Whale watching and marine ecosystems in the Azorean Islands: Portugal

May 2024 - 7 days

Register now at tours@newscientist.com and we will contact you soon with full tour details.

Have you ever seen a whale in the wild?

This is a rare opportunity to experience the hidden paradise of the richly biodiverse Azores islands, their lush flora and fauna, volcanic craters, lagoons and picturesque towns. May is one of the best times to see marine wildlife in the Azores and our group that visited in 2023 saw an extraordinary number of species plus some highly unusual species interaction (see the sighting list in the gallery above).

Spend your days exploring, and learning about marine life, current conservation efforts, intelligence and ecosystems. You will also actively take part in whale research and get an opportunity to watch the social interactions of whales at the surface and listen for their "click" sounds as they descend into the water.

Accompanied by a team of marine experts, including marine biologist and Oceanographer, Russell Arnott, spend time both at sea and on land surrounded by a host of different species. During your days at sea,  search for blue whales – the world’s largest mammals – and sperm whales, which boast the world’s largest brain.  Other species you may see include, baleen, pilot, and fin whales, and bottlenose, risso, spotted and striped dolphins.

On land, visit a seabird colony and discover the charming towns and villages of these islands, which is like stepping back in time. Plus inspect the islands' fascinating volcanic geology and learn how it supports unique viniculture. 

The Azores is an archipelago of nine volcanic islands 1,400 kilometres west of Lisbon in the Atlantic Ocean. There are direct flights from New York, Toronto, Boston and the UK to Ponta Delgada on Sao Miguel island, from where it is a 50-minute flight to Faial island. Alternatively, you can fly direct to Faial from Lisbon, making it an ideal stopover on your way over.

In partnership with Intrepid Travel.

Do I need to be a scientist or marine biologist to join this tour?

No, New Scientist Discovery Tours are open to everyone to join. However, each of our tours has different focuses. For this tour, it will appeal to those with an interest in marine biology, oceanology, ocean conservation and ornithology plus exploring beautiful islands and being at sea.

Will I learn about marine conservation?

Yes, during this tour, in addition to talks by marine biologist Russell Arnott, you will be joining by researchers from The University of Lisbon who will teach you about global conservation efforts and how data is shared as you help collect and measure microplastics in the ocean as well as acoustic records of the different whales and dolphins in the nearby waters. You will also gain an insight into the work critical for our understanding of our impact on the oceans, with the data you collect today forming yet another important piece of the puzzle.

How will I be involved in the whale research?

With the help, and guidance from local researchers and biologists, you will be required to observe whales and dolphins, which will help learn about the species behaviour and migratory patterns This information will then be passed onto local scientists to understand and protect them.

What wildlife can I expect to see on this tour?

Whilst wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed, May is a wonderful time to see blue, sperm, baleen, pilot, and fin whales, and bottlenose, risso, spotted and striped dolphins, as well as cory's shearwater, and an array of other sea birds.

What will happen on a traditional day at sea?

On each day, the aim is to enjoy two three-hour expeditions aboard Zodiacs, which are small highly manoeuvrable semi-rigid boats. The duration of the time at sea will depend on where the marine species are to be found on the day and the weather forecast. We are working with a highly proactive and flexible sea expedition company who will tailor the experience to the prevailing conditions. This might mean that the schedule is arranged on the fly, to ensure you have the best opportunity throughout the tour to see as many species as possible. 

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN FAIAL AND MEET RUSSELL ARNOTT

Welcome to the Azores, nine volcanic islands 1500 kilometres off the coast of Portugal in the North Atlantic.  

Upon arrival on Faial Island, you will check in to the four-star Hotel Azoris Faial Garden in Horta.

Depending on your arrival time, you might have some free time to explore the small but cosmopolitan sea-faring town that dates back to the 15th century and has many historic buildings. We have chosen Faial as it is more relaxed with a slower pace of life and less tourism, whilst still supporting a high degree of species observation and interaction.

Your tour leader will hold a short welcome meeting in the early evening to go through the plans for the week, then the accompanying marine biologist Russell Arnott will give the first of three talks before joining you for dinner.

During the tour Russell will cover such subjects as the biodiversity found in the Azorian waters, a primer on the cetacean species you will be viewing and how the geology supports marine life in the form of hydrothermal vents. These deep-sea vents have only been discovered and studied in the past few decades, and with some organisms surviving purely chemosynthetically and not requiring sunlight for photosynthesis, they are shedding new light on our understanding of life in the oceans.

Plus Russell will be giving a walking (and floating commentary) throughout the first four days of the tour.

DAY 2: MARINE BIOLOGY RESEARCH AT SEA

Today and on day 4, you will spend time at sea going behind the scenes with researchers and biologists from the Universities of Lisbon and the Azores to spot whales, dolphins, turtles and birds. You will learn about global conservation efforts and how data is shared as you help collect and measure microplastics in the ocean as well as acoustic records of the different whales and dolphins in the nearby waters. You will gain an insight into the work critical for our understanding of our impact on the oceans, with the data you collect today forming yet another important piece of the puzzle.

The duration of the time at sea will depend on where the marine species are to be found on the day and weather forecast. We are working with a highly proactive and flexible sea expedition company who will tailor the experience to the prevailing conditions. This might mean that the schedule is arranged on the fly, to ensure you have the best opportunity throughout the tour to see as many species as possible. On each day, the aim is to enjoy two three-hour expeditions aboard Zodiacs, which are small highly manoeuvrable semi-rigid boats.

The captains will be guided by ‘spotters’ ashore and will adhere strictly to responsible codes of practice for whale watching.

The end of May is a fantastic time to see the big migrants in the Azores. In May 2023, our group spotted 11 sperm whales, a fin whale and a sea turtle eating a Portuguese man-of-war on their first outing. Plus common dolphins frolicking alongside the boat. On their second day, they spotted blue whales, humpback whales, bottlenose dolphins and Risso's dolphins exhibiting the highly unusual behaviour of ramming Orca whales, a common predator of theirs.

In the evening, you will visit the largest colony of cory's shearwater in Faial with a local biologist. Watch the sunset and the shearwaters fly into their nests with loudly vocalizations and mating behaviours. The Azores hosts a large colony of cory's shearwaters. Each shearwater returns to the same nest after one year in the Southern Hemisphere. With the breeding season as its peak in May, it will be an unforgettable experience.

DAY 3: CALDEIRA AND THE CAPELINHOS VOLCANO

After breakfast, you will be picked up to travel by road by private vehicle lead by a local biologist guide to explore Faial secrets with two major stopping locations, central Caldeira and the unique lunar landscape of the Capelinhos volcano, only 61 years old. From volcanoes to endemic forests, breathtaking lookouts and landscapes, enjoy a 7 kilometre walk in direct contact with the real nature and culture of the Azores. 

In the evening, Russell will give a second talk.

DAY 4: FURTHER EXPLORATION BY SEA

You will return to sea by zodiac again, for two 3 hour sessions with local researchers and biologists to observe whales and dolphins whilst learning about their species behaviour, migratory patterns and the work undertaken by the local scientists to understand and protect them. Then in the evening Russell will give a third talk.

DAY 5: TRAVEL TO AND EXPLORE PICO ISLAND

After a 30-minute ferry ride, you will enjoy a full day landscape and culture tour of nearby Pico Island and it’s UNESCO protected landscape. The tour will visit different habitats on Pico Island, including freshwater lakes, the largest salt-water marsh area in the three central islands and the largest endemic forest area in the Azores. Lunch is included plus a vineyard visit and tasting where you will learn how volcanic viniculture impacts the flavours of local wines.

DAY 6: AFTERNOON WHALE EXCURSION AT SEA

In the morning you will head out to sea for a more leisurely sea excursion, that will explore more of the Faial’s coastline to view the contrast between deep blue of the sea, green of the fields and black of the volcanic rock. Along with further sightings of whales and dolphins in the vicinity.

After all the exploration by land and sea, the afternoon is at leisure before a farewell meal for the group hosted by the tour leader.

DAY 7: DEPART THE AZORES

On the final day of your Azorean adventure, there are no activities are planned. Group transfers will be provided to Horta airport where you can return home via Lisbon. 

You might want to stay a few nights in Lisbon before your onward flight home.