Whale watching and endemic wildlife on Portugal’s volcanic Atlantic outpost. 

The Azores comprise a group of nine volcanic islands nearly 1000 miles west of Lisbon out in the Atlantic Ocean, each with its own distinctive character and scenic beauty. The islands are Portuguese and even contain Portugal’s highest mountain. This holiday offers an exciting opportunity to visit three of the islands.

We will start our trip on the main island of Sao Miguel, with its hot springs, botanic gardens and wonderful lakes. Sao Miguel is home to the endemic Azores bullfinch or 'priolo'. With a total population of around 750 individuals, this is one of Europe’s most endangered species. We hope to meet up with local conservationists working to protect this enigmatic finch and the humid laurel forests that are its home.

The Azores is an excellent destination for whale watching, and the next island on our itinerary, Faial, will give us the perfect opportunity. We will take a boat out from the port, guided by lookouts on the cliffs, which should give us a good chance of getting close to sperm whales, bottle-nosed dolphins and other cetaceans. While on the water we will also be watching the seabirds, including Cory’s and Macaronesian (little) shearwaters.

From our base in Horta, the atmospheric port on Faial and a stop-over for many adventurers crossing the Atlantic, we will also take a day trip across to the enchanting island of Pico, ‘the black island’. Here vines are cultivated behind low walls of volcanic lava and produce very distinctive wines, which we hope to sample during our visit.

£tbc. Contact us for further details.

Leaders: Nick and Frankie Owens