Azores Sub Dive Center

Azores, Portugal

The team at Azores Sub Dive Center are exactly the sort of people you want guiding you around the volcanic wonders of São Miguel. We’ve always found them relaxed but utterly professional, running a smooth operation right from the marina in Vila Franca do Campo. They specialise in showing off the unique geology and pelagic encounters the Azores are famous for, and they do it with a genuine enthusiasm that’s infectious. Our favourite dive with them often involves the Dori wreck, which is always a good time, but it’s their trips to the Princess Alice Bank that really stand out. That deep offshore seamount is a magnet for mobulas, and we’ve had some truly epic dives there, watching them glide by in formations. They’re PADI certified, so good for courses, but we’d suggest them particularly for experienced divers keen to explore the deeper, more exposed sites. Expect decent RIBs, good briefings, and a no-fuss approach that gets you right to the action. Just be prepared for the Atlantic’s chill; even in summer, a 7mm wetsuit isn't overkill here.