Diving and Snorkelling

The warmth of the Gulf Stream and deep inshore waters make the Azores a perfect destination for diving and snorkelling enthusiasts.

The islands of Sao Miguel, Santa Maria and Faial offer unique diving experiences for qualified divers and dive sites are varied: offshore reefs, extinct volcanic vents, and an assortment of wreck sites, thanks to the Azores’ long maritime history. Dives rarely go deeper than 15m, average sea temperatures are between 18°C and 22°C, and visibility is very good at 20m to 25m. The sea life is as varied: yellow tuna, billfish, dusky groupers, topes, hammerhead and mako sharks, manta rays, common dolphins, octopuses, and an abundance of crustaceans.

For anyone keen to dip their toe into diving, you might like to include our Discover Scuba Diving PADI course as part of your holiday. The course takes you from the controlled confines of a pool to diving in open water, all under the close supervision of a certified instructor.

Snorkelling is an increasingly popular pursuit, with trips to the famous Ilheu d’ Vila extinct submarine volcano and protected nature reserve. This small island is home to a number of seabird species including shearwaters, terns and grey herons – underwater, the islet’s hidden grottoes are often inhabited by eagle rays, loggerhead turtles and occasionally common dolphins.