Best Season
To see Whales and Dolphins

SO MANY SPECIES
TO DISCOVER IN THE AZORES

When is the best time to see whales and dolphins in the Azores?

Up to 28 species of whales and dolphins fill the busy waters of the Azores. You can have your pick of which to view depending on the season you visit. But at any time of the year, we guarantee you will delight in the sightings of these magnificent creatures.

SPRING

Our marine biologists tell us that spring is their favorite time for observation, probably because this is when the big whales migrate from their winter home near the equator to their summer feeding grounds near Greenland, Iceland, and Norway.

These big whales – the blue whales, fin whales and sei whales – are the largest animals in the world and the Azores are known to be one of the best places to spot them. 

In general, they breed during the winter months in the tropical waters, preparing their young for the long swim to the North Atlantic. On their way, they pass through the Azores from March to June, staying several days to feed, providing our guests with dramatic sightings. 

These giants are also known as “Baleen Whales” because instead of teeth they have fibrous material (baleen plates) that hangs down from their top jaw like a great beard. The whales feed as they swim, taking in food (krill and small fish) which is caught within their baleen plates, filtering and holding their catch.

Spring can also be ideal to spot minke whales and humpback whales although sightings of the three biggest whales are more common. 

Spring is a special time when the whales’ favorite foods, plankton and krill are bountiful. This is the best time to look for sperm whales, one of the best-known species of the Azores. 

SUMMER

Summer is the best season to spot and swim with those other favorite cetaceans, dolphins. You’ll find the most species at this time, including bottlenose, spotted and Risso’s dolphin. The groups are larger during summer with the added treat that many of their young are seen swimming amongst them. 

FALL AND WINTER

Whale watching is a year-round activity in the Azores, and Futurismo also has tours during the fall and winter months. Especially common during this time are those species that live year-round in the Azores – the common dolphin, Risso’s dolphin, and bottlenose dolphin, plus the well-known sperm whale. 

Killer whales are also known throughout the world and on rare occasions, we will spot them along with beaked and false killer whales – which are actually dolphins!