Whale Watching in the Azores: 13 Good Ones, Priced

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.Azores Whale Watching & Islet Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 2,146 reviews · from $70

Set out from Vila Franca do Campo with a marine biologist or naturalist, watching for sperm whales, dolphins, seabirds, turtles, and other sea life. A Zodiac RIB carries 12 to 28 people, with warm waterproof gear supplied. After nearly three hours offshore, circle the volcanic islet and return to the marina.

“Fantastic. Knowledgeable guides who follow an ethical approach. Lots of fun, exhilarating and educational. Was perfect for the whole family.”

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3.Azores Whale Watching & Islet Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,059 reviews · from $71

Set out from Vila Franca do Campo in a Zodiac RIB with a marine biologist guide and skipper. After a safety and wildlife briefing, you search for sperm whales, dolphins, turtles, and other sea life with help from an inland lookout. The three-hour trip ends with a close circuit of the Princess Ring Islet.

“It was a beautiful day out on the oceans, great crew! We saw also a rare species Pilot whale, beautiful sights 😍💙”

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4.São Miguel Azores: Half-Day Whale Watching Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 983 reviews · from $74

Join Picos de Aventura in Ponta Delgada, or Rabo do Peixe on selected days, for a 3 to 3.5-hour whale-watching trip. Marine biologists, skippers, and shore-based lookouts work together to find dolphins and whales. Choose a catamaran or faster zodiac, then return along São Miguel’s volcanic coast.

“Very nice huides and a really cool activity. The zodiac boat is really fun but not for elderly or weak people, because it can be really bumpy. (The guides give this advice before the trip, so nothing unexpected)”

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5.Azores Whale Watching Tour – Ponta Delgada

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 740 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $78

Meet the marine biologists at Marina Pêro de Teive in Ponta Delgada for a 2 to 3 hour search for Azorean whales and dolphins. Choose a speedy rigid inflatable boat or a steadier catamaran. The route follows recent sightings, and the crew explains local species and conservation. A whale or dolphin sighting is guaranteed, or you receive a full refund.

“Saw Sei whales and Atlantic spotted dolphins. Very cool tour with a decent amount of time out on the water. Would recommend this tour!”

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6.Pico Island: Whale Watching Experience from Lajes

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 492 reviews · from $68Top rated

Join Futurismo Azores Whale Watching in Lajes do Pico for a three-hour search for whales, dolphins, seabirds, and other sea life. Marine biologists explain local species, whale-watching rules, and conservation before you head offshore in a fast boat. Nadja, Nadia, or Lynn may be among the guides, depending on your departure.

“We saw 3 blue whales and some common dolphins! It was absolutely spectacular! The guides were amazing and were very knowledgeable. Would’ve loved to be able to do this again while we were there!”

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7.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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8.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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9.Horta: University Startup Whale and Dolphin RIB Boat Trip

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

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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10.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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11.Rabo de Peixe: Sperm Whale Sanctuary Expedition

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 135 reviews · 3 hours · from $82

From Clube Naval Rabo de Peixe, you’ll join marine biologists for a three-hour search for sperm whales in the Azores sanctuary. Guides speak English and Portuguese, and sightings may include dolphins, turtles, Portuguese man-o-war, and other whale species. Biologist Emma has led some memorable trips.

“Nous avons eu une superbe expérience. Guides sympathiques, petit bateau (zodiak 16 places), cette compagnie respecte ses clients mais surtout la faune qu’elle nous fait rencontrer Nous avons eu la chance de voir 10 cachalots différents dont un s’est approché très près de notre bateau ( et non l’inverse), 3 sortes de dauphins différentes en dizaine d’individus( bottle nose, common et Atlantic spotted). Sur une dizaine de sorties pour voir des baleines en Amérique et en Europe, définitivement ma meilleure et la plus respectueuse de la faune.”

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12.São Miguel: Whales & Volcano Full-Day Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 95 reviews · 7 hours · from $182

Green Visions Tours combines a three-hour catamaran trip for whales and dolphins with a minivan tour to Lagoa do Fogo. João, Joaquim, and Bruno have guided recent departures. Expect hotel pickup around 8:45 or 9:00 AM, lunch after the boat trip, and a full seven-hour day shaped by weather and wildlife.

“La journée s’est bien déroulée, nous avons pu apercevoir deux cachalots lors de la sortie en mer, mais nous n’avons pas eu la chance de voir de dauphins ou de baleines, l’océan est vaste, c’est bien normal. Les différents arrêts effectués par notre guide Joachim étaient sympathiques. Joachim est avenant, dans l’échange et a su donner des informations riches. Merci pour cette journée en compagnie de Joachim!”

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13.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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