Family vacations in the Azores

Take a boat trip

Whether or not your kids are already into marine wildlife, they’re sure to be blown away by the experience of seeing dolphins, whales and turtles in their natural environment. If you get the chance to snorkel, scuba dive or go sailing, you could inspire a lifelong passion for the ocean.

Amanda Stafford of our supplier Whale and Dolphin Connection suggests you ask about age restrictions when looking for a whale or dolphin watching trip in the Azores with kids, as different operators have different policies: “Boat trips are great for kids as long as they’re the right kind of age and into wildlife. On the larger, more stable wildlife-watching boats babies will be safe if held, but toddlers are likely to get bored, especially if there are lengthy waits between sightings. Zodiac RIBS and small, open fibreglass boats are not really suitable for young children. There’s no legal minimum age but operators tend to have their own restrictions on carrying pregnant women or kids under four or five, since the sea can sometimes get choppy without warning. If your family wants to go snorkelling with wildlife in open water, your kids must be confident swimmers. At six or seven they’re usually old enough to have a really worthwhile experience.”