Whaling Heritage of the Azores Tour

Uncover the rich history behind the whaling heritage of the Azores with a captivating tour through Vila Franca do Campo, exploring its cultural significance and the subsequent conservation efforts that have shaped the narrative of this unique maritime tradition.

Whaling Heritage Azores Tour

Meet us at the Vila Franca do Campo Marina to kick off our tour revolving around the rich history of whaling in the Azores where we'll delve into the evolution of this historical tradition and the love that's grown for these marine creatures.

Our journey begins with admiring the Senhora de Fátima, an authentic whaling ship from 1945 that stands as the sole fully operational and seaworthy witness of that era in the Azores. Paired with this remarkable vessel, we'll unravel some of the most intriguing facts about whaling, delving into the local whaling culture.

Afterwards, we'll board a minibus and go to the whaling lookout, Vigia da Furada. Here, we'll learn about ancient whale-watching techniques that have established the Azores as a global reference in the field.

From the lookout point, we'll use specialized binoculars, and if luck is on our side, catch a glimpse of a whale or two! This way, we'll better understand the lookout's crucial role in this task and the various mammal species observed from this vantage point in the Azores.

Then, to conclude our exploration, we'll visit the Ponta Garça Lighthouse, a structure with roots tracing back to 1957. We'll also relish the breathtaking views offered by this iconic vantage point.

As we wrap up our 3-hour tour, enriched with the deep history of Azorean whaling heritage, we'll return to our starting point.