Update from our marine conservation volunteering holiday in the Azores archipelago, working on whales, dolphins and turtles
Suddenly the end of the Azores expedition is upon us. That fact that five weeks seems to have flown by, is a good thing, time flies when you are having fun and we have had a great expedition.
With the international team now spreading their wings to various corners of the globe and some adjusting to last minute re-routes, it is time to return home. However, let me first (briefly) recap the last couple of days, before I wrap the expedition as a whole, as we still had some highs and lows to experience.
Last sightings
Our final couple of days at sea presented some more challenging sightings. Wednesday saw us head to the northwest of Faial, encountering another group of sperm whales. A large swell mixed with waves coming round north side of the island made things challenging for many, not least find the whales in the first place! We also managed to locate another loggerhead turtle, so lookouts onboard were doing a great job.
On our final day at sea, we changed tack, and headed south. Pedro (our skipper) and intel on a possible blue whale location. Conditions were not perfect and baleen whales were elusive. Cue time to deploy the hydrophone and listen in for sperm whales. With their distinctive ‘clicking’ heard, we honed in on them and found a few individuals, but fluking was limited, The search had taken us a far down Pico. We now had the prospect of a long journey home into the weather, interspersed with common dolphin records. The conditions put our shipper’s skills to the test but he passed with flying colours – as expected.
Data highlights
So that concluded our data collection and sorting, on another fantastic expedition in the Azores. This year we’ve again recorded an impressive array of species, and without Biosphere Expeditions, much of this data wouldn’t have been collected. In case you have forgotten, here are just some of our highlights:
- We’ve deployed three teams into the field, comprising 10 different nations, spanning multiple decades;
- We completed in excess of 107 hours of surveys, covering over 1960 kms of the ocean, with almost 200 km covered in one day – there was no lack of effort;
- Surveys have been completed to both the north and south of Faial and Pico;
- We’ve collected data on at least 10 different cetacean species (6 whale and 4 dolphin species) 1 turtle species and numerous birds;
- Our total encounters with cetaceans, exceeds 170 – not a bad daily sighting rate;
- For the whales, we have already confirmed some positive IDs, and several re-sights, but also have numerous new flukes – i.e. individuals never recorded before. Data that makes Lisa very happy;
- Perhaps our most notable sighting was Cuvier’s beaked whale……
We managed to complete all the sea days we planned, which might be a first, at least in the last ten years – just not in the order we ideally wanted – but that is expected in the Azores! Your effort is to be applauded.
Data value
The data only tell a limited story at the moment. Records from everyday have already been sent to Monicet to contribute to a better understanding of cetacean distribution across the Azores. Data will also be uploaded to iLog Whales, and Lisa will continue to upload ID imagery to various other databases to enhance a wider understanding of different species movements in the wider North Atlantic. Some of these data will also be beneficial to colleagues at the Azores Whale Lab. The full results will become clearer in the expedition report, to be published later this year.
Whilst we come to see and learn about the cetaceans and contribute to ongoing data collection on this project (20 years and counting), research is our primary, but not our only interest. A huge part of this project is the people we meet and spend our time with.
Thank you
So let me initially offer some thanks. First off, to our three groups, who stepped up to the daily challenge of expedition life, fieldwork and data collection to achieve scientific goals in the Azores. You’ve not only all contributed to advancing cetacean knowledge in this region and making this expedition a success – you have also been a pleasure to work with and not given the expedition leader too many problems to solve!
We also thank the wider Biosphere Expeditions team, as this project can’t happen without the unseen preparation, often months before we even set foot on the islands of the Azores. I also extend thanks to all in Horta who have supported us, particularly Norberto Divers, the ‘vigias’ (lookouts) and our various caterers – whose food has more than sustained us! We also extend our thanks to our hosts (Silvia & Mario) and the project base, of course to Lenita (our housekeeper) who ensured we ‘felt at home’. We can also not forget our skipper (Pedro), who not only took us to sea, but ensured the team knew the sea state, wind direction, cetacean locations and always got us back to port safely – thank you. I also must thank Cláudia Oliveira and Maria Inês Silva of the Azores Whale Lab for their contributions to the project.
Our collective thanks again go to Lisa. A constant source of knowledge and leadership in all things scientific. It is always a privilege to briefly share your world of cetacean fieldwork.
Heading home
We have also had the great privilege of briefly experiencing life in Azores. As I mentioned in my very first diary (if you remember!), who doesn’t want to live on a volcano, in the middle of an ocean, searching for a diverse array of charismatic cetaceans. The allure of this fascinating archipelago is strong, and I don’t doubt that some of us will return, in the not too distant future – there are always reasons to come back.
I too must return home from ‘home’. So, my final thanks is for my family, supporting me and making the past five week possible. For me personally it’s always great to return the Azores, work on the project, in this wonderful place and meet old and new friends. The people and the place make this project, and there is always a new experience to surprise you. Time to head north, back to sunny Scotland!
Safe travels to you all and remember – eyes all around!
Read also: First I second I third I fourth I fifth I sixth I seventh I eight I ninth I tenth 2026 diary entry of the Azores whale and dolphin expedition. Also: all 2026 Azores diary entries on one page.
Author: Craig Turner
Craig Turner was born in Oxford, England. He studied biology, ecology and environmental management at Southampton, Aberdeen and London universities. After graduating from his first degree, he left the UK for expedition life in Tanzania. Since then, he has continued to combine his interest in volunteer travel and passion for conservation, working with a wide range of organisations on projects and expedition sites in the Americas, Africa, Asia and the Pacific. He has managed expedition programmes for the Zoological Society of London, and is a frequent contributor to the ‘Explore’ conference held by the Royal Geographical Society (RGS). He is a Fellow of the RGS and the Linnean Society. Having visited and/or worked in more countries than years have passed, he now runs a small environmental consultancy with his partner, based in Scotland, where he splits his wildlife interests and work between the UK and overseas. He also crews for the RNLI and is casualty care trained. He is ever keen to share his exploits, writing for several magazines, and is a published photographer.