Espaço Talassa team posing in front of red wall, many wearing matching black company shirts

Espaço Talassa is a whale watching company based in Lajes do Pico, Pico Island, Azores — founded in 1989, with over 30 years of cetacean observation, research, and responsible tourism. We’re a passionate, multicultural team and we’re looking for people who share our respect for the ocean and Azorean nature.

About the Place

Lajes do Pico is where the last whalers became the first whale watchers. The men and women who once hunted sperm whales are now living witnesses to one of the most profound transformations in ocean conservation — and Espaço Talassa grew out of that story. Whale watching here isn’t a tourist product bolted onto a pretty coastline. It’s a continuation of a culture, a way for this community to stay connected to the sea after hunting ended in 1984.

Every day at sea is different. Sperm whales rise to breathe, dolphins run alongside the bow, and the ocean shifts between calm and alive in minutes. Working here means being part of that — not just watching it from shore. Follow us on Instagram to see what we mean: @espacotalassa.

Why Work With Us

Free trips to sea
Join our whale watching excursions whenever there’s a free spot — no cost, ever.
Lunch included
We take care of lunch on every working day.
Sales commissions
Earn extra on top of your base pay based on sales performance.
Real ecotourism
Work with visitors from all over the world in a unique natural setting.
Accommodation available
Need a place to stay? We have space at the skipper’s house if you’re coming from off-island.
Staff discounts
Discounts on all Espaço Talassa products and at our restaurant, Bistrot Whale’come.

Open Position

Shop Assistant
Hiring now
Seasonal Minimum wage + commissions Pico Island, Azores Immediate start

What you’ll do

  • Welcome and assist visitors in our shop
  • Handle sales and process transactions
  • Manage stock, inventory, and restocking
  • Keep the shop clean and well-organised
  • Support day-to-day operations as needed

Schedule — 6 days on, 1 day off

Morning shift
08:15 – 14:15
Afternoon shift
14:00 – 20:00

Shift allocation depends on team availability and daily demand.

What we’re looking for

  • Friendly, reliable, comfortable working with the public
  • English is required — the vast majority of our visitors are international and all customer interactions are in English. Portuguese is our working language but not a requirement
  • Comfortable with basic sales and till operations
  • Available to start soon

Spontaneous Applications

Don’t see a current opening that fits? We’re always happy to hear from people who want to be part of the Espaço Talassa team. Send us your CV and we’ll keep it on file for the next opportunity.

Ocean Guide / Marine Biologist
Sea Operations
Skipper
Sea Operations
Vigia (Lookout)
Sea Operations
Shop Assistant
Shop
Administrative & Guest Relations
Office
Waiter / Waitress
Restaurant
Chef / Kitchen
Restaurant
Outdoor Guide
Outdoor
Housekeeping
Hotel

Internships

We welcome students for internships and training placements through programmes such as Eurodysseia, Erasmus+, or L/T traineeships. Fields include marine biology, environmental tourism, hotel and catering, multimedia, and communications. Durations are flexible — you’ll get real hands-on experience in ecotourism and the chance to grow within the company. A full scholarship is available for selected candidates.

Recruitment Policy

Employment is governed by Portuguese labour law, with salaries adjusted according to each candidate’s experience. Priority is given to Azorean applicants whenever possible. Non-residents are provided with accommodation on Pico Island. English is required for all customer-facing roles — our visitors come from all over the world and English is the primary language of our operation. Portuguese is spoken internally but is not a requirement to apply.

Send us your CV — that’s all we need to get started. A short cover letter telling us why you’re interested is optional, but very much appreciated. We’ll get back to you within a few days.

Apply Now
espacotalassa@espacotalassa.com