Luxury Diving in the Azores

The Azores may not be on everyone’s radar when considering a luxury diving holiday, but believe us when we tell you, this remote Portuguese archipelago has it all. Only a short plane ride away from the UK, the Azores has landscapes to rival Hawaii, waterfalls as beautiful as those in Costa Rica, and of course, some of the best diving Europe has to offer.

A luxury diving holiday in the Azores is perfect for divers seeking adventure on a range of local and offshore sites. The Azores is known for its fantastic pelagic diving, and you could find yourself face-to-face with mobulas (also known as devil rays), a range of sharks and the occasional whale shark if you're particularly lucky.

One of our favourite dive sites in the Azores is the Princess Alice Seamount, 58 miles south-west of Pico Island. The seamount extends down an impressive 2,500 metres to the ocean floor and lies 32 metres below the surface. This is one of the top places on the archipelago to see mobulas, which gather here in large numbers from July to mid-October.

Many of the archipelago's best dive sites lie offshore, so if you're looking to make the most of luxury diving in the Azores, we suggest combining a few nights in Sao Miguel with a luxurious liveaboard, and setting sail for seven fun-filled days visiting fabulous dive sites such as the Princess Alice Seamount, Ambrosio and Formigas.

If you'd prefer to spend your nights on dry land, then don't fret, as Sao Miguel has its fair share of beautiful dive sites. Arcos Da Caloura and Âncora Do Ilhéu are a couple of our favourites. The first is home to an interesting cave, which is often inhabited by dusky groupers and nudibranchs. At the second, you'll find a small reef and a scattering of anchors, some of which are over 300 years old.

Speaking of dry land, a couple of our favourite accommodation options for a luxury diving holiday in the Azores include the White Exclusive Suites & Villas, where you can enjoy lunch at their ocean-view restaurant, or if you'd prefer to stay inland, try the Furnas Boutique Hotel, a luxurious boutique hotel nestled within the Furnas Valley. The Furnas Valley is a great base for those looking to do more than just diving, as it's known for its botanical gardens and geothermal pools.

With world-class dive sites and equally fantastic hotels, luxury diving in the Azores is the perfect way to spend your next holiday, and our expert team can help you to create your dream itinerary.