Meet the Team

Miguel Chu

Skipper and Managing Director

His aim is to promote high-quality whale watching based primarily on the welfare of the animals and their environment.

Miguel has worked to ensure Aquaacores provides a recreational and educational experience for clients which motivates them to care about the animals, the sea and to contribute to its conservation.

He wants to bring people together from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds to share in the wonders of the open Atlantic Ocean off the South Coast of Pico where he grew up.

Mario Rui

Skipper and Director

A local biology and geology teacher, Mario was born in Angola and grew up in Pico. He has worked with Aquaacores since the company formation in 1996. Every season you will find him out on the ocean sharing his skills and exceptional knowledge and understanding of the cetaceans in the Azores.

His aim is to continue to educate and inspire people through the fascinating lives of cetaceans and marine wildlife. He is committed to the growth of the research and conservation aspect of the organisation. Mario continues to encourage the local community and region through his work to become involved and have an interest in whale watching and conservation of cetaceans and the sea.

Eduardo Sousa

Skipper

A former local whaler and fisherman Eduardo is an expert mariner with decades of experience and wisdom.

He often thought of ways to leave the whale hunting life of bygone days and was determined to make a positive difference to his own life and the lives of the whales. He took the lessons and experiences from the old whaling activities, together with the voice of his conscience and now works to promote and protect these wonderful mammals.

Paula Cardoso

Bookings and Reservations Co-ordinator

Paula joined the team in 2006, she has a unique sensitivity towards our clients and exceptional local knowledge of the cetaceans.

She is the first port of call in the team, organises and co-ordinates the bookings and reservations and looks after our clients before and after the voyages.

Her aim is to ensure our clients are well looked after and that they enjoy an unforgettable experience out at sea.

Cherylle Millard-Dawe

Project Manager UK/USA Co-ordinator

Skipper, PADI diver, BDMLR Marine Mammal Medic and scientist Cherylle Millard-Dawe has over 18 years experience in business management.

Cherylle combines her passion for Whales, Dolphins and the Ocean with her scientific education in Natural Sciences and Zoology. Together with her commercial business and science experience she supports, develops and actively participates in the conservation of cetaceans and marine conservation.

Cherylle’s love affair with Pico island over the past 5 years has further fuelled her passion and interest in cetaceans and the ocean where she has met many friends which have inspired and encouraged her to become involved in local scientific collaborations.

Cherylle is also an active and dedicated WDCS supporter where she promotes and brings together people and businesses interested in marine and cetacean conservation.

For UK and USA clients contact her to discuss your trips.

Paulo

Vigia – Lookout

A descent of a former local whaler with a passion for the ocean. He combines his hobby of whale watching together with years of experience, he is our indispensable lookout and guide to boats and skippers. Paulo has many stories to tell about the whales and dolphins that he watches for us. He has a unique view into their world through years of experience of observation and understanding their behaviour.

His skilled observations of the Azorean seas are extremely accurate and crucial in finding the location of the animals. We would be lost without him!

Antero

Vigia – Lookout

A former local whaler with years of experience. This early activity marked him so deeply after it ended, he was compelled to reconnect to the whales in a more positive way. His keen observation and interest in the animals is now shared with hundreds of people from all over the world who unite in the awe and wonder of the exceptional variety of cetacean species in the Azores.

Every season we employ multi-lingual 2nd skippers from a wide range of backgrounds who are integral to our team. We welcome and work regularly with teams and associates from educational, creative and scientific backgrounds.