The Azores Big Animal Encounters
The Azores ‘Giants of the Seas’
24th September to 3rd October 2016
This ship has now sailed but we are keen on arranging another one, so please get in touch if you would like to join us!
This is one of the most exciting trips we have ever run and suitable for non-divers to. It’s a chance to encounter some of the worlds largest animals including Blue Whales, Beaked Whales, Humpbacks, Dolphins, False Killer Whales, Manta Rays and Blue Sharks.
Check this out…
Flight Details
| Outbound Flight | Depart London Heathrow time tbc | Arrive Horta 25th September time tbc | |
| Return Flight | Depart Horta time tbc | Arrive London Heathrow 3rd October tbc |
Itinerary
24th September – Overnight stay in Lisbon Hotel on a B&B basis
25th September – Fly to Horta, Azores
25th September to 2nd October – 7 nights at the 4* Hotel Failal Resort on a B&B basis
2nd October – fly to Lisbon for finale night out and 1 nights accommodation in a hotel on a B&B basis
The trip includes a 10 dive package, supplements for Manta trip to Pricesa Alice and blue sharks at Banco do Condor.
Spacious accommodation
Faial Resort Hotel is a stunning four star resort located on the Island of Faial, surrounded by lush green areas that separate this luxurious resort from Horta City, it is the ideal place to unwind and relax in a beautiful setting. Guests can enjoy beautiful views over the Pico Island, the ocean, and the surrounding area. With a stunning location exploring the sights of Faial, Azores in Portugal is made simple.
Guests can enjoy delicious meals and views in the Panoramic Restaurant, and there is a Bar where you can enjoy a beverage of your choice and a light snack.
There is also a games room and lounge, ideal for some chill out time. Guests can also maintain their current fitness regime in the gymnasium and fitness centre, or unwind with a pampering service in the beauty salon. For those looking for somewhere to unwind the sauna, Jacuzzi, and Turkish baths are ideal. Guests can enjoy the swimming pool and tennis courts and can also rent a car with car rental services available.
Diving & Snorkelling
This is really a trip for more Advanced divers and snorkellers.
About 24 species of whales and dolphins are reported to be found in the Azores, more than 25% of all the cetacean species known.
It is considered one of the areas in the North Atlantic with the highest concentration of sperm whales, being also a mating and nursery ground.
Every whale watching tour is a unique experience and the sightings vary. The impressive sperm whale is a year-round resident and regular dolphin sightings include the common, Risso’s and bottlenose dolphins; atlantic spotted dolphins are abundant from June to September; striped dolphins and short finned pilot whales.
Steep walls, gentle slopes, volcanic arches, seamounts, caves and islets make the underwater scenarios diverse and unique. Isolated in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, the great thrill of diving off Faial is that you can also be surprised with an unexpected encounter!
The marine life in the Azores is diverse and abundant with some colourful subtropical fish species. Pelagic fishes like tuna, barracudas, jacks, sardines and mackerels are best spotted from July to September, when the warm Gulf Stream rises the sea temperature to about 20-23ºC. Manta rays are spotted every year in seamounts during July, August and September. Morays, stingrays, dusky groupers, comb groupers, wrasses, parrot fishes, trigger fishes, breams and damselfishes are common in most dives. Caves and rocky crevices are a good place to find nudibranches and their spawns, sponges, molluscs, lobsters, shrimps and other interesting crustaceans.
We will be there for the best season for scuba diving which is from June to September when the weather gets drier and the water temperature increases. Most of the times you can expect clear water with 20-25m visibility.
Diving Highlights
Banco do Condor
A dive in to the blue with lots of Blue Sharks – the puppies of the ocean
Princesa Alice
A remote location 45 miles from Horta (3h each way). Submerged mountain from more than 1000 m up to 32 m deep. Schools of 5-6 m devil rays (Mobula tarapacana), barracudas, skipjack tuna, amber jacks, wahoos, big sting rays. It is one of the best dives in the world.
Vulcão dos Capelinhos
On the west coast of Faial, Vulcão dos Capelinos was the last volcanic eruption of the Azores (1957/58).
Dramatic seascape with boulders caves and lava arches.
Fauna: breams, sting rays, morays, barracudas, guelly jacks, occasionally hammerhead sharks.
Baixa da Barca
Pinnacle, from more than 200 m up to 18 m deep. Good place for pelagic, like, mackerel, barracudas, guelly jacks and amber jacks. Dramatic topography.
Furnas do Monte da Guia
A large cave with entrance between 20 and 25 m in a wall.
Shrimps; nudibranchs; groupers and fork beards can be found here.
A SELECTION OF VIDEOS CAN BE FOUND HERE
Activities for non-divers
Non-divers are welcome to join us. For the active there is a host of land based activities and the you can make use of the hotels excellent facilities such as swimming pool, jacuzzi and sauna.
Price
The price based on return flights from London Heathrow, transfers to/from hotel, 2 nights in Lisbon, 7 nights’ accommodation in a twin/double room on a B&B basis as described above plus a 5 day dive package is £1,599 per person. There is a supplement of around £30 per person to dive Princesa Alice (Mantas) and Banco do Condor (Blue Sharks), the final price will depend on the final numbers.
Non-divers receive a £250 discount.
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
Single room supplement £385
Whale/Dolphin watching 1/2 day £54
Snorkelling with Dolphins £63
Jeep off road tour £34
Hiking trail 1/2 day (guided) £24 (requires minimum of 2 people)
If you need to hire equipment then it is £75 from us for the week, or 27.50 Euros per day while you are there which includes BCD, regs, weight belt, mask, fins and boots. Does not include 5mm wetsuit or dive computer hire. Diving courses are available but extra charges will apply.
All prices are subject to availability and may change.
To book
Please contact us directly…
A £399 deposit is required to secure your place. The balance is due 40 days before departure. Credit cards incur a 2.5% charge, Amex 4% but there is no charge for Debit Cards or bank transfers.
We hope you are able to join us for this amazing adventure.