Help with the Azores

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anonymous
anonymous

Hi everyone!

I'm thinking about planning a trip to the Azores next year and I have a few questions. Can you please help me? My trip has to comply with a few criteria, namely:

  • it has to be the best whale watching time for that's the main reason why I'm going;
  • going on a whale watching trip a must, but the company doing the trips has to be ecofriendly and whale and dolphin friendly!!! Very important.
  • there should be lots of nice hiking opportunities;
  • it has to have good snorkling waters, from shore and deeper waters. Is there a good tour guide that does snorkling trips in deeper water?;
  • what's the best island to stay on (optional: taking the above criteria into consideration);
  • it has to be a camping trip, I'm bringing a tent;
  • the camping must not cost an aweful lot.

Can anyone help me answer these criteria. I've been looking on the internet but I just can't find a concrete site that can tell me anything about the above criteria. If anyone has experience or knows anything that would be usefull for me to know, can you please help me? It will save me a lot of trouble going through all the sites :) As stated, my main reason for going is for the whale watching, but snorkling follows that at second place. The camping should be cheap, for being a student and all, I don't have a lot of funds. I hope you can help me with at least one thing, for that would save me lots of time. Thank you very much!

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d_edinburgh
d_edinburgh

I can help with some but not all of your questions. I have had several trips to the Azores mainly for walking holidays, swimming is not my thing;

Whale watching: Not something I have done but rest assured that there are good controls on boats and all must comply with the local codes. Most islands have registered boats but from what I saw most opportunities are in Sao Miguel at Ponta Delgada and Vila Franco do Campo. Also Horto on Faial is a very busy boating centre. For general information check out specialist tour company site http://www.azoreschoice.com/

Walking: Check out Sunflower publications 'Landscapes of the Azores' at http://www.sunflowerbooks.co.uk/azores.htm Good maps and walks and also check http://trails-azores.com/index.php?lang=en

Camping; This where it gets more difficult. Limited opportunities but check out http://www.azores.dk/Egenerelt.htm#Where%20to%20stay: This is from 2008 and is the best I know of.

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anonymous
anonymous

Thanks d_edinburgh! :D That's already a good start.

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d_edinburgh
d_edinburgh

I should add that are also youth hostels for good, cheap accommodation. Don't have details to hand but there are hostels Ponta Delgada and Horta, check out http://www.pousadasjuvacores.com/index_en.php

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thetravelwriter
thetravelwriter

Hi Im also looking for some info on the Azores, I am a single traveller, and was was wondering what the best 3 islands are to travel on?
Im thinking Sao Miguel, and Pico (has anyone done the mountain climb and do you need a tour guide?) Im planning on going in September
Thanks

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thetravelwriter
thetravelwriter

Thanks for the link! Between camping the hostels listed I will be able to do my trip within my budget/thanks again!

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