Where to dive in the Azores?

When to dive in the Azores?

It is possible to diving in the Azores all year round. However, in order to have the best conditions for diving in the Azores archipelago, the best period is between June and October.

During this period, the air temperature varies between 14 ° C and 26 ° C and temperature some water she fluctuates between 17 ° C and 23 ° C.

If you choose to go diving in the Azores during the other months of the year, the air temperature generally varies between 11 ° C and 20 ° C and the water temperature between 16 ° C and 20 ° C.

What is the price of a dive in the Azores?

The price of a dive in the Azores varies according to different parameters:

• The chosen dive spot
• The selected diving club
• Whether or not you need to rent diving equipment

Generally speaking, diving clubs located in the same village will have relatively similar prices.

In the Azores, count on average:

• An excursion in snorkeling: € 30 / 40 €
• Simple dive: € 40 / 60 €
• Double dive: in between 75 € and 100 €
• Equipment: € 20 / 30 €
• PADI certificate Open Water: approximately € 470 / 550 €

It is a question of average, you will logically find more or less expensive prices. I recommend that you do not choose the club only by taking the cheapest. Do not forget that there are other substantial criteria for choosing the right dive center.

How to choose your diving club in the Azores?

The selection of a diving club should not not to be taken lightly since on that depends your safety and the experience that you will live underwater.

You will find a lot of different dive clubs in the tourist spots so I recommend that you choose your club correctly.

If you choose your dive center, be careful :

• Choose an approved diving club: consider a structure approved or labeled by a known federation (FFESSM, PADI, SSI, etc.)
• Find out about the club: you can, among other things, go to the site, contact the center or even consult the opinions and comments left on the net.

Conditions to follow while diving in the Azores

To dive safely, it is mandatory to respect certain rules. These rules will benefit both you and the preservation of the seabed:

• Respect and follow the advice of your instructor
• Do not throw anything into the water: be it bottles, plastic, cigarette ends etc ...
• Do not touch anything underwater (both corals and fish)

What to see while diving in the Azores?

The seabed in the Azores is relatively rich in the Atlantic Ocean.

We find in particular:

• Manta rays, mobula
• Reef sharks
• Whales, sperm whales, orcas
• dolphins
• Wrecks
• Caves
• Nudibranchs

Where to dive in the Azores?

Among the most famous islands for diving in the Azores, there are:

• Santa Maria
• Sao Miguel
• Terceira (Azores)
• Pico
• Faial

Where to dive in Sao Miguel in the Azores?

Sao Miguel is one of the islands of the Azores where there are the most diving spots. This is the destination perfect for linking diving and nature. You will find dives for all levels with a wide variety of sites. 

Among the most famous sites:

Diving spot	Interest	Depth	Levels
Dori	Wreck from 1964 / one of the best spots in Sao Miguel / abundance of species	16m-21m	All levels
Lourencos	Technical diving / observation of pelagic mobula fish, barracudas, amberjack, toothed jacks	20m-60m	Sports Lawyers
Arcos da Caloura	One of the most beautiful dives / arch / many nudibranchs, royal wreaths etc	12m-18m	All levels
Ancoras do Ilheus	Many anchors at the bottom / interesting fauna	16m-22m	Minimum Open Water

Where to dive in Santa Maria in the Azores?

Santa Maria is probably a " must » in the Azores for diving. There are large reefs, a extraordinary wildlife and varied with sharks, mobula rays, barracudas, etc. 

Diving spot	Interest	Depth	Levels
Ambrose	Best spot in Santa Maria to observe mobula rays	10m-50m	All levels
little Rock	Most famous place / large schools of fish, caves, beautiful fauna	15m-40m	All levels
Bank Joao Lopes	Beautiful fauna: royal wreaths, saupes, groupers, jamantas etc.	20m-40m	Sports Lawyers

Where to dive in Terceira in the Azores?

Of volcanic origin, Terceira offers original diving spots thanks in particular to the Angra do Heroismo Underwater Archaeological Park. You will have the opportunity to observe tunnels, canyons, arches, or even caves.

The diving spots around the island are accessible to divers of all levels. 

Among the best diving spots on the island of Terceira in the Azores, we find:

Diving spot	Interest	Depth	Levels
Five Streams	One of the most beautiful spots / Access to the underwater caves / large banks of saupes	12m-16m	All levels
Arcadas do judeu	Imposing rock formations, canyons, magnificent play of light	10m-16m	All levels
Baixa da villa nova	Rock formations, varied landscapes but watch out for currents / striped-backed boxes, horse mackerel, king wreaths, cicadas, etc.	20m-30m	Sports Lawyers
Cemeteries of Ancoras	Most beautiful spot in the archaeological park / more than 40 anchors abandoned over the centuries / rich fauna (sars, groupers, moray eels etc.)	18m-35m	All levels
lidador	Wreck of nearly 80m / many octopus, nudibranchs, gurnard, brown purse	8m-11m	Beginners, snorkeling

Where to dive in Pico in the Azores?

Pico is the island of the Azores which is home to the highest peak in Portugal. We find there some very interesting diving spots. Indeed, there is a beautiful marine architecture as well as many caves especially. Also, you will be able to observe many whales and dolphins around this island. 

Among the most beautiful spots, we find:

Diving spot	Interest	Depth	Levels
Arcadas do Sao Roque	Arch, marine diversity / barracuda banks,	18m-25m	All levels
Baixa da Barca	Many species: mobula, barracudas, serioles, groupers, moonfish etc.	30m-55m	Sports Lawyers
Baixa da Norte	One of the most famous sites / diverse fauna: barracudas, mobula rays, scorpion fish, mola-mola	20m-45m	Sports Lawyers

Where to dive in Faial in the Azores?

There are many diving spots between Faial and Pico. Among the most interesting:

Diving spot	Interest	Depth	Levels
Condor	Major spot to observe blue sharks (between Faial and Pico)	18m-25m	All levels
Gruta dos camaroes	Long and narrow cave / one of the best cave dives in the Azores	25m-30m	Sports Lawyers
Baixa da Feteira	Rich fauna: groupers, black coral, barracudas, red mullet, eagle rays etc.	20m-32m	Sports Lawyers
Boca das Caldeirinhas	One of the most beautiful sites of Faial / border area of ​​the crater and the sea beautiful fauna	18m-50m	All levels