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Whale Watching in the Azores
Join us on Pico Island!
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THE AZORES - A NEW FRONTIER FOR TRAVELLERS INTERESTED IN WHALE WATCHING AND DIVING
Lying in the middle of the Atlantic ocean, more than 1000km west of Portugal, the Azores
comprise an archipelago of nine islands.
They represent the emerging peaks of a huge submarine
mountain chain known as the 'Mid-Atlantic Ridge' that divides the entire length of the ocean
from North to South.
Bathed in the warm waters of the Gulf stream the islands unique landscape,
nature and rich marine life are tightly connected to their origin and geographic location.
For all those seeking close encounters with whales,
swims with dolphins,
great adventures, scuba diving
and fun snorkelling the incredibly abundant marine life will not disappoint.
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WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT US
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"
A wonderful place, fantastic trips (can't believe how many whales
& dolphins we saw, and the view from the top of Little Pico is worth
the sore legs!). The most unforgettable trip, thanks to your friendly Team.
We don't want to go home!
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Sally & Steve (England)
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Thank you so much for an experience of a life time. We did not believe
we could possibly see so much in one trip.
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Pete & Penny (England)
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We had the most perfect week with you at the ocean. Saw lots of
beautiful things on and under the water. We hope to come back here.
Thanks a lot and big compliments to the crew.
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René & Marnix (Netherlands)
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Excellent, superbe, magnifique, exceptionnel... une énorme baleine commune,
un cachalot et trois baleines pilotes + un accueil très sympatique dans le
bungalow et dans le bateau. Merci mille fois et à bientôt!!
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Christine et Thomas (France)
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"
Thanks for everything. we had a really good time. Saw lots of sperm whales and
dolphins. And the diving was just brilliant! We would definitely want to come back.
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Gill, Martin & Daniel (England)
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Extraordinaire, il n'y a pas d'autre mot pour décrire ces sensations...
accompagnement parfait et attentionné, excellent pilote. Pas l'ombre
d'un mal de mer. Merci à CW Azores et à toute son équipe.
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Philippe et Martine (France)
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Dedicated to the soul of all whales killed by mankind
Photo by Enrico Villa
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View to Mount Pico from the town of Madalena
Photo by Enrico Villa
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MORE THAN 20 SPECIES OF WHALES AND DOLPHINS CALL THE AZORES HOME
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You are guaranteed to encounter Sperm whales, Common dolphins and Bottlenose dolphins
throughout the year. Risso's dolphins are also year-round residents.
In February and March the plankton cycle creates ideal conditions for an extraordinary
explosion of life - prelude to the baleen whales (Mysticetes) arrival. Every year
species such as
the Blue whale (the largest animal on the planet), Fin whale,
Sei whale and Humpback whale are seen.
By early June other species also arrive, such as the friendly Atlantic spotted dolphin
and the Short-finned pilot whale.
In all more than 20 species can be seen, making the Azores
an unparalleled whale watching destination
and a truly privileged archipelago.
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" To the dolphin alone, beyond all others, nature has given what the
best philosophers seek: friendship for no advantage. Though it has no need of man yet it is the friend
to all men and has often given them great aid. "
(Plutarch)
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OUR WORK WITH THE PROFESSIONALS
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We provide state-of-the-art support services to TV Crews,
professional film makers, photographers and researchers.
Filming and photographing whales underwater is strictly regulated
and requires a special permit from the Regional Government of the Azores.
To obtain authorisation all applications are prepared with our help.
Click to learn more...
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DIVING THE AZORES
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More and more divers are discovering the islands of Pico and Faial, their
submarine seamounts, volcanoes, arcades, pinnacles
and caves.
Still unspoilt the clear waters surrounding the islands teem with life.
See some superb marine invertebrates such as octopus, nudibranchs and
black coral; see
abundant fish including sharks, mantas,
several species of moray eels, rays (mobulas,
eagle ray
and huge sting
rays), groupers, shoals of barracuda, tunas, jacks
and a myriad of smaller species.
Learn more
Watch video
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Learn about cetaceans and whale watching in the Azores
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Whales, dolphins and porpoises are collectively called cetaceans, since they all belong
to the order Cetacea.
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The order Cetacea is divided into 2 suborders: Odontoceti and Mysticeti.
Dolphins and porpoises, along with other species such as the sperm whale, the beaked whales, the narwhal and the beluga are Odontocetes
- i.e. they have teeth.
On the contrary, proper whales (mysticetes) do not have teeth. Instead, they have
a large number of comb-like keratin plates, called baleen,
hanging from the upper jaw. Baleen plates act like a sieve, allowing whales to filter
the plankton and small fish they feed upon.
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Cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) are mammals. They are warm-blooded
and give birth to live offspring, which are breastfed.
Unlike fish, cetaceans are unable to extract oxygen from the water and therefore need to
periodically surface in order to breathe.
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Cetaceans breathe air at the surface of the water through their blowholes, the equivalent of our nostrils.
Mysticetes (baleen whales) have two blowholes while odontocetes (toothed cetaceans) have
only one blowhole.
Unlike humans and most other mammals, they are unable to breathe through their mouth, which makes it possible for them to feed
underwater while keeping their respiratory system free of water.
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Cetaceans use their tail to swim. Unlike fish, the tail of whales, dolphins and porpoises lies in an
horizontal plane and it is moved up and down rather than from side to side.
Muscles actively work when the tail is raised, while they rest (or almost completely rest) when the
tail is lowered.
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More of this...
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