MEMÓRIA BALEEIRA - BOATS TOURS
STORY
------***------
The Azores and Whaling Heritage
Due to its geographic location, the Azores began receiving whaling fleets from the East Coast of the United States from the late 18th century. These fleets would stop for rest, supplies, and crew recruitment.
The whaling past is now remembered only through the preservation of factories, boathouses, and the celebration of whaleboat regattas. However, for over a century, whaling was a fundamental activity that introduced a new element to the local economy and a new form of sustainability, as before this, the population lived solely off agriculture and fishing.
In the second half of the 19th century, the local community began to embrace this activity by developing a new model of whaleboat, more suited to the navigational conditions of the surrounding seas.
CURIOSITIES
Records show that between 1896 and 1949, approximately 12,000 whales were killed in the Azores — about 60 to 70 whales per year.
The adventure started on land with lookouts scanning for sperm whale spouts. Whenever one was sighted, a rocket was launched. The men, mostly farmers, would run to the boats and head out to sea — sometimes without time to pack a lunch.
A single adult sperm whale could yield 50 to 60 barrels of oil — roughly 9,500 liters.
-
Oil – the main product of the whaling industry
-
Whale meal – used for animal feed and agriculture
-
Ambergris (dark mass) – used mainly by French perfumeries
With the need to safeguard the memories of whaling through the preservation of material heritage, a cultural and heritage preservation movement emerged in 1998. Around 42 whaleboats and 11 launches were restored, with an investment of approximately 4 million euros.
TOURS
The whaleboat tour experience was launched in 2022 by a family long involved in the art of boatbuilding, especially whaleboats.
It was in this context that the idea was born: to offer the world a unique way of experiencing the past, aiming to promote and share the culture and history of whaling through whaleboat tours.
The whaleboat is undeniably one of the most important physical remnants of whaling heritage and culture — and now you have the opportunity to see and experience it firsthand.
PRICING
-
Adults: €40 per person
-
Children (6–11): €15 per child
-
Infants (0–5): Free
INCLUDES:
-
Tour briefing
-
Boat trip (approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes)
-
Life jacket
-
Personal accident and liability insurance
-
10% discount with our partners
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us:
Email: geral@whailingboattour.com
MEMÓRIA BALEEIRA - BOATS TOURS
STORY
------***------
The Azores and Whaling Heritage
Due to its geographic location, the Azores began receiving whaling fleets from the East Coast of the United States from the late 18th century. These fleets would stop for rest, supplies, and crew recruitment.
The whaling past is now remembered only through the preservation of factories, boathouses, and the celebration of whaleboat regattas. However, for over a century, whaling was a fundamental activity that introduced a new element to the local economy and a new form of sustainability, as before this, the population lived solely off agriculture and fishing.
In the second half of the 19th century, the local community began to embrace this activity by developing a new model of whaleboat, more suited to the navigational conditions of the surrounding seas.
CURIOSITIES
Records show that between 1896 and 1949, approximately 12,000 whales were killed in the Azores — about 60 to 70 whales per year.
The adventure started on land with lookouts scanning for sperm whale spouts. Whenever one was sighted, a rocket was launched. The men, mostly farmers, would run to the boats and head out to sea — sometimes without time to pack a lunch.
A single adult sperm whale could yield 50 to 60 barrels of oil — roughly 9,500 liters.
-
Oil – the main product of the whaling industry
-
Whale meal – used for animal feed and agriculture
-
Ambergris (dark mass) – used mainly by French perfumeries
With the need to safeguard the memories of whaling through the preservation of material heritage, a cultural and heritage preservation movement emerged in 1998. Around 42 whaleboats and 11 launches were restored, with an investment of approximately 4 million euros.
TOURS
The whaleboat tour experience was launched in 2022 by a family long involved in the art of boatbuilding, especially whaleboats.
It was in this context that the idea was born: to offer the world a unique way of experiencing the past, aiming to promote and share the culture and history of whaling through whaleboat tours.
The whaleboat is undeniably one of the most important physical remnants of whaling heritage and culture — and now you have the opportunity to see and experience it firsthand.
PRICING
-
Adults: €40 per person
-
Children (6–11): €15 per child
-
Infants (0–5): Free
INCLUDES:
-
Tour briefing
-
Boat trip (approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes)
-
Life jacket
-
Personal accident and liability insurance
-
10% discount with our partners
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us:
Email: geral@whailingboattour.com
MEMÓRIA BALEEIRA - BOATS TOURS
STORY
------***------
The Azores and Whaling Heritage
Due to its geographic location, the Azores began receiving whaling fleets from the East Coast of the United States from the late 18th century. These fleets would stop for rest, supplies, and crew recruitment.
The whaling past is now remembered only through the preservation of factories, boathouses, and the celebration of whaleboat regattas. However, for over a century, whaling was a fundamental activity that introduced a new element to the local economy and a new form of sustainability, as before this, the population lived solely off agriculture and fishing.
In the second half of the 19th century, the local community began to embrace this activity by developing a new model of whaleboat, more suited to the navigational conditions of the surrounding seas.
CURIOSITIES
Records show that between 1896 and 1949, approximately 12,000 whales were killed in the Azores — about 60 to 70 whales per year.
The adventure started on land with lookouts scanning for sperm whale spouts. Whenever one was sighted, a rocket was launched. The men, mostly farmers, would run to the boats and head out to sea — sometimes without time to pack a lunch.
A single adult sperm whale could yield 50 to 60 barrels of oil — roughly 9,500 liters.
-
Oil – the main product of the whaling industry
-
Whale meal – used for animal feed and agriculture
-
Ambergris (dark mass) – used mainly by French perfumeries
With the need to safeguard the memories of whaling through the preservation of material heritage, a cultural and heritage preservation movement emerged in 1998. Around 42 whaleboats and 11 launches were restored, with an investment of approximately 4 million euros.
TOURS
The whaleboat tour experience was launched in 2022 by a family long involved in the art of boatbuilding, especially whaleboats.
It was in this context that the idea was born: to offer the world a unique way of experiencing the past, aiming to promote and share the culture and history of whaling through whaleboat tours.
The whaleboat is undeniably one of the most important physical remnants of whaling heritage and culture — and now you have the opportunity to see and experience it firsthand.
PRICING
-
Adults: €40 per person
-
Children (6–11): €15 per child
-
Infants (0–5): Free
INCLUDES:
-
Tour briefing
-
Boat trip (approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes)
-
Life jacket
-
Personal accident and liability insurance
-
10% discount with our partners
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us:
Email: geral@whailingboattour.com
