Week package

Whale Research & Ocean Monitoring​

​Background: All levels, English required

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Join our Marine Research team onboard as a volunteer, internship or research assistant, collaborating on daily field and lab routines.

 

• 3-4 Whale and Dolphin Expeditions with real data collection 

• 2 Talks on cetaceans and field monitoring methods

• 27 cetacean species occur in the area

• Blue whale, Fin whale, Sei, Bryde and Sperm whales (species are season dependent),

• 5 dolphin species

• Includes coastal surveys​

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Dates

Weekly Program with fixed dates: Monday to Saturday ​​

Reference weeks only below, full availability is shown when booking online.

 

April 2025
7 to 12 (Monday to Saturday) SOLD OUT
14 to 19 (Monday to Saturday)
21 to 26 (Monday to Saturday)

May 2025
28 (April) to 3 (Monday to Saturday)
5 to 10 (Monday to Saturday)
12 to 17 (Monday to Saturday) SOLD OUT
19 to 24 (Monday to Saturday)
26 to 31 (Monday to Saturday)
 

June 2025
2 to 7 (Monday to Saturday)
9 to 14 (Monday to Saturday)
16 to 21 (Monday to Saturday)
23 to 28 (Monday to Saturday)
 

September 2025
1 to 6 (Monday to Saturday) SOLD OUT
8 to 13 (Monday to Saturday)
15 to 20 (Monday to Saturday)
22 to 27 (Monday to Saturday)​

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October 2025

29 to 4 October (Monday to Saturday)
6 to 11 (Monday to Saturday)
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Fee

390€ per Week slot

5% Discount on third week and following

 

Program Activities:

Whale and Dolphin Expeditions: Participate in 3-4 boat-based surveys of 3h to observe and record cetacean behavior, environmental conditions, and other key data. These expeditions are subject to weather conditions to ensure optimal research opportunities.

 

• 2 Special Talks:

  1. "Azores Cetaceans: Diversity and Threats"

  2. "Cetacean and Ocean Monitoring Field Methods"

Receiving training in cetacean biology and behavior, and ocean monitoring techniques, including the use of research tools like GPS, hydrophones, and photo ID methods.

 

• 1 Land-Based Survey or Lab Work: Engage in an experience of land-based monitoring from coastal vantage points, or beach surveys for drifting pelagic life on the coast, contributing to a deeper understanding of cetacean research methodologies and marine ecology. 

 

• Data Analysis: Collaborate with academic staff to process and analyze collected data, collaborating in the conservation of biological samples.

The 7 activities for the week will be scheduled upon arrival, according to the ongoing research and weather forecast. These don’t occupy all days so there will be spare time to visit the Island.

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Species

Whales: Sperm whale, Blue whale, Fin whale, Sei whale, Humpback whale, Beaked whales & More

Dolphins: Common dolphin, Bottlenose dolphin, Spotted dolphin, Risso dolphin, Stripped dolphin & more

Seaturtles: Regularly sighted loggerhead seaturtle, rarely geen or leatherback seaturtles

Seabirds: Cory’s shearwater, Yellow legged gull,

April June: Macaronesian shearwater, Common and Roseate Tern,

September: Great shearwater, Sooty shearwater & more

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Academic Environment

All activities are supervised by our resident PhD staff that are researchers at the University of Lisbon and the Azores University. Participants will cooperate with ongoing monitoring and research programs, studies and thesis.

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Working Experience Certificate

A Certificate will be provided that can be used in the CV validating working experience as Marine Biology work on cetacean data collection methodologies including at sea experience and ocean monitoring methodologies.​

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Accommodation and Meals

Meals and accommodation are not included in the program. With several good restaurants and soft meal opportunities at a walking distance in Horta. There are many different types of accommodation in the city, from Hotels, to apartments, guest houses and rooms. Check local options at www.agoralocal.pt  .