About the trip
Exploring the wild ocean of the Azores, we will go on pelagic shark dive expeditions, swim with dolphins in the wild & go on whale watching journeys to make all of our ocean dreams come true!
The Azores boom with biodiversity and you will have the ocean time of your life diving these waters.
August 15 - 22nd 2024 sold out
August 9-16th 2025 sold out
July 26 - August 2nd 2025 available
Blue and mako sharks
Pico island is home to two iconic shark species - the blue shark (Prionace glauca) and the mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus).
Both species are pelagic - dives in the open blue, here we come!
Success rate is over 90%.
Schooling Mobula rays
A mid-Atlantic seamount rising from 1000 meters of depth to 35 meters, about 85 km offshore from our base island Pico.
Princess Alice is renowned for its extraordinary carousel of Mobulas.
The site is also inhabited by jacks, huge tunas, and barracudas.
Success rate over 90%.
Dolphin swims
The island of Pico is home to an incredible abundance of cetaceans. It is one of the few places where you get the possibility to not just watch dolphins from the boat but swim with them in their natural habitat!
The waters around Pico host a variety of species of dolphin. If we are lucky we may even swim with two species at a time.
Sperm whale watching
With over 20 species of whales and dolphins passing Pico island, it is one of the best spots in the world for whale watching.
The opportunity to see the mysterious sperm whales here makes this trip such a bucket list expedition!
The Azores have been a massive hunting ground for sperm whales. Today ancient whalers use their knowledge and outlooks (vigias) to support whale watching.
This area is an example on how people can turn from whaling to an ecologically sustainable business. The animals are fully protected here.
What's included
- 7 nights accommodation at Hotel Caravelas
- Daily breakfast
- 2 cetacean expeditions
- 1 dolphin swim
- 1 whale watching
- 8 scuba dives
- 2 shark dive expeditions (1 dive, max. 75 min)
- 1 Princess Alice expedition (2 dives)
- 2 coastal dive days (2 dives each)
- airport transfers
Option: Offshore package
Swap one day of coastal diving for a second Princess Alice offshore expedition.
What's not included
- Scuba gear rental (EUR 35 per day)
- Travel & dive insurance
- Flights from your hometown to Pico island (PIX)
- Portuguese visa
- Tipping for crew members & staff
- Personal expenses
- Additional food and drinks
Requirements
Offshore diving around Pico island has its challenges.
Mandatory dive requirements:
- PADI Advanced open water diver (or equivalent)
- minimum of 50 logged dives (keep in mind that the coastal dives will be done before the pelagic dives. If you come with 48 dives, you can acquire two more dives on the coastal day!
Expedition value
Standard package: EUR 1750
Offshore package: EUR 1880