Swim with dolphins in THE AZORES

BEST FOR: 7+

Even ‘cool’ teenagers will melt on their first encounter with dolphins in their natural environment. The bolder of these gentle mammals are known to coming up close to look you in the eye and play or swim around you. And the boat trip from São Miguel Island is a buzz, with dolphins often riding on the bow waves. After briefings on how to use your snorkel and mask, safety and protocol about swimming with these creatures, you’ll be assigned a buddy and watched over by a guide throughout the three to five half-day swims. Groups are limited to eight people (minimum age is seven). You may also spot sperm whales or a blue whale during trips in May or June (dedicated whale-watching excursions can also be arranged). Locals use traditional lookout towers called vigias to spot them then radio their locations direct to the boats. In the afternoons, explore the archipelago’s wild volcanic scenery, including jeep tours to visit geysers and geothermal pools and hiking trips up Mount Pico, Portugal’s highest peak at 2,350m.

THE DETAIL

Azores Choice’s Swimming with Dolphins tour on São Miguel includes flights, arrival transfers, seven nights’ self-catering accommodation in a two-bedroom house with a shared pool, six days’ car hire, three dolphin swims and one whale-watching trip. From £3,092 per family.

01768 721 020, azoreschoice.com The Dolphin and Whale Connection’s sevennight Swimming with Dolphins in the Azores trip includes accommodation, breakfast, five dolphin swimming excursions, transfers, a local guide and presentations on dolphins and whales. From £1,900 per family. 01273 882 778, dolphinandwhaleconnection.com