The best holidays and scuba diving programs in the Azores Archipelago
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Azores - Dive in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean

Santa Maria Island

  • From

    € 1.799,00 /diver

  • What's the plan?

    8 days program with 5 days diving, 10 dives of your choice, program for 2

  • Base location

    Azores Archipelago, Santa Maria (other locations available)

  • Diving area

    Azores Islands, several spots, from Santa Maria (other sites available)

  • What else do you get?

    Transfer Airport - Place of stay - Airport
    8 days, 7 nights in a hotel at Vila do Porto (room for 2).
    Tanks and weights.

    Topside experiences (tour of the island, others) not included but highly recommended. Please check the itinerary surface interval day)

  • This package includes local support during your stay;
    If you want to add something different or to change the timeline, just talk to us.

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

Diving the Azores from Santa Maria Island, with Vila do Porto as your base, unveils a world of underwater enchantment. Explore vibrant coral reefs, mysterious underwater caves, and encounter a diverse array of marine life, from colorful fish to graceful rays. With expert dive operators and pristine dive sites just moments away, Santa Maria offers a gateway to the Atlantic's hidden depths. Immerse yourself in the beauty and tranquility of these azure waters, where every dive promises thrilling adventures and unforgettable encounters beneath the waves.

Day 1

You will arrive at the Santa Maria International Airport.
From there you'll go to the hotel 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.
You will depart from Santa Maria heading towards a really special experience. Even if you are used to diving in the Atlantic, this will be nothing like what you know.
The diving here is excellent.
At the diving centre, you will be given many dive spot options but we would like to recommend our favourites.
Baixa do Ambrosio is one of them. This reef is one of the most sought-after spots, Although the bottom depth is found at 50mts you can opt to stay on the rope between 2 and 15mts, enough to observe the huge shoals of fish, devil rays, etc. The depth is not a problem as this place is also fantastic for snorkelling,
Our second recommendation is the Blue Cave.
Translated from the Portuguese: "Gruta Azul", this is a beautiful cave you'll see descending, at about 13mts. There are 3 possible entrances to this cave that cross the island from one end to another, but we will say no more and leave you to experience the magic for yourself.

Diving the Azores is diving with sharks, manta-rays, swimming with shoals of different species and even getting to see whales. All this is waiting for you if you choose this incredible visiting and diving trip.

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!

PortugalDive.com

In the Azores Islands, the most iconic offshore dive spots offer the chance to encounter mantas or even spot whale sharks, are accessible from almost all nine islands. However, these spots are farther from the coast, making them pricier and requiring a group of divers for logistics and safety. Yet, the awe-inspiring marine encounters make every effort and expense worthwhile for divers seeking unforgettable underwater experiences.


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 wondering around Vila do Porto 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 Santa Maria's topside as well as you know the island 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.

Santa Maria Island, a hidden gem of the Azores, captivates with its pristine beaches and rich history. From the golden sands of Praia Formosa to the rugged cliffs of Ponta do Castelo, it offers a picturesque setting for exploration. Dive into its azure waters, explore charming villages, and embrace its laid-back atmosphere.

Vila do Porto Marina serves as the gateway to thrilling diving adventures in Santa Maria Island. With its clear blue waters and diverse marine life, it beckons adventurers to explore its depths. From vibrant coral reefs to underwater caves, it offers a mesmerizing underwater playground for divers of all levels.

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.


Our Recommendations


Dive and Travel Insurance
For your dives while in Portugal or for your dive trip, our partner DiveAssure offers the best solutions.

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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. Azores is one of the world's best dive locations best dives in europe best dives in the world sea ocean mantarays manta rays sharks watch whales species of fish schools of fish sting rays best atlantic ocean so close to the united states best destination the best holidays and scuba diving package in Portugal program itinerary itineraries to visit and dive visiting and diving in Europe Portugal stay and have fun and dive scuba the best holidays and scuba diving package program itinerary in Azores itineraries to visit and dive visiting and diving in Azores stay and have fun and dive scuba travel holidays portugal and dive travel holidays portugal and and diving travel azores and dive travel azores and diving travel madeira and dive travel madeira and diving Mother Nature has created a land full of natural beauty, ready to be explored, in the blue immensity of t he Atlantic Ocean: the Azores. To the East, on the island of Santa Maria, the beaches of warm white sand are inviting, and the vineyards covering the slopes like an amphitheatre resemble giant staircases. São Miguel, the largest island, is seductive with its Sete Cidades and Fogo Lagoons. The power that emanates from the earth is felt in the geysers, hot thermal waters and volcanic lakes, as well as in the tasty "Cozido das Furnas" slowly cooked inside the earth. In the Central Group, the islands of Terceira, São Jorge, Pico, Faial and Graciosa are set harmoniously in the deep blue sea, where whales and dolphins can be spotted, to the delight of visitors. On Terceira, the World Heritage town of Angra do Heroísmo, as well as its festivals, is steeped in history. Faial is the cool blue of the hydrangeas, the marina painted colourfully by yachtsmen from all over the world and the extinct Capelinhos volcano, which resembles a lunar landscape. In front is Pico, a mountain that emerges from the sea, with vineyards planted in black lava fields, a unique culture that also has World Heritage status. On São Jorge, the highlights are the Fajãs and the cheese, a unique specialty with an unmistakable flavour. Graciosa, graceful in both name and appearance, is an island of green fields covered with vineyards that contrast with its peculiar windmills. In the Western group, on the island of Flores, the beauty of the natural waterfalls and lakes carved out by volcanoes is dazzling. The tiny island of Corvo has a broad, beautiful crater at its centre, and attracts many species of birds coming from both Europe and America. These are the Azores. Nine islands, nine small worlds that have as many similarities as differences, but where the friendliness of their inhabitants is shared by all. 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