Our Azores vacations & tours

Responsible Travel's vacations in the Azores are built on local expertise and passion for protecting this incredible archipelago. Each one of our fantastic Azores vacations supports communities and local conservation initiatives.

Our family-friendly whale watching vacations in the Azores are among the most ethical and successful in the world. Huge numbers of whales, including the majestic blue whale, visit the deep, nutrient-rich waters off this Portuguese archipelago. Our expert boat crews explain whale behaviours while tracking sightings for conservation projects.

Join our island-hopping trip and we will guide you as you trek volcanic landscapes, sample the renowned wines of Pico while supporting local vineyards, or try activities like coasteering and canyoning, knowing that our experienced guides work closely with the Azorean Ocean Department to keep rivers and coasts clean.

Our top trips

Whale watching in the Azores

From US $1350 to US $1625
8 days ex flights
Three chances to search for whales & dolphins in the Azores

Island hopping in the Azores, small group

From US $3730 to US $5100
14 days ex flights
Easy walking on Sao Miguel and Pico islands
Small group2027: 1 May, 15 May, 29 May, 12 Jun, 26 Jun, 17 Jul, 18 Sep, 2 Oct

Azores multi activity vacation

From £825 to £1180
8 days ex flights
Week of fun activities exploring Sao Miguel Island

Azores tour, island explorer

From US $1525 to US $1750
8 days ex flights
Whales, volcanoes, crater lakes & island adventures combined

Adventure vacation week in the Azores

From £869 to £1305
8 days ex flights
Sao Miguel Island The playground for your next adventure

Island hopping in the Azores, self drive vacation

From £1025
9 days ex flights
Volcanoes to Vineyards: Island adventure in the Azores.
Tailor made

Blue whale watching in the Azores, Pico Island

From US $1695
9 days ex flights
Spring whales, wild Pico & unforgettable Atlantic adventures
Small group2027: 1 May

Blue Whale tour in the Azores

From US $1775
8 days ex flights
Ocean giants, volcanic landscapes and wild São Miguel
Small group2027: 24 Apr, 1 May, 8 May

Whale conservation vacation in the Azores

From £695 to £4195
7 days ex flights
Help assist in integral whale and dolphin conservation
Small group2027: 1 Mar, 15 Mar, 1 Apr, 15 Apr, 1 May, 15 May, 1 Jun, 15 Jun, 1 Jul, 15 Jul
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About our Azores vacations

The Azores for families

At the heart of our family vacations in the Azores are the incredible boat trips to see whales and dolphins. Skippered by experts in ocean life, these trips are truly collaborative – the sightings, and photos you take, help to build a greater understanding of this unique marine environment. On land, our experienced guides plan fun hiking and mountain bike routes that are mindful of the volcanic landscape, complete with dips in geothermal hot springs or forest pools.

Swimming with dolphins

Admiring dolphins from the boat is one thing; actually being in the water alongside them is a different experience altogether. Our swimming with dolphins vacations are wild encounters, accompanied by our experienced guides who will provide training to ensure that both animal and human have the best possible time. The best time to swim with dolphins in the Azores is between May and September, when the sea is warmer and calmer, although you will still need a wetsuit. Large pods of common dolphins congregate here, as well as bottlenose, Risso’s and striped dolphins.

A feeding ground for blue whales

Responsible Travel’s whale watching vacations in the Azores have high viewing success rates. Skippers – experts in marine life as well as minimising their impact on the whales – are guided by spotters in the vigia towers that stud the islands’ coasts. The Azores are one of the best places in the world for whale watching, and between April and June large numbers of baleen whales, including huge blue whales, can be seen in these deep, dark waters rich in krill and plankton. Our whale watching tours by boat have helped replace the historic, bloody whaling industry that was once the major economy in the Azores.

Tours & vacations in the Azores

Our wildlife vacations in the Azores are all about cetaceans. This remote Portuguese archipelago is surrounded by waters of such depth and nutrients that whales and dolphins are in their element, thankfully now protected rather than hunted largely due to the growth of sustainable tourism. We recommend exploring the islands if you can. Vineyards, hot springs, crater lakes, hills hazy with hydrangeas and smoky volcanic fumaroles are all part of the attraction. Our active adventure vacations feature a mix of whale and dolphin watching and hikes, along with mountain biking, kayaking and canyoning that puts preservation of the Azores first and foremost.

Latest reviews

4.6

408Azores vacations reviews

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Ed Hillier31 Oct 2026
A great success.read more
Steve Lucas28 Oct 2026
This was a great vacation and we are glad that we came back having been on Faial Island 10 years ago. Would do this all over again.read more
susan Stevens25 Oct 2026
We thoroughly enjoyed this vacation and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys hiking and being outdoors.read more
Lisa Adams19 Oct 2026
Absolutely one of the best vacations we have had as a family. It is a beautiful island with very friendly people, great food and lots to do.read more
Written by Rob Perkins
Photo credits: [Page banner: Nessa Gnatoush] [Family vacations: amoswright] [Swimming with dolphins: iStock] [Types of vacations: Guillaume Baviere]