5 DAYS
Pico Swimming with Dolphins
OUR DOLPHIN LOVERS’ SPECIAL
Imagine your holidays swimming with dolphins in the deep blue waters of the Atlantic. Look no further, because this is the package you are looking for!
You will go to the ocean on several occasions on a speedy zodiac boat in search of wild dolphins . On one moment you will be on a speedy zodiac boat skimming the water in search of dolphins and on the next one, it’s your turn to join them for a unique experience!
When you are in the water you will be able to listen to them whistling and maybe even make eye contact with some dolphins. We guarantee that you will want this moment to last forever , there is just no way to describe this amazing sensation.
Be sure to have your mask and snorkel ready, follow our guide’s instructions and let yourself be mesmerised by the Azores with this package we have for you!
ON THE PROGRAM
SWIM WITH DOLPHINS
If you are a true animal and nature lover , then this tour is for you!
Join us at Lajes do Pico to fulfill your deepest dream and swim with wild dolphins in the Azores! In addition to swimming with the dolphins in their natural habitat, you will also learn a lot about these intelligent cetaceans. Definitely a must-do when visiting the archipelago!
This experience lasts for about 2,5 hours and our biologists will brief you before going out on the ocean. They will tell you all the information you need to know about swimming with dolphinsa , how to enter the water and how to behave around wild dolphins. It is important that you feel comfortable with a snorkel and mask during the activity for an optimal experience.
In the Azores, it is common to swim with one of the 5 different dolphin species : bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, Risso’s dolphins, striped dolphins or Atlantic spotted dolphins. Some of them might be curious and get closer , but others will be shy and keep a distance. Unlike in other destinations around the world, we do not allow to touch the dolphins, because we want to keep them wild and relaxed about human interaction.
This experience will be operated on our zodiac boat with a maximum of 8 participants aboard.
ON THE PROGRAM
Pico Island Van Tour
Discover the island’s beauty, history, culture and gastronomy in a comfortable way with Futurismo.
We will pick you up in Madalena and our first stop will be in the vineyards of Criação Velha , an emblematic place to understand Pico’s vineyard landscape.
After visiting this location classified as UNESCO patrimony in 2004 , we will go towards Lajes do Pico , a picturesque little village. It was not only the first settlement of the island but also the Azorean whaling capital . Besides wine, whaling played a big role in the History of the Azores. Enjoy a walk through the narrow streets and a guided visit of the whaler’s museum.
After lunch, we will cross the high plateau to the North Coast, full of excellent views on São Jorge island . Once at the top, we will stop at one of the most beautiful lakes in Pico: Lagoa do Capitão . It is part of the protected landscape area of the “zona central” and also a good place to observe resident and migratory birds as well as native vegetation.
On the way back to Madalena, we will pass by São Roque and some former wine production places. There, we will find typical adegas (wine cellars) and other evidence that can be referred to the golden wine age . A tasting of the local wine is included.
This tour has it all : interesting facts about whales, wine, beautiful landscapes, local culture and traditions. It will give you a global overview about Pico island.
UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE
Come and swim with dolphins almost every day during a week. It’s a unique adventure!
Unexpected encounter with a manta ray in Pico Island
RESIDENT DOLPHINS
Bottlenose, Common and Risso’s dolphins chose the Azores to live year round.
See a beautiful video with common dolphins
PICO ISLAND
Meet the majestic Pico Mountain. The perfect background for your adventure!
Video about Criação Velha, UNESCO patrimony vineyardsLocation
Pico Island
Duration
5 days
Tour Rates
On Request
Daily Departures
Weekly
Check In Times
Dependent on your arrival
Availability
Only high season (minimum 4 participants)
Level of Difficulty
Easy
Vessel Types
Zodiac boat + Van
Minimum Age
8 years old (the swimming with dolphins tours are operated in zodiac, children need to reach the ground with their feet for safety reasons)
Tour Details
The chronological order of the tours can change according to the weather conditions and availabilities.
Swimming with dolphins tours:
- Pre-tour briefing
- Snorkel and mask
- Shorty wetsuit
- Raincoat
- Life jacket
- Marine biologist aboard
- Insurance (personal accident & liability)
Pico Island Van Tour:
- Nature guide
- Pick up & drop off in Madalena
- Museum entrance in Lajes do Pico
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Wine tasting
- Insurance (personal accident & liability)
Notes:
- Two half-day sea activities can be operated on the same day if discussed earlier with Futurismo.
- We do not recommend swimming with dolphins for people who don’t know how to swim, pregnant women and people with back problems.
- For this tour, it is mandatory to sign a statement of responsibility.
- The use of fins is prohibited.
Swimming with dolphins tours:
- Comfortable clothes and shoes
- Jacket
- Swimsuit, towel, hat
- Sunscreen
- Flip-flops
Pico Island Van Tour:
- Comfortable light clothes
- Sweater, raincoat
- Hat, sunscreen, backpack
- Water, snacks
Q: How do I get to the Azores?
A: There are direct flights from Lisbon and Porto. Europe, USA and Canada.
Q: Which level should I expect from the activities planned during the package?
A: They are easy level.
Q: This package of active holidays is exclusively for kids older than 8 years old?
A: This is one ideal package for children older than 8 years old and younger as well for the most of the experiences. In the specific case of kids under 8 years old we strongly recommend the catamaran for the whale watching tour and on all the jeep tours we do provide children seats.
Q: Can I touch the dolphins?
A: No. Our responsible swim with dolphin guidelines forbid touching these inquisitive but wild animals.
Q: Can I hear the dolphins?
A: Yes. It is very common to hear them communicating underwater.
Q: How many dolphins can I see?
A: Sometimes less than a dozen, other times up to 50 or more.
Q: Can I swim with the whales?
A: No, swimming with whales is forbidden in the Azores. However, there are several species of dolphins that you are able to swim with.
Tour Gallery
Species You Might See
Sperm whale
Physeter macrocephalus
Bottlenose dolphin
Tursiops truncatus
Common dolphin
Delphinus delphis
Risso’s dolphin
Grampus griséus
Tour Bookings
“EXCELLENT TRIP”
“I had a trip with Rui and Maria the marine biologists from Pico Island. Extremely professional, incredibly knowledgable with modern well maintained equipment. I had the pleasure to see playful spotted dolphins, short finned pilot whales with a newborn calf, Rissos dolphins and curvier beaked whales. To cap it all was an extremely rare pygmy sperm whale.”
Mick McGinn – Facebook
“UNFORGETTABLE”
“Maria is an awesome guide, we spotted common dolphins, bottlenose and rissos, loggerhead turtles. She made the dolphin experience unforgettable, she invited me in front of the zodiac and it was like flying with the dolphins, you can almost touch them. Obrigada!”
Zsuzsi Ilycsin – Facebook
EXPLORE MORE
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VISIT
SÃO MIGUEL
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