Beaches and Snorkelling. Whale Watching in the Azores. Whales and dolphins are observed in these waters year round, attracted by the abundance of food. The whale watching season begins mid-April and extends through October. During the early part of the season you can see many different varieties, included the biggest whale in the world - the blue whale. From Horta marina you can go out for a 3 hour trip on either a rigid inflatable, a fiberglass monohull, or a fiberglass motor catamaran. Each have knowledgeable marine biologists on board to keep you informed of the various sightings. The operators all follow a strict code of conduct, so as not to harass the animals, whilst allowing a good viewing. During the early months, April through June, there tend to be more varieties, as the different species migrate. For the rest of the summer the sperm whales continue to be sighted, along with occasional other varieties. The whale species seen include Sperm, Short-finned Pilot, Blue, Fin, Sei, Humpback, Minke, Northern Bottlenose, Pygmy Sperm, Bryde's, Orcas, False Killers and beaked whales such as Sowerby's, True's and Cuvier's. Dolphin species include Bottlenose, Common, Risso's, Spotted and Striped dolphin. Other marine life includes the Cory's Shearwaters and Roseate tern, Loggerhead turtles, sharks and sport fish such as marlin and swordfish. Whales and whaling play an important part in the history and culture of the Azores. American whalers visited the islands in the 1700's and by the mid 1800's a whaling industry had grown up throughout the islands. The Azorean whalers had a tough way of life and developed a reputation for being brave and strong. The whaling went on using the same traditional open boats and hand harpoons right up until 1985. Now whale watching has replaced whaling as a way to make a living from the sea. Faial's lovely green, rolling landscape, with fields hedged with hydrangeas, invites you to stroll through the countryside enjoying its charms, and breathing in the clean, clear air. You can stroll through miles of countryside, accompanied only by the sounds of birdsong or the gentle lowing of cattle. One of my favorite walks is along the levada, which is a canal built high on the hillside, to channel water from the crater to the fields. The path alongside offers a very pleasant stroll on level ground, with magnificent views. The crater rim is another nice walk, a little more energetic than the levada. As you circumnavigate the crater you watch Faial unfold below you, each section having markers to help you identify the villages you pass. The most dramatic walk has to be the one taking you around the area of the 1957 eruption at Capelinhos. The scenery there just takes your breath away and you can walk on land that is not even 50 years old! A short ferry ride gets you across to Pico Island and its 2351 metres high volcanic peak. The climb, starting at 1200 metres, provides for magnificent views, across all of the islands in the central group - Faial, So Jorge, Graciosa and Terceira. It is possible to camp in the crater for the night and sunrise viewed from the top of the peak is a spectacular and unforgettable sight. It can easily be climbed in a day and, as there are plenty of ferries, you could even have dinner in Madelena before returning to Faial. It is now obligatory to employ a guide, to protect yourselves and the nature reserve of the mountain. Beaches and snorkelling on Faial, the Azores. If you enjoy being by the sea and swimming you will be able to spend many pleasant hours on the beaches and in the rock pools of Faial. Porto Pim, just a few minutes walk from Horta, has the ideal beach for families with children. A sand beach, shallow water, a caf, ice-cream kiosk, toilets, showers - everything you need, in fact. Almoxarife beach is just 10 minutes by car from our house. The seafront walkway backs a beach of sand and pebbles with shaded grass parking/picnicking areas behind. Also nearby are a choice of three restaurants, a caf and a children's play area. The quiet village of Faja da Praia do Norte, has a long sand beach situated beneath tall cliffs. Nearby are toilets, showers, barbecue facilities and a pizza restaurant. Varadouro is also nestled beneath tall cliffs, where you can hear the shearwaters returning to their roost at sundown. The area has a small beach one side of the bay and concreted-in rock pools on the other, providing a large, safe swimming area and children's splash pool. There are many rocky bathing areas around the coast, the natural volcanic rock being made more comfortable by the addition of flat areas of concrete and swimming pool type steps for access in to the sea. Diving in the Azores is a new discovery in the diving world. Within easy reach of the harbours we have deep, clean ocean with mild water temperatures (average sea temperatures are 17-22C). Visibility is generally very good at 20 - 25m. Dive types vary from offshore reefs and volcanic caves to drop-offs. Volcanic landscapes offer spectacular lava formations in the form of caves, grottos and chimneys. You will often encounter the big fishes of the Atlantic including manta and sting rays, marlin, swordfish and hammerhead and mako sharks. Frequently observed are parrot fish, mackerel, barracudas, tuna, trigger fish, moray eels, octopus, lobster, spiral tube worms, sea urchins and sea spiders. Night diving is spectacular and amazingly easy at selected sheltered spots along the coast. Diving certification is required. Dive locations are chosen after assessing your experience and preferences but note that for cave diving and the more difficult dives, 50 dives experience or an advanced qualification is required. The waters between Faial, Pico and Sao Jorge are recognized as one of the richest big game reserves in the Atlantic. Species caught include Marlin, sharks, swordfish, Giant Blue-fin, Big-eye and Yellow-fin tuna. The principal fishing season takes place during the months of July, August and September. See www.azoresmarlin.com. Fishing from the rocks and line fishing from boats you may catch trigger fish, common sea bream, barracuda, amberjack, bluefish bream, bonito, moray and mackerel. The main interest, on these oceanic islands, is the seabirds. 80% of the world's populations of Cory's Shearwaters nest on the Azores. During the day they soar over the ocean, interacting with the dolphins and tuna and following boats. At nighttime they return to the cliffs, where the soft layers produce ideal holes for nests. There are also Black-headed Gull, Bulwer's Petrel, Little Shearwater, Madeiran Storm Petrel and Common and Roseate Tern. Around the shallow, lava rock pools you can observe Wagtails, Rock Doves, Turnstones, Dunlin, Little Egret, Whimbrel and other waders. In September there is a good chance of seeing a vagrant American wader. On the few sandy beaches you may see Kentish Plovers. Land birds include the endemic Azorean Buzzard, Woodpigeon, Grey Wagtail, Blackbird, Robin, Sparrow, Goldcrest, Black Cap, Canary and Chaffinch, all of which are subspecies, endemic to the Azores. The Azorean Buzzard is the reason for the name Azores. Early settlers misidentified it as a goshawk, the Portuguese word for which is Aor. Although some say it was because the birds were so tame they came to hand like goshawks. Whichever it is, the birds have been here for a considerable time and recently their numbers have been increasing.

Our house is situated on the outskirts of the quiet, rural village of Pedro Miguel, 15 minutes from the main town of Horta and 25 minutes from the airport. It is nestled into the side of a hill, with a stunning view of Pico from the top of the garden. The mountain's volcanic peak is frequently capped, framed or covered by fascinating cloud formations. The locals say that the hat Pico is wearing can foretell the weather. The house is surrounded by garden, which is a rambling collection of cacti, succulents, shrubs, trees, flowers and, includes a vegetable garden, where produce is grown organically for our kitchen. Our free range chickens supply us with tasty eggs. We also have a cat called Bess, two dogs, Meg and Hooch, and a horse called Nina. Our rustic farmhouse can accommodate four adults in two rooms, a double and a twin, or the double can become a family suite, with two children in an adjoining room. Both double and twin have en suite bathrooms. The self-catering chalet is situated at the top of the garden, enjoying the fabulous view of Pico. This has a double room, shower room, kitchen/diner and sitting room. The latter can become a second bedroom by the use of the two bed-settees. There is a purpose-built barbecue area for outside cooking and dining. We hope you will make yourselves at home during your stay. The only house rule is that you enjoy yourselves! Relax in our comfortable lounge - where tea and coffee making facilities, and a small fridge are available. More photos of our accommodation. Customer comments from our 2007 guestbook. What a fantastic view of Pico from the summerhouse! This is a wonderful location. You are surrounded by friendly and nice animals - a horse, dogs, chicken with chicks, a cat, frogs..especially the dog Hooch made us feel like coming home. Everything was perfect.. Lesley and Alan, thank you so much for your friendliness and warm hospitality. We felt we were living in paradise for 10 days. (another sense very special for usthis is our honeymoon!) H M W, Germany. Good to be back! Enjoying again the beauty and pace of the island, the breathtaking views, the flowers and the beautiful dolphins and (breaching!) whales. The perfect place to relax from a busy life.and last, but not least, the great hospitality! Lesley Alan, thanks and tot ziens! JP, S S, Netherlands. We both thoroughly enjoyed our stay here with excellent walking and generous hosts. We were lucky with our whale watching trip seeing many sperm whales, striped dolphins, common dolphins and risso's dolphins. Cory's shearwaters in abundance. We will miss Faial and Azores High. A A, UK. The fortnight has flown by! We have enjoyed our stay even more than last year and that was hard to beat. We love the relaxed atmosphere at Azores High, we want to take the ever changing view of Pico and all the animals home with us.Thank you for looking after us so well. Hopefully we will return. P, S, R M L, UK. We'll tell our friends to leave for Faial..from the most chaotic place in Italy!!! I'll bring some Azores peace with me..A, Brescia, Italy. Thank you very much for a very pleasant stay. On our whaling trip we saw 6 species - equal highest for April/May. Many thanks, M E, Kenya. Thank you both - we have so enjoyed it all and your help and advice invaluable. Your house and home very comfortable - we will be recommending you to our Algarve friends. P T, Portugal. We have been looked after so well that Azores High has felt like a home from home. Every day has brought something new to discover and we will take some very fond memories home with us. Thank you. D J. UK. Thanks for a wonderful stay and letting me enjoy the comfort of your beautiful home. I feel completely relaxed and ready for my next stint in the desert!! AS, Libya. For me it was a surprise, for G a return.. to a most wonderful island.. a perfect 3 days and wonderful memories that will stay, even in ageing brains! Thank you for your hospitality and your story which will help form our dreams for the future. B G, London, UK.7. Couldn't have stayed at a better place! We will miss Hooch. Thanks for being such great hosts. C R M, Bermuda. You have a lucky life here on Faial. Thank you for sharing your beautiful home with people from the other world! All the best to you. L B McS, VA, USA.

 Rent-a-car service
 Clothes dry cleaning
 Dinner may be served in the room
 Hairdryer
 Ironing facilities
 Smoke-free guest rooms
 Around-the-clock recetpion
 Parking lot
 Private park, garden, courtyard
 Quiet surroundings
 Private/Ensuite bathroom