The Azores have long held a privileged place as one of Portugal’s earliest outposts during the Age of Exploration. They have longer still enjoyed an important place in natural history. Situated along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge on the border of two tectonic plates, this archipelago has literally risen from the ocean’s depths, gradually colonized by far-flung organisms whose descendants adapted to the local conditions and constitute a distinctive set of endemic species and subspecies found only here, with plants and birds as the standouts. The islands would also become a beacon for many cetaceans who either made the Azores their permanent home or an annual migratory port-of-call. On this inaugural tour, we will have a chance to discover this archipelago on the edge of two worlds and contemplate the seeming impossibility of its existence!

Our explorations will cover both land and sea. On São Miguel, we’ll get a first taste of the rugged volcanic landscapes and shorelines that define the Azores. We’ll explore the woodlands of a type found nowhere else. The bird life is also distinctive and various species here have diverged from their nearest relatives in Europe. Over 25 cetacean species have been recorded here and their ranks include several dolphin species as well as the legendary Sperm Whale and Blue Whale, so our time on land will be complemented by our time at sea, where we can watch for whales and dolphins on our private boat tours. The timing of our tour coincides with the return of several ‘great whale’ species so we have the chance to see the largest variety. Various hardy seabirds call the Azores home and accompany us on our forays! The distinctive feel of the islands is enhanced by their unique culture, which we’ll discover in part through their food and fine beverages. The Azores are well know for their vines, dubbed 'volcanic wines' given the bedrock upon which they grow!