Not far from the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, the small archipelago of the Azores is both isolated and surprisingly accessible. It combines everything you could possibly ask for in a trip from elegant European culture rich in world heritage sites, delicious food, and slow paced living, to dramatic and untamed nature with shark diving, whale watching and volcano hiking! This “off the radar” destination has it all!
Our trip begins with an adrenaline shot right away as we board the Water and Wind catamaran for a week of incredible diving. The Azores are known for blue shark encounters, schools of acrobatic mobula rays, whale sharks, mantas, and maybe even sperm whales. This open ocean weigh station beckons pelagic travelers as deep ocean currents meet the rock pinnacles, driving nutrient-rich water up from the depths. There is potential for so much action you won’t know which direction to look!
After a week of high energy diving it’s time to explore the beautiful Azores islands. The tour begins in Sao Miguel and continues to various towns and verdant pastures along the way. We will see how the local pastry, queijadas, is made (and tastes!) as well as numerous other local delicacies. This is a perfect trip combining the magic of the sea and the interesting history and culture of the Azores!
Trip Inclusions:
- 8 days/7 nights aboard the Water & Wind catamaran
- 5 days of up to 3 dives/day
- All meals on board
- Roundtrip airport transfers
- Soft drinks, tea/coffee
- One day tour east side Sao Miguel
- One day tour west side Sao Miguel
- 4 days/4 nights 4-star hotel accommodations
- Daily breakfast during the hotel stay
- Ocean First trip leader
Not Included:
- Flights from Denver - Sao Miguel, Portugal (Ponta Delgada PDL)
- Alcoholic drinks
- Meals not specified above
- Crew gratuities
- Baggage fees
- Any unforeseen cost at the time of booking.
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
Trip Cost:
$6,375 based on double occupancy. Single occupancy (land only) $7,595
Payment Schedule:
- Nonrefundable deposit required to reserve: $2,000
- Final payment due by June 1, 2023
- Passport must be valid for 6 months after departure date
Cancellation Policy:
- Changes made to the reservation may result in additional fees.
- Cancellation 180 days or more: refund given based on reselling the space, minus the initial deposit.
- 179 - 120 days: payments made to date are forfeited as well as any vendor fees.
- 119 days or less or a no-show: no refunds given.
We strongly recommend securing trip cancellation insurance to protect your investment in the unlikely event you need to cancel your trip. Our preferred provider is DAN Trip Insurance.