Boat Tours: Half Day Azores Marine Birdwatching Expedition

About the Experience

Species: The islands are home to the largest known colonies of Cory’s Shearwater, other common breeding species are Barolo Shearwater, Common and Roseate Terns, Yellow-legged Gulls, Bulwer’s Petrel, Wilson’s and Madeiran Storm-petrels, and sometimes unexpected surprises such as Bridled or Sooty Terns. Not breeding but regularly sighted are Great Shearwater and Leach’s Storm-petrel, Manx and Sooty Shearwater, vagrant Northern Gannets, Arctic, Pomarine, and Great Skuas, and shorebirds such as Buzzards, Turnstones, Sanderlings, Canaries, Little Egrets, Wagtails, Whimbrels,...

Meet us at the Marina of Vila Franca do Campo for check-in, at the specified time.

The day starts with a short briefing introducing to bird species observed locally, migration and behavioral patterns, and onboard safety.

Follow the Guide and Skipper to your designated boat and go out to sea. The boat will travel the coast to observe known colonies, shorebirds, and wildlife at the Islet of Vila Franca do Campo.

Then head out to sea looking to find seabirds and capture wild animal behavior. Lookouts high inland help locating, and provide directions via VHF Radio to where the boat may initially travel at high speed. Carefully approaching undetected distance, your Guide will keep you informed, collect field imagery and data for local research, and is available to provide information - feel free to ask!

Many Birds find an oasis in the Azores Islands to breed and raise chicks and as an on-route refuge. Marine birds can be observed yearlong, peaking abundance in Spring and Autumn with the arrival of migrants and vagrants.

At 11:00 it is time to be at the Marina for check-out.

Know before you go:

• Eat light, and bring your personal water supply, sunscreen and chap-stick, and warm clothing. Light food is permitted, a camera is essential (pref. with zoom), binoculars are recommended - protect any personal equipment.
• NOT FOR anyone pregnant, with a weak back, in a wheelchair, in delicate health condition, or under the age of 4.

Inclusions:

• Opticron 8x42 Binoculars
• Knowledgeable Wildlife Guide
• Experienced Skipper
• Zodiac RIB Boat
• Impermeable Full Suit and Life Vest
• Insurance

Exclusions:

• Hotel Pickup and Drop-off
• Personal Water supply

Important Information:

• NOT FOR pregnant, with a weak back, in a wheelchair, in delicate health condition.
• Reservations at all times subject to rescheduling to availability requirements, safety, and weather conditions.
• English is the official language, but our team is multinational and will do their best to accommodate your preferred language (this is not guaranteed).
• IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT it is not possible to control animals' behavior in the wild or to guarantee that you will see a specific species at a specific time frame.
• This is a high conservational risk activity - a qualified Wildlife Guide will always be there to ensure the best environmental & conservation standards during the tour.

Meeting point:
Marina de Vila Franca do Campo, 4. 9680-909, Vila Franca do Campo. Please note that you are responsible for verifying your booking details in this confirmation. Please contact us as soon as possible if you find any inaccurate information
Marina​ de ​Vila​ ​Franca​ ​do​ ​Campo,​ ​4
9680-909 - Vila Franca do Campo

Terms and Conditions

Refunds only up to 3 days prior to activity.

Activity provider policies

Changes to the reservation

• The company has the right to modify or cancel your reservation, whenever there are adverse weather conditions.
• The company has the right to modify or cancel your reservation, whenever the minimum number of participants is not met.
• The company will have access to the contact information of the hotel where the client is accommodated, whenever this information is available (to facilitate the contact).
• The company may contact the client up to 1 day before in order to communicate any eventual alterations.
• In case it wasn't possible to contact the client, the alterations will be communicate when the client reaches the company's headquarters.