Walks, talks & whales - 1 week package Pico Island on land and sea

On this trip you will not only learn a lot about whales, but also about the flora and fauna on land of the island of Pico. Go in search of Moby Dick within a week and learn everything you need to know about the kings of the sea in lectures by Espaco Talassa.

The Azores are one of the best places in the world to watch whales and dolphins. Around 25 different species live here or pass through. Focusing on the waters around the island of Pico, the dream of seeing whales and dolphins up close becomes a reality. Almost nowhere else in the world is it possible to observe so many different species during one season. The sea offers a richly laid food table for the various mammals. The whale that is sighted most frequently is the sperm whale, Moby Dick, which can grow up to 18 meters long. Among the dolphins, the bottlenose dolphins and the common dolphins are the most common.

Espaço Talassa - Responsible whale watching in the Azores since 1989
Since 1989, the founder of Espaço Talassa, Serge Viallelle, who has since sadly passed away, sailed the seas of the Azores. He has explored and got to know the impressive world of cetaceans (better known as whales and dolphins) that live in the Atlantic Ocean around the Azores. From this ever-growing enthusiasm, the first sustainable observation and research station for the cetaceans of the Azores was born in 1991: Espaço Talassa - the original!
Each observation trip, of which you will undertake 5 (of which on average 98% are successful), offers not only the opportunity to encounter one of the 27 species of marine mammals registered in the Azores, but also to actively participate in the research and protection of these last leviathans. At sea, you will help - with respect for the animals and our ethical principles - to collect the information needed for our research: observed species, photos, underwater acoustic recordings...
By choosing Espaço Talassa, you decide to limit your ecological footprint. Espaço Talassa, together with the organization "Quercus", plants trees and participates in the "micro-reserve" project to partially offset the ecological deficit and CO2 emissions generated by our whale watching activity. For each customer, approximately 50 cents are donated to plant "Cabeço Santo", the mountain range of Caramulo. A terrible forest fire occurred there in 2005 and the area is now being replanted.

1 week holiday with dolphins and whales
The simple, typical local hotel where you will be staying for 7 nights is located right next to the Espaco Talassa whale watching centre and the Lajes do Pico whaler`s museum. Almost all the rooms have a view of the sea or Pico Mountain. Breakfast is included in your package, as well as the transfer from the airport or ferry harbor in Pico. If you arrive on Faial, you can book the additional transfers for an extra charge.
During your stay, you will go on a total of 2 excursions, each lasting 3 hours. Important information is collected before each trip to ensure that the whale watching tour is as successful as possible. You have the afternoons at leisure. An opportunity to visit the whaling museum or the marine mammal observation station. You can learn a lot about whaling and acquire new knowledge from books, films, and exhibitions. The hikes/walks on the other days will introduce you to the typical landscape of Pico. From lava walls to vineyards and endemic plants. At the beginning of your trip, you will receive a booklet describing the routes of the walks that take place without a guide. However, guided hikes can be booked for an additional charge. In the evenings, you will receive lectures on various topics, e.g. about the island of Pico, whales, turtles, etc. During your one-week-package you can rent diving goggles, snorkeling gear, and bicycles for free if you wish. Or would you like to discover the beauty of other Azores islands individually? You are more than welcome to book these with vista verde azores.
This tour description is only a rough overview of the course of your stay. Considering climatic conditions, safety, the condition of the participants and of course the presence of the animals, it is at the organizer’s discretion to apply changes.
This tour is generally not suitable for people with reduced mobility.

Please note that the excursions take place in a rigid inflatable boat (Zodiac/semi rigid). These boats are not suitable for children under 6 years old, pregnant women or people with (chronic) back problems.

The tour has a minimum number of 2 participants. If one person is travelling alone, a surcharge applies.
This tour package generally starts on Saturdays (other days of the week are not possible).