HortaCetaceos | Whale & Dolphin Watching 1331912278.jpg)     Great adventures come in small packages! We are a whale and dolphin watching operator from the Island of Faial, Azores. Determined to help protect the Oceans and its inhabitants, we aim to show their wonders to as many people as possible. Remember, Oceans don´t have walls...
MonthsMarch • April • May • June • July • August • September • October DurationShort (1-3 hours) • Half-day (3-6 hours) Vessel typesRigid inflatable • Small boat (0-50 passengers) Times and pricesIndividual Participant: 55€ 4 to 10 Participants: 50€ 10+ particiopants: 45€ Special prices for Students and NGO´s About our skippers and naturalist guidesPedro Filipe: manager and 1st Skipper, loves to show whales and dolphins, to tell stories about them. Has 4 years experience and a big heart! Sofia Mendonça: Marine Biologist and 1st Skipper, thinks has the best job of the world (after Pedro´s, of course), also a Dive Master and Ocean Skipper. Most of the photos you seen on the website/facebook/planetwhale are hers. Carla Gomes: resident Marine Biologist, in charge of all educational material. Loves to be around dolphins (Risso´s in particular) FacilitiesAccess to wheelhouse • Naturalist guide(s) as well as skipper • On board hydrophone • On-site visitor center / museum • Onboard research • Posters / displays / maps • Public participation in research • Reading material available • Scenic backdrop to encounters • Snacks / drinks • Support conservation • Swim / snorkel included • Use a code of conduct We frequentlyListen to whales and dolphins • See a whale's tail • See leaping dolphins • See leaping whales • Watch whales and dolphins Baleen WhalesBlue Whale • Bryde's Whale • Fin Whale • Humpback Whale • Minke Whale • Sei Whale Toothed WhalesDwarf Sperm Whale • False Killer Whale • Killer Whale / Orca • Pygmy Sperm Whale • Short-finned Pilot Whale • Sperm Whale Beaked WhalesBlainville's Beaked Whale • Cuvier's Beaked Whale • Gervais' Beaked Whale • Northern Bottlenose Whale • Sowerby's Beaked Whale • True's Beaked Whale Ocean DolphinsAtlantic Spotted Dolphin • Bottlenose Dolphin • Risso's Dolphin • Rough-toothed Dolphin • Short-beaked Common Dolphin • Striped Dolphin Other wildlife and points of interestLoggerhead Turtle Cory´s Shearwater Common Tern Roseate Tern Sun Fish AddressCais Sta. Cruz
Town / CityHorta
State / CountyAzores
Zip / Postcode9900-104
CountryPortugal
WebsiteTel+351292391942
 Marilia Pereira Olio HortaCetáceos - onde os sonhos se tornam reais Traveled: 2013-06-26, Reviewed: 2014-03-15
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
Fui para o Faial como voluntária do HortaCetáceos em 2013.
Como bióloga marinha e apaixonada por cetáceos sou um pouco suspeita para falar sobre isso mas vou tentar... Trabalhar no HortaCetáceos com o Pedro e o resto da equipe foi uma experiência de grande aprendizado e satisfação. O trabalho é feito com muita seriedade e respeito principalmente com os animais. O objetivo não é ganhar dinheiro e sim aproveitar aquele momento no mar. A preocupação e a responsabilidade em fazer uma aproximação segura até os animais e conhecer os limites, evitando incomodá-los com a nossa presença me fez perceber como é possível conciliar a emoção com o trabalho sério. Gostaria de parabenizar o Pedro e toda equipe pelo ótimo trabalho que vem sendo realizado. Se for visitar os Açores e tiver a oportunidade de ir a Horta, não perca a oportunidade de fazer uma saída para ver baleias e golfinhos com o HortaCetáceos.  peter rutten THE BEST !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Traveled: 2013-05-02, Reviewed: 2013-05-30
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
During our trip to the Azores are we at sea several times to whale and Dolphin watching with several companies because we have a great passion for these amazing animals.Some were downright bad in which only the money counted, until we went with Hortacetaceos whale and dolphin watching. Pedro and his team are realy amazing! The passion, knowledge and respect for these animals is huge!!! First we got a fantastic good briefing and on sea there was plenty of time taken to let us admire these beautiful animals in a respectful way! Amazing!! His team shares the passion and really is committed to helping the customers to make it to their liking. We have done several trips afterwards with Pedro and his great team and every trip was that great! Also after the trip there is still time for a chat with a glass of wine and a biscuit. Really a recommendation and the best whale and dolphin watching in the Azores!!!!!!!
 Rebecca Walker One of the most responsible whale watch operators i've ever been on a trip with!! Traveled: 2013-04-18, Reviewed: 2013-05-02
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
Pedro and his team at HortaCetaceos are amazing! A full brief about the whales and dolphins that are likely to be seen in the area is given before getting on the boat. Pedro also lets you know what has been spotted already - giving you the option on whether to come or not, should it be a quiet day (unlikely with the amazing spotters!!). Pedro, and the team i was with (Ricardo, Aurelie and Jorge), were very friendly and knowledgeable, answering any and every question.
Once we found the whales, Pedro was definately one of the most responsible whale watch operators i've ever seen (and i've been on quite a few whale watch trips!). If another animal was seen, and there was already one boat with the original animal, Pedro moved away to see the new animal. He also hung back from the sighting when several boats were around. The whale watch boats all work together to find and 'share' sightings. I found the whole cooperation between operators refreshing and it made for a much more responsible whale watch. We approached the animals with caution, taking our time to see if the animal was disturbed by our presence. If so, (and this happened with a juvenile male sperm whale) Pedro moved away and found another animal to watch. We even stopped to pick up some marine litter on our way back to Horta. In terms of the WhaleFest 'virtual whale watch' model whalewatching experience - this was text book excellent! I cannot say enough good things about this company! The team are passionate about what they do and really care that their passengers (and the whales) have the best experience possible. If you are in Faial - go and say hello! Their enthusiasm will have you booking a trip on the spot :)  andre hortacetaceos more than one whalewatching Traveled: 2012-04-23, Reviewed: 2013-04-24
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
Whale watching with Hortacetaceos ! Is not just one classic whale watching! Is a passion, a dream become true, a philosophy close to the sea, the nature and the guests!
Go to see whales with hortacetaceos is the perfect place and the perfect companie! You have the knowledge, the respect and the fun ! Pedro and the team are totally passionate about whales, and dolphins. For them is not a work but dreams to go to see whales and share this passion every day with you. Pedro will share this passion in the first with a briefing before the tour: you learn the different species in the Azores and a lot story about themes. During this time you are not a client, but your are the guests and the friend of Pedro and his team! The Most Important in this moment is to share the passion! During this time, the vigils are working for see cetaceans in the sea! When there have seen cetaceans the big adventure can begin !!! In a comfortable semi rigid boat! Only 12 people in the boat, like this the tour are very friendly and the most important in the boat is you comfort, the fun and the respect of animals and nature. You will have a personal contact with the team, there will take care of you and you teach you a lot about whales. And of course, for sure you will see the whales and dolphins! Because of the work of vigils you don’t have bad surprise, Pedro knows before the visit where he can find them! After this visits you com back to the base and surprise a traditional wine and traditional cookies, just the time for talk, exchange address and picture with new friends! I love see whale everywhere but a really really love do whale watching with hortacetaceos because more than whale watching is amazing human adventure ! Mafalda What a great experience...! Traveled: 2012-09-23, Reviewed: 2013-04-13
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
So... When I decided to go to Azores Whales/Dophins wasn't exactly my priority. Then, my friend Ricardo convinced me to go on a trip. The weather wasn't exactly great so, we had to delay the trip a couple of times but we listened the guidelines and all explanations about dolphins and whales. All explanations made me more and more excited about the trip and what to expected.
A few days later, the weather was better and we went to the sea. It was great!! We watched like three different dolphin's species and Pedro tried to make my experience very unique and unforgettable. I recommend Horta Cetaceos and I definitely want to come back to Faial and watch Dolphins and Whales in Horta Cetaceos. Claudia Vicente And then a sperm whale Traveled: 2011-09-25, Reviewed: 2013-03-26
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
I visited Faial two times but I never had the opportunity to adventure on a whale watching experience. Last time, me and my cousin Ricardo decided to go. We went to the port and walk around until Pedro approached us. After a complete class in cetaceos, we board. It was a wonderful experience! So touching! The team made all the effort to please us with a good viewing without disrespecting the work ethics. I will for sure come back to Faial and most certainly watch again the sperm whales in Horta dos Cetaceos. The best trip.
Ricardo Fernandes Best trip ever! Traveled: 2011-09-24, Reviewed: 2013-03-26
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
In the last year I went out with Pedro and his team many times and all of them were great!
Hortacetáceos team is special, everyone that works there have a big passion and respect for the marine life. The care and attention for the wellbeing of the costumers is always present. Is one of the most responsible whale watching companies I know, they give a very good experience to the costumers but always with respect for the animals, what makes it an even more wonderfull experience. They show you how you can truly enjoy the wildlife without harassing them with your presence. If you do a trip with Hortacetáceos you wont regret and shall never forget it!  Eddo de Leeuw Passion and respect. Traveled: 2012-08-20, Reviewed: 2013-02-14
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
During at least 20 trips I made with Hortacetaceos in the past 2 years, I was forunate to see different species of whales and dolphins. I will never forget my moments with the common dolphins. The crew is very passionate about their work and are able to ransfer this to the guests. They approach the animals with the utmost care and respect. If there is even the slightest hint that a group or indiviual animal is annoyed by our presence, Pedro moves the boat away. This the nr. 1 quality of this company. They made me realise even more the importance of preservation of marine life. I am grateful for that important lesson. The crew and volunteers are friendly, well educated and speak different languages (some even Dutch). They make you feel at ease on the boat and can answer almost any question on marine life. The atmosphere on board is pleasant and humor plays an important part. Pedro is honest about the fact that there is always the possibility of not eeing an whale or dolphin. They are wild animals! It sometimes happened we, had to wait for more than an houre to got out. With the trips I made, it was always worth it. You won't be dissapointed taking trips with Hortacetaceos. Go for it!
silkens viv Great respect for ocean live! Traveled: 2012-08-04, Reviewed: 2012-09-12
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
The team has a very good knowledge of whales and dolphins .We make during oure travelling at the Azores 5 Whalewatching trips with different companies and our conclusion is that Hortacetaceos are the best all the way! important for me is that the whole team has great respect for the ocean life!!!!!!!!!
Emma Scott Life-changing moment Traveled: 2012-07-24, Reviewed: 2012-09-11
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
My trip with Pedro and his team far exceeded all my expectations - their knowledge, passion and understanding of the Azorian dolphins and whales was undeniable. I took my children (aged 12, 13) and felt completely safe, secure and at ease the moment we set foot on the quayside. We booked three trips in our six day holiday - seeing numerous whales and dolphins. My daughter was so overwhelmed with the experience, she cried the first time she swam with the dolphins, and by the end of our third encounter, announced she was going to be a Marine Biologist! I would recommend Horta Cetaceos to everyone - their passion and excitement is infectious! Thank you x
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