Fábrica da Baleia de Porto Pim

About the museum

Construction of the Fábrica da Baleia de Porto Pim began in 1941, and it started experimental operation the following year. It belonged to SIMAL – Sociedade Industrial Marítima Açoreana, founded in 1939 to make full use of the whale and other marine species. During the roughly thirty years of operation, 1,940 sperm whales were processed, yielding 44,000 drums of oil. In 1974, in line with the global decline of the whaling industry, the factory closed.

In 1980 the Regional Government of the Azores acquired the complex, which was classified as a property of public interest in 1984. After almost two decades of decay, it was restored, and the Centro do Mar opened in 2000 as a museum unit for cultural and scientific outreach. Since 2004 it has been the seat of the Observatório do Mar dos Açores (OMA), which runs it. In 2010 it was integrated into the Monte da Guia complex of the Faial Island Natural Park.

The permanent exhibition preserves almost all of the original machinery and follows the complete processing of the sperm whale through to its commercial by-products: blubber oil and meal made from meat, bone and blood. It is complemented by the collection of the former Faial whaling stations, Reis & Martins, Lda., which includes whaleboats, launches, tools and the documentary archive. The skeleton of a female sperm whale, about 10 m long, is displayed in one of the rooms.

Highlights

• Original machinery for the full processing of the sperm whale
• Skeleton of a female sperm whale, about 10 m long
• Collection from the former Faial whaling stations, with whaleboats and launches
• Sala dos Óleos, where oil was stored in underground tanks
• Themed shop and guided tours run by the Observatório do Mar dos Açores

Permanent exhibition

• Exposição permanente da Fábrica da Baleia – A route through the processing of the sperm whale with the original machinery, complemented by the collection from the Faial whaling stations.

Founded

2000

Operated by

Observatório do Mar dos Açores (OMA)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free for residents of Faial and for children up to 10 years old.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The Observatório do Mar dos Açores offers an educational programme for schools; children up to age 10 enter free and there is a family ticket.

Getting there & parking

From the Jardim da Praça do Infante, opposite the Marina da Horta, head south along the cobbled path towards Porto Pim beach. After passing the Hotel Canal, turn left at the junction and follow the road for about 600 m to the car park; from there turn right towards the beach.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The Loja da Fábrica sells themed products related to the whaling heritage and the sea of the Azores, such as posters, books, prints, puzzles and T-shirts. The Sala dos Óleos serves as a multipurpose room.

Events & venue rental

The Sala dos Óleos, attached to the main building, serves as a multipurpose room.

Plan your visit