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Where Are the Azores?
Draw a straight line from Lisbon to New York: roughly halfway, in the middle of the Atlantic, you’ll find the Azores. Nine islands in three groups. In the central group, on the south coast of Pico Island, lies Lajes do Pico, and that’s where we are.
How to Get to Pico
Unfortunately, only by plane (the most polluting option, we know): there is no ferry from the mainland. SATA Azores Airlines and TAP connect the Azores to mainland Portugal. Pico’s airport code is PIX; the alternative is HOR, in Horta (Faial), and if you ask for a transfer, we’ll pick you up at either. If you book through a travel agency, give them these codes: Pico isn’t always on their map.
If I Have a Stopover in Lisbon
If you arrive late and leave early (which is almost always the case), the easiest is to sleep near the airport.
Tryp Lisboa Aeroporto Hotel Not the prettiest hotel in Lisbon, but it’s 200 m from the terminal, and at 5 in the morning that’s what matters. 📞 +351 218 425 000 | 🌐 tryplisboaaeroporto.com
If you prefer staying in the city:
Hotel Açores Lisboa Near Praça da Espanha metro station, about 6 km from the airport. 📍 Avenida Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro 1833, 1070 067 Lisboa 📞 +351 218 429 360 | 🌐 bensaude.pt/hotelacoreslisboa/en/
Why Choose Lajes do Pico
Lajes is one of the best places in the world to see whales, for numbers and for variety. And they’re close: on average 10 minutes by boat to the observation areas, while from Horta, Madalena or Ponta Delgada it’s about 30. Away from the busier harbours there are fewer boats at sea, and the animals can be watched more calmly.
On land, the scenery isn’t bad either: white houses facing the sea and, behind them, Pico Mountain. Tradition is still alive: the old whaling boats still train under sail for the summer regattas, and the village looks like a 19th-century American whaling port. Within 1 km you have the Whalers’ Museum, the old whale factory and our Vigia da Queimada.
Zodiac or Bigger Boat — Which Do You Use?
Zodiacs only, and that won’t change. On a big boat you sit higher and further from the water, with more people and engines that are louder underwater, which disturbs the animals more. On a zodiac you’re close to the water and the encounter is more direct. You also get a bit wetter, it’s true.
Which Cetaceans Can Be Seen and When?
There is no “best” season: it depends on the species. We go out from mid-March to the end of October, when the sea allows. On average we see 3 to 4 species per trip, and less than 1% of trips come back without cetaceans. On those rare days there’s always something else: turtles, birds, sharks, and Portugal’s highest mountain as a backdrop.
Morning or Afternoon — Which Is Better?
No difference. According to our statistics, both trips have the same success rate and the same species. Whales don’t check the clock. If you’re an early riser or staying near Lajes, go in the morning. If you’d rather have a slow breakfast or are coming from the other end of the island, go in the afternoon.
Is it worth visiting in spring or autumn instead of summer?
Yes, very much so. Sperm whales are here all year, and species like the Atlantic spotted dolphin arrive around June. But from mid-March to May, and in September and October, you get the same encounters with far fewer boats at sea. The animals are calmer, there are more seats available and the mood on board is different. In August, Lajes has traffic jams too, only at sea.
About the Hotel
Whale’come ao Pico was designed by Alexandra, architect and co-founder of Espaço Talassa: an old basalt stone house, restored with simple lines and calm colours. It’s a few steps from our base in Lajes.
Other Accommodations
Yes. We have four different places to stay on Pico; you can see them on our [Accommodations page →].
Can I Book Individual Trips Outside a Package?
Yes, you can book one or more trips without a weekly package. Times and prices at [Whales and Dolphins of Queimada →].
Do You Offer Group Discounts?
From 4 seats in the same booking, the group rate applies automatically, whether you’re a family, a group of friends or four strangers who teamed up at the café. For availability and prices, contact us:
📧 espacotalassa@espacotalassa.com | 📞 +351 292 672 010
What to Do in Pico When You’re Not at Sea
Climb Portugal’s highest peak, walk through UNESCO-listed vineyards, go round the volcanic lakes and the laurisilva forest, or watch Pico’s birds from coast to mountain. Or do nothing by the sea, which is also an activity. Our guided activities on land start from €39. [Explore our outdoor activities →]
What Is Your Cancellation Policy?
Our cancellation policy depends on the service booked:
Sea Activities (Whale Watching & São Jorge trip) & Outdoor
- More than 4 days before departure — full refund.
- 2 to 4 days before departure — no refund, but we will reschedule your trip to another available date within the current season/year.
- Less than 2 days before departure or no-show — no refund, no reschedule.
Rescheduled bookings cannot be carried over to future seasons/years.
Accommodation & Packages
- More than 7 days before check-in — full refund.
- 7 days or less before check-in or no-show — no refund, no reschedule.
All cancellation requests must be made in writing to espacotalassa@espacotalassa.com.
We recommend trip cancellation insurance. It’s often already included with the credit card you paid with.
For full details, see our [Terms & Conditions →].
What’s Included in a Trip?
Each trip lasts approximately 3 hours. Our boats accommodate between 12 and 24 passengers depending on the vessel assigned.
Included in the price:
- Expert guide on board throughout the trip
- Waterproof jacket (in case of spray or rain)
- A drink at the end — local Azorean beer or local passion fruit soda (kima)
Waterproof trousers are not included but are available for purchase at our base.
For full details on activities and pricing, visit our [Whales and Dolphins of Queimada →] page.
What If I Fall Ill Before My Trip?
If you are unable to participate due to illness or hospitalisation, we may offer a full or partial refund upon presentation of a valid medical certificate or doctor’s note confirming you were unable to travel.
In cases of family emergency, please contact us as soon as possible — we assess these situations individually and will do our best to find a fair solution.
We recommend having travel insurance in place for peace of mind.
What Happens If Espaço Talassa Cancels Due to Weather?
Safety always comes first. If we cancel a trip because of the weather or sea conditions, you choose: a full refund or another available date.
How Do You Decide If Conditions Are Safe to Go Out?
We use Windguru as our main forecast: in our experience, it gets the sea here most right. But Azorean weather changes fast, and no forecast replaces looking at the sea at departure time (the famous “WindowGuru”!). We decide on the day, as close to departure as possible, combining the forecast with what we see: wind, swell, sea state. Our skippers know these waters and trust their eyes as much as any app.
Health Restrictions — Who Cannot Participate?
For safety reasons, the following individuals cannot join our sea activities:
- Pregnant women
- Children under 5 years old
- People with back or heart conditions
- Anyone who has undergone surgery within the last 6 months
Our boats are fast semi-rigid boats and the sea can be demanding. We recommend that all participants can swim. If you have any doubts, talk to us before booking.
Car Rental in Pico
Book early: cars are limited, especially in July and August, and the cheapest ones go first.
Azores Travel Rent a Car | info@rentacarazorestravel.com
Oasis | racoasis@oasis.mail.pt
Picauto | picauto@sapo.pt
Tropical | tropical@sapo.pt
Ilha Verde | www.ilhaverde.com
If you didn’t find the precise question or the right answer, please contact us: espacotalassa@espacotalassa.com
or directly by telephone: + 351 292 672 010