Dive trip Faial Island

Stay, Diving holidays in the Azores, in Faial Island

The island of Faial, located in the center of the Azores archipelago, is the third-largest island in terms of population. However, it is very small, with a length of 20 km and a width of 14 km. Its landscapes have been shaped by the volcanic eruption of Capelinhos, whose traces are still visible through surprising underwater architecture and volcanic sandy beaches such as Praia do Norte, Porto Pim, and Praia do Almoxarife. Its main town, Horta, is famous for its colorful marina and has one of the most important cetacean observation centers of the archipelago.

You will discover the same dive sites in Faial as in Pico. Indeed, these two islands share many spots, including the mythical Condor and Princesa Alice, reserved for experienced divers. Boca das Caldeirinhas, Baia Entre Montes, Cahoes de Entre Montes, or Esplamaca Norte will be suitable for beginner divers and snorkelers.

Scuba diving vacations in Faial Island is therefore suitable for families, small groups of friends, beginners, and experienced divers as well as snorkelers. The best time to dive in Faial is from June to September.

Marine species in the area

Dive sites

Diving in Faial allows you to discover sites along the coast, around Monte da Guia, on the west coast, as well as in the channel between the Pico and Faial islands. Sumptuous marine species such as the blue whale, the common whale, the blue shark, and the mako shark can be seen during the months of May and June.

Baía Entre Montes is a shallow, protected dive site, ideal to try scuba diving, for snorkeling and night dives. The exploration takes place along the wall of the imposing Monte da Guia. To be seen: nudibranchs, octopus, moray eels but also stingrays and lizardfish.

Boca das Caldeirinhas is one of the best dive sites in Faïal. Located at the foot of the crater of the volcano of Monte da Guia, this spot is home to a very dense underwater fauna with morays and groupers. Both protected and deep, this site is for all profiles of divers and snorkelers.

Espalamaca Norte, sheltered by the tip of Espalamaca, is ideal for sheltering and diving during days of heavy weather. At 14 meters, the fumaroles escaping from the sandy bottom are a sign of the volcano's activity. To be seen: moray eels and octopus.

Gruta dos Camarões, located on the slope of Monte da Guia, is a deep dive, carried out in a long and narrow cave, at 35 meters deep. The dive takes place along a corridor one meter wide and 25 meters long, ending in a large cave with an air pocket.

Furnas do Monte da Guia allows the visit of two huge caves 50 meters apart. Very beautiful lights inside. Between the two caves is a small steel wreck, 24 meters deep. To see: starfish, nudibranchs, spirographs and narwhal shrimps.

Not far from the bay of Entre Montes, the Radares diving spot is subject to moderate currents. The dive takes place between 12 and 30 meters where you can see morays, peacocks and castagnoles. The sandy area is ideal for finding stingrays and lizardfish. At greater depths, schools of pelagic fish such as barracudas and bass.

10 minutes from the port of Horta is the wreck Pontão 16. It was sunk in 2003 and is located between 21 and 26 meters on the sand, in a fairly sheltered area. Its metal superstructures are covered with sponges and algae. Stingrays, rays and lizardfish are not uncommon. Look also from time to time in the blue, you may see large schools of triggerfish!

For an atypical and historical dive, we recommend Canhões de Entre Montes. Several large cannons and other pieces of artillery worthy of a museum have been found in the Bay of Horta and transported here for the great pleasure of divers. Ideal for photographers who enjoy night diving, this site is also home to moray eels, dolphins, triggerfish, scorpionfish, and sea hares.

Sheltered from winds and currents, Gruta e Ilhéu Negro is ideal for night dives, snorkeling, and diving discovery. To see: nudibranchs, starfish, narwhal shrimps, and apogons.
The shoal of Baixa da Feteira, close to the islets of Feteira is an area from 12 to 32 meters deep. Exposed to the currents, this area is reserved for experienced divers. It is possible to observe bonito, barracudas and if you are lucky, eagle rays!

Scuba diving at Faïal also allows you to explore remote outdoor sites such as the Condor shoal, located 10 nautical miles away, to see blue sharks. It is also possible to go to Princesa Alice Bank where the variety of underwater species is impressive! There are large schools of pelagic fish and sharks.

Others Activities

Faial Island : Dive shops

Diver Norberto
Azores - Horta
French

Diver Norberto is located in Horta, on the island of Faial, Azores. Diver Norberto is open all year round. Each of Diver Norberto's boats is dedicated to a specific activity. Embark daily for trips along the coastline at 3 am, 8.30 am, and 2.30 pm in zodiacs to the 20 dive spots on Faial and Pico. The protected marine reserve of Monte da Guia is located 10 minutes from the center. Take advantage of your diving holiday in the Azores to do some snorkeling or a first dive as the trips are open to all. Take the opportunity to observe the fauna of the Azores with triggerfish, large brown groupers, parrotfish, octopus, moray eels, and nudibranchs. Zodiacs are also used for diving at Princess Alice (cheaper but... less comfortable!). Diving holidays in the Azores are also dedicated to whale watching. You can also go on a day trip aboard the 12-meter catamaran from 9 am to 4 pm, for beautiful encounters with sperm whales and dolphins, which are present all year round. From July to September, go and observe blue whales and fin whales during their migrations. A great day out starts at 7.30 am and lasts until 7 pm, when you head to the Princess Alice Bank from July to September. Jump into the water for spectacular dives with blue sharks (Prionace glauca). Instructors and divers stay drifting at a depth of 10 meters, where the chum's fumes diffuse out of the box near the boat. A lifeline is attached to the boat if the current is strong, to assist less experienced divers. You must be a certified diver with a minimum of 30 dives, have an established medical, a pre-dive check and sign a risk acceptance document. Snorkeling is possible. [+]

Whale Watching
Dolphin watching
Sharks watching

From 40,00 €

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Haliotis Faial
Azores - Horta
French

Haliotis Dive Center is located at the Faial Resort Hotel on the island of Faial, Azores. Open from March to November, you have access to showers and changing rooms, an equipment store, a small classroom, and an inflation station. The Haliotis Faial diving school offers PADI courses with Bubblemaker children's diving, Discover Scuba Diver baptisms, and specialties to improve in Digital Underwater Photographer or Aware fish Identification. Go diving onboard Haliotis Faial's semi-rigid boat, The Lioti, 12 meters long, equipped with two 300 HP Yamaha outboard motors. Benches allow divers to sit down during the sea crossing. The access ladder makes it easy and comfortable for them to enter and exit the water. Safety on board is ensured by the presence of an oxygen kit and first aid equipment. A depth sounder allows you to locate the diving spots of Faial, located offshore. You will quickly reach the best dive sites in the Azores, Princess Alice, and Condor. Dives in the narrow channel, 8.3 km wide, between Faial and Pico, are very popular. The climate and ocean currents in the Azores offer unique diving conditions in Faial. Have great encounters with the blue shark (Prionace Glauca) which is the big star in Faial. The diving center Haliotis Faial has even adopted it as its mascot! You can meet it in the open sea but also sometimes in the coastal areas. These sharks seem to become more numerous in Faial as soon as the water temperature varies between 13 and 18°C. Haliotis Faial's instructors will take you to observe these animals with tapered bodies and long and conical snouts, some of them reaching a length of 4 meters and a weight of 205 kg. Be careful, you may have to wait a long time in the water before you can see their big round eyes! [+]