The best holidays and scuba diving programs in the Azores Archipelago
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Azores - Dive in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean
Pico Island
Diving The Azores
Dive into the extraordinary underwater world of the Azores Archipelago. Explore breathtaking dive sites, from vibrant reefs to stunning volcanic formations. Immerse yourself in crystal-clear waters teeming with diverse marine life, including dolphins, whales, and unique species. Discover the best scuba diving experiences on islands like Faial, Pico, São Miguel, Santa Maria, Terceira, and Flores. With certified dive centres, professional guides, and unforgettable underwater adventures, the Azores is a premier destination for scuba diving enthusiasts. Plan your extraordinary diving journey in the Azores Archipelago today.
The package
The Island of Pico, with an area of 448 km2, is the second largest in the Azores and home to Portugal's highest mountain, also called Pico, at 2,351m above sea level. Often referred to as the Mountain Island, Pico forms one of the points of the so-called "triangle islands" being the most southerly of the central group of the archipelago. Diving off the coast of Pico Island means discovering a fascinating underwater landscape characterized by lava formations and complex canyons. Probably the best place in the world to dive with blue sharks! The islands of Pico and Faial are both ideal locations for diving at the Princesa Alice offshore spot, one of the most iconic offshore diving spots in the archipelago!
Day 1
You will arrive at the Pico Airport.
From there you'll go to the hotel or apartment that will be your base camp for the next eight days.
You are here because you chose to dive the Atlantic Ocean in a location most divers consider one of the best in the world.
Days 2 to 6
During these 5 days, the mornings are dedicated to diving.
Diving from Pico Island in the Azores offers a multitude of merits, with one of the most compelling being its unparalleled accessibility to a diverse range of dive spots. By merely crossing the road to the ocean, divers can explore various underwater wonders, including vibrant marine life, fascinating rock formations, and historic shipwrecks.
Parede de São Caetano is one of the most interesting and accessible diving sites the coast Depending on the route chosen, this location is ideal for snorkeling, diving or night diving, as well as technical diving.
Diving with Blue sharks off Pico Island in the Azores offers a unique and exhilarating experience. The merits include crystal-clear waters with excellent visibility, making encounters with these graceful creatures even more breathtaking.
Diving The Princess Alice seamount off Pico Island in the Azores is an extraordinary and world-renowned experience for several compelling reasons. This submerged seamount, rising from the abyssal depths of the Atlantic Ocean, offers a unique and exhilarating dive adventure.
Princess Alice Bank is a marine biodiversity hotspot, attracting diverse pelagic and deep-sea species. Divers can encounter schools of Mobula rays, Devil rays, and other large pelagic fish, creating an awe-inspiring spectacle. The remote location and challenging conditions have preserved the area's marine ecosystems, providing a rare opportunity to witness unspoiled underwater landscapes and thriving coral gardens.
Parede de São Caetano is located on the south coast of the island, with access through the fishing port of the village of São Caetano, diving begins at low depths – 3 meters, on a sand and pebble bottom, but we can quickly reach higher depths, with species typical of these depths. As soon as we started to descend to 15 meters, we can see a large wall that descends to a depth of 60 meters.
It is said that the natural beauty of the Azores makes them the Switzerland of the Atlantic. For us scuba divers, it is even more providing a spectacular diving destination, a mere 2 hours flight from Lisbon!
Day 7
Mother Nature has created a land full of natural beauty, ready to be explored, in the blue immensity of the Atlantic Ocean: the Azores.
After the morning dives and on the non-diving days visiting the city centre and exploring the island is mandatory! And we can recommend several tours of the island and places to visit so that you get to know Pico topside as better as you know underwater by now.
This is just one of the nine Azores' islands, nine small worlds that have as many similarities as differences, but where the friendliness of their inhabitants makes your stay truly special.
While Pico Island is a diver's paradise, its topside beauty beckons all. Visitors can relish stunning vistas from the iconic Mount Pico, explore lush vineyards, and immerse themselves in Azorean culture. Pico offers a harmonious blend of land and sea, making it a rewarding destination for divers and non-divers alike.
Topside experiences not included but highly recommended
Topside experiences (tour of the island, others) are not included. Please ask the PortugalDive.com team for more information and embark on one final memorable day!
Day 8
Time to say goodbye. It's departure day.
If you want us to take you to the airport remember to call your Portugal Dive Buddy.
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Scuba diving in the Azores Archipelago is a truly remarkable experience that attracts divers from around the world. Located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, the Azores offer a unique and diverse underwater ecosystem. Here are some key aspects of scuba diving in the Azores: 1. Marine Biodiversity: The Azores boast an abundance of marine life, including a wide range of fish species, dolphins, whales, sharks, turtles, and various invertebrates. Divers have the opportunity to encounter these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat. 2. Underwater Volcanic Formations: The archipelago is formed by a volcanic hotspot, resulting in spectacular underwater landscapes. Divers can explore breathtaking volcanic formations, lava caves, and submerged cliffs, providing an otherworldly diving experience. 3. Visibility and Water Conditions: The Azores are known for their exceptional visibility, often exceeding 30 meters (100 feet). The clear waters offer excellent conditions for underwater exploration, allowing divers to fully appreciate the stunning underwater scenery. 4. Wreck Diving: The Azores are home to several shipwrecks, providing captivating sites for wreck diving enthusiasts. The wrecks serve as artificial reefs, attracting a diverse array of marine life. 5. Dive Sites: Each island in the Azores Archipelago has its own unique dive sites and characteristics. São Miguel, the largest island, offers a variety of diving opportunities, including underwater caves and lava tubes. Pico Island is known for its volcanic landscapes and encounters with large marine species like manta rays and whale sharks. Faial Island is renowned for its vibrant marine life and encounters with dolphins and whales. Other islands like Terceira and Flores also offer fantastic diving experiences. 6. Dive Centers and Safety: The Azores have well-established dive centers with experienced instructors and guides who prioritize safety. They offer a range of services, including dive trips, equipment rentals, and training courses for divers of all levels of experience. It's worth noting that the water temperature in the Azores can vary throughout the year, ranging from 15°C (59°F) in the winter to 23°C (73°F) in the summer. Therefore, a suitable wetsuit or drysuit should be worn depending on the season. Whether you're an experienced diver or a beginner, scuba diving in the Azores Archipelago provides an unforgettable adventure with its captivating marine life, unique volcanic formations, and stunning underwater landscapes.