Portugal
Volunteer in Portugal
The Azores are one of Europe's best-kept secrets. Unbeknownst to many (thanks to their location in the middle of the Northern Atlantic Ocean), the Azores lay 1500 kilometres from Portugal's capital of Lisbon. Those that do know of the Azores believe that their charm lies in their ruggedness and rustic charm, and some even refer to the nation as Europe's answer to Hawaii.
Each of the Azores' nine islands have developed at a different speed, yet they are all verdant, peaceful, and diverse. As well as being extremely beautiful, the Azores are known for their impressive volcanic landscapes, their mossy-green terrains, and an incredible azure sea awash with currents and a wealth of marine life. By volunteering here, you will surely become acquainted with the creatures which make this destination so mesmerising.
As a volunteer in Portugal (or, more specifically, the Azores) you will have the opportunity to assist in the island's whale conservation and dolphin conservation initiatives. You will get the chance to experience field research and to observe whales and dolphins in their natural realm, whilst learning about whale biology, marine conservation, species identification and photo-ID and behavioural data collection techniques. Joining a wildlife conservation project in Portugal could be one of the most rewarding things that you ever choose to do, so what are you waiting for? Visit the Azores and volunteer in Portugal today!
Projects Do More
6 - 55 Nights from $869.00
Help to assist a team of marine biologists in important whale and dolphin conservation.
View projectOn the Blog
Wildlife
The main wildlife focus for these small islands just off of the coast of Portugal is marine life. The waters around the Azores are brimming with different aquatic animals and this is one of the best places in the entire world to see a lot of different marine life in one location. When you volunteer in Portgual, some of the animals you can see include:
- Sperm Whales
- Northern Bottlenose Whales
- Orca Whales
- Sharks
- Dolphins
- Swordfish
There are no endemic species on the islands of the Azores themselves, but due to it being a stopover point for many birds on their migration between North America and Europe, there is often a wide variety of bird species located on the island. Whether on land or at sea, you are sure to see some beautiful wildlife species here - what better reason is there to join a wildlife volunteer project in Portugal!
Culture
As you can probably guess, the culture in the Azores is heavily and almost entirely influenced by the original settlers who came over to the islands from Portugal back in 1493. These days, the Azores are something of a serene paradise, and you can certainly look forward to relaxing on the islands. To make the most of your volunteer holiday in Portugal, you may want to consider the following:
- Learn a little about the history of the islands to impress your hosts!
- Appreciate that the islanders enjoy life at a slower pace than mainland Portugal and Europe, so be prepared to wait around!
- Enjoy the local music, something which the natives here are very proud of. If you can sing or dance, you could well be expected to show off your skills at some point!
There's so much to love about Portugal's culture, from the laid-back Azorean way of life to staple fixtures of cuisine, such as seafood and wine. Dive in and make the most of your time spent volunteering in Portugal!
Popular Destinations
While your time spent volunteering on a wildlife project in Portugal is bound to be exciting, you may want to take some time getting to know some of the other famous areas of the Azores. Some of our top suggestions can be seen below:
- Santa Maria – on this island you can climb up Pico Alto, and once you reach the 590m hill you will have an amazing view across the entire island.
- The Local Church for the Holy Ghost Festival – one member of the public is chosen to become Emperor or Empress for the day!
- Sao Miguel Golf Course – if you are keen to play a round or two of golf, you won’t get a much more picturesque setting than this!
No matter how you choose to spend your time, volunteering on a project in Portugal promises to be a rewarding and worthwhile experience for any adventurer. Grab your camera and set off on your volunteer holiday today!
