Azores, Portugal, is often claimed to be the best scuba diving destination in Europe. From Pico island, you can access Princess Alice, a world-famous dive site full of exciting species. You can also dive with the fastest sharks on earth, the blue sharks.
When should I dive in the Azores?
Best Time to Dive
The Azores dive season is in the summer, from June to around October. It is when they have warmer temperatures and calmer seas.
Where can you scuba dive in the Azores?
The Azores Best Dive Sites
- Baía de Entre Montes – Faial.
- Shrimp Cave – Pico.
- Princess Alice Bank – Pico.
- Ponta da Cozinha – Sao Miguel.
- SS Dori Wreck – Sao Miguel.
- Ambrosio – Santa Maria.
- Formigas and Dollabarat – Sao Miguel.
- Baixa da Maia – Santa Maria.
Can you dive with whales in Azores?
On the cobbled streets of the capital, Madalena, CW Azores is a small family run whale watching and diving business that operates with unparalleled knowledge and respect to nature. The dive center is one of the only institutions in the Azores which will take freedivers to swim with whales.
Is Azores good for scuba diving? – Related Questions
How many days is enough in Azores?
Seven or eight days is an ideal amount of time to spend in the Azores. Travelers with only a week to explore the Portuguese archipelago can focus their time on the island of São Miguel, adding on a trip to Terceira for whale watching if they have an extra day or two.
Are there a lot of sharks in the Azores?
As well as the cetacean and majestic mobulas, the Azores are also a hotspot for sharks. Between July and October, mako and blue sharks can be seen with surprising regularity at remote seamounts around the island of Pico. During these months, visibility peaks, with many days reaching 30 metres or more.
What time of year is best for whale watching in the Azores?
The main ‘season’ runs from April all the way through the summer to October and during these months different species pass by the Azores on their migratory paths – April and May are usually a good time to go for a chance to see the larger whales such as blue, fin and sei whales, whilst October can be a good time to
Where is the best place to dive with whales?
Top Five Places for Humpback Whale Encounters
- Australia.
- Mozambique.
- Northern Mozambique & Quirimbas Archipelago.
- French Polynesia.
- Turks & Caicos.
- Caribbean.
- Socorro Island.
- Mexico.
Which Azores island is best for whale watching?
The most popular Azores islands for whale watching include São Miguel, Faial and the far less developed Pico, where whales can frequently be observed very close to the coast.
Can you swim with dolphins in the Azores?
In the Azores, swimming with the dolphins is allowed with 5 different species, all belonging to the to the family Delphinidae (explore our Taxonomy Browser to learn more). The biggest dolphins you can swim with in the Azores, where they are bigger than in most other areas.
Is the sea warm in the Azores?
Water temperatures are about 22ºC (72ºF) in July and 23ºC (73ºF) in August and September. It is the perfect temperature to swim in the Atlantic heated by the Gulf Stream.
Which is prettiest island in Azores?
Of the islands that make up the Azores archipelago, São Miguel is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful. Its heavenly beaches and lush vegetation have earned it the nickname “the Hawaii of Europe.” Measuring almost 750 km2, it is the largest island in the Azores.
Can you speak English in Azores?
The official language in Azores is Portuguese. Otherwise, most people involved with tourism speak at least enough English to communicate with English-speaking tourists.
Can I drive in Azores with US license?
You May Need an International Driver’s Permit
If you come to the Azores from the United States or Canada, the official law is that you are allowed to drive here for up to six months.
Are Azores cheap?
Although prices, in general, were slightly more expensive than mainland Portugal, we found the Azores still quite cheap. To give you an example: For a regular meal, we paid around €12-€15 per person. The gas was even cheaper than on the mainland.
Are there mosquitoes in Azores?
Bugs (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas) can spread a number of diseases in Azores. Many of these diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or medicine. You can reduce your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites.
Are there snakes in Azores?
As for land animals we do not have any snakes or dangerous animals, but we do have hedgehogs, rats, ferrets, and wild rabbits. The bat of the Azores is the only native mammal that you can find in land. The Azores belong to the Macaronesia area, containing a huge number of endemic species of each Island.