The present work is concerned with the optical characterization of an evanescent wave sensor for pH detection. First, the interaction between the solution containing the acid-base indicator and the fiber core was investigated. Then, the acid-base indicator, thymol blue, was covalently immobilized on the core of a 200/380 micrometers fiber by means of a silylation process of the glass surface. The fiber core surface was modified along a section of 8 mm. A comparison was made using both bare and tapered fibers, with a tapering ratio (fiber diameter/waist diameter) of 2.3. An enhancement in sensitivity of a factor 6 was observed with tapered fibers in the 1/2.5 range, and a sensitivity of 0.05 pH units was attained.