FAQ en - Azores Freediving

F.A.Q.

The easiest and fastest way to get to the Azores is by plane. From Europe, expect to pay between €400 and €600 for a round trip, including checked baggage. You will stop over in Lisbon, Porto, Ponta Delgada (Sao Miguel Island) or Terceira Island, depending on the airline you choose. You will then take a domestic flight to your chosen island. Please visit the Ponta Delgada Airport website for a list of airlines serving the Azores.

For the more adventurous among you who have time, you can sail to the Azores. From the west coast of France, for instance, it takes around 12 days to sail there. Some websites regularly offer opportunities to join these small maritime crews at low cost.

Temperatures in the Azores while our center is open are mild with always some humidity in the air and wind. During the day, we can have up to 28°C (= 82°F) and the temperature rarely goes below 20°C (=68°F) at night. This makes nice evenings or nights under the stars!

The weather is variable and can change dramatically from one part of the islands to another and throughout the day. Always carry a pair of sunglasses/cap and a rain jacket with you!

The best time to visit is from mid-July to mid-September. The water is “warm” and mobula rays, blue sharks, and other pelagic species are easily visible, even from the surface.

Although these months correspond to peak tourist season in most countries, this is not the case here in the Azores, which remains an unspoiled archipelago. You can therefore come here to get away from it all and recharge your batteries in complete tranquility.

However, we advise you to book your accommodation well in advance, as availability is limited and prices can skyrocket a few months before departure. Some websites offer accommodation reservations with free cancellation up to two weeks before your arrival. This allows you to avoid any risk and get the best possible rate.

As a Travel Planner, I can plan your entire trip and make all your reservations through my partner travel agency. Please feel free to contact me for more information.

You will walk around in flip-flops or sneakers, shorts and T-shirt. As rain is never far away, you will have taken care to slip a light windproof and waterproof jacket into your bag. For your snorkeling trips and the boat trip, you will need a hat or cap, sunglasses, sunscreen, a water bottle, your light jacket and a (or even 2) bathing suit. We also advise you to take a headband to cover your ears during the trips and some medicine against sea sickness. For the evening, long pants or jeans and a sweater will do the trick. For walks in the forest and on steep terrain, it is safer to have waterproof hiking boots. Aquashoes may also be useful for walking on rocks by the sea, and open sandals for when we set off from the shore. We have few mosquitoes in the Azores but you can still bring some insect repellent.

NB: If you are undergoing medical treatment or have a specific treatment, for example for allergies, remember to take it with you and always keep it handy. In particular, take it with you when we leave the shore (we have a small waterproof bag for this purpose) or in the boat when we leave the marina.

Note for gentlemen: Remember to bring a razor to shave the mustache at the base of your nose, or bring a tube of vaseline to apply under your nose to ensure your mask fits tightly.

In Faial, the water is 18-19°C (=64-66°F) in June, 20-22°C (=68-72°F) in July, 23-24°C (=73-75°F) in August, 22-23°C (=72-73°F) in September and 21°C (=70°F) in October. In the Azores, there is barely no thermocline which adds an undeniable comfort to each immersion.

We offer 5mm thick 1 piece Cressi Comfort wetsuits, 5mm thick 2 pieces Omer Up Explorer wetsuis for rent, as well as hoods, neoprene socks, Cressi and Omer medium & long fins, small volume masks, flexible snorkels and the revolutionary OB1 concept belts. The rental of the whole equipment is 20€/day. Belts and weights are always included in our freediving activities.

If you prefer to bring your own equipment, we recommend a 2-piece 5mm wetsuit for June, July and October and a 2-piece 3mm wetsuit for August and September. Neoprene gloves and socks are highly recommended for thermal support and protection from marine life (jellyfish, portuguese manowar).

In Faial, it is fairly easy to find accommodation, unlike on smaller islands such as Santa Maria and Flores. Expect to pay between €70 and €200 per night, depending on the standard and the time of year. You can stay in hotels, hostels, or even apartments or entire houses managed by locals, known as “Alojemento Local.”

Here is a map showing the location of these establishments, island by island.

In Faial, you can easily find accommodation in Horta, where you can do almost everything on foot, even visit the famous black sand beach “Porto Pim.” You can also choose a more remote location if you have your own transportation. If you are looking for free accommodation, there are free campsites on Faial, such as Ribeirinha and Salao, although facilities are minimal. If you have chosen shore excursions or a course, we will pick you up wherever you are staying.

As a Travel Planner partner of a travel agency, I can take care of booking the accommodation that meets your expectations. Please feel free to contact me.

All depends on where you are staying. In Faial, if you managed to find accommodation in Horta, you will most likely be able to walk to the marina, restaurants, supermarkets, and Porto Pim beach.

If you are primarily here to dive with us, renting a car or scooter for a day or two is a great option for exploring the island on your days off.

Be sure to plan ahead! The Azores islands have limited rental options, so prices are quite high. Expect to pay €80/day to rent a small city car and €40/day to rent a scooter. For a one-off trip, taxis are a relatively inexpensive option and may be your best bet.

In Faial, there are several small supermarkets that often double as bars/snack bars, and padarias, which are similar to bakeries but also offer hot meals, mostly on a self-service basis. On Horta, there is a small indoor market on Saturday mornings, located on Rua do Mercado. It is also possible to shop at larger stores such as Continente, Fayal Kompra, or Pingo Doce.

The Azores islands offer inexpensive dining options where you can enjoy wonderful fish of the day, fabulous tuna steaks, or melt-in-your-mouth grilled local beef. Vegetarian and vegan alternatives are available, although not widespread.

We know all the best places, so don't hesitate to ask us for recommendations!

Departing from the shore, we go to the most suitable site for the chosen day. You can leave your personal belongings in our locked van and use the showers and toilets generally available on site. After the outing, we take care of rinsing your equipment with fresh water and storing it in the shade until the next day.

Departing by boat, we meet at our partner diving center located at the marina. Lockers are available for storing personal belongings. We get kitted out right at the marina, and when we get back, we clean and rinse our gear using the water points on the pontoon, then hang it up on the racks provided. Free toilets and hot showers (extra fee) are available at the marina.

There is no real typical day. You are in the Azores, which means we are constantly adapting to the weather. Often, the time and location are only communicated the evening before for the following day. So you need to be flexible.

Once we leave the shore, we usually go on a 2-3 hour session. If you've opted for a course, we usually divide the session into two parts, one on the training rope and the other exploring the surroundings. When we return, we all share a little snack together.

When departing by boat, we often visit two different sites, spending between one and one and a half hours at each, with a snack break on the boat.

In general, you can expect the trip to last around five hours, from the moment we meet up to the moment we say goodbye.

It is not uncommon for people to suffer from seasickness in the Azores. Not only on the boat but also in the water. Indeed, the current, the waves, but also trips into the deep blue sea (mobula rays, blue sharks), with no landmarks, can cause nausea.

To ensure you can enjoy your vacation to the fullest, we recommend discussing this with your doctor and obtaining a prescription for appropriate medication if necessary.

Some examples of natural remedies that may work: Breathe in essential oils of peppermint, eucalyptus, or ginger. Wear seasickness bracelets. Wear seasickness glasses. In the water, hold onto the coast or keep your head in the water as much as possible. Swimming can also help. Avoid coffee in the morning and alcohol in the evening, and follow the 4F rule (Famine, Freeze, Fatigue, Fear).

People come to the Azores for the “Blue” and the “Green,” i.e., for ocean activities and land activities.

The island of Faial has two sites of interest for hiking:

The Caldeira, at an altitude of 1,000 meters, which you can walk around in two and a half hours or even descend into the center with the help of an experienced guide (ask us for recommandation).
Capelinhos, created by the eruption of an underwater volcano at the western tip of the island. This lunar landscape is simply breathtaking.

If you miss the sea, you can book a whale watching tour to encounter whales and dolphins (if you haven't already seen them with us!). The island of Faial also has two equestrian centers, where you can go for a ride on the many trails laid out for this purpose. In the evening, head to Peter's or the Oceanic café to sip a gin and enjoy a meat skewer or a swordfish steak in front of the magnificent Mount Pico, which may well be your next destination!

On Santa Maria, you can circle the entire island in five days without ever leaving the hiking trails (see the Ilha a pé website). Strolling around Barreira da Faneca, also known as the “Red Desert,” around Pico Alto, the island's highest peak, contemplating the breathtaking Sao Lourenço Bay, or soaking up the energy at the foot of the Maia waterfall are just a few examples of the beautiful walks you can take on this island. Finally, you will probably end your day on a high note with a magnificent sunset over Anjos, sipping a glass of vinho verde in front of your still-trembling lapas (limpets).

Each island offers cars, scooters, mountain bikes, and electric bikes for rent and boasts stunning panoramic views wherever you go. The Azores are the ultimate nature destination and are the first archipelago in the world to receive the prestigious “Sustainable Tourism Destination” label.

As a Travel Planner, I can give you the best advice for your trip to the Azores. Feel free to consult me.

The Azores are a relatively remote destination and devoting more than a week to this off-the-beaten-track trip is well worth it. You can easily hop from one island to another with Azores Airlines which provides frequent and comfortable air links between the 9 islands. You can also take the ferry but the distances are long and the trips can be rough, except for the trip from Faial to Pico.

Note : There is no ferry between Sao Miguel and Santa Maria island, you have to take a flight.

For a 10 days stay, we recommend a few days of road trip around Sao Miguel before or after diving with us. Sao Miguel, though very touristic, is a condensed version of what the Azores archipelago can offer. Also, it is the only island where you will be able to bask in geothermally heated thermal pools at 34°C (=93°F) and more. To do on a summer evening, under the stars.

Beyond 10 days, you can start planning a tour of three islands. In any case, allow at least three to five full days on each island, as they all have a lot to offer and the unpredictable weather can throw up surprises and require you to reschedule activities.

Even if photos and videos show freedivers swimming with sperm whales, it is forbidden to go in the water in the presence of these cetaceans in the Azores. The people who can do this have received a prior authorization because they are participating in the making of a documentary or working for a scientific mission.

In the Azores (except in Santa Maria), You can use the services of a whale watching company to observe whales. You will generally spend three hours at sea and, with the help of lookouts on land, formerly used for hunting sperm whales, the boat will head towards the mammals, keeping a safe distance from them.

The best islands for whale watching are Sao Miguel, Faial, Pico, Terceira, and Flores.

In Faial, without going through a whale watching company, we sometimes have wonderful encounters while navigating. This is often the case on the Princess Alice Bank trip, the site of the mobula rays. It may therefore be strategic to book this trip before booking a whale watching trip.

As for the whale shark, this magnificent fish visits us every summer in the Azores, and yes, it is perfectly legal to swim with this giant of the seas. Keep in mind however, that sightings are rare, so don't come to the Azores just for this, or you may be very disappointed. To give you an idea, I see it two or three times per season. When it starts to be spotted in the Azores ocean, it is usually visible for several days or even weeks at a time. But while some people see it on day one, day two, others don't see it at all. That's how it is. Its appearance is largely down to luck, and that's part of what makes the event so magical!

Falamos Português, we speak portuguese ! Indeed, the Azores are an autonomous area of Portugal located at the same latitude as Lisbon, at 1450km from it. The archipelago is part of the European Union and the Euro zone. On the boat we usually speak English because of the international clientele.

In the supermarkets and restaurants, everyone can speak English. The menus are translated in almost all the restaurants except for some very typical places with a very local atmosphere.