ACORES DIVING - PUBLI REDAC

Portuguese islands nestled in the middle of the Atlantic, mid-distance between Europe and the Americas, the Azores compose between sweetness of life, omnipresent nature, heat of the inhabitants and climate protected by the anticyclone of the same name. Underwater, we find the muscular wildlife of the Atlantic, but also more and more species that go back to the tropics. And cherry on the cake, whales and dolphins sometimes accompany divers ... Spots d'Evasion invites you to discover Sao Miguel, haunt for lovers of unspoilt areas, divers and hikers.

A WILD DESTINATION A FEW HOURS OF FLIGHT

Volcanic archipelago covered with green forests, lakes, small islands where green and blue constantly compete for the limelight, “the Azores, insists Laurent Hervier of Spots d'Evasion, are truly a destination to be discovered for all nature lovers. , without any mass tourism. “Beyond diving, it is also an archipelago where the welcome, the quality of life, the pleasures of the table are worth a detour. All this just under a six-hour flight from the metropolis, and for a particularly attractive budget.

DIVING SITES

Between May and October, depending on the weather, we dive into around thirty sites in a world made up of arches, caves, drop offs and colorful reefs. The fauna is both tropical and Atlantic, with large specimens. We meet parrotfish, stingrays, mackerel, triggerfish, moray eels, conger eels, barracudas, turtles and dolphins. In this aquatic world, sharks and manta rays also have their place, and whales sometimes cross our path. The world of children is also very well represented, especially on the volcanic contours of the island: nudibranchs, armies of shrimps, octopus, sea cicadas ... Visibility is generally good to very good (often 30 to 60 meters except after rare depressions). In general, two successive ones are organized in the morning, and a dive can be planned in the afternoon, but the key word remains the flexibility of organization, according to the desires of the customers. As for the required level, diving holidays in the Azores are aimed at all divers, from those wishing to discover diving by passing a diploma to the expert.

DIVING CENTERS

A small center in the hotel Caloura is well equipped, 2 boats including an Orca (engine 250 chs), 2 compressors Bauer. The boats leave either from the nearby beach when the weather is very calm or often from the marina of Ponta Delgada.

The other more French-speaking center is located in the marina of the small town of Ponta Delgada. It offers you all the PADI, CMAS and TDI programs. It is fully equipped in terms of safety with oxygen therapy kit, treatment kits, VHF for permanent contact with our boats, cell phones and semi-automated defibrillators.

A small semi-rigid 6 m motorized with an outboard 60 chs, is very pleasant for outings around.

The “big gray”, a 10,40 m cruising boat powered by two GM 260 hp inboard engines. is equipped with sanitary facilities, a fridge, as well as a “relaxation” area for accompanying persons.

A recompression chamber is on the island.

ACCOMMODATION

- Hotel Caloura 4 *: 17 km from Ponta Delgada, overlooks the cliff, next to a small beach, the hotel is set in a splendid environment between vines, flowers and lava rocks.

It includes 50 rooms with sea view and private balcony, bathroom, television, telephone. The hotel also has a sauna, a tennis court, a gym and a panoramic restaurant.

Our favorite :

Hotel Talisman: located at 700 meters from the marina and overlooking a small park, this hotel with the charm of yesteryear (historical building of 1887) totally renovated has 53 rooms including 43 standard with 2 single beds, 4 suites with 1 double bed (possibility 3 bed^rd person), 7 deluxe and 3 smaller for 1 person.

All the rooms of good comfort are pleasantly decorated in a style a little retro to the English. They offer air conditioning, television, minibar, safe, Wi-fi. The restaurant is famous and the bar is the only pub on the island, terrace, small pool and small gym. Clothing cleaning service, the hotel has a very friendly atmosphere.

The accommodation in Lagoa:

Villas and apartments: about 8 km east of Ponta Delgada, this structure is located 500 m from the sea, in the small fishing village of Lagoa. All amenities (supermarket, bus, taxi station, grocery store, etc.) are within a radius of 800 m.

The 3 apartments: type T1, they are located above the building of the reception which has only one floor. They consist of a bedroom with twin beds, a bathroom with shower or bath, a kitchen and a living room.

All apartments share the main terrace, overlooking the sea and the subtropical garden and the pool.

The 22 villas: all have on the ground floor a bedroom with twin beds, a bathroom with bathtub, an equipped kitchen, a living room, as well as a private terrace with a view on the subtropical garden. Upstairs, a double bedroom and bathroom with shower.

In the garden the pool is nice, a small bar and breakfast room (for a fee) for those who wish. Wifi access, laundry service and bike rental.

THE PRICES

Price with our favorite in Punta delgada, hotel Talisman:

Flight Paris Punta Delgada, hotel airport transfers A / R, 7 nights in double room with breakfast, 10 dives for equipped diver, insurance assistance and administration fees.

Price per person until June 14: 1022 €

Price per person until the end of September: 1106 €

OTHER ACTIVITES

Watch whales and swim with dolphins. Beautiful hiking around volcanoes, along the coast, bike rides or discovery by car of the villages, Furnass fumaroles, Sete citades, lagoa do Fogo. Beautiful golf. It is strongly recommended to rent a car to discover the island.

Climate

May to October

Air: 20 to 27 ° C

Sea: 19 to 24 ° C

Approximate flight time

Paris / Ponta Delgada: 6h

formalities

identity card validation in progress

Healthcare

No vaccine required

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