04/08/2026
Meet Stephenson! This very special guest visits us every year since 2012! We can already say he's one of us.
- What brings you to Pico and to Lajes do Pico? Is it your first time?
The first time I came was in 2012. Which was my 50th birthday present to myself. I was supposed to only do it once. But… I've done it eight times that year. I kept coming back, and I enjoyed spending time with Serge and other members of the team. And some of the team members are the same people, so it’s familiar.
- Have you been WW before? Where? Differences?
I've seen whales in other places, around the UK for example and also in the North Sea but you've got a fairly limited range of species and they are more difficult to see.
Diversity is the main difference, here is a lot better. Also, it's sort of brutally honest, you can't get away from it, the whales are very much in their element and you’ve got to be in it. And I have to say - if I wanted to spend two weeks in Scotland looking at whales, or here, it's cheaper to come here. [laughs] Why would you not do that?
- What was your favorite of the Azorean species?
I always say that I come here to see the Blue whales. When I first came, I made a list and Blue whale was number one, s***m whale was second. And then I had to make another list of five.
- Is there a species that you would like to see here?
The only thing I haven't seen yet is a Right whale and a baby dolphin. And beaked whales like Sowerby’s but for those I would have to come in the summer and then I cannot see the Blue whales. It's a trade-off, huh?
- What were the highlights of the trips for you?
The big group of false orcas and the pygmy s***m whale. A big highlight was when we had really bad weather, torrential rain and the 200 dolphins. It was completely crazy, and it was so elemental. We were kind of part of the pod almost, as they were racing us! The daft thing is that the biggest highlight is a group of common dolphins... [laughs] and you can see common dolphins always, the whole season.
It is a pleasure for our team to have you on board! See you next year! 💙
