red Bull cliff diving world championship.

During our short cruise around the island, we noticed the preparations for this world championship.  The island is also home to many sea birds and that is the real reason for which TerraAzul circles it at the end of every trip.  In addition to many birds, we also saw many large red crabs.

After the tour

Upon our entry into the port, Marylou tells us again about what we saw on our tour.

We were really unlucky because people on all previous excursions were able to see whales.

We also see that confirmed on a sign at the entrance to TerraAzul, where one neatly records which animals were seen and when.

Would you like to see which animals have been spotted lately?  This website  has an overview of all animals seen during the tours.

No reason to be sad, though, because seeing all those dolphins from up close was totally worth it for us.

The tour is completed with a cup of tea offered by the company, which gives us some time to chat with the organization and the other travelers.

Despite seeing only dolphins, we still thoroughly enjoyed our excursion. The playful dolphins that entertained us during almost half of the trip really brought a smile to our faces.

We’d seen dolphins before, but rarely from so close and for so long. And honestly, we’ll never get tired of seeing wild animals.

What you need to know before booking Azores whale watching day trips

No 100% guarantee.

Of course, everyone would like to take a photo like the one above. We were lucky to see a whale that was giving a true show several years ago in Alaska . We also saw them during our Antarctica trip. 

Unfortunately, nevertheless that the chance here is very high, we didn’t see any this time.

Since these are wild animals, no organization can offer the 100% guarantee that you’ll actually see something.

Still, despite that whales will always remain the highlight of the tour, animal lovers, will always have the time of their lives thanks to the many dolphins that can be seen.

April to October is the best Azores whale watching season providing the highest chance of seeing whales.

Don’t wait too long to book

The weather in the Azores is unpredictable and that does influence these boat excursions. If the ocean is too rough or the weather too bad, the excursions are canceled.

Moreover, there’s only a limited number of seats per day.

This is why it’s best to book your excursion online in advance for one of the first days of your vacation so that you can push your plans forward by a day in case the tour is canceled due to weather.

So, don’t wait too long to book to make sure there are still spots available on those days.

We often book through  GetYourGuide.  This way, you can secure your spot, but, might your plans suddenly change, you can usually cancel for free up to 24 hours before the trip.

Choosing between a morning or afternoon whale watching tour

All organizations offer you the choice of a morning or afternoon excursion. We asked the organizations if there’s a difference between the 2 excursions and whether there’s a higher chance to see whales in the morning or in the afternoon.

The response was that there’s no difference at all. So, which moment you choose for your whale safari doesn’t matter.

Which type of boat suits you

3 different types of boats are used for these excursions.

This type of boat is the most common one. These boats are fast and agile. An excursion in a zodiac is clearly the most adventurous option. You’ll be sitting on a sort of sawhorse (see the image above).

This type of boat is not very suitable if you have back problems or if you’re pregnant. In that case, you can sit in the back, but because the boat does shake and jerk a lot, we would recommend against it.

You always have to wear a life jacket on a zodiac.

Fiberglass boat

A fiberglass boat is a bit larger than a zodiac. Besides that, the experience is similar to a zodiac. It feels adventurous and you’re close to the water so you can see the animals from up close.

The benefit, when compared with a zodiac, is, however, that you’re able to walk around when the boat isn’t moving.

A larger boat feels less adventurous, but it’s a good alternative if you have back problems or if you’re pregnant. The benefit of this boat is that you can walk around freely the whole time and, therefore, can take beautiful photos on all sides.

These boats also have a bar (although it’s not always open) and a toilet.

You’re also less likely to get seasick on a larger boat, even though Kris told me that he’d still always take a seasickness pill just in case.

Seasickness

If you know you’re prone to seasickness, it’s best to take precautions.

Kris suffers from seasickness fairly easily and he took some preventive medication to make sure he’d be able to fully enjoy the trip.

If you’d rather not take any medication, the following tips might also help:

• Don’t look at the water near the boat. Instead, try to watch to the horizon as much as possible.
• Eat a big breakfast, but only food that digests easily (no coffee, eggs, or bacon).
• Wear plenty of warm clothes to prevent hypothermia.
• Make sure you’re well-rested at the start.
• Don’t stare too much and too long through your camera’s viewfinder.
• Actively look for the whales and dolphins. If you focus your thoughts and think about the animals, you’re automatically less likely to get seasick.

Overview of the best Azores whale watching tours in the Azores

Below, we discuss the best Azores dolphin and whale watching tours.

Dolphin and whale watching São Miguel tours

Viewing whales with a zodiac boat.

This is the tour we did.

It’s a 3-hour-long whale excursion that departs from Vila Franca do Campo. This city is about 30 minutes by car from Ponta Delgada.  If you come from Furnas it will take you about the same time since the city is located halfway between these two major cities on the island.

On a zodiac, you’ll look for dolphins, whales, and turtles.

During the return trip, the zodiac takes you around the island of Ilhéu Vila Franco, also known as Princess Ring Islet thanks to its nearly perfectly round bay.

• Smaller boat
• International team. English is the official language but members of the team also speak Dutch, French, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese
• A marine biologist joins the tour
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of the activity

• If you quickly get seasick we advise you to take precautions
• Less suitable if you have back problems
• Not recommended if you are pregnant
• Not for children under 4 years old

Despite being really unfortunate during our excursion and not seeing any whales, we still totally recommend this organization . Everything was arranged perfectly and Marylou, our biologist, managed to entertain us along the way with various facts about the animals.

Check prices and availability: Azores whale and dolphin watching tour

Whale watching from Ponta Delgada with a catamaran

If you’d like to go searching for whales on a slightly bigger boat, this tour is ideal for you. The catamaran tour feels a bit less adventurous.

You don’t have to wear a life jacket and are able to move around the boat freely.

Just like the TerraAzul tour we talked about above, you’ll first get a briefing, after which you get on board and the whale searching trip begins.

• A larger boat, so a slightly smaller chance of getting seasick
• Suitable for pregnant women and small children
• The bigger boat is less fast and agile
• You’re a bit further away from the animals, so you see the dolphins from above instead of from the side

If you have an adventurous nature, we’d recommend a zodiac tour. This tour is, however, not suitable for everyone.

Children younger than 4 aren’t allowed on zodiacs and if you’re pregnant or have back problems, it might not be best to take the risk. In that case, it might be better to choose this safe option.

The benefit of this boat is that you can walk around freely and can take unobstructed photos on all sides.

This is the perfect excursion for you  when you’d like to see whales and dolphins, but can’t or won’t get on a zodiac.

Check prices and availability: Whale and dolphin tour

Swimming with dolphins from São Miguel

You can also go swimming with wild dolphins on São Miguel. These are wild dolphins, so the experience is different from what you might have done before, or have seen in pictures.  These dolphins won’t push you forward and they won’t come to give you a kiss either.

Despite the fact that you are not allowed to touch the dolphins, it remains incredibly cool to be so close to these animals in their natural environment.

To fully enjoy  this excursion  it’s best to already have some experience in snorkeling in open water.

This tour departs from Ponta Delgada.

• A unique experience to swim close to wild dolphins
• A marine biologist joins the tour and shares interesting and fun facts about these cute animals
• Less suitable if you have back problems ( the excursion is done with a zodiac boat)
• Not for children under 8 years old

Dolphins are incredibly fun animals and they’re also unique in their interactions with humans. There are many known cases of dolphins helping people and even saving their lives.

Therefore, it’s a fantastic experience to able to swim among these animals.

The activity happens in a responsible way. It’s not allowed to touch the animal in order to make the experience as enjoyable as possible for both the dolphins and yourself.

Check prices and availability: Swimming with dolphins in São Miguel

Dolphin and whale watching Terceira tours

Terceira is another place where you can go dolphin and whale watching and they also offer tours to go swimming with dolphins.

Whale watching from Terceira

Whale watching is slightly less popular in Terceira, but there still are opportunities to head out and scan the horizon for whales and dolphins.

If you look at  the map  and see the statistics of recent years you will notice that there’s a smaller chance to see these animals here.

The organization that organizes the tours here does, however, guarantee that you will see at least 1 dolphin or whale. If that’s not the case, you’re offered a second trip and if that doesn’t suit you, you get your money back.

The tours depart from Angra do Heroísmo.

• Small groups
• The excursion is done with a zodiac boat so you can get closer to the animals
• Guarantee to see at least 1 animal. Otherwise, you will get another tour offered or you will get your money back
• Fewer chances to see animals. It’s good to have a guarantee but if you have to make a second excursion, this can ruin your other plans.

This excursion is a good alternative for people who won’t visit Pico or São Miguel.

If you’re also visiting those islands, I’d recommend a trip starting from one of those islands because you’ll have a better chance of seeing the animals.

Check prices and availability: Whale watching on Terceira island

Swimming with dolphins in Terceira

In Terceira, it’s also possible to swim among dolphins.

• A unique experience to swim so close to wild dolphins
• The excursion is done with a glass-bottom boat
• Fewer chances to see animals. It’s good to have a guarantee but if you have to make a second excursion, this can ruin your other plans
• Not for children under 6 years old

This tour is comparable with what you can also do on São Miguel. 

If you’re only visiting Terceira, this is a good alternative, but otherwise, our advice would be to do this from São Miguel.

Check prices and availability: Swimming with dolphins Terceira

Whale watching from Pico

Together with São Miguel, Pico is known as the best Azores island for whale watching. This tour departs from the village of Lajes do Pico.

The tours take place only from April to October and they’re done with the small and fast zodiac boats.

• There is a marine biologist on board

Considering you’ll spend most of your time on São Miguel, that island is our first choice for a whale-watching excursion.

It offers the most opportunities to fit this into your schedule and also the best chance for a 2nd or 3rd attempt if the weather doesn’t cooperate.

Pico is, however, a good alternative. Here, you’ll also have a decent chance to see the animals and furthermore, the excursion is totally similar to the excursion as offered on São Miguel.

Check prices and availability: Whale and dolphin tour on Pico

When visiting the archipelago , definitely make sure to free up some time to go whale watching in the Azores.

Even if, like us, you only see dolphins during your excursion, it’s still an unforgettable experience.  One you’ll remember for a long time.

Have you booked your spot yet?

• Island hopping in the Azores: a practical guide.
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LIVE Whale Watching Tour

Whale Watching in Pico - Azores

The island of Pico features an unparalleled diversity and abundance of cetaceans .

Over 20 species of whales and dolphins either inhabit or pass by our waters along their migratory routes, so that Pico is one of the very best spots in the world for Whale Watching , arguably second to none.

Known in the past as an important ground for Sperm whale hunting, since the mid 80's the Azores have become one of the best case studies of how the presence of whales and dolphins can be turned into an ecologically sustainable business, with great educational value and full protection granted to the animals.

CW Azores operates all year round. However, since weather/sea conditions in the Azores can be a significantly poorer in winter, we only sell holiday packages and special programmes from mid-March to the end of October. From November to February we are happy to run Whale Watching tours whenever conditions allow.

WHALE WATCHING SUCCESS RATE 98%

Why choose us

We are deeply engaged in scientific research.

We found out what krill species our baleen whales feed upon in the Azores. We did that by analyzing prey samples and, more recently, we succeded in identifying baleen whale prey by performing genetic analysis of faecal samples.

In collaboration with other research groups, we discovered that at least some of our Humpback whales breed in Cape Verde and then use Pico as an opportunistic foraging habitat on their way to high-latitude foraging grounds.

We contributed to shed some light on poorly known animals such as the True's beaked whale ( Mesoplodon mirus ) and the mysterious blue-fin whale hybrids.

Learn more...

Our base is strategically located

We are based in Madalena, on the North-Western corner of Pico Island.

This provides us easy access to the waters South of Pico, all around Faial and to the S. Jorge channel.

For Whale Watching, having so many options enables us to counteract the odds of strong winds and/or locally adverse weather and sea conditions, as we almost always have access to a reasonably sheltered area for our boat tours.

Furthermore, for those who wish to join multiple Whale Watching tours, having the opportunity to see different areas and enjoy the coastline diversity is an extra, big plus!

We are highly informative and educational

Every Whale Watching trip is preceded by a briefing, to let you know more about the biology and behaviour of the whale and dolphin species we are most likely to meet at sea, along with their conservation status.

Hints on how to tell species and individuals apart are provided to furtherly enhance your experience on the boat.

Our multi-day special programmes feature a series of lectures on the physiology, ecology, behaviour and conservation of cetaceans.

A wide collection of books and scientific papers is available to our guests at the CW Library.

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We bring fun, technology and education together

LIVE Real-time Whale Watching updates Thank to an app we developed internally, while navigating this website you will automatically receive live updates from our boats. To see an example click here

Scientific research We actively contribute to scientific research, along with hosting University students as trainees, or while they carry out the field work needed to complete their degrees. click here

Sighting data We record and publish the outcome of our Whale Watching and Swim with Dolphins tours separately, so that you can see what species were observed specifically from each boat. Sightings are updated daily. click here

Charts and Statistics We provide you with species-specific, month-by-month sighting charts, so that you can pick the best time of the year to join us and see your favourite whale and dolphin species. click here

Whale & Dolphin Quiz You can test your knowledge on Cetaceans (whales, dolphins, porpoises) by taking our online quiz. It is a pretty tough one, we know! However, in the end we will tell you what questions you did not answer correctly (if any, of course ) and let you try again. click here

A whale of a time for every season

From march to mid-may.

Our Whale Watching season officially starts at mid-March with the Blue Whale Migration , a special Whale Watching and research programme that focuses on the biggest animal ever to live on our planet - the Blue whale ( Balaenoptera musculus )

The second seasonal event takes place in April and May, when many other great baleen whales pass by our waters during their migration to the northern feeding grounds.

Along with the Blue whale ( Balaenoptera musculus ), among them is the Fin whale ( Balaenoptera physalus ), the Sei whale ( Balaenoptera borealis ) and the Humpback whale ( Megaptera novaeangliae ).

It is such a magnificent spectacle of nature that we have created a special program for it: Giants of the Sea .

Along with the baleen whales, encounters with the Sperm whale ( Physeter macrocephalus ) and many species of dolphins are plentiful.

The Swim with Dolphins season is already up and running at this time of the year.

From mid-May to end of June

Among the giants, the undiscussed stars are the Sperm whale ( Physeter macrocephalus ). Master of deep diving, the Sperm whale dives to depth of more than 2000 metres in its search for squid , among which is the legendary giant squid.

It is a great time of the year to join our Realm of the Sperm whale special programme.

We still see the baleen whales at this time of the year, though with a lower frequency.

Then, one day around mid-to-late June, we witness another exceptional event - the arrival of the Atlantic spotted dolphin ( Stenella frontalis ) with their newborn. These dolphins are well known for being very sociable and playful!

Once they join, the magic number of 5 is reached: it is the number of dolphin species the Azorean Law allows us to swim with, the other 4 species being the Bottlenose dolphin ( Tursiops truncatus ), Common dolphin ( Delphinus delphis ), Risso's dolphin ( Grampus griseus ) and the Striped dolphin ( Stenella coeruleoalba ).

July and August

It is a special time of the year for the Sperm whale . Females give birth and their calves are "only" about 4-metre long when they are born!

Dolphins have babies too and we keep encountering all 5 species. Due to the very comfortable water temperature, the Swim with Dolphins season is at its peak.

We try not to miss any chance to spot baleen whales, since most of them have already reached their northern feeding grounds by this time of the year.

How could we ask for more? Yet Nature holds another surprise. Between July and August some of the most elusive and least known cetaceans reach our waters - the mysterious beaked whales .

With no teeth in the upper jaw and only 2 in the lower one (often erupting just in males), these suction feeders can dive as deep as the Sperm whale or even deeper!

Among them is the Northern bottlenose whale ( Hyperoodon ampullatus ), which can reach a length of 9 metres, the Sowerby's beaked whale ( Mesoplodon bidens ) and the Cuvier's beaked whale ( Ziphius cavirostris ).

September and October

High season is over for humans but not so for whales and dolphins! The Sperm whale is still encountered on a regular basis and dolphins are plentiful.

Indeed, September is one of the favourite months for professional photographers and film crews. They join us under a special permit to enter the water with the Sperm whale and other cetaceans.

All 5 species of dolphins are still with us and the water temperature is still near its seasonal maximum.

September and October are often chosen by the travellers who want to avoid the very high season for their holidays and still get the very best out of their holiday in Pico.

November and December

We still see the Sperm whale and lots of dolphins.

While the weather in the Azores can be good and even extremely good any time of the year, the frequency of bad weather significantly increases starting from November .

The advice is to set the expectations according to this and allow for longer stays.

At this time of the year we do not sell packages, but we continue to operate our boat tours whenever we reach a minimum number of passengers, usually 5 or 6.

Sometimes baleen whales are sighted, as they take on their southbound migration towards the breeding grounds, though we do not see nearly as many as in spring, though. Since our waters are not as productive in autumn as they are in spring, sthe motivation for baleen whales to come close to shore is lower. Furthermore, being already well fed, they are more focused on reaching the breeding grounds to mate and reproduce.

January and February

Sperm whales and dolphins can still be seen, along with the occasional baleen whales.

This is very low season for us.

Often, Blue whales start to pass by our waters in February, bad weather being the limiting factor for encounters.

Such early passage of baleen whales depends on the productivity of the ocean, for which there is significant variability season after season.

Our advice for the traveller is to set expectations accordingly and, at this time of the year, allow for a longer stay to compensate for the higher frequency of bad weather.

While strong winds an high seas hugely impact the viability of Whale Watching tours, they make watching and photographing from shore the huge waves of the mid-Atlantic a truly unique highlight.

Code of conduct and ethics

CW Azores is an official Whale Watch operator in the Azores and strictly follows the rules and regulations aimed to minimise the impact on cetaceans. It is both the law and our policy. We are strong believers in the idea that Whale Watching activities must be carried out in a sustainable way and we always carefully analyse the behaviour of the animals for possible cues of disturbance. Whenever disturbance cannot be excluded, we prefer to take a precautionary approach. We leave those whales or dolphins alone and go find another group.

What Our Customers Think

Related resources.

2022: The year of the Sei whale

Baleen whale migration 2023: fun and science

The white Humpback whale

The spring migration of baleen whales (part 1)

by CW Azores

• Welcome to the CW Azores Live dashboard!
• Here you will see real-time whale and dolphin 🐳🐬 sighting updates from our boats, along with other interesting insights 😉
• eWHALE Project Using environmental DNA (eDNA) to monitor biodiversity in the North-East Atlantic and Mediterranean. CW Azores is an official partner of the project. Learn more...
• LIVE TOUR Our boat Kometa left port at 2024-4-13 9:29 AM (UTC Time) for a Whale Watching tour . The Live button will pulse each time a new sighting is recorded by our crew.
• LIVE TOUR Our boat Kometa left port at 2024-4-13 9:30 AM (UTC Time) for a Whale Watching tour . Species seen so far: Short-beaked common dolphin Risso's dolphin Blue whale The Live button will pulse each time a new sighting is recorded by our crew.

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Travel bucket list idea:

Swim with dolphins in the Azores

Pico, Azores, Portugal

This isolated Atlantic Ocean archipelago of 9 individual volcanic Islands is dolphin central and arguably the place to swim with dolphins, for three reasons.

First, it’s sparkling waters are home to five different species: Bottlenose, Atlantic Spotted, Common, Risso’s and Striped. Second, you can swim with them all year round – climate and water temperatures are fairly stable. Third, visibility is excellent, up to 60m.

Trips are led by experienced crews, who are not only experts at finding the dolphins, but who offer up lots of information about these intelligent creatures and how to interact with them.

Getting there & doing it

Tours mainly run from Madalena Harbour on the island of Pico, but also from the islands of Terceira and Sao Miguel. Success rates are up at around 97%.

The dolphins are wild and no lures or bait is used to bring them close to people – they’re naturally curious.

When the dolphins are located, swimmers enter the water two at a time to avoid scaring them. All the equipment you need is provided – just bring a towel. You need to be comfortable using a mask and snorkel.

There’s no minimum age for the tour, but children should be able to swim. Boats are exposed to the elements, so take protective clothing and sunscreen, and sea-sickness tablets if you are prone to it.

When to do it

Tours run all year round, seven days a week, weather permitting

Although temperatures are pleasant all year round, the best time to go is the dry season from June to September, with better light. It’s sporadically rainy from October to April. From November to February, tours will only run when weather conditions permit.

Who to go with: organised tours

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Whales and Dolphins + Vila Franca Islet (full day with lunch)

Ponta Delgada

Price: €105

Rating 4.46 / 5 [107 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Whale and Dolphin Watching in Pico Island - Half Day

Rating 4.45 / 5 [84 ratings]

Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour at Terceira Island

Rating 4.64 / 5 [17 ratings]

Round-ups that include this experience

18 Best places to swim with dolphins

Multiple countries

These intelligent, social beings have long held a special place in our hearts – a result of their seemingly-smiling faces, playful frolicking and friendly disposition. Here’s our round-up of some of the best places in the world to swim with them.

THE 10 BEST Dolphin & Whale Watching in Azores, Portugal

Dolphin & whale watching in azores.

• Nature & Wildlife Tours
• Hiking & Camping Tours
• Scuba & Snorkeling
• Dolphin & Whale Watching
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Azores Whale Watching TERRA AZUL
• Islet of Vila Franca do Campo
• Picos de Aventura
• OceanEmotion
• SeaExplorersAzores
• Aqua Açores
• Water4fun - Whale Watching Terceira island
• Miradouro Ponta Furada
• Bela Vista Travel
• 1945 Whaler Nossa Senhora de Fatima
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Half-Day Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour in Ponta Delgada

2. Azores Whale Watching & Islet Boat Tour

3. Whales and Dolphins + Vila Franca Islet (full day with lunch)

4. Whale Watching Activity in North Coast

5. Whale and Dolphin Watching in Terceira Island

6. Whale and Dolphin Watching in Pico Island - Half Day

7. São Miguel: Azorean Whalers Heritage Tour

8. Whale and Dolphin Watching on Tercera Island

9. Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour on Pico Island

10. Private Marine Wildlife Boat Tour

11. Guided activity in the Heart of Azores with whales and dolphins

12. Swimming with Dolphins in Terceira Island

What travelers are saying.

• Half-Day Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour in Ponta Delgada
• Azores Whale Watching & Islet Boat Tour
• Whales and Dolphins + Vila Franca Islet (full day with lunch)
• Whale and Dolphin Watching in Terceira Island
• Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour on Pico Island
• Naturalist - Science & Tourism
• Azores Islands Experience
• Futurismo Pico Azores Adventures
• Welcome Home Azores
• Travel Honey
• Azores Experiences
• Sea Colors Azores
• BigBlue Adventures
• Terra do Pico
• Espaco Talassa

01273 882778

Ocean Giants, Exclusive Small Group Tour

Blue whales, fin whales and humpback whales, ponta delgada, sao miguel island, azores, 2024 dates: 27 april – 04 may, 04 – 11 may , 2025 dates: 26 april – 03 may, 03 – 10 may, 10 – 17 may, prices from £1295 per person solo traveller from £1530.

Join this exclusive small group tour to witness one of nature’s great events, huge gatherings of the biggest whales on the planet visit these unspoilt Islands to feed in the nutrient rich waters – a breath taking spectacle!

Booking Enquiry

May offers a unique opportunity for you to come and see these Ocean Giants during their Mid Atlantic annual migration.

Incredible Sightings

With help of land based lookouts we see whales and dolphins on 98% of our trips to sea.

Sao Miguel Island, Azores

Explore the island and swim in the hot thermal pools.

Location: Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel Island - Azores

What’s included:  

• 5 half day trips to sea
• Expert marine biologist guide and whale researchers to accompany guests on the boat
• Small group with guide onboard large catamaran boat (there will be other guests onboard that are not part of our small group
• Welcome drinks
• Sturdy catamaran boat (40 - 60 capacity) with spacious viewing decks, tiered seating and toilet facilities.
• Full day geothermal tour to Furnas with "Cozido" lunch
• 7 nights accommodation 
• Group meal with guide at the beginning and end of the holiday
• Welcome drinks on arrival
• All airport transfers from/to Ponta Delgada airport

Optional activities:   Option for an additional half day trip to sea with your guide and land tours to explore this stunning island.

Extra nights: Option to extend your stay in the Azores, with extra nights at your hotel, visit another part of Sao Miguel or visit other islands

Accommodation: 4* Hotel with outdoor pool, close to boat base

Meals: Breakfast included. 2 dinners and 1 lunch group. Self catered options available.

Flights are not included.  We give you guidance on booking flights to Ponta Delgada (PDL) Sao Miguel Island. See location and flights above

2024 dates:  27 April - 04 May, 04 - 11 May, 11 - 18 May

2025 dates:  26 April - 03 May, 03 - 10 May, 10 - 17 May

Flexible dates: This holiday can also be arranged to start any day of the week to fit with flights

About this holiday

We take care of all the logistics so that you can relax and enjoy the experience

Be part of an exclusive small group tour

You will be accompanied by local marine biologist on board

The Marine Biologist will be with your small group, ensuring you don’t miss any sightings and that you have a great vantage point for taking photographs and viewing the animals. Their explanations really add another dimension to your understanding of the behaviour of the whales.  They will also ensure you go out to sea at the optimum times for best sea conditions and weather to maximise your enjoyment.

We saw whales and dolphins! Even though I’ve done day trips before, I have never committed a whole week to it and felt in the care of experts. We saw 3 species of dolphin, sperm whales and blues!! Fabulously planned and adapted itinerary to weather was awesome…Our guide and marine biologist were, without exception, cheerful and enthusiastic, knowledgeable, helpful and did their best to find whales and dolphins in a safe and responsible way and worked tirelessly to find us baleen whales!! Their joy finding them was as palpable as ours. – Lisa Taner May 2022

We were given short seminars after the trips, recapping what we had seen and allowing us time to consider these sightings so we could ask  questions. The guide was always passionate about sharing their fascination for these animals and all things nature in general.  I was very worried about getting seasick as I’m not good on the water, however, just taking some travel sickness pills sorted that out and I had no issues at all.” Richard Christie

Why are the Blue Whales ‘Ocean Giants’ choosing the Azores?

Every year, a  spring phytoplankton bloom warmed by the temperate waters of the gulf stream around the Azores archipelago attracts a unique gathering of huge, ravenous Blue, Fin, Sei and Baleen whales (largest whales) on their migration routes to the feeding grounds of the northern Atlantic. Their numbers are increasing around the Azores.

“This tour was quite simply astounding….epic….beyond belief….it was one of the best days of my life to see and feel these giant whales close to the boat.”

Best time to go

May dates have been chosen as statistics show that this time will offer you the best chance to see these migrating whales when they stopover and spend a few days to feed on the rich food source here. This is something unique in the whole of Europe. May also offers better sea conditions than March and April with warmer temperatures.

Direct flights from the UK and mainland Europe

It is easy to get to The Azores on direct flights from the UK, many European cities and the USA. You can also travel via Lisbon and Porto from mainland Portugal. See our getting there section.

Location and Flights

Holiday location: Ponta Delgada (PDL), Sao Miguel Island, Azores.

This holiday takes place in Ponta Delgada, the capital of Sao Miguel Island, in the eastern group and the largest island in the archipelago.

The abundance of dolphins and whales around the islands make the Azores one of the key locations worldwide for whale and dolphin watching. Few locations in the world offer such immaculate landscape and exceptional marine wildlife. A Portuguese territory, the nine islands, dominated by a volcanic mountain range, offer a rare and unspoiled natural beauty, having retained their cultural integrity and escaped the ravages of commercial tourism. There is a wild and elemental quality here, the ocean’s presence is never far away and breathing the air alone is invigorating. Some say, it is the last vestiges of the lost continent of Atlantis! Hot springs steam into the fresh and unpolluted air. There are meadows filled with the scent of wild herbs and vivid, colourful flowers line the roads. It is the perfect setting to relax and slow down.

Flights are not included in the cost of our holidays. Weekly DIRECT day time flights from the UK to Ponta Delgada are available with Ryanair from Stansted on Tuesdays (April - October), British Airways from Heathrow on Saturdays (mid-May to end of September) and from Gatwick on Tuesdays and Thursdays with SATA Azorean Airlines  (June - Sept). On most days of the week there are flights from the UK to Ponta Delgada via mainland Europe. Direct flights also operate from America and Canada and some European cities including Paris. See all current flight options at Skyscanner. 

For ease we have a dedicated flight booking agent, Rupender Bhoday from The Flight Centre. Rupender knows our holidays and can book the best flights for you. Please email:  [email protected]   or call: 07442 857639. You can also reach her via The Flight Centre main contact number 0207 925 1114 (ask to speak to Rupender Bhoday on the “Associates” team).

Sample Itinerary

Arrival in the Azores. Transfers to hotel. Welcome briefing and introductions, complimentary drinks, orientation in the local area. You have time for a rest! Schedule of whale-watching boat trips will be discussed and you will have a chance to meet the whole team and your guide during your complimentary dinner a local restaurant with group in the evening.

Board the catamaran for morning whale-watching. At convenient times during the week you will be given audio-visual briefing about the whales and dolphins of the Azores, with lots of visuals and information about the history of whaling and whale-watching in the Azores. Your on board guide will provide in depth information about the wildlife, discuss the sightings, share details on current research and help you get the best shots of the   whales!

Days 3 to 5 inclusive: Overall itinerary of the week will be announced when you arrive to fit with best weather. Each day will be either morning or afternoon boat trip. There will be opportunities for excursions around the island to fit with your five half-day trips to sea. If there is any weather disruption your trips will be moved to another day or later in the day so that you go out during the best possible weather and conditions. Evening meals will be a combination of eating in the hotel restaurant and eating with the group and guide (subject to group preference). There will also be further talks and presentations from the marine biologist giving you a rich understanding of the whales of the Azores, local history and culture.

You will be collected from your hotel this morning for a full day tour to the village of Furnas on the East of the Island (approx. 45 mins journey time). One of the most active thermal locations on Earth with steaming fumeroles,  the Valley of Furnas is a volcanic crater which has been dormant since 1630, the date of the last eruption. The most popular attraction for most visitors to Furnas is no doubt the thermal baths and you will enjoy bathing in water from the interior of the earth, charged with minerals at the thermal pool of Terra Nostra Park. You will also sample the local “Cozido” at lunch time in a local restaurant – a meat or vegetable stew cooked geothermally underground. 

An opportunity for an additional trip to sea or another land tour. The evening will be an opportunity for a celebratory drink in the bar where you can share some of the photos taken and remember your highlights of the holiday followed by a complimentary meal with your guide.

Departure day. Transfer to airport from hotel.

Excellent boat

“We were on the cat and a huge gasp went up from everyone on board; a Fin whale had swum in front of the boat and opened its mouth out of the water to feed. It was only a split second but that sight is engraved on my memory.” Margaret Merris, May 2018.

Exceptional sightings

“We saw Humpbacks on our trip and to our astonishment, 50 metres from the boat one leapt out of the water and crashed backdown with a mighty splash! We really got an idea of just how ginormous these animals are.”

Land based lookouts to locate the whales

Responsible boat operators

Traditional Azorean 4* Hotel

Have an authentic experience on the Sao Miguel island tour

What people said!

We saw whales and dolphins! We saw 3 species of dolphin, sperm whales and blues!! The tour guides were all cheerful and enthusiastic, helpful, did their best to find whales and dolphins in a safe and responsible way and worked tirelessly to find us baleen whales!! Lisa Taner May 2022

Everything was extremely organised, from the holiday booking, transfers, hotel/hotel staff and the boat crew. They couldn’t have been more helpful and extremely welcoming…a great holiday and we would recommend to anyone. – Lynsey Pittaway April 2022

We loved the Small group type holiday as it enabled us to meet other like minded people and share similar experiences. The Islands were both majestic and magical and I kept saying that whenever we turned a corner something else beautiful greeted us. We saw whales or dolphins on all of our sea trips and cannot wait to repeat the experience. – Martin Jones May 2022

It was one of the best holidays I have experienced and I have travelled a lot. The scenery, people, food and beautiful gardens were memories to cherish. Only hope I will be able to return and visit more of the islands. Thank you for a wonderful holiday. – Alex Duckworth May 2022

I have new respect for dolphins as I’d rather taken them for granted having seen lots before, but observing them behaving so acrobatically and in such numbers so far out to sea was a revelation. Needless to say, the whales were just spellbinding. – Richard Rose-Casemore May 2022

Prices for this Holiday include accommodation at Hotel Colegio 4*  

Please contact us for details of other accommodation options .

• 4* Bed & Breakfast Hotel Colegio
• Upgrade to Superior 4* Bed & Breakfast Hotel Marina Atlantico

This traditional Azorean building was once a school. Former pupil (the current owner) beautifully restored the building and incorporated the college theme throughout the decor (hence the name "Colegio"). In a good, central location, being approximately 15 minutes' walk to the boat base.  Rooms come equipped with a minibar, air conditioning, TV and private bathroom with a dryer. There is a good-sized outdoor pool (not heated) and free Wifi throughout. The restaurant serves a good buffet breakfast and signature cuisine, made from locally grown ingredients.  Parking is available free at the hotel garage (first come first served basis) or nearby for an extra fee. Located off the main road, with an outdoor pool and restaurant, this hotel is suitable for couples and solo travellers.

Ocean Giants Exclusive Small Group Tour, Sao Miguel Island, Azores

4* bb at hotel do colegio, 2024 dates:, 27 april – 04 may, 04 – 11 may, 11 – 18 may, 2025 dates:, 26 april – 03 may, 03 – 10 may, 10 – 17 may, £1295 per person (2 sharing), solo traveller £1530.

Over looking the harbour with views out to sea and just a few minutes walk from our boat base, this contemporary 4**** hotel has excellent facilities and spacious, well equipped rooms. Facilities include a modern health suite with indoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and gym. The restaurant has views over the harbour and serves a delicious buffet breakfast. Free WiFi is available in all areas of the hotel. Rooms are sound proofed and come equipped with air conditioning, cable TV, minibar and en-suite facilities. Guests on our Ocean Giants Small Group Tour are allocated sea view rooms with a balcony.

Upgrade to 4* Superior BB at Hotel Marina Atlantico

£1440 per person based on 2 sharing, solo traveller £1995, privacy overview.

How climate change is bringing more whales to British waters

C enturies of hunting, habitat loss and persecution have left the UK and Ireland among the world’s most nature-depleted nations. But although we’ve lost our bears and wolves, great auks and Irish elks, the British Isles remain remarkably rich in whales and dolphins. Indeed, around a quarter of all known marine cetacean species occur in our waters. So when news broke from Cornwall recently of a humpback whale trapped in fishing gear, it highlighted that these massive beasts are closer to home than we might think. 

The idea of ocean giants around our shores may be surprising, but the Cornish humpback was by no means an isolated sighting. “They’re spotted in Britain in increasing numbers,” says Hannah Wilson of Marine Discovery, a boat trip operator that assisted in freeing the Easter individual. “We’re getting a lot more dolphins too as climate change impacts food distribution, bringing the animals closer inshore. Humpbacks have rebounded since the end of commercial whaling, so it’s likely that we’ll see more of them as they repopulate their range.”

It’s not just in the southwest that cetacean encounters are booming. “I grew up birding on the North Yorkshire coast in the 1980s and I never remember anyone seeing a whale back then,” says Richard Baines of Yorkshire Coast Nature ( yorkshirecoastnature.co.uk ). “Now we see minke whales on most of our seabirds and whale adventure trips.”

With another operator, Farne Islands Tours ( farneislandstours.co.uk ) also plying the east coast, North Sea sightings are becoming ever more reliable. Other epicentres of whale and dolphin activity around the British Isles include Jersey’s Les Écréhous reef, Ireland’s west coast and Wales’s Celtic Deep. But the most prolific cetacean spotting lies in Scotland, particularly to the north and west.

Here, the Shetlands perform well for orcas, with a semi-resident population swelled by Icelandic transients that migrate to hunt seals. Sperm, fin, pilot and minke whales are also frequent visitors, and even an Arctic beluga whale was spotted here in January. 

Pickings are even richer in the scattered Western Isles. Their secret is The Minch: a channel between the mainland and Outer Hebrides that attracts sei, fin, humpback and pilot whales with reasonable frequency, plus much more commonly sighted porpoises, bottlenose dolphins and minke whales. Even blue whales – the largest animal ever to have lived – are not unknown here. Conditions are so ideal that it’s also possible to whale-watch from land, a prospect aided by the Hebridean Whale Trail’s 30-strong network of cetacean locations. 

Calm, flat-sea conditions from May through September offer optimal whale-spotting, when plankton blooms attract shoals of fish upon which whales feed. So could the British Isles one day compete with Cape Cod, the Azores and other whale hotspots? “Geography is against us,” says Hannah Wilson. “We lack the deep-water canyons and nutrient upwellings that encourage great whales to linger, plus we’re not on any major migration routes. So although dolphins are increasingly commonplace here in Cornwall, brushes with really big whales will likely remain rare – but incredible – thrills.”

Five UK dolphin and whale experiences

Land’s end leviathans.

Cornwall’s wild west (where the humpback whale was rescued over Easter) is a certified sealife hotspot. Expect to spy dolphins, seals and basking sharks on a four-hour Marine Discovery voyage departing from Penzance (from £57pp, marinediscovery.co.uk ). Sailing on a catamaran ensures stability and comfort for a trip combining coastal habitats with the cetaceans’ deep-water fishing grounds (actual itineraries depend on sea conditions and recent sightings). Stay nearby in rolling countryside at Rosehendra, a stone barn conversion located between Penzance and Marazion. A week’s self-catering in May costs from £892 (sleeps four; luxurycoastal.co.uk ).  

Western Isles

Boat trips are no fun if you suffer from seasickness but in Scotland, land-based whale-watching rivals that at sea. Harris, Lewis and Skye are home to several Hebridean Whale Trail sites ( whaletrail.org ). Visit Kilt Rock, Tiumpan Head, the Butt of Lewis and others on a Highlands & Islands self-drive tour with kayaking, hiking and paddleboarding to round out the experience. The 13-night trip starts and ends in Fort William and costs from £1,645pp, including B&B accommodation, ferry crossings, various activities and detailed directions for the self-guided elements. Travel to/from Fort William not included ( adventuretoursuk.com ).

By maximising time spent in the animals’ environment, small-ship cruises abound in whale-spotting potential. Hurtigruten’s nine-night Edinburgh to Iceland voyage sails via the Shetlands (an archipelago renowned for orca sightings) as well as Fair Isle and the Orkneys (departs June 29, 2024, from £3,390pp with £300 on-board credit, mundyadventures.co.uk ). Or go flight-free on an eight-night Scotland’s Scenic Isles itinerary sailing round-trip from Newcastle on May 28 with Fred Olsen, taking in the Orkneys, Small Isles and The Minch alongside an expert from wildlife charity ORCA to locate and identify species (from £1,199pp, fredolsencruises.com ).

Wildlife immersion

Whale-watching is just one highlight on this week-long Isle of Mull Wildlife Extravaganza escorted tour. As well as heading into The Minch to seek harbour porpoises, minke whales and various species of dolphin, the tour (led by presenters Mike Dilger and Nick Baker) focuses on puffins, hen harriers, short-eared owls and both golden and white-tailed eagles (for which Mull has perhaps the greatest density in Western Europe). Accommodation throughout is at Knock House in the 32,000-acre Benmore Estate. From £2,295pp, including half-board accommodation, guided excursions and return ferry from Oban (departs June 9, 2024; wildlifeworldwide.com ).

Into the deep

Although deliberately swimming with cetaceans in the UK is not allowed, these curious mammals don’t play by our rules. On Celtic Deep’s tours to swim with blue sharks off Pembrokeshire, dolphins frequently approach for encounters on their own terms. The boat itself is a platform from which to spy pilot, fin and minke whales, plus other ocean giants such as basking sharks and bluefin tuna. Available from July to October, the full-day tours cost £195pp ( celticdeep.org ). Stay at Milford Waterfront’s Tŷ Hotel, whose on-the-water “floatel” cabins complement the maritime experience (two-night July stays from £392, ty-hotels.com ).

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