Dolphin School

The Dolphin School was developed specifically by Joana and Tiago — both marine biologists and diving instructors — based on their years of working with dolphin populations in the Azores. It is not a generic snorkelling holiday bolted onto a whale watch tour. The program is structured around building skills and understanding that let participants interact respectfully with wild pods, and the curriculum reflects the scientific background of the people running it.

The program spans 4 days of activities over 7 nights, running in July, August and September when sea conditions are most favourable. Included are three tours to snorkel with wild dolphins, one whale watching tour aboard the centre's RIB vessel, training sessions, and an educational lecture on species identification and dolphin behaviour. A certificate of participation is issued on completion. All snorkelling equipment is provided.

Accommodation is in a shared apartment or house with a kitchen, located 15 minutes on foot from the Dive Azores base at Horta's marina. Airport transfers are included. Couples, friends or families who prefer private accommodation can arrange it in advance at an additional cost. Flights, food and daily living expenses, travel insurance and any additional activities are not included in the base price.

Participants must be 18 years of age or older, have good swimming skills, and come with prior snorkelling experience — this is a firm requirement, not a suggestion. The dolphin swims depend on sea conditions and animal behaviour; if a session is cancelled due to rough seas or because the dolphins are not behaving in a way that permits the activity safely, it is rescheduled rather than skipped.

Faial's waters are known for several dolphin species that are present throughout the summer: common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins and Risso's dolphins are resident year-round, while Atlantic spotted and striped dolphins appear in greater numbers in summer. The briefings and in-water approach are designed around the specific behaviour of these animals in this location — something that comes from two decades of research rather than a generic responsible-watching protocol.