Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival at Pico or Faial
You'll fly into either Pico or Faial, then take a short taxi to the harbor. If arriving at Faial, a ferry crossing gets you to Pico. After checking in at your guesthouse, apartment, or Hotel Caravelas by the harbor, you'll have time to wander around Madalena and stop by the water sports center to see what whale and dolphin excursions are coming up.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Airport transfer on Pico or Faial (Horta)
- Explore Madalena harbor town
Optional Activities
- Visit water sports center for information on excursions
Landmarks/POIs Mount Pico Madalena Harbor 
- Day 2
Whale and Dolphin Watching
Head to the water sports station at 8:45 a.m. for a 3-hour whale and dolphin tour on either a hard-hulled inflatable boat or catamaran with an experienced skipper. You'll typically see around three whale species and three dolphin species during the trip. Swimming with dolphins is an option if conditions allow (23°C/73°F water, max 2 people). Later, explore the island by hiking coastal paths past vineyards, climbing Mount Pico, or taking the ferry to nearby Faial to check out Horta or Capelinhos.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Whale and dolphin watching tour (approximately 3 hours, weather dependent)
- Tour guide on board to identify species
Optional Activities
- Swimming with dolphins program (weather dependent, additional cost)
- Explore island by hiking
- Hike Mount Pico
- Ferry to Faial Island
- Visit Horta (Faial Island)
- Visit Capelinhos on Faial (volcanic eruption site from 1957)
- Visit Caldeira crater in Faial Island center
Landmarks/POIs Mount Pico Horta Capelinhos Caldeira - Day 3
Whale and Dolphin Watching
Meet again at 8:45 a.m. at the water sports station for another 3-hour whale and dolphin watching tour, assuming weather cooperates. The optional dolphin swimming is available if conditions are right. Use your free time after the tour to continue exploring the islands however you'd like, whether that's more hiking, relaxing, or trying activities you missed yesterday.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Whale and dolphin watching tour (approximately 3 hours, weather dependent)
- Tour guide on board to identify species
Optional Activities
- Swimming with dolphins program (weather dependent, additional cost)
- Explore island by hiking
- Hike Mount Pico
- Ferry to Faial Island
- Visit Horta (Faial Island)
- Visit Capelinhos on Faial (volcanic eruption site from 1957)
- Visit Caldeira crater in Faial Island center
Landmarks/POIs Mount Pico Horta Capelinhos Caldeira - Day 4
Whale and Dolphin Watching
Another morning at the water sports station starting at 8:45 a.m. for the 3-hour marine tour, weather permitting. You can add dolphin swimming to your day if interested. Spend the afternoon and evening exploring at your own pace, taking advantage of the free time to see more of Pico or make another trip to Faial.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Whale and dolphin watching tour (approximately 3 hours, weather dependent)
- Tour guide on board to identify species
Optional Activities
- Swimming with dolphins program (weather dependent, additional cost)
- Explore island by hiking
- Hike Mount Pico
- Ferry to Faial Island
- Visit Horta (Faial Island)
- Visit Capelinhos on Faial (volcanic eruption site from 1957)
- Visit Caldeira crater in Faial Island center
Landmarks/POIs Mount Pico Horta Capelinhos Caldeira - Day 5
Whale and Dolphin Watching
Head out for the final scheduled whale and dolphin watching tour at 8:45 a.m., running about 3 hours if weather permits. Swimming with dolphins remains an option. Use the rest of your day to do anything you haven't gotten to yet, whether that's exploring new parts of the island or simply relaxing before your departure.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Whale and dolphin watching tour (approximately 3 hours, weather dependent)
- Tour guide on board to identify species
Optional Activities
- Swimming with dolphins program (weather dependent, additional cost)
- Explore island by hiking
- Hike Mount Pico
- Ferry to Faial Island
- Visit Horta (Faial Island)
- Visit Capelinhos on Faial (volcanic eruption site from 1957)
- Visit Caldeira crater in Faial Island center
Landmarks/POIs Mount Pico Horta Capelinhos Caldeira - Day 6
Leisure Day
This is a free day where you set the schedule. You've got 4 activity days included in your tour, so if you haven't used all of them yet, you can do whale and dolphin watching or swimming today. Otherwise, relax around Madalena, explore different trails, take the ferry to Faial, or just take things easy.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Whale and dolphin watching tour (approximately 3 hours, weather dependent)
- Swimming with dolphins program (weather dependent, additional cost)
- Explore island by hiking
- Hike Mount Pico
- Ferry to Faial Island
- Visit Horta (Faial Island)
- Visit Capelinhos on Faial (volcanic eruption site from 1957)
- Visit Caldeira crater in Faial Island center
Landmarks/POIs Mount Pico Horta Capelinhos Caldeira - Day 7
Leisure Day
Another flexible day at your own pace. If you still have remaining activity days from your allocation, you can head to the water sports center to arrange a tour. Otherwise, use this time to revisit favorite spots on the islands, spend a quiet day relaxing, or complete any activities you wanted to try.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Whale and dolphin watching tour (approximately 3 hours, weather dependent)
- Swimming with dolphins program (weather dependent, additional cost)
- Explore island by hiking
- Hike Mount Pico
- Ferry to Faial Island
- Visit Horta (Faial Island)
- Visit Capelinhos on Faial (volcanic eruption site from 1957)
- Visit Caldeira crater in Faial Island center
Landmarks/POIs Mount Pico Horta Capelinhos Caldeira - Day 8
Departure
Today you leave the Azores. You'll get transferred to Madalena harbor for a 30-minute ferry ride to Horta on Faial, or go directly to Pico Airport for your flight home. Optional flight changes or a Lisbon extension can be arranged if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Transfer to Madalena port or Pico Airport
Optional Activities
- Ferry from Madalena to Horta (30 minutes)
- Lisbon extension
Landmarks/POIs Madalena Harbor Horta
