The Best Dolphin Watching in the Azores, All 8 Reviewed

1.Whale and Dolphin Watching Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 4,109 reviews · 3 hours · from $82Our pick

Set out from Ponta Delgada with a marine biologist or nature guide to search for whales, dolphins, turtles, and seabirds. Choose a catamaran or Zodiac boat, learn responsible viewing rules, and spend about 2 hours 45 minutes offshore. Spring favors migrating baleen whales, while dolphins and sperm whales can appear year-round.

“Absolutely loved it! The guides were extremley respectful towards the animals and tried their best to show us as many animals as possible. We saw three species in total and it was such a surreal and also informative experience!”

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2.Pico Island: Azores Whale & Dolphin Watching on Zodiac Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 408 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $53Best value

From Lajes do Pico, you will receive a safety briefing, waterproof top, and life vest before heading offshore in a fast Zodiac. Guides such as Vania and Monica explain cetacean behavior while you search for sperm whales, dolphins, turtles, and seabirds. The ride can be wet and bumpy, but the short format keeps this wildlife outing easy to fit into a Pico itinerary.

“Amazing and heartwarming experience! Me and my friend loved it”

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3.Terceira: Whale and Dolphin Watching in a Zodiac Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 230 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $82

From Angra do Heroísmo, you’ll ride a Zodiac along Terceira’s coast for 2.5 hours, guided in Portuguese, English, or Spanish. A spotter on Monte Brasil helps the skipper locate cetaceans by radio. Expect dolphins, possible sperm or blue whales, sea turtles, and a fast, open-water ride. Victor and Viktor are praised for clear explanations and lively guiding.

“was a great Tour with great guides and a greater skipper”

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4.Horta: University Startup Whale and Dolphin RIB Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 225 reviews · 3 hours · from $101Top rated

From Horta Marina, you’ll board a 16-passenger RIB with a university marine researcher, receive a 10-minute safety briefing, then head offshore to seek whales and dolphins. Expect waterproof clothing, English or Portuguese guiding, and about three hours at sea. Sightings vary, but sperm whales and several dolphin species are present year-round.

“Wonderful in every way. Knowledgeable guide with a kind and caring manner. We traveled out from the harbor in a high-speed Zodiac boat; it carried about 12 of us - better than the best Disney ride! The captain brought us right alongside packs of Dolphins frolicking in the waves - you could almost see them smiling at us. Two loggerhead sea turtles were a plus - did you know they were born in Florida? Highly recommended.”

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5.São Miguel: Wild Swimming with Dolphins

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 222 reviews · from $171

From Marina Pêro de Teive, you’ll join a group of up to eight for a 2.5-hour search for wild dolphins off São Miguel. Guides brief you in Ponta Delgada, explain safe animal encounters, and place you in the water when conditions are right. Wetsuit, snorkel, and windbreaker are provided. You need to be a confident open-water swimmer.

“i thought it was amazing! the guide knew exactly what to do, and was good at communicating that to us, so we all could see alot of dolphins close up under the water!!!”

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6.Terceira: Half-Day Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 219 reviews · 3 hours · from $70

Meet Picos de Aventura in Angra do Heroísmo for a three-hour whale and dolphin trip led in Portuguese, English, or Spanish. After a briefing on sightings, safety, and animal-friendly viewing, guides such as Luis, João, Joanna, and Francisco may take you offshore to find dolphins, sperm whales, sei whales, or humpbacks, with views of Ilhéu das Cabras along the coast.

“joanna and joão (john?) on the 830am trip today were fantastic; excellent piloting even in rough conditions, and joanna’s knowledge and enthusiasm were so delightful. we saw 3 species of dolphin, a turtle, and a sei whale—they drove us out farther than normal so that we could see the latter, which was so appreciated. would definitely recommend these guides/this tour!”

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7.Terceira: Whale & Dolphin Watching | Best Wildlife Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 55 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $82

Spend 2.5 hours offshore from Terceira with OceanEmotion, guided in English, Portuguese, or Spanish. Lookouts scan from land while your crew searches at sea, using a hydrophone and respectful Azores viewing rules. The tour costs $82, includes a wind jacket, and offers a free repeat trip if no whale or dolphin appears.

“Bien. Es difícil ver ballenas pero al menos delfines sí suelen verse. Me parece un poco cara la excursión para lo que por allí cuestan los servicios y actividades.”

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8.Terceira: Swimming with Wild Dolphins | Natural Habitat

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 51 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $147

Meet OceanEmotion at its red-covered office on Terceira for a 2.5-hour small-group boat trip into the Atlantic. After a safety briefing and equipment check, a dolphin spotter helps locate wild dolphins. Marine biologist Mariana has guided some departures, with English, Portuguese, and Spanish support.

“Das Schwimmen mit den Delfinen war wirklich eine tolle Erfahrung - ich wollte dies schon lange einmal erleben 🤩”

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