Whales and Dolphin Species in the Azores: Facts & Stats

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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.

Whale Wonderland: A Spring Spectacle in the Azores

The prime time for whale watching in the Azores, showcasing ocean giants, is from March to June. During this period, the largest whales migrate past the Azores from wintering near the equator to summer feeding grounds off Greenland, Iceland, and Norway. Baleen whales breed in tropical waters during winter, preparing their young for a North Atlantic journey. When passing the Azores, they linger for days to feed before continuing their journey. Spring brings plankton and krill, creating a whale paradise for marine giants and travelers. For marine biologists, it's an exciting time observing blue whales, the largest creatures. Baleen whales passing through, including blue, sei, and fin whales, show fewer acrobatics compared to humpbacks and occasionally jumping sperm whales. Despite global warming, these whales are seen beyond spring; Sei whales may appear after summer. The Azores remain a prime location for spotting these creatures, including minke and humpback whales, especially in spring.

Dolphin Delights, Sperm Whale Encounters, and Blooming Hydrangeas

In summer, as water temperatures rise, we enjoy extended daylight hours for observing wild animals. Migratory species, including Atlantic spotted dolphins, striped dolphins, and pilot whales, visit our warm waters during this season. The summer months reveal adorable scenes of numerous dolphin babies swimming in large groups—an experience not to be missed. Sperm whales, emblematic symbols of the Azores, continue to grace us with their presence around the islands. Once hunted, they now roam freely and happily off our coasts. Interestingly, sperm whales possess teeth, unlike baleen whales that filter food with long keratin plates in their mouths. On land, the countryside's roads are adorned with blooming hydrangeas in shades of blue and purple, creating a truly beautiful sight for observation and photography.

Fall Delights: Dolphins, Whales, and Nature's Palette

In fall, Atlantic spotted dolphins continue to grace our warm waters until the sea temperature drops, prompting their departure. The inviting water is ideal for swimming or snorkeling adventures. Join us on a magical tour to swim with wild dolphins or explore with your snorkeling gear. During our trips, you can encounter the 4 resident species. Sperm whales, captivating in their hunting dives for squids, often reveal their colossal tails. Witnessing this spectacle allows you to appreciate nature's beauty. Identifying sperm whales is easy due to their distinct single blowhole, in contrast to baleen whales with two blowholes. Sperm whale blows are directed to one side, while baleen whales produce a straight vertical blow. As fall transforms landscapes with yellow and orange hues, the contrast against the vibrant green creates a unique and somewhat eerie atmosphere. Weather conditions remain relatively favorable for enjoyable hikes.

Year-Round Whale Watching and Tranquil Escapes

Operating throughout the year in the Azores, we don't halt operations during winter. However, whale and dolphin watching in the islands during winter is contingent on weather conditions. If inclement weather prevents sea excursions, we reschedule activities prioritizing your safety. Witness resident sperm whales, Risso’s dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, and common dolphins throughout the year. Occasionally, the magnificent Killer whale, or orca, makes appearances, showcasing remarkable activity. Did you know they are part of the dolphin family? Beaked whales and false killer whales are also sporadically spotted. For those seeking tranquility, winter offers solitary hikes amidst nature, providing a peaceful escape from bustling cities and modern life. Recharge amidst magical landscapes, enjoying consistently pleasant temperatures that rarely drop below 15ºC, allowing for outdoor adventures in the wild Azores.

Why you should do Whale watching in Azores?

Specimen that you can see in Azores sea

Blue Whale

Balaenoptera musculus

Blue whales are the largest animals in the world and can easily be detected from a great distance.

Blue Whale

Balaenoptera musculus

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Sperm Whale

Physeter macrocephalus

Sperm whales hold the title of largest predator on Earth eating mostly giant squids from the deep oceans.

Sperm Whale

Physeter macrocephalus

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Bryde’s Whale

Balaenoptera edeni

The Bryde's whale live in the tropical waters, are agile filter feeders and love to perform acrobatic displays.

Bryde’s Whale

Balaenoptera edeni

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Fin Whale

Balaenoptera physalus

The second-largest whales, swift and streamlined ocean roamers.

Fin Whale

Balaenoptera physalus

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Minke Whale

Balaenoptera acutorostrata

Agile mid-sized baleen whales, known for their elusive nature.

Minke Whale

Balaenoptera acutorostrata

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Nothern Bottlenose Whale

Hyperoodon ampullatus

Nothern Bottlenose Whale

Hyperoodon ampullatus

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Pilot Whale (Long & Short-finned)

Globicephala melas | Globicephala macrorhynchus

Highly social, intelligent & deep divers.

Pilot Whale (Long & Short-finned)

Globicephala melas | Globicephala macrorhynchus

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Blainville’s Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon densirostris

Elusive deep-divers known for their unique foraging behavior.

Blainville’s Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon densirostris

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Sei Whale

Balaenoptera borealis

Third-largest whale species on Earth, fast swimmers and deep-divers.

Sei Whale

Balaenoptera borealis

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Cuvier’s Beaked Whale

Ziphius cavirostris

Noted for extraordinary deep-diving, setting mammalian records in depth and duration

Cuvier’s Beaked Whale

Ziphius cavirostris

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Humpback Whale

Megaptera novaeangliae

Melodic giants with acrobatic displays, known for their haunting songs and intricate social behaviors. Know more!

Humpback Whale

Megaptera novaeangliae

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Atlantic Spotted Dolphin

Stenella Frontalis

Highly social, with distinct spots and a wide range of complex behaviors and vocalizations.

Atlantic Spotted Dolphin

Stenella Frontalis

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Striped Dolphin

Stenella coeruleoalba

Notable for their striking body patterns and acrobatic prowess.

Striped Dolphin

Stenella coeruleoalba

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Bottlenose Dolphin

Tursiops truncatus

Bottlenose Dolphins are highly intelligent and social creatures, famous for their playful behavior and remarkable cognitive abilities.

Bottlenose Dolphin

Tursiops truncatus

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Orca (Killer Whale)

Orcinus orca

Orcas are the apex predators of the marine world, known for their distinctive black and white coloring and complex social structures.

Orca (Killer Whale)

Orcinus orca

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Common Dolphin

Delphinus delphis

Large groups of common dolphins, whipping the ocean's surface into a froth, are a familiar and thrilling sight in many parts of the world.

Common Dolphin

Delphinus delphis

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False Killer Whale

Pseudorca crassidens

Despite its name, the false killer whale belongs taxonomically to the dolphin family and it often behaves more like one of its energetic and sprightly smaller relatives.

False Killer Whale

Pseudorca crassidens

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Sowerby’s Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon bidens

Sowerby’s Beaked Whales are elusive denizens of the North Atlantic, recognized by their slender beaks and distinctive forehead bulges.

Sowerby’s Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon bidens

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Risso’s Dolphin

Grampus griseus

Risso's dolphin is renowned for its heavily scarred appearance and significant size among species referred to as dolphins.

Risso’s Dolphin

Grampus griseus

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Dragoeiro

Dracaena draco

Dragoeiro

Dracaena draco

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Atlantic Spotted Dolphin

Stenella Frontalis

Highly social, with distinct spots and a wide range of complex behaviors and vocalizations.

Atlantic Spotted Dolphin

Stenella Frontalis

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Blainville’s Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon densirostris

Elusive deep-divers known for their unique foraging behavior.

Blainville’s Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon densirostris

View profile

Bottlenose Dolphin

Tursiops truncatus

Bottlenose Dolphins are highly intelligent and social creatures, famous for their playful behavior and remarkable cognitive abilities.

Bottlenose Dolphin

Tursiops truncatus

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Common Dolphin

Delphinus delphis

Large groups of common dolphins, whipping the ocean's surface into a froth, are a familiar and thrilling sight in many parts of the world.

Common Dolphin

Delphinus delphis

View profile

Cuvier’s Beaked Whale

Ziphius cavirostris

Noted for extraordinary deep-diving, setting mammalian records in depth and duration

Cuvier’s Beaked Whale

Ziphius cavirostris

View profile

False Killer Whale

Pseudorca crassidens

Despite its name, the false killer whale belongs taxonomically to the dolphin family and it often behaves more like one of its energetic and sprightly smaller relatives.

False Killer Whale

Pseudorca crassidens

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Nothern Bottlenose Whale

Hyperoodon ampullatus

Nothern Bottlenose Whale

Hyperoodon ampullatus

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Orca (Killer Whale)

Orcinus orca

Orcas are the apex predators of the marine world, known for their distinctive black and white coloring and complex social structures.

Orca (Killer Whale)

Orcinus orca

View profile

Pilot Whale (Long & Short-finned)

Globicephala melas | Globicephala macrorhynchus

Highly social, intelligent & deep divers.

Pilot Whale (Long & Short-finned)

Globicephala melas | Globicephala macrorhynchus

View profile

Risso’s Dolphin

Grampus griseus

Risso's dolphin is renowned for its heavily scarred appearance and significant size among species referred to as dolphins.

Risso’s Dolphin

Grampus griseus

View profile

Blue Whale

Balaenoptera musculus

Blue whales are the largest animals in the world and can easily be detected from a great distance.

Blue Whale

Balaenoptera musculus

View profile

Bryde’s Whale

Balaenoptera edeni

The Bryde's whale live in the tropical waters, are agile filter feeders and love to perform acrobatic displays.

Bryde’s Whale

Balaenoptera edeni

View profile

Fin Whale

Balaenoptera physalus

The second-largest whales, swift and streamlined ocean roamers.

Fin Whale

Balaenoptera physalus

View profile

Humpback Whale

Megaptera novaeangliae

Melodic giants with acrobatic displays, known for their haunting songs and intricate social behaviors. Know more!

Humpback Whale

Megaptera novaeangliae

View profile

Minke Whale

Balaenoptera acutorostrata

Agile mid-sized baleen whales, known for their elusive nature.

Minke Whale

Balaenoptera acutorostrata

View profile

Whale & Dolphins Species in Azores

So many species to discover in the Azores

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

Whale Wonderland: A Spring Spectacle in the Azores

Dolphin Delights, Sperm Whale Encounters, and Blooming Hydrangeas

Fall Delights: Dolphins, Whales, and Nature's Palette

Year-Round Whale Watching and Tranquil Escapes

Why you should do Whale watching in Azores?

Specimen that you can see in Azores sea

Blue Whale

Balaenoptera musculus

Blue Whale

Balaenoptera musculus

Sperm Whale

Physeter macrocephalus

Sperm Whale

Physeter macrocephalus

Bryde’s Whale

Balaenoptera edeni

Bryde’s Whale

Balaenoptera edeni

Fin Whale

Balaenoptera physalus

Fin Whale

Balaenoptera physalus

Minke Whale

Balaenoptera acutorostrata

Minke Whale

Balaenoptera acutorostrata

Nothern Bottlenose Whale

Hyperoodon ampullatus

Nothern Bottlenose Whale

Hyperoodon ampullatus

Pilot Whale (Long & Short-finned)

Globicephala melas | Globicephala macrorhynchus

Pilot Whale (Long & Short-finned)

Globicephala melas | Globicephala macrorhynchus

Blainville’s Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon densirostris

Blainville’s Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon densirostris

Sei Whale

Balaenoptera borealis

Sei Whale

Balaenoptera borealis

Cuvier’s Beaked Whale

Ziphius cavirostris

Cuvier’s Beaked Whale

Ziphius cavirostris

Humpback Whale

Megaptera novaeangliae

Humpback Whale

Megaptera novaeangliae

Atlantic Spotted Dolphin

Stenella Frontalis

Atlantic Spotted Dolphin

Stenella Frontalis

Striped Dolphin

Stenella coeruleoalba

Striped Dolphin

Stenella coeruleoalba

Bottlenose Dolphin

Tursiops truncatus

Bottlenose Dolphin

Tursiops truncatus

Orca (Killer Whale)

Orcinus orca

Orca (Killer Whale)

Orcinus orca

Common Dolphin

Delphinus delphis

Common Dolphin

Delphinus delphis

False Killer Whale

Pseudorca crassidens

False Killer Whale

Pseudorca crassidens

Sowerby’s Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon bidens

Sowerby’s Beaked Whale