Epic Pelagic Encounters
ON THIS EXPEDITION:
The Azores are teeming with marine life and the dive locations are amongst one of the most interesting and diverse in the world. The Azores are located in the heart of the Gulf Stream, and the visibility in the summer time is a stunning forty-plus meter view. You can see schools of tuna, mackerel, barracuda or typical reef species including crustaceans, groupers, snappers, moray eels, rays and invertebrates. Dive with blue and mako sharks, mobulas and mantas. You are likely to dive with sea turtles, mola mola and different whale and dolphin species.
Program
General Itinerary
Day 1: Big Animals Expeditions picks you up at Pico airport. After a short transfer, you will check in on the boat in Madalena. There you will have the rest of the day to rest, prepare your dive gear and explore the village for some shopping and sightseeing. In the evening, we will eat in one of the best local seafood restaurants of Madalena together with your dive guide.
Day 2: We will start the day with the check dive. Two more dives are planned around Pico and Faial in the afternoon.
Day 3: At night, we will sail to Banco Condor, where the shark guide will prepare a chumming trail for the sharks. Two dives are planned throughout the day, where we hope to dive with both the blue and mako shark.
The evening will be spent in the port of Horta, where we will have dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 4: We will do another sail over night about 45 nautical miles offshore to the Princess Alice Bank. This seamount is renowned as a mobula hot spot, but large schools of pelagic fish can also be observed here. Three dives are scheduled here today. Sea conditions allowing, we will spend the night at anchor.
Day 5: Two morning dives are planned at Princess Alice. Around lunchtime we will start sailing back towards Pico Island, where we will spend the night in one of the islands’ harbors. There is a good chance to encounter different species of whales and dolphins on our way back, so keep your eyes open!
Day 6: Throughout the night we will start our sail along the coast to the legendary Banco João Castro. Located between the islands of Terceira and São Miguel, this ocean bank is made up of lava flows and underwater volcanic deposits. It features very active volcanism. Three dives are scheduled here today, and we will spend the night at sea.
Day 7: Another two dives are planned at João Castro for the morning to finish off our diving program. At the end of the morning we will sail back to the port of Madalena, where we will stay overnight. Dinner will be at a local restaurant in Madalena.
Day 8: Check out early morning. You will be transferred to Pico airport, or an extension program will be available upon request.
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Price per person:
$4,900 double occupancy. Deposit required: $1,600
Included in tour price:
- 7 Nights accommodation in a double cabin with full board
- Soft drinks aboard
- Dives as described above, with tanks and weights
- Experienced dive guide on board
- Transfers to / from Pico Airport
- A maximum of 6 guests
- Amos photo coaching
Not included in tour price:
- Return flight, insurance, extension program and transfers from other airports (Horta)
- Alcoholic beverages on board
- Drinks while on land
- Personal expenses
- Tips and gratuities
Weather:
The planned route can vary due to weather and diving conditions. If specific locations can not be reached, alternative dives or program will be offered. A change of route due to safety reasons may be done without prior notice.
Qualifications:
Participants of this dive cruise should be advanced divers with a minimum of 50 logged dives.
Food and drinks:
We have arranged for five dinners in local restaurants to make your stay as comfortable as possible. We introduce you to local and Azorean cuisine. If you have any specific dietary requirements, please let us know when booking your cruise.
During the two nights that we will spend at sea we offer a basic meal. Lunch snacks are light meals. And breakfast will be Portuguese style with tea, coffee, juice, bread, marmalade, cheese, cereals and fruits.
Tea, coffee and soft drinks are available all day free of charge. All drinks that you consume on land are not included. A small selection of alcoholic drinks is available for sale on board.
For payment, please mail your check to:
Big Animals Expeditions
2000 Broadway, Suite #1204
San Francisco, CA 94115
Information current as of January, 2012. Dates and prices may be subject to change without prior notice.
For Booking and/or further questions, please contact Amos:
Phone: (415) 923-9865
Toll free: 877-229-4253
Email: phototrips@biganimals.com
We look forward to your joining us on this adventure of a lifetime!
To join us, please complete the Registration Form.
