When to Go to the Azores for Whales and Lagoons
There is no single best month for the Azores: whales and dolphins can be seen all year, and the land tours on São Miguel are booked with free cancellation up to 24 hours before. What changes with the season is which species are easier to spot and how much the weather decides, since it shifts quickly on the islands.
Tours for your route
São MiguelSete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo
Two volcanic calderas in one day from Ponta Delgada.
Details and link
Civitatis reviews as of .
https://www.civitatis.com/en/ponta-delgada/sete-cidades-lagoa-fogo/?aid=10795&cmp=fajanda-en-epoca
São MiguelWhale watching from Ponta Delgada
A trip out into the Atlantic to look for whales and dolphins.
Details and link
Civitatis reviews as of .
https://www.civitatis.com/en/ponta-delgada/whale-watching/?aid=10795&cmp=fajanda-en-epocaIs there a better time of year to see whales?
According to Visit Azores, whales and dolphins can be seen all year. Spotted dolphins are more common in summer, and blue whales are easy to see in late winter. Sperm whales, sei whales and other baleen whales are frequent in summer.
What if the day starts with bad weather?
Visit Azores warns that sea conditions can force whale-watching trips to be postponed or cancelled. The boat trip from Ponta Delgada has free cancellation up to 48 hours before, so it is wise to leave a spare day in your trip. Whales are wild animals and no date guarantees a sighting.
When is the best time to head for the lagoons?
The Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo tour lasts 8 hours, includes an English-speaking guide and a buffet-style lunch, and can be cancelled at no cost up to 24 hours before. We give no climate figures for the Azores here: the weather changes fast, so check the forecast and the climate normals at the IPMA before fixing the day.
What about the caves and the trails?
Visit Azores says only a limited number of caves and lava tubes are open to the public. They usually have fixed hours in spring and summer and, the rest of the year, are open by prior booking only. Open-air volcanic sites can be visited all year, but in winter you should keep an eye on the weather, and proper footwear matters. For hiking, check the official routes of Trilhos dos Açores.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see whales in the Azores in any month?
Visit Azores says whales and dolphins can be seen all year. What varies is the most likely species depending on the season.
When is it easiest to see spotted dolphins?
According to Visit Azores, spotted dolphins are more common in summer.
How long is a whale-watching trip and from what age?
Visit Azores says each trip lasts about three hours. The Civitatis listing from Ponta Delgada shows 2 h 30 min to 3 h and a minimum age of 6.
Does the whale-watching boat have an English-speaking guide?
Yes. The listing shows an English-speaking guide, with life jackets included.
Can I cancel if the weather changes?
The Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo tour can be cancelled free up to 24 hours before, and the boat trip up to 48 hours before. With less notice, there is no refund.