Azores – Pico & Faial (Whale Shark Central)

About Azores – Pico & Faial (Whale Shark Central)

Pico and Faial form the heart of Azores pelagic diving, anchored by the legendary Princess Alice Bank where whale sharks, manta rays and mobula aggregations gather in summer. Condor Seamount off Faial adds scalloped hammerheads and blue sharks to the mix, while the Pico-Faial channel lets divers share the water with common dolphins. Steep drop-offs and gorgonian walls round out a world-renowned blue-water destination. This region rewards careful planning and respects marine-protection rules, offering rewarding diving for a range of Atlantic experience levels. This region rewards careful planning and respects Portuguese marine-protection rules, offering rewarding diving for a range of Atlantic experience levels. This region rewards careful planning and respects Portuguese marine-protection rules, offering rewarding diving for a range of Atlantic experience levels.

Highlights

• ✓Princess Alice Bank: iconic offshore seamount with whale sharks and manta rays (July-October).
• ✓Condor Seamount: a submerged pinnacle with hammerheads, blue sharks and manta rays.
• ✓Pico-Faial channel drift: dives alongside common dolphin pods in clear water.
• ✓Baixa do Norte: a steep drop-off with gorgonians and occasional manta passes.
• ✓Ilhéu do Topo: walls of black coral and sea fans on São Jorge.

Getting There

Fly to Pico (PIX) or Faial (HOR) airports, or take the Horta-Pico ferry. Most pelagic dives depart from Madalena (Pico) or Horta (Faial) on specialised boats; the offshore banks are 1.5-3 hours away.