Dolphin Azores September – Encounter Guide & Best Sites

Season beginning to wind down but still very active. Late sperm whale season.

Encounter overview

Diving or snorkelling with dolphins in Azores during September is high season, with an encounter probability of approximately 80% under normal conditions. Dolphins are the ocean’s extroverts – fast, curious, and often actively seeking out boats and swimmers. A pod bow-riding at speed is joyful in a way that cuts through any bad mood.

Best sites

• Pico
• Faial
• Santa Maria

What to expect

Spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) rest inshore in the morning and feed offshore at night. Common dolphins hunt cooperatively in open water. Bottlenose dolphins are resident at many sites and well-habituated to human presence.

Water conditions in September

Water temperature in Azores typically ranges 17-24°C. Visibility at Pico in September is generally good; check local liveaboard or dive operator reports the week of your trip for specific conditions. Open water, blue water, pelagic is the primary dive style in Azores.

Practical tips

Let the dolphins approach you – swimming toward them usually results in them leaving. A surface snorkel is less intrusive than scuba. Avoid isolated mothers with calves. Never feed wild dolphins.

Getting there

Fly into Ponta Delgada (PDL) on São Miguel; Faial (HOR). Blue and sperm whale watching, mobula rays, blue sharks, mako sharks, common dolphins. EU/Schengen visa applies (visa-free for many nationalities). Currency: Euro (EUR).

Is September a good time to visit Azores for dolphin?

Yes – September is high season for dolphins in Azores. Encounter probability is around 80% on a dedicated trip. Best sites include Pico, Faial, Santa Maria. Check availability at Pico as spaces fill quickly in peak months.