Experiences
Discover the island of Santa Maria through our fantastic experiences!
Scuba Diving

Scuba Diving Baptism
Scuba Diving Baptism
"The Diving Baptism is the first experience of scuba diving, in a controlled environment and always accompanied by an instructor, where you will have the opportunity to observe the marine fauna and flora.
The baptism, as it is rightly said, presupposes the first contact with equipment, how to use it and learn how to breathe underwater. This experience will provide a first contact with the underwater world and a feeling of “zero” gravity.
The duration under water is approximately 30 minutes, always in the company of our instructors."

Diving Courses
Diving Courses
Around Santa Maria Island, several types of diving can be done, resulting from the diverse geological formation characteristic of the Azores archipelago.
While diving you can enjoy crystal clear waters with excellent visibility: the fantastic variety of fauna and flora; caves; tunnels and sandy bottoms, in littoral lowlands located near the coast or on seamounts, distant from the coast and offshore dives.
Santa Maria Island was one of the first to create underwater marine reserves in the Azores.

Snorkeling: with Jantas, Whale Shark and in Marine Protected Areas
Snorkeling: with Jantas, Whale Shark and in Marine Protected Areas
Snorkeling in Baixa do Ambrósio - observation of Mantas:
“Ambrosio” has become an ambitious spot due to the large concentrations of mantas and pelagics. It may be dependent on the weather conditions.
Note: Being a MPA (Marine Protected Area) this spot has some rules: marking to operate in protected areas; respect the code of conduct (avoid disturbing the manta rays you find) and a maximum stay of 1h30m.
Ideal season: between July and September.
Snorkeling in Marine Protected Areas:
Pedrinha is less than 1 mile from the coast in the bay of Praia Formosa (south coast of the island). It is an excellent spot for diving and snorkeling, where you can see a large and vast biodiversity.
The sunken “Canary Boat” carried Spanish military personnel and cargo during Cuba's famous “Ten Years' War” (1868-1878). The boat sank due to bad weather conditions, having been “pushed” against the southern coast of Santa Maria Island. It was classified as the fifth archaeological site of the Autonomous Region of the Azores.
Note: Being a MPA (Marine Protected Area) this spot has some rules: marking to operate in protected areas; respect the code of conduct (avoid disturbing the marine life you find); and a maximum stay of 1h30m.
Snorkeling with Whale Shark:
Snorkelling with the largest fish in the world in the crystal clear waters of the Azores, surrounded by large tuna and countless other species of fish that accompany these giants of the seas on their Atlantic crossings is, without doubt, one of the best diving experiences Santa Maria has to offer. Santa Maria is the most visited island by this colossus of the seas.
The experience of snorkeling in the blue waters of Santa Maria with a fish that often exceeds 10 meters in length, slowly swimming around the divers doesn't end with the sighting of the whale shark. Often this shark comes accompanied by an escort of thousands of tuna, as well as pilot fish and countless other small pelagic fish.
Since the search for whale sharks takes place relatively far offshore, a typical whale shark snorkelling outing usually holds more surprises for divers, such as turtles and several species of dolphins that annually migrate to the warm waters of the Azores.

Apnea Exits

Round-the-Island Boat Tours
Round-the-Island Boat Tours
On this boat trip you can observe white sandy beaches, caves, unique landscapes, as well as the unique treasure of the island of Santa Maria: the marine fossils.
You will also have the opportunity to refresh yourself in the crystal-clear waters of Santa Maria throughout the trip.

Maritime Fossil Route

Paddle Surf
Paddle Surf
Paddle surfing in all its forms is a very complete sport and is great for those who want to train and have fun in a different way.
With or without waves, it is a good opportunity to train your balance, strengthen your body, relax your mind and learn other ways of gliding on the water.

Environmental Awareness and Ocean Protection Activities

Nature Tours
