Whale & Marine Life Watching, São Miguel Island

Embark on a whale watching boat tour led by a knowledgeable marine life guide, who will teach you about the biodiversity of the Azores. This excursion begins in the port of São Miguel Island, where the guide may inform you about the whales, dolphins, turtles, and other animals in the region. You'll head out on a boat to go whale watching, and your guide will point out the different species of animals, so you don't miss anything. After some time at sea, you may return to land for lunch, and then you'll start the next part of the journey: a boat trip around the submerged volcano islet of Vila Franca do Campo, home to an impressive caldera and a variety of seabirds. After soaking in this pristine nature reserve, you'll head back to São Miguel.

The day begins at the port of São Miguel Island, where you'll meet your well-versed biologist or naturalist guide. The Azores is home to 28 species of whales and dolphins -- about one-third of cetacean species globally -- so it's one of the best places to see these animals in the wild, depending on weather and other conditions. Your guide may let you know about the different species in this region before you set out for the first part of the excursion: whale watching. Your boat may be an inflatable Zodiac, a speedboat, or a fiberglass one, so if you're prone to seasickness, note this can be a bumpy ride depending on the boat and the weather.

You'll spend some time trying to spot blue, humpback, and sperm whales and other animals like dolphins, turtles, and other species in this richly biodiverse area. Your guide will tell you details about the animals, how to spot the differences between them, and answer any questions you may have. The excursion may include lunch after whale watching; if not, you'll be able to eat your own lightly packed lunch on board. 

After lunch, you'll embark on the next part of the trip: visiting the Princess Ring islet of Vila Franca do Campo. The caldera of this submerged volcano gives the area its name, as it forms a striking ring filled with turquoise water and a mix of wildlife. The boat will take you around the island, and your guide will tell you about this nature reserve that's inhabited only by animals; 29 species of birds, to be exact, among other fauna. You may get the chance to take a dip and snorkel here and then you'll return to São Miguel.