HIDDEN GEM FOR WHALES AND SHARKS

Swimming with whales or dive with Blue Sharks in Europe is impossible? Then you haven´t been to the Azores yet. Time to explore the islands on your next liveaboard trip.

The Azores is an archipelago made up of 9 individual volcanic Islands found in the Atlantic Ocean, roughly 1400Km west of Lisbon, Portugal. The islands are located where three tectonic plates meet, the North American Plate, the Eurasian Plate, and the African Plate.

With over 100 dive sites, up to 24 different species of Whales, Whale Sharks, various Sharks and over 3,000 different marine species to look out for, the Azores have some of the most diverse marine life found in the world. And it is all located in Europe – only 3 hours away from Portugal.

The best time to visit the Azores is between June and October. That´s the chance to see mantas, mobulas and whale sharks. The water is crystal clear with visibility up to 60m.

WHAT ARE THE BEST DIVE SITES IN THE AZORES?

Princess Alice Bank near Pico Island lays one of the best dives sites throughout the whole of the Atlantic Ocean. It is an underwater pinnacle starting at around 30-40 meters. The crystal clear water is full of pelagic fauna, hammerhead sharks, blue sharks, schools of barracuda, dolphins, mobulas, tuna or black marlin. Definitely a must on your liveaboard trip.

The smallest of all islands, Santa Maria, is the most popular islands amongst divers. During the summer it is the place to swim with whale sharks. And 4 km off the coast you can dive with schools of devil rays up to 50 animals. On top, you can see sunfish, schools of barracuda, sardines, groupers, rays and octopus.

Another dive site is Formigas Islets, where you will find some amazing marine life including, Galapagos sharks, giant Manta rays, turtles, schools of tuna and even Hammerheads have been spotted in this area. Or Dom João De Castro Bank, a huge underwater volcano with crazy vertical walls, which are leaking with natural gases.

LIVEABOARDS IN THE AZORES

Not many liveaboards cruising around the Azores. That means you will mostly be alone with all the amazing dive sites. But either liveaboard will make sure, that you will not forget your trip to the Azores.