AZORES 2025 | ARK ADVENTURERS

PORTUGAL

AZORES

18 - 26 SEPTEMBER 2025

Diving in the Azores is a journey into the open Atlantic, where blue sharks and makos roam. These sleek predators are the stars of the show—curious, graceful, and thrilling to encounter in their natural habitat.

But beyond the underwater excitement, the Azores captivate with dramatic volcanic landscapes, lush greenery, and charming island culture. Crater lakes, waterfalls, and coastal cliffs make the topside just as unforgettable. This remote Portuguese archipelago offers a rare combination of wild ocean encounters and serene natural beauty—an ideal destination for those seeking both adrenaline and awe.

Shark Diving in the Open Atlantic

Few places offer reliable encounters with blue and mako sharks in such pristine conditions. In the deep, open waters off Faial, you'll come face-to-face with these powerful, graceful creatures—an electrifying, humbling experience that leaves a lasting impression on even the most seasoned divers.

Diverse Dive Sites, Volcanic Beauty

From rugged coastal reefs to the vast blue, the Azores deliver variety. The volcanic geology creates striking underwater landscapes, while calm coastal dives ease you in before the open ocean action. It’s an ideal blend for divers craving both thrill and scenic exploration.

Adventure Beyond the Water

This trip isn’t just about diving—it’s about discovering the Azores in full. Think crater hikes, panoramic viewpoints, quiet fishing villages, and natural hot springs. With curated land tours between dives, you’ll experience the islands’ raw beauty, rich culture, and unhurried rhythm of life.

Remote, Raw, and Real

The Azores are far from ordinary. Remote yet accessible, wild but welcoming, they offer something rare: a sense of true escape. With minimal crowds and a focus on nature, this journey reconnects you—with the ocean, with the land, and with that deeper part of yourself that craves awe.

about faial island

Part of the Azores' central group, Faial earns its nickname "The Blue Island" from the hydrangeas that bloom along its roadsides each summer. The island's volcanic character is most evident at Capelinhos, where a 1957 eruption created a lunar-like landscape now topped by a dramatic lighthouse. Horta's iconic marina, a waypoint for transatlantic sailors, buzzes with seafaring history, its breakwater covered in colourful paintings left by visiting yachts. Offshore, the underwater topography attracts pelagic species, making Faial a prime base for diving expeditions.

about princess island

Reachable by a 2.5 hour boat ride from Faial, Princess Alice Bank is a submerged seamount rising from 1000m depths to just 35m below the surface. This remote underwater pinnacle acts as a magnet for marine megafauna, with its upwellings attracting schools of hammerheads, mobula rays, and occasional whale sharks between June and October. The site's 30+m visibility and strong currents create ideal conditions for thrilling drift dives along the seamount's flanks, where encounters with hunting tuna and barracuda are common. Advanced divers visit primarily from July to September when conditions are optimal to witness one of the Atlantic's most dynamic pelagic ecosystems.

WHAT TO SEE

BLUE SHARK

Shark diving from Faial takes place in bottomless blue water well offshore. A boat ride of about 1 hour takes the divers to Condor Bank, a seamount located about 16km Southwest of Capelinhos Volcano.

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MAKO SHARK

A moment may come when blue sharks suddenly disappear. This usually means a mako or a bigger blue is about to arrive on the scene. Mako sharks are fast-swimmers, often showing up suddenly from the depths.

SMOOTH HAMMERHEAD SHARK

Interactions with these sharks happen only on snorkel, as scuba diving is disruptive due to movement, noise and bubbles. Although smooth hammerheads are one of the larger hammerhead species, these juveniles are only 1 to 2m long.

MOBULA TARAPACANA

Princess Alice Bank is one of the few known locations in the world where the sicklefins (Mobula tarapacana) gather in large groups.

OTHER PELAGICS

Open ocean species can appear unpredictably, for example barracudas, wahoos, atlantic tuna, amberjacks and even whale sharks.

ITINERARY

DAY 1

Fly into Faial Island from Lisbon and check-in to Azoris Faial Garden Resort Hotel.

Day 2

Coastal dive day (check out dive).

Day 3

Coastal dive day and land tour.

Day 4

Dive day (blue shark dives)

Day 5

Dive day (Atlantic Ocean open ocean dives) and land tour.

Day 6

Dive day (Intermediate level dive - new moon).

Day 7

Dive day (Princess Alice).

Day 8

Dive day (Atlantic open ocean snorkel with smooth hammerheads).

Day 9

Farewell. Option to extend your stay to tour other islands.

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Coastal Dives

These are conducted around Monte de Guia, the first Marine Protected Area of the Azores. This location features an old volcano that collapsed leaving 2 craters exposed to the ocean. Any of the dive sites offer incredible biodiversity. Dive sites are multilevel, some require advanced certification. and are just 5-1o mins boat ride away.

Blue/Mako Shark dives (Open ocean)

On reaching the chosen area, the skipper will attract the sharks by chumming with fish scraps. Once the chum is in the water, divers prepare their equipment and wait for the animals to show up. Given sharks' amazing sense of smell it usually takes less than 30mins before several sharks, usually blues and occasionally shortfin makos, to begin to arrive.

Hammerhead dive (Open ocean)

Just like on many shark dives, chum is used to attract the hammerheads. Once it seems likely they are willing to stay and interact, the guide will enter the water first to analyze the shark's behaviour. Then, at most, two snorkelers at a time can enter and interact with the hammerheads. Snorkelers will rotate if there are more people on board, and interactions can last from a few minutes to an hour.

Scuba diving at Princess Alice

Only recommended for experienced divers, it is far from the harbour and prone to strong currents. It also requires diving to considerable depths. Departing from the JHorta Harbour, the long trip (about 3 hours) gives ample opportunity to spot whales, turtles and seabirds, in addition to friendly dolphins that escort the bow of the boat.

Dive days consist of:

One scuba dive + one snorkelling session.

Full day snorkelling for hammerhead dive.

Itinerary is subject to change depending on weather and sea condition.

Check dives

Check dives are mandatory for both scuba and snorkelling to ensure that you are comfortable in the water with your equipment.

Note

In case of blue shark diving that needs to be performed at Condor bank, there is a charge of 35Euros per person.

There is no refund in case no animals show up.

tours & activities

Forest trails of Faial

The island of Faial has an extensive network of well-marked hiking trails and paths for every kind of hiking enthusiast, from unexperienced to ultra-fit.

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Here are some suggested tours that you can choose to do during your stay at Faial:

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Caldeira do Cabeço Gordo

The Caldeira do Cabeço Gordo is one of the main landmarks of Faial. Situated in the center of the island it is with its 2km diameter and 400m depth probably the most impressive crater of the Azores.

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Faial Botanical Gardens

For a serene experience, visit Faial’s botanical gardens with two sites showcasing over 50 endemic plant species, orchids, and medicinal and aromatic herbs.

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Nightlife in Horta

Faial Island has a unique history and is home to one of the world’s busiest marina ports. Compared to the other islands, Faial also has a buzzing city nightlife.

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STAY

Azoris Faial Garden Resort Hotel is set in parkland near historic Horta, offering views of the marina and Mount Pico. The hotel features indoor and outdoor pools, a tennis court, fitness center, spa pool, and sauna. Air-conditioned rooms include minibars, with some opening to balconies overlooking the pool. Guests can enjoy buffet breakfasts, à la carte Portuguese cuisine, and summer snacks at the outdoor café. The on-site restaurant boasts panoramic Atlantic views. Conveniently located within walking distance to Horta’s marina and town center, the hotel is just 6.2 miles from Horta Airport, making it easily accessible for travelers.