Where Are the Azores?
Draw a straight line from Lisbon to New York, and halfway across the Atlantic you’ll find the Azores archipelago. The islands are divided into three groups. In the central group, on the southern coast of Pico Island, lies Lajes do Pico, home of Espaço Talassa.
How to Get to Pico
The only way to reach Pico is by air, as there is no direct sea connection. SATA Azores Airlines and TAP Portugal connect the Azores to mainland Portugal. The airport code for Pico is PIX (alternative arrival: HOR for Horta, Faial). For smooth connections, booking through a travel agency is often easiest.
If I Have a Stopover in Lisbon
If you arrive late and leave early (as is often the case), staying near the airport is best.
Tryp Lisboa Aeroporto Hotel Modern, comfortable, and just 200m from the terminal. 📞 +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 world’s best whale watching locations, with exceptional diversity and frequency of sightings. Unlike busier ports such as Horta, Madalena or Ponta Delgada, Lajes is closer to the observation zones, on average just 10 minutes from the harbour instead of 30. Fewer boats mean calmer animals and more peaceful encounters.
The coastline is framed by whitewashed villages and the towering Pico Mountain, an unforgettable backdrop. Tradition remains strong here: old whaling boats still train for summer regattas, and the village architecture recalls 19th century American whaling ports. Within 1 km, you can visit the Whaler’s Museum, the old whale factory, and our Vigia da Queimada lookout tower.
Which Cetaceans Can Be Seen and When?
There isn’t a single “best” season; it depends on the species. Our operating season runs from mid March to late October, when conditions are best. On average, we spot 3 to 4 species per trip, and less than 1% of our outings return without cetacean sightings. Even on those rare days, there’s always something to see — turtles, birds, sharks, and of course the magnificent Atlantic scenery beside Portugal’s highest mountain.
Morning or Afternoon — Which Is Better?
There’s no difference — statistically, both trips show the same success rates and species sightings. It really comes down to your personal preference and schedule. If you’re an early riser or staying close to Lajes do Pico, the morning trip works perfectly. If you prefer a slower start to your day or are coming from further away on the island, the afternoon trip is the ideal choice.
About the Hotel
Whale’come ao Pico, designed by Alexandra (architect and cofounder of Espaço Talassa), is a renovated basalt stone house that blends traditional Azorean architecture with simple, modern lines. It’s located just steps away from our base in Lajes.
Other Accommodations
We now offer four different accommodations on Pico. To see all options, visit our [Accommodations page →].
Can I Book Individual Trips Outside a Package?
Yes — you can book one or more individual sea trips without committing to a weekly programme. For details and prices, visit [Whales and Dolphins of Queimada →].
Do You Offer Group Discounts?
For bookings of 4 or more seats, group rates automatically apply — whether you’re booking as a couple, a small group, or solo travellers joining forces. For availability and pricing, contact us directly:
📧 espacotalassa@espacotalassa.com | 📞 +351 292 672 010
What to Do in Pico When You’re Not at Sea
Climb Portugal’s highest peak, hike UNESCO-listed vineyards, explore volcanic lakes through laurisilva forest, or discover Pico’s birdlife from coast to mountain. Our guided outdoor experiences 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 strongly recommend purchasing trip cancellation insurance — this is often included with major credit cards.
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 hire 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 due to weather or sea conditions, you will be offered either a full refund or the option to reschedule to another available date — whichever you prefer.
How Do You Decide If Conditions Are Safe to Go Out?
We use Windguru as our main forecasting reference — in our experience, it gives the most accurate picture of local sea conditions. But Azorean weather is famously changeable, and no forecast replaces what you see with your own eyes at departure time (the famous: “WindowGuru”!). Our team assesses conditions on the day, combining forecast data with direct observation of sea state, swell and wind. We prefer to make that call as close to departure as possible rather than predict hours in advance — it’s simply how the Azorean Atlantic works. Our skippers know these waters well, and they 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 vessels and sea conditions can be demanding. It’s is recommended that all participants are able to swim. If you have any doubts about your fitness to participate, please contact us before booking.
Car Rental in Pico
Book early — cars are limited, especially in July and August.
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