WHALE WATCHING IN THE AZORES
Dates:
24th - 31st May 2008
Cost:
£680 (+ flights approx £250-£350)
Ask now
for late availability discount!
How
to Book
Contact 'Wild and Free' by
Email and the course leader will contact you.
This
is a very exciting opportunity to visit the Azores when it is a quiet
time for tourists who tend to come more in the summer months, but a time
when there are many opportunities to sight the migrating big whales with
a good chance to see the Blue Whale, the biggest mammal on earth!
May &
June is the time that the Baleen Whales are migrating
to their summer feeding grounds, passing close to the islands of the Azores.
It
is possible to observe, Humpback, Sei, Fin and Blue Whales at this time
as well as Short Finned Pilot Whales and Sperm Whales and of course dolphins,
sea birds, and other marine life such as turtles.
We shall
team up with the expertise of the team at the Whale Watch Base using their
knowledge and skill to gain the best advantages to see the Whales. Their
research base has a wealth of information and resources and it is possible
to learn about the many research projects being conducted around the Azores.
The Base use Rigid Hull Inflatable boats to get us close to the action
quickly. Lookouts - "the Vigia" on the shore - guide us from
the local harbour out into the ocean on the south side of the Island.
They direct the boats by radio contact. Assisted by the expertise of the
vigia we can meet the animals as they pass the island.
You will
be amazed at the abundance and diversity of marine life to discover!
Food
and Accommodation
Our
accommodation will be at the “Whale Come” lodge which is next
to the base, close to sea and with great views of the volcano.
Lunch will be provided each day before or after our trips to sea.
A Buffet and introductory briefing will be given on the evening of your
arrival.
The
price includes
- Transfer
from airport to the hotel.
- Accommodation
and breakfast in "Whale Come" hotel
- Evening
meal on arrival and lunch each day
- Five
expeditions (3 Hours) to sea, depending on the weather conditions. The
first day of the holiday is a free day,all other days we are at sea
giving us plenty of opportunity to see the animals.
- Entrance
to the whalers museum
- Access
to all the services of our Azorean Whale Watching Base, the BOCA (Sea
Kayak, Bicycle,library)
- Full
services of expert tour leaders
- local
walks, looking for migratory and local birds species, and local fauna,
observation of the sea from land and visits to the whaling museum and
the Sperm Whale museum.
- Outings
to local restaurants for evening meals
- Insurance
Please remember these are wild animals of the open ocean. Nothing
is guaranteed, but as this is the Azores, you are in one of the most
abundantly populated areas to see marine life.
Your Guide
The week
will be fully guided and supported by Malcolm Barradell who as been visiting
and working in the Azores over the last 4 years. He has worked as a guide
and life guard, and worked a long season as second skipper for the whale
watch company in 2004. Malcolm is studying Marine Biology at the University
of Glamorgan where he is exploring cetacean research. He contributes expert
knowledge and a deep passion for the marine life of the Azores. He will
guide the group in a very personal and informative way ensuring the experience
is enjoyable, inspiring and deeply memorable.
About
the Azores
The
Azores archipelago is situated in the Atlantic ocean 2000 miles west of
Portugal. It is the only land between America and Europe. A Portuguese
territory, the nine islands, dominated by a volcanic mountain range, offer
a rare and unspoilt natural beauty, having retained their cultural integrity
and escaped the ravages of commercial tourism. There is a wild and elemental
quality here, the ocean's presence is never far away and breathing the
air alone is invigorating. Some people say, it is the last vestiges of
the lost continent of Atlantis. Hot springs steam into the fresh and unpolluted
air. There are meadows filled with the scent of wild herbs and vivid,
colourful flowers line the roads. It is quite the perfect setting to relax
and slow down.
These
holidays are an adventure. People come alone or in couples or groups of
friends, occasionally with children. What we offer is an active experience
of the whales, which is very exhilarating and the opportunity to spend
time in the regenerating power of nature and the elements. The groups
are usually lively and friendly. There are lots of opportunities to socialise
as well as ample time for relaxation and reflection.
The
islands are a major meeting place for both humans and cetaceans &
attract scientists, naturalists, international photographers and divers.
They have a developing eco- tourism. They are also a port of call for
transatlantic yachtsmen. Conversations on the land are buzzing with tales
of recent adventures and sightings. In the ocean there is a similar rich
exchange of communication, as the many different resident and transient
species of dolphin & whale converge at what is sometimes referred
to as "The Cetacean cross-roads of the world".
Whales
& Dolphins
Our
whale and dolphin watch company is the most established on the islands
and offers over 10 years of experience and expertise. They are conducting
many educational and research programmes and have a strong conservation
policy and code of ethics to protect the dolphins and whales. We go out
in rapid "hard hulled" inflatable boats with cushioned seats
and a ladder. They take 8 people. Sighting the dolphins and whales is
easier in the Azores than many other locations due to the assistance of
the "Vigia". These are the men who traditionally used to act
as land-based lookouts for hunting whales which was banned 14 years ago.
They now use their remarkable tracking skills to scan the sea, identifying
and locating different species, and, through radio contact, direct our
boats to them. This, together with the expertise of skilled skippers and
our team, guarantees more opportunities to encounter the animals and spend
time with them.
Over
the years we have worked together with resident skippers and guides who
share their skills, expertise and dedication to developing a mutual bond
of trust, respect and understanding with the whales. We never disturb
them when hunting or feeding. This gives rise to an empathy and quality
of communication that everyone can sense and feel. It is this special
intimacy with these sensitive mammals that generates the consistently
high quality (and the magic!) of our encounters in these waters.
CLIMATE
The Azores has an equable climate all year round. We have found the summer
to be the best time for our trips. Temperatures range from a mild 16°C
(60°F) in winter to a comfortable 26°C (79°F) in summer. The
sea is warmed by the Gulf Stream. Sea temperatures in summer are 20-22°C
RESPECT
FOR THE PLANET Our purpose in introducing people to these magnificent
creatures, is to raise awareness of conservation issues and the delicate
balance of earth ecology. People often take back into their lives a sense
of how they want to contribute to the sustainability of the environment
and build more holistic lifestyles as a result of their personal experiences.
How
to Book
Contact 'Wild and Free' by
Email and the course leader will contact you.
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