Whale Watching - Pico

The island of Pico is internationally recognised as the best location in the Azores — and one of the best in the world — to observe sperm whales in freedom, thanks to the exceptional depth of the waters off its north coast, which attracts these giants of the sea throughout the year.

The sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) is the most emblematic cetacean of the Azores, with a deep historical connection to the islands that moved from hunting to conservation throughout the 20th century. In Pico, trips depart mainly from the village of Lajes do Pico, where certified operators use the knowledge of land spotters to locate the animals before the boat departs. In addition to sperm whales, it is frequent to spot common dolphins, Risso's dolphins and, occasionally, humpback whales during migration.

The trips have an average duration of 3 to 4 hours and the sperm whale sighting rate in Lajes is consistently over 90% between April and October. It is recommended to book a week in advance during peak season. Children over 6 years old are generally accepted. A visit to the Whalers' Museum, also in Lajes, should be made in parallel to understand the transformation of the human relationship with these animals. Combining the experience with a night at Pocinho Bay allows total immersion in the maritime universe of Pico.