Norberto Diver-Actividades Maritimas, Lda.
Marina da Horta, 9900-018 Horta, Portugal, Horta, Faial, PRT
About the Center
Norberto Diver - Actividades Maritimas, Lda., located in Horta, Portugal, is an SSI-certified dive center. It offers a comprehensive range of maritime activities, including whale watching, shark dives, and coastal diving. With over twenty years of experience, the center is dedicated to providing unforgettable experiences both above and below the sea.
Norberto Diver's facilities include accommodation, equipment rental, air fills (including nitrox), and facilitate boat diving, shore diving, and night diving. They also offer guided dives, making it an ideal place to explore the marine life around Faial and Pico Islands.
Customers can choose from various adventures, such as trips to the Princess Alice Bank, considered one of the best dive spots in the world, or enjoy a sunset charter on their catamaran. Private boat trips are also available for more personalized experiences, and shark dives with blue sharks are offered for the daring.
The center also engages in TV and media activities and maintains a blog to share news and insights into marine life. Norberto Diver prioritizes customer satisfaction, ensuring every experience is memorable and safe.
Available Courses
8 cursosShark Dive
Una inmersión para ver tiburones azules (Prionace glauca) a poca profundidad, con medidas de seguridad y posibilidad de snorkel.
Princess Alice bank
Inmersión o snorkel en un banco offshore para ver mantas (Mobula tarapacana), con una profundidad de 35 metros. Requiere un 'check dive' previo.
Coastal Diving
Exploración de más de 20 puntos de inmersión alrededor de las islas de Faial y Pico, con abundante vida marina local.
Scuba Diving Baptism
Una inmersión de prueba para principiantes, guiada por un instructor, con una breve lección teórica previa.
Charter Sun Set
Un paseo en catamarán al atardecer para observar fauna, hacer snorkel y disfrutar de una cena a bordo.
Curso de Instructor (IDC)
Curso de Curso de Instructor (IDC) impartido por Norberto Diver-Actividades Maritimas, Lda..
Inmersiones en Barco
Curso de Inmersiones en Barco impartido por Norberto Diver-Actividades Maritimas, Lda..
Instructor Development Course
Curso de instructor para formar nuevos profesionales del buceo capaces de certificar alumnos.
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Frequently asked
What people ask before booking
Yes, a valid diving certificate is required for both. You also need to bring a medical exam and your dive log. Additionally, a coastal check dive is mandatory before either pelagic dive — they use it to assess your experience and comfort in the water, not just check your card.
For the shark dive and Princess Alice Bank dives, tanks and weight belts are included but full equipment is not. Hiring a complete set costs 20€ per day. For snorkelling options at both sites, all equipment is included in the price.
Both run from July to September only. They are weather-dependent and can only be confirmed one or two days before departure, so if these are your priority dives, build in extra days on Faial to cover potential cancellations.
The catamaran 'Physeter' is specifically described as suitable for older people, people with disabilities and families with children. It has an enclosed cabin, kitchen and toilet facilities on board. For whale watching or Princess Alice trips requiring special assistance, contact them in advance.
The shark dive requires a minimum of 4 divers; the snorkelling version needs at least 5 if everyone is snorkelling. Princess Alice Bank trips require a minimum of 6 participants. Private boat charters are available if you want to avoid sharing with other groups.
Norberto Serpa is a certified freediving instructor, and the operation has hosted freediving clients on their pelagic trips to Princess Alice Bank and other sites. Contact them directly to discuss what's available for your level and the dates you have in mind.
They use a network of shore-based vigias on Faial and Pico who scan daily and radio sightings to the boat skippers in real time. Resident species include sperm whales, common dolphins, Risso's dolphins and bottlenose dolphins. During spring migrations you may also encounter blue, fin, sei and humpback whales. Half-day trips run at 08:30 and 14:30; full-day catamaran trips run 09:00 to 16:00.
Half-day trips cost 80€ for adults over 12, 75€ per person for groups of 4–9, 70€ for groups of 10 or more, and 50€ for children aged 5–12 or students with a valid ID. Full-day catamaran trips cost 165€ per person, 275€ for a couple, or 90€ for children and students.