6 independent reviews for Family whale & dolphin watching vacation, Azores
Reviews for Family whale & dolphin watching vacation, Azores
Sophia Fannon-Howell review 29 Apr 2026
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Seeing a pod of Orca's swimming right next to the rib boat on a whale watching trip off Ponta Delgada, climbing Mount Pico with my son and having a bit of a disaster with the hire car on Pico (long story!). The tea plantations on Sao Miguel are great, and botanical gardens in Ponta Delgada well worth a visit. They have lots of free ranging chickens, which was a lovely surprise!2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Loved Furnas and wished we could have spent longer there and the hot pools were great and spacious. Whale watching is highly recommended, fantastic restaurants in Ponta Delgada. We didnt enjoy Fogo as the hot pools were very crowded, even off season (stick to Furnas). If you are fit enough, climb Mt Pico. We went in the Easter vacations and the weather was mid-to high teens celsius. It got chilly in the evenings and in cloudy conditions so bring warm clothes.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The trip definitely benefitted local people and everyone we met are proud of their islands! The whale watching tours put animal safety and wellbeing first which was good to see.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
We really loved the Azores and would love to visit the other islands. The host company team who organised our trip via Responsible Travel were excellent. Thanks Josie!!Jannette Tickle review 26 Apr 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Definitely the dolphin and whale trips. Lots of sightings.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Have no complaints at all. Staff knowledgeable and professional whilst friendly and caring.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
More awareness and knowledge about sea life. Also very clean and fresh island which made you aware of how much pride there is.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Fantastic. I took my two young grandchildren and felt safe and supported which meant it was relaxing and able to enjoy the thrills with them.Antonia Bindoff review 20 Aug 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Dolphin watching, canyoning, kayaking and biking and snorkelling trip.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
There are not a huge amount of restaurants so booking is advisable. If staying at Casa Hintze Ribeiro do not accept a front facing room. The bar next door places live music until two in the morning 5 days a week and it sounds like they are playing in your room!!Hire a car to get about it gives you so much freedom.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Not especially apart from the dolphin trip where they are very conscious to respect the animals and help to conserve them. Also the snorkelling trip we booked independently was very environmentally conscious.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
The Azores are beautiful and lush, the people are friendly and there is plenty to do. Well worth a visit.Nicola Pike review 12 Jun 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Seeing wildlife that we didn't expect. Whilst on the whale watching tour we also saw Portuguese Man of War and Flying Fish. Amazing!2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Pack sun screen and a rain coat. They say the Azores can experience all four seasons in a day. They aren't joking. It doesn't detract from the vacation at all, but just be prepared.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We were out on small ribs for all of our trips. It certainly felt less commercialised and the operators did comment that they collect data and share it with the researchers.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
It was a fantastic experience and was a great first introduction to 'adventure' vacations for our son (9yrs). The booking process was easy and everyone from the office staff, to the hotel receptionists and the boat operators were a truly lovely bunch of people.Elfriede Bretterklieber-Taye review 5 Aug 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Friendly, helpful and welcoming people throughout! Dolphin Swimming.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Learn snorkelling before hand - we had a much nicer experience compared to other travelers who were not familiar with snorkelling yet.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I hope it benefited local people. Not sure about environmental impact or conversation.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Great family vacation!Mike Brunt review 3 Aug 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
A group of 7 sperm whales diving one after the other2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
If going on a whale watching trip in the morning, you need to get a boarding ticket for the boat you will be on. Try and get to the office early, have your name printed on something and be patient ??. There will be about 100 other people of several nationalities. all trying to get sorted3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We stayed at a family run hostel and ate out at local restaurants, so yes to the first. The care for the cetaceans shown by Futurismo to support conservation would meet the third point4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
FabRead the operator's response here:
Dear Mike
Thanks for your review and so glad you had such a wonderful vacation. Sorry you had a bit of a wait on the first day, it was the busiest time of the year, so unusual. We do recommend our
pre booked guests visit the office before the busy time to avoid waiting and a fast track system for our guests also tends to speed things up.
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