Whale Watching & Pineapple Picking: Unique Experiences in The Azores

When I think back to my trip to The Azores, two unique experiences live rent free in my head—our whale-watching boat excursion and our local pineapple plantation visit in Ponta Delgada.

Up close with dolphins

The boat excursion was my first highlight of the trip. We were cruising along the deep blue Atlantic when suddenly, dolphins started appearing out of nowhere. First there were a few, then dozens. Before we knew it, we were completely surrounded, easily over twenty of them gliding on either side of the boat, some with tiny calves keeping up beside their mothers. They were leaping out of the water, doing spins and backflips like they were putting on a show just for us.

The sunlight caught the spray as they jumped, and for a second, it honestly felt like a scene straight out of a nature documentary. It was the kind where you half expect a cinematic soundtrack to start playing and was one of those surreal, heart-thumping moments where you just stand there grinning, thinking, “there’s no way this is real life.”

Bring on the whales

Then it was whale-watching time. At first, our guide pointed out these smooth, glassy circles on the surface, which are the “footprints” left behind as the whale moved just below. Everyone went quiet, scanning the water, waiting.

Then suddenly, a huge misty spray shot up from the ocean. The blowhole! A few seconds later, the whale’s dark fin broke through the surface, slow and graceful, like something straight out of a dream. It was one of those moments where time just kind of stopped.

The ocean was completely calm except for the ripples around this massive, gentle creature, and all I could think was, “I’m actually here, seeing this.” It was pure magic and the kind of memory that replays in your mind every time you need a reminder of how incredible our planet really is.

On the way back to harbor, we cruised along the coast of São Miguel, and the views were just breathtaking—the green, lush cliffs, the little hidden coves, the dramatic coastline. The whole experience was this crazy mix of adrenaline, awe, and pure joy with the added bonus of seeing wildlife up close in their natural habitat. I couldn’t stop grinning for days after.

Spending time with local pineapple farmers

Another highlight of the trip was our visit to a pineapple plantation in Ponta Delgada. There was this moment when I stepped into one of the greenhouses, and the warm, misty air instantly hit me. The light was soft and golden, filtering through the glass, and there were rows and rows of pineapples stretching out in every direction. I remember just stopping and thinking, is this real life?

It felt like I’d wandered onto a movie set with perfectly positioned pineapples instead of a working plantation. The air smelled sweet and earthy and when the guide said that they use smoke to trick the plants into flowering and each pineapple takes about two years to grow, it really hit me how much time and care goes into each one.

The guide then explained how they reuse materials and keep everything super sustainable, from composting the leaves to conserving water. It’s this mix of tradition and respect for nature that makes the place feel really genuine and local.

Unreal pineapple tasting

Then it was time to test the pineapple. I thought I knew what it tasted like, but the one they served us was on another level—sweet, juicy, and almost floral. It melted in my mouth. Then they brought out these bolos lêvedos sandwiches with ham, cheese, and a slice of pineapple inside. The mix of the warm, slightly sweet bread, the salty ham, the gooey cheese, and the fresh pineapple was unreal. Everyone at the table just kind of looked at each other with the same “wow” expression. It’s one of those moments I still think about to this day.

By the end, I was so hooked that I bought pineapple jam and a tiny bottle of their liqueur just to hold onto that feeling a little longer. The whole experience wasn’t just a tour and a tasting, it’s like stepping into this slower, more intentional way of life.

If you go to São Miguel and skip any of these experiences, you’re missing some of the most unique parts of the island. Trust me, you’ll be happy you booked it the second you see that first whale or take that first bite of fresh pineapple.