Ponta Delgada Old Marina - Whale Watching

In the Old Marina of Ponta Delgada, in the heart of the wonderful São Miguel Island, on the greenish Azores Archipelago, it is possible to get on an amazing adventure with a privileged contact with nature, through the many companies that promote the cetaceous observation, or “Whale Watching” as it is usually known.

Although the designation presents the generalist name of “whales”, and even though these are eventually the most desired to be observed, it is also possible the observation of dolphins and other cetaceous such as turtles, sharks and several sea birds, as well as the own nature contemplation that such a trip provides.
It is during Summer months that a bigger abundance of maritime mammals, with over 20 registered species in the Archipelago. Generally, during summer months it is quite common to observe on the Azores waters female Cachalot’s with their offspring’s, as during winter months it is more frequent to find male Cachalot’s.

The Azores present a quite ancient tradition on whale hunting, using whale based products in the most diversified ways over the years. In 1985 this practice was forbidden by law and since then the cetaceous community has been developing progressively throughout the archipelago.
Since the beginning of the 1990’s that this Whale Watching is made a bit by the image of the ancient fishing techniques: throughout the coast are located the “vigias” (“watch”) with binoculars and experience in this kind of observation, contacting the “capitães” (captains) that orientate the boats into the right direction.
In order to protect both the habitat and the animals, and also the observers, it is mandatory to turn off the embarkations engines and to stay at about 50 meters distance and no longer that 30 minutes from the animals.