Solo Travel Meets Marine Science in the Azores with Biosphere Expeditions

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We’d been out on the water for a couple of hours, travelling past the 2000m Mount Pico, as sei whales surfaced beside us and common dolphins raced alongside the boat. We were responding to a whale sighting from one of the land lookouts.

But this wasn’t just any whale. This was a blue whale, the largest creature that has ever lived.

When I had been invited to join the Azores expedition with Biosphere Expeditions, I had, of course, hoped I might see a blue whale. But I knew that it was never guaranteed.

Our days would be shaped by the ocean, the weather, the movements of wildlife, and sightings from the land lookouts. It turns out, even the largest animal on the planet can still be surprisingly hard to find. Fortunately, we were in the right place at the right time.

Out on the water in the Azores, scanning the horizon for the telltale blow of a whale or the dorsal fin of a dolphin, you quickly realise this isn’t your typical boat trip.

At some sightings, boats full of whale-watching tourists bobbed nearby. The difference between them and us? We weren’t just watching, we were actively contributing to valuable marine science.

Trips like this fall under what’s often called ‘citizen science’, where everyday travellers volunteer to join real research expeditions and help scientists collect data in the field. With Biosphere Expeditions, that means working alongside marine researchers to study whales and dolphins in their natural environment. But what does that actually look like in practice?

If you’re considering booking the whales and dolphins expedition with Biosphere Expeditions, you’re probably trying to picture the reality. What are the days like? Who can you expect to meet on the trip? And will it feel comfortable if you’re arriving on your own?

I had all of those same questions before I arrived in Horta, on the tiny island of Faial. Travelling solo, joining a group I’d never met, and stepping into something that felt quite different from a typical trip pushed me slightly outside my comfort zone. But it ended up being one of the most rewarding travel experiences I’ve ever had.

In this guide, I’ll share exactly what it’s like to join the Azores expedition as a solo traveller, from the accommodation and daily research to the group dynamic, the food, and of course, the reality of seeing whales and dolphins in the wild. If you’re trying to decide whether this trip is right for you, this should give you a clear and honest picture before you book.

What is the Biosphere Expeditions Azores Project?

The Biosphere Expeditions whales and dolphins project is a hands-on marine research expedition based in the Azores. Rather than joining a typical whale watching tour, you become part of a small research team.

You’ll be helping Lisa Steiner, a marine scientist who has dedicated decades of her life to studying these species in the Azores, to collect real data on the species that pass through, or reside in, the waters surrounding these islands.

The focus is on studying whales and dolphins in their natural environment, helping to monitor populations, track movements, and contribute to long-term conservation efforts, but you’ll also collect data on loggerhead sea turtles, too.

Depending on what you encounter out at sea, you might be recording sightings, photographing dorsal fins and tails for identification, or noting behaviour in real time. No prior experience is needed; everything is taught when you arrive, and you learn quickly once you’re out on the boat.

You don’t need a background in marine biology or science to take part. Most people on my trip (including me) were complete beginners, just curious, open-minded, and excited to experience something different.

Booking the Expedition: What You Need to Know

If you’re thinking about booking the Azores expedition with Biosphere Expeditions, the process itself is pretty straightforward, and most of the detailed information is best found directly on their website.

From there, you can download a detailed briefing, ask any specific questions, or register your interest for upcoming trips, including the next available dates in 2027.

In terms of what’s included, almost everything is covered once you arrive. Accommodation, meals, training, and all research activities are organised for you, so you don’t need to plan anything day-to-day.

The only extras to budget for are the obvious things like flights, personal spending, alcoholic drinks, and anything you choose to do on your day off.

There are usually three different expedition slots to choose from, each running for 10 days across March and April. The structure of the expedition stays mostly the same across all dates, with some variations depending on the weather.

Where You’ll Stay: Accommodation in Horta, Faial Island

During the expedition, you’ll be based in the coastal town of Horta, on the island of Faial.

You’ll stay in a large guesthouse called Monte de Guia, set on the coastline. The house overlooks the beach and a small bay, with the volcanic peak of Mount Pico rising in the distance. The view never gets old, especially in the early morning or at sunset.

Inside, the accommodation is very comfortable. Rooms are spacious, clean, and come with en-suite bathrooms. There’s also a large shared lounge and kitchen area, which is where everything happens, from breakfast and evening meals to training sessions and end-of-day debriefs.

As a solo traveller, you’ll most likely be sharing a room in a spacious twin setup. That said, a few people on my trip did end up with their own room where space allowed.

Horta itself is a lovely base. It’s small enough to explore easily on foot, but has plenty going on, with shops, bars, and restaurants dotted around. There’s a strong sailing culture here, so you’ll see yachts coming and going constantly, which gives the town a relaxed, international feel. It also feels very safe. I was completely comfortable walking around on my own, both during the day and in the evening.

In your downtime, there’s plenty to keep you occupied. You can wander along the marina and spot the colourful murals painted by visiting sailors, stop for a drink at Peter Café Sport (their gin was a favourite of ours), go for a swim at the beach, or take a walk around Monte de Guia for views back over the town and out to sea. If you want to explore further, it’s also easy to hire a car and see more of the island.

A Typical Day on the Expedition

One of the things I found most reassuring about the expedition was that, while every day at sea felt different, there was still a clear rhythm to the week. It didn’t take long to settle into it.

The trip begins with a more relaxed first day, giving you time to meet the group and get your bearings. We had introductions, a short walking tour of Horta to get familiar with key spots like the harbour, followed by a group lunch and dinner.

The second day is a mix of learning and getting out on the water. We spent the morning at the house being introduced to the different roles on the boat and the equipment we’d be using, before heading out for a half-day at sea. After that, the pace picks up, with several full boat days, a dedicated “data day” back at the house, and a full day off to relax or explore the island.

Breakfast and Mornings

On a typical boat day, things start early. Breakfast is at 7:30 am, with a rota in place so everyone takes turns helping to prepare it. If you’re on breakfast duty, that means a quick trip to the local bakery at around 7 am to pick up fresh bread.

By 8:30 am, you will leave the house and walk to the harbour, ready to board the boat at 8:45 am. From there, the day is shaped entirely by the ocean and whatever sightings come in.

You can expect to spend up to seven hours at sea each day, although some days are shorter if conditions aren’t ideal. Most of the time, we were back between 3 pm and 4 pm.

Boat Trips and Data Collection

Each day, you’re assigned a specific role on the boat, and that becomes your focus for the entire day out at sea. That might involve recording sightings, photographing dorsal fins, tracking behaviour, or logging environmental data. Everything is explained clearly beforehand, and you quickly get the hang of it once you’re out there.

While out in the field, you’re encouraged to take breaks when you need them, and there’s always a balance between concentrating on the work and taking in what’s happening around you.

Evenings and Downtime

Once you’re back on land, there’s a good chunk of downtime between 4 pm and 7 pm. This was a nice chance to relax after being out on the water all day. Sometimes I’d relax at the house, other times I’d head out for a swim, a walk, or a drink in town with some of the group.

Dinner is at 7 pm, prepared by local caterers, and eaten together as a group at the house. Afterwards, there’s a debrief of the day, where you go over sightings and the data collected.

On a few evenings, we also had talks from scientists connected to the local university and whale and dolphin research lab, which added another layer to the experience and helped put everything we were doing into a wider context.

After that, it’s usually a quiet evening. Some people head to bed early, others stay up chatting in the lounge, but after a full day at sea, most nights naturally wind down by 9 pm.

The Marine Research Work: What You’ll Actually Do

The Biosphere Expeditions Azores project supports a long-term study that’s been collecting data on whales and dolphins in these waters for over 20 years.

It’s led by marine scientist Lisa Steiner, who has dedicated her life to studying these species. That context alone makes the work feel meaningful from the start.

Data Collection Methods

Each time a sighting is called in, everything becomes quite focused. You’re gathering as much information as possible in a short space of time (sometimes you only have seconds before a whale dives out of sight), and every role on the boat contributes to that.

There’s someone responsible for the data sheets, logging key details like sea temperature, location coordinates, the number of animals, whether there are calves present, the direction they’re travelling in, and any behaviours observed.

Others are photographing dorsal fins, which are later used to identify individual whales and dolphins. You’ll also help upload information into various research apps to keep track of sightings as they happen. It’s a real team effort!

Identifying Whales, Dolphins and Turtles

Over the course of the trip, we saw an incredible range of species: blue whales, minke whales, sei whales, sperm whales, and humpback whales, alongside common and bottlenose dolphins, loggerhead sea turtles, and the more elusive Cuvier’s beaked whales.

Identifying them becomes part of the fun. At first, you’re learning the differences, shapes, behaviours, and markings, but by the end of the trip, you start to recognise species more instinctively. Photographing dorsal fins plays a big role here too, as each one is unique (like a fingerprint) and helps track individuals over time.

It was fascinating and very satisfying to see that two of the humpback whales we spotted had been seen in the Azores all the way back in 2019. The photos we took of their tails were uploaded to a database, which helped to identify the individuals.

Your Role As a Volunteer

Your role on the expedition is to support this data collection, and it genuinely feels like your contribution matters.

On other volunteer trips I’ve done in the past, there have been moments where I’ve questioned how useful I really was. This trip felt completely different. Every day, every sighting, every role had a purpose. There wasn’t a single moment where I felt like a spare part.

It’s also what makes the experience so engaging. You’re not just passively watching wildlife; you’re actively involved in the process of studying and protecting it, and that changes how you experience every single sighting.

Will You See Whales and Dolphins?

This is probably the biggest question people have before booking, and it’s important to be realistic.

This isn’t a luxury wildlife safari where guides take you from sighting to sighting in quick succession. It’s a real marine research expedition, and the research always comes first. That means some days can feel incredible, while others require a little bit more patience.

On our trip, the first few days were amazing. We saw a huge variety of species and had multiple exciting encounters one after the other. But the following couple of days were much quieter, with just a couple of encounters across the day. Towards the end of the trip, we spent long stretches out at sea without seeing a huge amount, mainly because the 4-metre swell made it hard to spot the whales.

But that contrast is all part of the experience. You never quite know what the day will bring, and that unpredictability is what makes each sighting feel so special when it does happen and is actually one of the things I love most about nature.

It’s also a good reminder that wildlife, no matter how large, can still be surprisingly tricky to find. Going in with that mindset makes the experience much more enjoyable, as you learn to appreciate the process as much as the sightings themselves.

When everything does come together, those moments out on the water with some of the most awe-inspiring species on the planet are genuinely unforgettable.

The Food: What and Where You’ll Eat

All food on the expedition is vegetarian. This is a conscious choice by Biosphere Expeditions, based on the environmental impact of meat and fish consumption.

Breakfast is simple and done on a ‘help yourself’ basis, with options like fresh bread, cereals, fruit, and yoghurt. You’ll also need to make your own lunch each day before heading out, which usually ends up being something quick and practical like a cheese sandwich with fruit, crisps or granola bars to take on the boat.

Dinner is catered and delivered to the house, and we had a good variety over the week. Meals included hearty pasta dishes, salads, and a few local Azorean-inspired meals, all vegetarian. After a long day at sea, not having to stand and cook a hot meal was appreciated.

On three evenings, we ate out at local restaurants in Horta. If you choose a vegetarian meal, it’s covered as part of the expedition. If you decide to order meat or fish, you just pay for the meal yourself. There was absolutely no judgment around choices, which was nice, and meant I could order a meal containing meat or fish if I wanted to.

You’re also free to buy your own snacks or extras from local shops and keep them at the house, as long as they’re vegetarian. The same goes for alcoholic drinks.

The Group Dynamic: Who You’ll Meet

Now I get to talk about the people, and honestly, they made the experience what it was.

We laughed a lot. Even on the days when the weather wasn’t on our side, when the wind picked up, the rain came in sideways, and our fingers were slightly numb, there was always something to laugh about. That shared experience of being out on the water together, whatever the conditions, brought everyone closer very quickly.

The group itself felt very relaxed and easygoing. Everyone gelled naturally, and there was no pressure to be a certain way or constantly socialise. Some people spent downtime together, others took time for themselves, and both felt completely normal.

In terms of who you’ll meet, it’s usually a mix of solo travellers, couples, and sometimes friends travelling together. The age range and nationalities on my trip were fairly broad, and people came from all kinds of backgrounds, but what everyone had in common was a genuine interest in wildlife, the outdoors, and doing something a little adventurous.

Is This Trip Good for Solo Travellers?

If you’re travelling solo and are anxious about meeting new people, it’s worth remembering that the kind of people who book trips like this tend to have a similar mindset. They’re curious, open, and up for the experience, which makes it much easier to connect, even if you’re travelling solo.

It also makes this a really good introduction to solo travel if you’re nervous or worried about safety while travelling alone. You still get that sense of independence, especially if you extend your trip like I did, but you’re not completely on your own the whole time. I spent a few days beforehand on the island of São Miguel, which gave me a nice balance of solo time before joining the expedition.

The Azores is also a fantastic destination for solo female travellers as it’s very safe and easy to get around.

What I Loved (and What to Consider Before Booking)

There’s a lot to love about this trip, but the standout moments are exactly what you’d hope for.

Seeing whales and dolphins in the wild, not just once, but over and over again (having never seen a whale in the wild before), never stopped feeling special. There’s something about being out on the open ocean, scanning the horizon for signs of a ‘blow’ or dorsal fin, that I found incredibly calming. I caught myself smiling constantly, even on the longer days.

The day we saw a blue whale is one I won’t forget. On the way back from the sighting, the weather turned, the waves picked up, and we were holding on as water soaked us. But I didn’t care. I’d just seen a blue whale. It felt like one of those moments that’s hard to top, and I’m not sure any day will ever quite match it.

Another highlight was working alongside a real marine scientist and learning directly from her experience. It made the whole trip feel really purposeful. You’re not just observing, you’re part of something that actually matters.

It stayed with me long after I got home, to the point where I’ve since trained as a Marine Mammal Medic in the UK so I can continue volunteering with whales, dolphins, and other marine life. That probably says everything about the impact this trip had on me.

That said, there are a few things worth considering before you book.

This isn’t a relaxed, luxury-style wildlife experience. You’re out on the water for long stretches, and finding whales and dolphins can take time. Some days are full of sightings, while others are much quieter. Being prepared for that (and even embracing it) makes a big difference to how much you enjoy the experience.

It’s also worth thinking about the practical side when it comes to clothing, medication and equipment. Sea conditions can change quickly, and while I didn’t get seasick, some people on the trip did, so it’s definitely worth bringing medication just in case.

Finally, don’t underestimate the importance of proper waterproofs. Not just something water-resistant, but fully waterproof. On the days when the weather turned, I was incredibly grateful to have good gear, as it meant I could stay warm and dry and focus on enjoying the experience.

What to Pack For Your Azores Expedition

Biosphere Expeditions provides a packing list with the expedition dossier, which I found really helpful. However, having now embarked on the expedition myself, I can tell you from my own personal experience what’s useful, and what’s not!

Definitely make sure to pack:

Things you don’t need:

Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?

In short, yes, it’s absolutely worth it. If you go into this experience with realistic expectations, prepared to put in the time and effort, and open to whatever the ocean decides to throw your way, it’s the kind of trip that stays with you for a very long time.

This isn’t a passive holiday – it asks something of you. But in return, it gives you something far more meaningful than a typical trip. You come away not just with memories, but with a real sense of having been part of something bigger.

This expedition with Biosphere Expeditions is best suited to people who are curious, open-minded, and genuinely interested in wildlife and the natural world. If you love being outdoors, want to learn more about marine life, or are looking for an experience that feels a little different from the usual, you’ll likely find it incredibly rewarding.

It’s also a great option if you’re considering solo travel but want a bit of structure and connection along the way.

Whether you’re drawn in by the chance to see whales and dolphins, the opportunity to work alongside marine scientists, or simply the idea of an adventure in a beautiful part of the world, this trip delivers on all of it.

And if you’re anything like me, you might just come home with a whole new passion you didn’t expect.

If you have any questions about what it’s like to join the Biosphere Expeditions in the Azores, please contact me via the contact form, and I’ll do my best to answer your questions!