

Azores Dive Center, Diving AZORES SUB
Marina da Vila AZORES SUB Dive Center, 9680-187 Vila Franca Do Campo, Portugal, Vila Franca Do Campo, Vila Franca do Campo, PRT
About the Center
Azores Dive Center, also known as Diving AZORES SUB, is located in Vila Franca Do Campo, Portugal. This dive center offers a wide range of training courses certified by PADI, SSI, and CMAS/FFESSM, including Advanced Open Water, Enriched Air Nitrox, Instructor Development Course, Technical Diving, Snorkeling, Boat Diving, and Deep Diver. Its facilities include lockers, WiFi, a bar, a swimming pool, equipment rental, a dive shop, air fills (including nitrox), and facilitates boat diving, shore diving, and night diving. Airport transfers are also provided.
The center is strategically situated on the south coast of São Miguel island, in the Marina of Vila Franca do Campo, serving as an ideal starting point to explore the surroundings of the Vila Franca do Campo islet. They specialize in snorkeling and diving experiences, offering boat trips around the islet, supervised snorkeling tours, and the opportunity to dive with groupers. They also organize wreck dives and offshore explorations, as well as private boat rentals.
For those looking to further their education, Azores Dive Center offers specialized courses such as First Aid, Deep Diver (up to 40 meters), Night Dive, and Nitrox specialties. They also provide dive packages for certified divers wishing to explore the best spots on the south coast of São Miguel, as well as introductory dives for beginners, available in both the pool and the sea. The center emphasizes safety, including RC insurance of €1.5 million in many of its activities.
Available Courses
12 cursosCurso Deep Diver
The Deep Diver specialty takes the certified diver to 40 metres and runs 12 to 15 hours. Minimum age is 15. Equipment is included. On the south coast of São Miguel, deep diving has specific meaning. The Baixa das…
Curso Advanced Open Water
The Advanced Open Water at Azores Sub is structured around 5 knowledge chapters and 5 adventure dives, following SSI or PADI curricula. It runs 12 to 16 hours and requires a minimum age of 10. Equipment and €1.5 million…
Batismo de Mergulho no Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo nos Açores
The introductory dive at Azores Sub is one of the more flexible options you'll find in the Azores: you can do it in the pool, in the sea at the Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo, or both. Pool sessions are open from age 8;…
Divemaster
The Divemaster course at Azores Sub is the longest programme they run: 82 to 90 hours. Minimum age is 15. Equipment and €1.5 million liability insurance are included. The course covers leadership skills for guiding…
Curso de Primeiros Socorros
The First Aid course at Azores Sub runs 7 to 9 hours and is open to participants from age 12 — notably, the centre specifies this is not exclusively for divers. Anyone who might need to assist another person in an…
Especialidade Night Diver
The Night Diver specialty runs 7 to 10 hours, includes two open water dives conducted after sunset, and is open to divers aged 10 and up. Equipment is included. Azores Sub already runs a commercial night dive product to…
Equipment Techniques
The Equipment Techniques specialty is the shortest course in the centre's catalogue: 3 to 6 hours, minimum age 10, equipment included. The content focuses on how to maintain and care for dive equipment properly. For…
Curso de Ecologia Marinha e Coral ID
The Marine Ecology and Coral ID specialty runs 6 to 12 hours and is open to participants from age 6 — the lowest minimum age of any course at the centre. Equipment is included. The course covers ocean composition and…
Open Water Diver
The Open Water Diver course at Azores Sub certifies you to dive independently to 18 metres anywhere in the world. It runs between 25 and 32 hours in total and is available under either SSI or PADI — you choose the…
Scuba Diver
The Scuba Diver course is the shorter path to a certification — 12 to 16 hours, compared to 25–32 for the full Open Water. The trade-off is a 12-metre depth limit and the requirement to dive accompanied by a…
Rescue Diver
The Rescue Diver course runs 10 to 15 hours and has a minimum age of 12. It's available under SSI or PADI. Equipment and €1.5 million liability insurance are included in the price. This is the course that most…
Enriched Air Nitrox
The Nitrox specialty runs 6 to 9 hours and is open to divers from age 10. Equipment is included. The centre explicitly positions this course as one sought by divers interested in underwater video and photography — the…
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Frequently asked
What people ask before booking
At Marina de Vila Franca do Campo, Loja 6, on the south coast of São Miguel island in the Azores, Portugal.
Yes, the standard dive departures require an international dive certification. Minimum age is 10. If you're not certified, the Batismo (introductory dive) is available from age 8 in the pool, or from age 10 in the sea.
Both SSI and PADI. You can complete courses under either agency, from Open Water through to Divemaster level.
From October to June: daily at 09:00 and 14:00. From July to September: double dives at 08:00 and a single dive at 14:30.
Guide, tank, weights, and €1.5 million liability insurance. Briefing, debriefing, rinse and drying station, and equipment storage are also included. Rental gear is available on site.
Yes. The MV Dori sits upright at 20 metres, with the stern at 9 metres — well within recreational limits. It's about 40 minutes from Vila Franca do Campo marina and is open to certified divers.
Yes. A pack of 5 dives costs €229 and a pack of 10 dives costs €355. After booking, the subsequent dives are scheduled directly at the centre.
Yes, there is a dedicated night dive trip to the Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo area starting from €68.36. Minimum age is 10 and participants must hold a dive certification.
Marina da Vila AZORES SUB Dive Center, 9680-187 Vila Franca Do Campo, Portugal, Vila Franca Do Campo, Vila Franca do Campo, PRT



