Diving | Guide to The Azores

Coastal Diving

Norberto Serpa — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 07:50:03 +0000

The Azores are undoubtedly one of the best diving destinations in the Atlantic. Our diving season runs from April to October. Our dive sites are very diverse and can cater for all preferences and levels of experience, with more than 20 dive sites between the islands of Faial and Pico.

The most common dive sites are in the “Monte da Guia” marine reserve on the island of Faial. To get to the dive site we always use a semi-rigid boat, as it’s approximately 5 minutes from our base. The temperature of our waters varies between 20-24ºC in the summer months, so a 5mm or 7mm wetsuit is usually enough.

The marine life on the islands of Faial and Pico is fantastic! You’ll have the chance to spot curious hogfish (Balistes carolinensis), groupers (Epinephelus marginatus), seals (Sparisoma cretense), octopuses and moray eels among the rocks, as well as small species such as colourful nudibranchs, among others.

If you don’t have a diving certificate, we also offer snorkelling trips at the dive sites, or a diving baptism, where you are always accompanied by a qualified instructor who will take care of you underwater.

Princess Alice Bank (Diving with Mantas)

Norberto Serpa — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 08:48:27 +0000

Diving with Mantas (Mobula tarapacana) is classed as one of the best dives in the Azores. It is located on an underwater bank called “Princesa Alice”, about 45 nautical miles south of Faial Island, at a depth of 35 metres. In this experience, you’ll have the chance to dive into the heart of the ocean with these majestic animals. Occasionally, you’ll also have the chance to see Tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis), Barracudas (Sphyraena viridensis) and Lilies (Seriola rivoliana).

These trips take place from July to September, usually from 7.30 to 19.00. It takes 3 hours each way, after arriving we do the first dive, return to the boat for an hour’s break while we have a light snack and then do the second dive.

What’s more, this is a great opportunity for those who don’t have a diving certificate, as they can go snorkelling as the mantas and other pelagics come closer to the surface.

If you want to do this dive, we advise you to have several days available, because this activity is only confirmed one or two days in advance, as we are always dependent on the weather conditions and the minimum number of clients required.

Our aim is to promote the safety and sustainability of this activity, so for this reason you will have to follow some rules and a code of conduct about manta diving in the Azores:

1 – Check the validity of your diving certificate, medical examination and the number of dives you have logged.

2 – You must do a “check dive” before diving with sharks. This is a normal coastal dive with the aim of checking the diver’s experience and comfort in the water.

3 – Follow all of the dive master’s instructions during the activity.

Diving with sharks

Norberto Serpa — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 08:14:46 +0000

Join us on this most exciting excursion! These trips take place from July to September, and we go to the dive site in semi-rigid boats, so it’s a half-day trip. On this trip, you’ll have the opportunity to see one of the fastest fish in the ocean, the blue shark (Prionace glauca). It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, where you have the chance to be in the world of this incredible predator.

This dive is not considered a deep dive. The divers will stay between the surface and 10 metres deep, where the bait box is placed. The boat will be drifting and the divers and snorkellers will be close to the boat. There will be a safety cable tied to the boat in case there is a strong current and for less experienced divers.

If you want to do this dive, we advise you to have several days available, as this activity is only confirmed one or two days in advance, as we are always dependent on the weather conditions and the minimum number of clients required.

Our aim is to promote the safety and sustainability of this activity, so you should follow some rules and a code of conduct when diving with sharks in the Azores:

1.- Checking the validity of your diving certificate, medical examination and number of dives logged.

2 – This activity requires a “check dive” before diving with sharks. This is a normal coastal dive with the aim of checking the diver’s experience and comfort in the water.

Filling in a Risk Assumption document is required