Wahoo Diving

Wahoo Diving is a dive center located in Vila do Porto, on the island of Santa Maria in the Azores, Portugal. Founded in 2011 by German instructor Steffen Ehrath, who fell in love with the island, the center positions itself as the first and only German dive base on Santa Maria. It operates from a facility 300 meters above Vila do Porto harbor, with registration taking place directly at the harbor before each outing. The team consists of Steffen as lead instructor and Miguel Botelho as skipper and local instructor, combining international experience with deep knowledge of local conditions.

The center is affiliated with PADI and CMAS, offering a full range of courses from Open Water Diver to Divemaster, along with specialties and freediving. The maximum instructor-to-student ratio of 1:2 ensures exceptional personalized attention, distinguishing the center from most tourist operators. Courses must be pre-booked by email. Rental equipment includes high-quality gear from Scubapro, Subgear, Mares and Polaris brands, and underwater cameras are available upon request.

Santa Maria offers unique diving conditions in the North Atlantic. Boat trips include two-tank dives with possibilities of encounters with manta rays, mobulas, whale sharks, yellowfin tuna and dolphins. The center offers dive packages from €140 for 2 dives to €620 for 16 dives. Additional services such as nitrox, 15-liter tanks and trips to special sites like Formigas, Dollabarat and Ambrosia carry extra charges. Credit cards are not accepted — only bank transfers or cash.

With a Google rating of 4.8 stars, the center enjoys an excellent reputation built on customer feedback highlighting the professionalism of the team, quality of equipment and unforgettable marine life encounters. Owner Steffen is consistently described as attentive, helpful and highly responsive. The center's philosophy centers on diving far from mass tourism, celebrating the island's authentic character and the natural richness of the Atlantic Ocean. The recommendation to check availability by email before booking flights reflects the high demand during peak periods.