Azores Adventures – Futurismo
Giant Baleen Whales Expedition
Pico Island Whale Experience 5D
An experience like no other to observe the biggest animals in the world during their annual migration.
From March to June you can watch the great Blue whales, Fin whales, and Sei whales feeding in our rich waters. In addition to those amazing creatures reaching up to 30m, Pico island has sperm whales – the icon of the Azores – all year round as a resident species.
Also, the dolphins are a blast to see and there are so many different species off the coast of Pico.
Plus, you get to have the greatest background: Portugal’s highest peak getting as high as 2,351m above the sea level.
Itinerary
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Whale Watching in Pico Island
Experience face to face encounters with astonishing creatures
Tour Starts
Lajes do Pico
Difficult
Easy
Whale Watching in Pico Island
Mysterious undewater world explained
Tour Starts
Lajes do Pico
Difficult
Easy
Whale Watching in Pico Island
A Marine wildlife oasis
Tour Starts
Lajes do Pico
Difficult
Easy
Whale Watching in Pico Island
Mysterious undewater world explained
Tour Starts
Lajes do Pico
Difficult
Easy
Whale Watching in Pico Island
Experience face to face encounters with astonishing creatures
Tour Starts
Lajes do Pico
Difficult
Easy
Choose your dates
Available Dates
More Information
- Museum and other entrance tickets
- All the activities mentioned in the itinerary
- English speaking guide that will accompany the group all time
- Insurance (personal accident and liability)
- Life jacket (on zodiac & fiberglass boats)
- Marine biologist guides
- Pre-tour briefing
- Raincoat and pants (if necessary)
Departure Point
Return Point
- Comfortable clothes and shoes
- Warm sweater or jacket
- Sunscreen, hat and backpack
- Water and snacks
- Restrictions may apply for pregnant women and people with lower back problems, because the whale watching experience is operated in a zodiac boats
- Please note that we don’t sell any food or drink onboard
- Children ideally above 6 years old. Once seated, the child’s feet must reach the ground for safety reasons
Payment Policy
- Activities Only: Upon booking confirmation, clients must pay a deposit of 50% of the total amount. The remaining should be settled on the first activity day
- Activities + Accommodation: Clients must pay a deposit of 50% upon booking confirmation. The remaining must be settled up to 20 days before arrival
Payment Policy
Full payment on the reservation
Cancelation Policy
- Activities Only: Cancelations are free of charge up to 30 days before arrival. After this period, we will charge 50% of the total amount.
- Activities + Accommodation: Cancelations are free of charge up to 45 days before arrival. Less than 45 days before arrival, we will charge 50% of the total amount. Less than 15 days before arrival, 100% of the cost will be applied as a penalty.
Questions still? See our FAQs
Reviews & more
It’s impressive that we haven’t found anybody during our walking tour. It was amazing the communion with nature. It feels that nature is still untouched.
We had a great whale watching trip! Compared to some of the other operators that were on the water the same day, these guys seem to care much more about the animals (when we spotted a whale, the captain slowly got us closer to it, trying not to disturb the animal, while some other boats went at it at top speed).
We saw about a dozen young sperm whales, and a large pod of dolphins, but even without any sightings, the fantastic three-hour boat trip would have been worth the money!
After swimming with the dolphins in open sea I was feeling differently… I felt such a powerful energy. It’s an experience that I recommend to everybody!
Excellent English spoken and very knowledgeable guides. The company shows true passion for working with guests and imparting a good cultural experience.
I enjoyed particularly the fact that we could visit São Miguel on the jeep tour and got a whole different idea from our last trip. Knowledgeable information is given by the guide about the island specially concerning Azorean history and traditions. Great service and wonderful friendly guides!
A Marine wildlife oasis
Misteryous underwater world explained
Whaling Heritage
Face-to-face encounters with astonishing creatures
Scientific investigation protocols explained
Tour options
Activity only
Select this option if you want to take care of the accommodation on your own.
F.A.Q.s
Are the Azores a good whale watching destination?
The Azores are a great whale watching destination, probably one of the best in the whole world. We have sperm whales all year round. Being in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, lots of cetacean species pass by our islands during their annual migration.
Can I cancel my tour reservation and have a full refund?
Yes, you can check our detailed cancellation and refund policies per tour on each tour page, under “Good to Know” section
Can I take my camera with me during this activity?
Yes, but be aware that your material will be under your responsability.
Can I touch the whales and dolphins?
No, our strict whale and dolphin watching rules forbid to touch the animals. They are wild and we should respect them.
Can I use my drone during this tour?
You cannot use a drone on our tours with other travelers. However, if you really want to fly your drone, it is possible on a private tour with us.
Do you have toilets on the boat?
On the catamarans and the bigger zodiac boats, there is a toilet facility. However on the small zodiac boats there is no toilets.
Do you sell medication for seasickness?
No, we do not sell anything on the boat. If you know that you get easily seasick, it is better to purchase the adequate medication before the tour.
How can I book this activity?
You can select any tour within our website and get your booking confirmation on your email immediately. Alternativelly, you can visit us on our shops or get in touch with us by phone, email or send us a message on social media (Instagram and Facebook)
How many whales and dolphins can I see?
It depends, each day on the ocean is a surprise. Sometimes we can see one whale only, and other times we will see several species with pods of dolphins including thousands of individuals. We work with nature, the animals are not under our control.
Is this an adventure kind of tour?
It is a great adventure, but not physically demanding.
What if the weather isn’t ok?
If the weather doesn’t allow to do this activity safely, we will cancel it and suggest na alternative date.
What is the minimum number of participants?
Please check the minimum number of participant for each tour inside the program’s page.
Are the Azores a good whale watching destination?
The Azores are a great whale watching destination, probably one of the best in the whole world. We have sperm whales all year round. Being in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, lots of cetacean species pass by our islands during their annual migration.
How do you locate the whales and dolphins in the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean?
Futurismo has more lookouts than any other tour operator in the Azores so we always know where the animals are. Lookouts are people on the coast looking for cetaceans with binoculars.
Apart from this ancestral method, we can locate the whales and dolphins based on acoustic data thanks to our directional hydrophone which will allow us to hear and record sounds emitted by cetaceans audible to the human ear.
How long is a Whale Watching tour?
Please check each tour duration info.
I am pregnant but I would like to do whale watching. Is it possible?
In this situation, we advise to go on a tour aboard the catamarans. These boats are more comfortable and stable.
I have lower back problems but I would like to go on a whale and dolphin watching trip. Can I go on a tour?
We have a catamaran that is more comfortable and stable than the zodiac and fiberglass boats, but before you come you should consult your physician.
What are the best weather conditions for whale watching?
The best time will be when there is no wind or little so that there is no big swell. A sunny day will be more pleasant, but getting some fresh air would also be good so that it doesn’t get too hot on the boat and so that there is no bad mood.
What is Whale Watching?
Whale and dolphin watching is the practice of observing whales and dolphins (commonly called cetaceans) in their natural habitat.
What to wear on a Whale Watching tour?
You can wear comfortable light clothes with a vest in the summertime, and a warmer coat and waterproof raincoat for the wintertime.
Adventure awaits!
Join us for amazing holidays full of outdoor
adventures in the Azores Islands.
adventures in the Azores Islands.
Sucess! Thank you
Ready to start your adventure?
After submitting this form, your booking will be pending confirmation. You can expect to be contacted by a member of our experienced Sales Team within 2 labour days. If the booking is ready to be confirmed, we will send you the payment details to complete the registration.
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