Espaço Talassa

What Espaço Talassa does

Espaço Talassa – Exploração Turística Marítima, Lda. is a Portuguese eco-tourism operator headquartered in Lajes do Pico, Azores, founded in 1989 by Serge Viallelle and Alexandra Teles two years after the last sperm whale hunt in the region. The company runs a vertically integrated tourism platform anchored by responsible whale and dolphin watching excursions (3-hour trips at 9AM and 2PM, 12-24 passengers per semi-rigid vessel, 99% sighting success), supported by four accommodation properties (Whale'come ao Pico Hotel, Casa do Flores, Casa do Français, O Atelier), the Whale'come Bistrot restaurant, and ancillary outdoor activities (Pico Mountain climb, volcano/lake tours, bird watching, wine tours). Distribution is omnichannel: direct via website, phone, WhatsApp, and email; through Viator and GetYourGuide; and through channel partnerships with Azores Experience and Picaroto Tours for multi-island packages.

Underlying technology is operationally distinctive rather than digital: a unique land-based Vigia da Queimada lookout system directing boats in real time, hydrophone-equipped vessels, and a photo-ID database built on the pioneering 1987 IFAW methodology with continuous sighting records since 1994 covering 28 of 29 Azorean cetacean species. The company is also a research and education node through its BOCA center (opened 1995), free daily 6PM talks, and a public Photo-ID catalogue that invites guest and researcher contributions. Espaço Talassa is privately held, family-owned (Viallelle/Teles), bootstrapped, and operates seasonally from mid-March to late October with a 17-person multicultural team.

The business model is asset-light services revenue layered across transactions (per-trip whale watching from €49, à la carte outdoor activities) and longer-duration packages (€538-€699 per person for week-long bundles including multiple excursions, accommodation, transfers, and talks). Pricing is published in euros, with group discounts at 4+ seats and single supplements on packages. Customer segments are dominated by international eco-tourists, with secondary segments in marine researchers, professional photographers/filmmakers, and active nature enthusiasts; a symbolic €39 "Solidariedade" rate serves local students and vulnerable residents. The company co-developed the foundational Azorean whale watching regulation (Regional Decree 9/99/A) and holds whale watching (07/2008) and travel agency (RNAVT 6541) licenses, giving it both regulatory standing and a defensible brand position as the first and most data-rich whale watching operator in the Azores.

Name

Espaço Talassa

Legal name

Espaço Talassa – Exploração Turítima Marítima, Lda.

Website

https://espacotalassa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Espaço Talassa is a Portuguese eco-tourism operator in the Azores, founded 1989, offering whale watching excursions, four accommodations, a restaurant, and outdoor activities. It serves international eco-tourists, researchers, and photographers from a base in Lajes do Pico, leveraging 30+ years of sighting data.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Whale Watching and Marine Eco-Tourism

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (487210), Tour Operators (56152)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Whale Watching & Marine Mammal Tours (THAAAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sightseeing & Scenic Boat Tours (Harbor, Sunset, Dolphin/Whale Watching) (THAJAJAA), Wildlife Watching & Encounters (Birding, Whale Watching, Primates) (THAJAIAC), Marine Wildlife & Coastal Nature Tours (Whale/Dolphin Watching, Sea Kayaking) (THAAAEAD), Island, Beach & Resort Travel Agencies (THAKAFAL)

Keywords

• Whale watching tours
• Marine eco-tourism
• Cetacean observation
• Azores wildlife excursions
• Responsible whale watching

Headquarters

HQ city

Lajes do Pico

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Whale Watching Excursions: Core revenue stream from daily whale and dolphin watching trips departing at 9AM and 2PM. Individual trips priced from €49 per person, with group discounts for 4+ bookings. Duration approximately 3 hours.
2. Accommodation Services: Four accommodations offered: Whale'come ao Pico Hotel (2-star), Casa do Flores guesthouse, Casa do Francês, and O Atelier. Room rates from €35-€77 per night with breakfast included at hotel.
3. Whale'come Bistrot Restaurant: On-site restaurant open 11:00-00:00 serving local Azorean cuisine. Revenue from food and beverage sales including local fish, meat dishes, and Pico wines.
4. Multi-Day Packages: Week-long packages combining accommodation, multiple sea excursions, transfers, and activities. Whale Week Package from €569, Blue Whale Package from €699, Trek and Whale Watching from €538, and 2-Island package from €539.
5. Private Charters: Private exclusive boat charters for groups, families, and couples seeking personalized whale watching experiences. Semi-rigid vessel accommodates up to 12 guests with dedicated biologist and skipper.
6. Outdoor Activities: Additional activities including Pico Mountain climbing (€75), volcano/lake tours (€39), bird watching (€59), and wine/vineyard tours (€75).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Espaço Talassa operates daily whale and dolphin watching excursions from its base in Lajes do Pico, Azores, complemented by four accommodation properties, a slow-food restaurant, outdoor adventure activities, and a research/education division. The company coordinates its operations through the Vigia da Queimada observation post with professional lookouts directing boat encounters. Core revenue is generated through per-person excursion fees, multi-day package bookings, accommodation rentals, restaurant sales, and supplementary outdoor activities.

Product overview

Espaço Talassa operates an integrated eco-tourism platform centered on responsible whale and dolphin watching from Lajes do Pico, Azores. The core offering comprises multiple whale watching excursion products (individual 3-hour trips, multi-day packages, and dual-island packages) supported by outdoor adventure activities (bird watching, mountain climbing, wine tours, volcanic crater exploration). Accommodation is provided through four distinct properties (Whale'come ao Pico hotel, O Atelier, Casa do Francês, Casa do Flores), with dining services via the Whale'come Bistrot restaurant. The company maintains a research and education division offering free daily talks, a collaborative photo-identification catalogue, and publicly-accessible sighting statistics. Founded in 1989, the operation is distinguished by its Vigia da Queimada observation post, in-house marine biologists, and conservation-focused solidary tourism initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Whale'come ao Pico: A 2-star hotel located beside Espaço Talassa's whale watching base in Lajes do Pico, offering accommodation with breakfast and access to the Whale'come Bistrot restaurant.
• Whale'come Bistrot
• BOCA

Products and services

• Whale & Dolphin Watching - The Whales and Dolphins of Queimada
• Whale Watching Week Package - Dolphins, Whales & Men 8-day/7-night whale watching package based in Lajes do Pico with five sea excursions, accommodation at Whale'come ao Pico hotel, airport transfers, and free access to BOCA services and Whalers Museum. Designed for international travelers seeking an immersive multi-day Azores whale watching experience. Priced from €569 per person with single supplement and triple reduction options.
• Blue Whale Week Package (2027) - Tailing the Great Whales 7-night conservation-focused package combining daily whale watching with cultural discovery and cetacean science sessions, with special focus on blue whale observation during spring migration (March-April 2027). Requires minimum 10 participants. Includes 5 sea trips, accommodation at Whale'come ao Pico, and insurance. Priced from €699 per person for single occupancy.
• Whale Week Package on 2 Islands - Azores, Land of Whales 8-day dual-island package exploring Faial and Pico with four whale watching excursions (two with Azores Experience in Horta, two with Espaço Talassa in Pico), 3 nights accommodation in Horta and 4 nights in Lajes do Pico. Designed for travelers seeking a comprehensive Azores whale watching experience across multiple islands.
• Trek and Whale Watching Package - Walks, Talks & Whales 8-day/7-night package combining hiking, whale watching, and cultural discovery with two 3-hour sea excursions, three non-guided hikes through varied Pico landscapes, and evening educational talks on marine mammals and photography. Priced from €538 per person with single supplement €230. Designed for active travelers seeking to combine outdoor adventure with marine wildlife observation.
• Full-day São Jorge Island Trip - The Azorean Biodiversity Full-day biodiversity excursion departing Fridays at 9 AM, including whale watching along Pico's south coast, ferry crossing to São Jorge Island, lunch in Calheta, and land observation to Ilhéu do Topo. Priced from €119 per person. Minimum 10 participants required. Designed for visitors seeking to experience multiple Azorean islands and biodiversity in a single day.
• Birds of Pico Bird Watching Half-day bird watching excursion departing at 8:30 AM from Lajes lava platform through Caveiro Natural Reserve, observing Common Terns, Roseate Terns, Grey Herons, Little Egrets, and Azorean subspecies including Atlantic Canaries and Goldcrests. Priced at €59 per person, maximum 8 participants, transport included. Designed for birding enthusiasts and nature travelers.
• Volcanoes, Lakes and Endemic Vegetation Tour Half-day crater descent adventure including Purgatório Lagoon, walks around Caiado and Seca lagoons, and ascent to Cabeço da Cruz for panoramic views. Medium difficulty, minimum 3 participants. Priced at €39 per person. Designed for active travelers interested in Azorean geology, volcanic landscapes, and endemic flora.
• Climb Pico Mountain Full-day mountain ascent of Portugal's highest peak (2,351m) departing at 7 AM with approximately 8 hours total duration, 1,100m elevation gain over 4km volcanic terrain. Priced at €75 per person, mountain tax included, picnic available for €10. Available May-September. Not suitable for people with heart conditions or knee problems. Designed for adventure travelers and mountaineers.
• Wine & Vines Tour - Entre Pedras Private wine tourism experience visiting UNESCO World Heritage Criação Velha vineyards, Museu do Vinho do Pico, historic Lajido village, and guided tasting of 3 premium Entre Pedras wines. Led by wine tourism specialist Daniel Ferro. Group size 1-4 guests. Designed for oenophiles and cultural travelers interested in Pico's UNESCO-listed viticulture heritage.
• Whale'come ao Pico Hotel 2-star hotel in Lajes do Pico center adjacent to whale watching base and Whalers Museum, featuring rooms with private bathroom, TV, Wi-Fi, and Atlantic/Pico mountain views. Includes breakfast and on-site bar/restaurant open March-November. Double room from €41-€57, family room from €68-€72. Designed for tourists seeking central accommodation near the whale watching operation.
• Casa do Flores Guesthouse Guesthouse above Lajes do Pico village, 200m from whale watching base, featuring rooms with private bathrooms, panoramic garden, solar-heated water, and outdoor kitchen. Most rooms face the sea and Pico mountain. Breakfast included at Whale'come ao Pico Hotel. Single room from €35-€42, double from €50, triple from €52-€59, quad from €70-€77. Designed for travelers seeking quiet, garden-view accommodation.
• Casa do Francês Accommodation Traditional Pico house formerly belonging to founders Alexandra Teles and Serge Viallelle, sleeping up to 6 guests with double room, bunk room, mezzanine with two singles, two bathrooms, kitchen, and living/dining area. Located 50m from Whalers Museum with Atlantic and Pico summit views. 1-2 persons €75, 3-4 persons €95, 5-6 persons €125. Designed for families and small groups.
• O Atelier Accommodation Traditional Pico house featuring two rooms (one double, one twin) sharing a bathroom and small terrace, located 50 meters from whale watching base. Breakfast included at Whale'come ao Pico Hotel. Designed for couples or small families seeking authentic traditional accommodation near the whale watching operation.
• Whale'come Bistrot Restaurant Slow food restaurant in Lajes do Pico open daily 11:00-24:00 featuring locally-sourced Azorean cuisine including Pico-style Octopus, grilled tuna, Azorean beef dishes, and regional wines. Lunch 12:00-16:00, dinner 18:30-22:00. Designed for hotel guests, excursion participants, and walk-in diners seeking authentic Azorean cuisine.
• Educational Talks Program Free weekday evening presentations at 6 PM covering marine topics including sea turtles, marine birds, cetacean biology, whale photography slideshows, and photo-identification research projects. Designed for visitors, researchers, and community members interested in marine conservation education.
• Photo ID Catalogue Service Collaborative photographic databank of individually identified cetaceans, enabling visitors, whale watchers, students, and researchers to upload, share, and cross-reference images with existing identification catalogues dating back to 1987 (based on the IFAW catalogue by Dr. Jonathan Gordon and Dr. Lisa Steiner). Cross-referenced with the pioneering IFAW catalogue. Designed for scientists, photographers, and citizen scientists contributing to cetacean research.
• Sightings & Statistics Service Cetacean sighting records from Pico Island spanning 1994-present, featuring interactive seasonal heatmaps, departure success rates, species abundance rankings, and species trend analytics across 29 officially recorded Azorean cetacean species. Designed for researchers, media, and visitors seeking comprehensive whale watching data.
• Private Charters Private exclusive boat charters for groups, families, and couples seeking personalized whale watching experiences. Semi-rigid vessel accommodates up to 12 guests with dedicated biologist and skipper. Pricing available on request. Designed for private groups seeking exclusive whale watching experiences.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% cetacean sighting success rate across excursions
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Azores ExperiencecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership for Faial-based whale watching excursions. Azores Experience operates boat trips in Horta, Faial, which are included in Espaço Talassa's 2-island package tours, providing complementary services for multi-destination travelers.
• Picaroto Tours (Daniel Ferro)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDaniel Ferro, wine tourism specialist and Entre Pedras collaborator, leads Wine & Vines Tour on Pico Island. Private tour visits UNESCO vineyards, Museu do Vinho do Pico, and includes guided tasting of 3 premium Entre Pedras wines.
• QuercusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental association collaboration for tree planting and CO₂ compensation. Approximately €0.50 per guest donated to 'micro-reserve' project planting 'Cabeço Santo' in Caramulo mountain range to compensate ecological footprint from whale watching activity.
• University of the AzorescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 1992, collaboration with University of the Azores and Regional Government to develop whale-watching regulations. Contributed to Regional Decree 9/99/A establishing responsible whale watching framework in the Azores.
• IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhoto-ID work based on pioneering catalogue created in 1987 by IFAW, Dr. Jonathan Gordon, and Dr. Lisa Steiner. Their contributions continue to guide photo-identification efforts across the Atlantic.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Azores Experience: Faial-based whale watching partner already collaborating with Espaço Talassa on 2-island packages. Direct competitor offering the same core whale watching product from a neighboring island, targeting overlapping international tourist segments.
• Moby Dick Tours: São Miguel-based whale watching operator serving the same Azores tourism market with comparable excursion formats. A direct competitor within the broader Azores whale watching category, though from a different home island.
• Picos de Aventura: Pico Island-based adventure and whale watching operator offering similar excursions, mountain climbing, and outdoor activities. Closest direct geographic competitor with comparable product mix and overlapping customer segments.
• Futurismo Azores Adventures: Major Azores-based tour operator offering whale watching, dolphin watching, and outdoor activities across multiple islands. Directly competes with Espaço Talassa in the same product category and target customer base, although operating more diversified tours from São Miguel.
• Terra Azul: Azores whale and dolphin watching operator with a similar responsible-tourism positioning, comparable boat-based excursion model, and overlapping customer profile of international eco-tourists visiting the archipelago.
• Azores Whale Watching (CATL): Terceira Island-based whale and dolphin watching operator with comparable educational and conservation messaging, targeting the same international tourist demographic visiting the Azores.

Emerging players

• Whale Watch Kaikoura: New Zealand-based pioneer of commercial whale watching with similar small-boat, science-led, conservation-focused model. Comparable in scale, ethos, and product structure to Espaço Talassa, serving international tourists seeking authentic cetacean encounters.
• Hervey Bay Whale Watch: Australian whale watching operator with comparable small-vessel, naturalist-led format and similar focus on responsible humpback whale observation. Analogous business model in a different hemisphere.
• Hawaii Ocean Rafting: Small-boat ocean wildlife tour operator with a similar small-group, naturalist-led, conservation-oriented model. Operates in a different geography but comparable scale, customer segment, and premium pricing approach.

Others

• Atlantic Whale & Dolphin Trust (AWdT): UK-based cetacean research and conservation charity. Comparable in research output and photo-ID catalog methodology, and a peer in the broader cetacean-science ecosystem rather than a direct tourism competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/285244311547
• Instagraminstagram.com/espacotalassa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/espa%C3%A7o-talassa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Espaço Talassa