Swimming with dolphins near Angra do Heroísmo in Terceira Island

Jump in and meet Terceria's wild dolphin population on this marine wildlife expedition in the Azores.

Pioneering animal-welfare and eco-friendly tourism, swimming with dolphins in the Azores is all about witnessing these wild marine mammals in their natural environment. Home to 5 different species of dolphin, get to meet curious pods that welcome you into the water and dive under the sea to hear their infamous clicks and sonar calls.

Location
Part of Portuguese autonomous region, Terceira is one of 9 in the Azores archipelago. The location of the Azores' oldest city, Angra do Heroísmo, the historical capital of the archipelago and UNESCO World Heritage Site, the island has an international airport, located in Lajes about 2 miles from the city of Praia da Vitoria - with most activity happening around the coast with snorkelling, fishing and boat tours popular.

Activity
This dolphin tour lasts 1h30 and is dedicated exclusively to the sighting of dolphins in the sea south of the third island, although you can see other species that are relatively close to the coast of Angra do Heroísmo like whales (when in season). Using real-time radio information from the watchtower at Mount Brazil, the boat trip will set off from the port and is guided via radio contact to pod sighting areas. During the tour, guests are provided with various relevant information about the species of cetaceans sighted as well as why certain behaviours can be witnessed, it is also possible to spot dolphins through the glass bottom of the boat - offering another perspective of these beautiful and wild creatures. Once in the area, guests are invited to dive in and meet the dolphins for themselves who swim curiously next to the boat and sometimes leap out of the sea to greet you! Depending on the season, guests can swim with 5 types of dolphin including: Bottlenose dolphin, Atlantic spotted dolphin, Common dolphin, Risso's dolphin & Striped dolphin.

Conditions
In addition to resident species, such as common dolphins and common bottlenose dolphins, there are also whales that pass through the Azores in their migration routes. Spotted dolphins are more common during the summer, while blue whales can be easily spotted at the end of the winter. Wild dolphin experiences are subject to strict animal-welfare guidelines and no-contact rules.