Scuba diving Azores

The Mantamaria diving school is located in the marina of Vila do Porto, along the mooring pontoon, on Santa Maria Island, Azores. The transport of divers and equipment is done with one of the 2 vans of Mantamaria. In the morning, board one of the 3 dive boats, the Tornado, a semi-rigid boat of 7.10 m long, the Badejo of 8 m, or the Rilusa of 7.10 m to the most beautiful spot of the Azores, the Fomigas which is a natural reserve or the Dollabarat bank. Mantamaria Dive Center favors these trips to Formigas and Dollabarat, northeast of Santa Maria, because some divers praise this Santa Maria dive site as one of the best dive sites in Europe. You will see large manta rays underwater and whale sharks, locally called pintado, on the surface. Admire also the coastline of Santa Maria by snorkeling from the boat of Mantamaria with very nice views on bays, coves, and inlets at the bottom of which nestle beaches of clear sand unique to the Azores. The bay of São Lourenço, Praia Formosa, and beautiful quiet bays like natural pools allow you to follow a PADI beginner's course at the Mantamaria diving school such as a baptism, a scuba diver, or an open water diver. In Santa Maria, you can enjoy crystal clear water and visibility up to 40 meters. The ideal time to dive in this area is from June to September, as the air and water temperatures vary between 26 and 22ºC and there is only light rainfall. [+]

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. [+]

Azores Sub diving school is located on the south coast of the island of Sao Miguel, Azores, in the marina of Vila Franca do Campo. Azores Sub is open all year round, with daily boat trips at 8:30 am and 2:30 pm. Azores Sub offers PADI courses suitable for beginners with the Discover scuba diver program, which includes snorkeling and a first dive to discover the rich underwater world of Sao Miguel Island. These dives prove to be a unique experience. For the more experienced divers, specialty courses are organized with dry suit diving, Drysuit Diver, or nitrox courses. At Azores Sub Diving Center, the snorkeling and freediving courses are supervised by a certified instructor so that these experiences are unforgettable and done with maximum safety. Participate with Azores Sub Diving center in the sea trips to the most beautiful dive sites of the Azores, the Formigas and Dollabarat reefs. The passage of pelagics such as manta rays and sharks will enchant you if you are patient in the water. The underwater landscapes around Sao Miguel are shaped by volcanic lava with natural arches, passages, caves, and drop-offs. You'll even dive in hydrothermal hot springs! Also, explore the wrecks dotting the areas where ships once anchored off Vila Franca do Campo. You will discover many anchors dating from the 16th century in the middle of schools of yellowmouth barracudas and yellowtail (Seriola rivoliana). In the crevices, find beautiful morays and huge groupers in the beam of your lamp. Diving and snorkeling are relaxing and invigorating activities that everyone can enjoy in the waters of the Azores due to a water temperature ranging from 16°C to 24ºC and visibility up to 30 meters. [+]

Best Spot Azores Dive Centre is located in Ponta Delgada, on the island of Sao Miguel, Azores. Here you are in a 5 star PADI and AWARE dive center. Nevertheless, PADI training for beginners is in the spotlight with Discover Scuba Diver and Scuba Diver sea baptisms. Choose the 10-dive package with or without equipment rental, if you want to have time to observe pelagic animals. On Best Spot Azores Diving center boats, you have access to around 50 dive sites around Faial Island. Some of the Best Spot Azores dive guides are biologists who give you an educational introduction to the marine life of the Azores. Experienced, they guide you in a calm, relaxed and safe manner. During your diving holiday in the Azores, go on long trips out to sea to observe the passage of rays, tuna, and kingfish in the blue. Take advantage of a diving holiday on Sao Miguel Island to go on snorkeling trips with family and friends, with insurance and equipment included. Best Spot Azores guides explain how to use the equipment, fins, mask, and snorkel and give you technical tips to practice safely. The Best Spot Azores diving club organizes trips to the sea, either for a walk along the coast or for a beautiful encounter with the local fauna, in the middle of the Azores' underwater landscapes, in a zen atmosphere. [+]

The Espirito Azul diving center is located in the marina of Vila Franca do Campo, on the island of Sao Miguel, Azores. Open every day of the year, you make an appointment at Espirito Azul in the morning at 9 am and in the afternoon at 2 pm. For day trips, departure is at 7:00 am with a picnic provided. At Espirito Azul, you will find changing rooms with hot and cold showers, toilets, a store, a workshop to have your equipment serviced, a nitrox, trimix, and oxygen filling station, a room, and a pool of 3, 7, 10, 12 and 15-liter diving cylinders (DIN and INT) with one or two outings. The equipment is provided by Espirito Azul. Fifteen complete sets of equipment are available for rent. There is space to rinse and store your personal equipment. Don't hesitate to bring your rebreather too! When you take your nitrox training at Espirito Azul, you get free nitrox during all your stays in the Espirito Azul dive school! PADI courses for beginners are offered from Discover Scuba Diver to Advanced Open Water Diver. At Espirito Azul, expect two exploration dives per day on one of the 3 RIB boats, starting from the marina of Vila Franca do Campo. Dives include skipper, guide, boat, and gas up to 6 nautical miles from the center, insurance, tank and weights. Visit the best spots in the Azores, in Formigas, and Dollabarat. Ideal for diving with stingrays and eagle rays? Go to Dori and Banco D.Jao De Castro! Snorkeling trips along the coast are also possible. Ask for the photos taken as a souvenir during your dives! The organization of barbecues on the beach and aperitifs in the marina contribute to the nice atmosphere of Espirito Azul. [+]