Dive Azores . Whale Project Azores
Marina da Horta, Cais de Santa Cruz, Shop, A-2, 9900-026 Horta, Portugal, Horta, Horta, PRT
Sobre o Centro
Dive Azores, located in Horta, Portugal, offers a comprehensive dive experience focused on both underwater exploration and marine wildlife encounters. As a PADI Dive Resort and SSI facility, they cater to divers of all levels, providing a range of courses from introductory snorkeling to advanced Instructor Development Courses. Their commitment extends beyond certifications, with a strong emphasis on marine research and conservation, inviting guests to actively support these efforts through their participation in activities.
Nestled in Horta Marina on Faial Island, Dive Azores is uniquely positioned to offer exceptional whale and dolphin watching excursions, proudly advertised as a prime location for observing sperm whales in their natural habitat. Beyond the charismatic megafauna, divers can explore the spectacular volcanic landscapes of the Azores. The center provides essential facilities including on-site accommodation, equipment rental, and nitrox fills, ensuring a convenient and well-equipped diving adventure for all visitors.
Owned and operated by marine biologists and diving instructors Joana and Tiago, Dive Azores prioritizes a personalized and professional service. Their philosophy centers on educating, involving, and inspiring guests about marine ecosystems and their inhabitants, aiming to foster a global awareness of ocean conservation. This dedication to environmental responsibility is interwoven into every aspect of their operations, from diving trips to specialized expeditions like shark diving.
Cursos Disponíveis
4 cursosDolphin School
The Dolphin School was developed specifically by Joana and Tiago — both marine biologists and diving instructors — based on their years of working with dolphin populations in the Azores. It is not a generic snorkelling…
Introductory Scuba Dive (Try-Dive)
The try-dive at Dive Azores is the entry point for non-divers who want to get underwater around Faial without committing to a full certification course. It is led by the same team of licensed dive guides and marine…
PADI / SSI Dive Courses (Beginner to Professional)
Dive Azores offers the complete PADI and SSI course lines from beginner through to professional level, taught by a team of experienced instructors in English, Portuguese, Spanish and French. The SSI e-learning system is…
Freediving Courses
Freediving at Dive Azores is available both as structured courses and as guided fun dives for already-certified freedivers. The same team that runs the scuba operation handles the freediving, and the same marine biology…
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Frequently asked
What people ask before booking
Advanced Open Water certification (or equivalent) and a minimum of 30 logged dives. A mandatory check-out dive to assess skills and equipment is required before the trip. The site involves strong currents and no bottom references for much of the dive, so it is not suitable for inexperienced divers. Inexperienced scuba divers can join as snorkelers.
Courses are conducted in English, Portuguese, Spanish and French by Dive Azores instructors.
All rental gear is MARES: BCDs, regulators, 7mm one-piece neoprene wetsuits with hoods, 3mm booties and gloves, adjustable fins, and 12L and 15L steel tanks with both DIN and Yoke fittings. Dive computers, torches and SMBs are also available for rent. Air is filled with a Bauer compressor.
A 25% refund is issued if no sharks appear. The quoted success rate for blue shark sightings is above 90%, but Dive Azores acknowledges that sightings cannot be guaranteed as blue sharks are highly migratory. The best season is July to September.
Yes — Horta's hospital has a hyperbaric chamber. For offshore dives such as Princess Alice Bank, the nearest recompression facility is 2 to 2h30 away, which is why Dive Azores enforces conservative, non-decompression-limit dive profiles on those trips.
Groups are normally limited to a maximum of 5–6 divers per dive guide. The centre aims to match divers of similar experience levels within each group.
The Dolphin School is a 4-day/7-night residential program running in July, August and September, developed by Joana and Tiago based on their work with dolphins in the Azores. It includes 3 snorkelling sessions with wild dolphin pods, 1 whale watching tour, training sessions, educational lectures, snorkelling equipment, airport transfers, 7 nights in shared accommodation 15 minutes from the base, and a certificate of participation. Participants must be 18 or older, have good swimming skills and prior snorkelling experience. The price starts from 795 EUR per person.
July, August and September are the best diving months. Water temperatures reach 21–23ºC, visibility at Princess Alice Bank runs 25–30m, and this is also the peak season for blue shark encounters and mobula ray sightings at Princess Alice. Whale watching runs from March to November, with spring bringing blue, humpback and sei whales and summer peaking for sperm whales.
How to get there
Marina da Horta, Cais de Santa Cruz, Shop, A-2, 9900-026 Horta, Portugal, Horta, Horta, PRT