Offshore diving with mobula rays and blue sharks
In summary
-
Sports
-
Duration5 days
-
LevelConfirmed
-
DestinationPortugal / Azores
-
AgeFrom 16 - 80 years
-
CO₂-Emissions30.16 kg CO2
-
Type of stayIndependent traveler
-
Languages
English
French
Portuguese
Spanish
In a few words
Explore the wild beauty of the Atlantic on an exclusive underwater adventure around Pico Island . Based in Lajes do Pico , this small-group trip prioritizes a personalized approach for a total and authentic immersion.
Your exploration begins amidst spectacular underwater volcanic landscapes, sculpted by ancient eruptions. You then set sail for the legendary Princess Alice Bank , one of the world's most renowned offshore diving sites. In these exceptionally clear waters, you'll have the privilege of encountering a wealth of pelagic fauna, from dense schools of fish to majestic mobula rays gliding through the blue.
The highlight of this extraordinary experience is undoubtedly the breathtaking encounter with the blue shark , observed in its natural habitat in the open ocean. Led by certified instructors and local guides, you'll enjoy a professional yet intimate atmosphere, far removed from mass tourism. An unforgettable journey for all marine life enthusiasts seeking to reconnect with the ocean.
The highlights
-
An intimate diving experience in small groups with personalized service
-
Dive into the legendary seamount at Princess Alice Bank offshore
-
Encounter with mobula rays and blue sharks in the middle of the Atlantic
Photos
Sport
Level
Scuba diving
You have already dived to a depth of 30 meters with an instructor. You hold a Level 2 or CMAS 2 certification, or Advanced Open Water Diver + Deep Diver (PADI or SSI).
The expert's opinion
This experience is designed for confident recreational divers who already have experience diving in natural environments ( open-water ) and in the open sea.
To participate in offshore expeditions, divers must hold at least an Advanced Open Water certification (or equivalent) or have a minimum of 50 dives recorded in their logbook.
The program includes several consecutive days of diving and offshore navigation in a rigid inflatable boat (Zodiac). Participants must therefore be comfortable with diving from a boat, currents, varying sea conditions, launching and re-aboarding, as well as extended periods at sea.
Although all dives are fully supervised by experienced professionals, participants must be self-reliant in the use of their equipment, proficient in buoyancy control, adhere to dive plans, and capable of diving safely in changing ocean conditions.
This itinerary is ideal for divers seeking a dynamic open-sea adventure, rather than those wishing to undertake relaxed, beginner-level dives.
All activities remain subject to weather conditions. Itineraries may be adjusted according to sea and weather conditions to ensure both your safety and the best possible experience.
In figures
Diving
- 2 average daily practices
- Maximum depth: 30 m
Management
English
French
Portuguese
Spanish
Lucie is the founder and general manager of the dive center. With extensive experience in hospitality, customer service, and tourism, she oversees all aspects of the business and is dedicated to creating personalized, high-quality experiences for each client. Her passion for Pico Island and the Atlantic Ocean is at the heart of the company's intimate and high-quality approach.
Lucho is an SSI-certified professional diver with extensive knowledge of Pico Island's dive sites and open-sea environments. Passionate about marine life, diver safety, and ocean conservation, he specializes in leading dives through the most thrilling underwater experiences in the Azores, from volcanic reefs to encounters with offshore pelagic species.
All activities are led by experienced SSI certified professionals with extensive knowledge of Pico Island and the surrounding open sea dive sites.
As an intimate dive center ( boutique dive center ), we choose to work with small groups. This allows for personalized guidance, meticulous dive planning, and unwavering attention throughout the entire program.
Our shore dives are organized using the club van and are carefully selected based on the daily conditions. Our offshore expeditions, on the other hand, are carried out aboard our high-performance rigid inflatable boat, a Vanguard DR900, specifically designed to offer safe and rapid access to remote dive sites such as Princess Alice Bank, Condor Bank, or Pedra de Sousa.
This approach allows us to offer exceptional diving experiences while maintaining the highest standards of comfort, safety and professionalism.
Program
-
Arrival on Pico Island
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Arrival on Pico Island and check-in to your accommodation. Free time to explore the island, settle in, and prepare for your upcoming diving adventures. Depending on your arrival time, our team will be available to answer any questions and help you adjust your equipment if needed.
Day 1 -
Double reef dive
- Activity Diving
- Number of practices per day 2
- Maximum depth (in m) 30 m
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Meet at the dive center for your first day of activities. After a full briefing, we will head out to carefully selected dive sites around Pico Island in the club van.
The day includes two guided shore dives, allowing you to familiarize yourself with the local conditions while exploring volcanic formations, lava arches, and abundant marine life. This day also serves as a mandatory check dive before participating in offshore expeditions.
Day 2 -
Shipping to Princess Alice Bank
- Activity Diving
- Number of practices per day 2
- Maximum depth (in m) 18 m
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
An early morning departure for a full-day offshore adventure to Princess Alice Bank, one of the most legendary dive sites in the Atlantic Ocean. Located approximately 60 nautical miles south of Pico, this isolated seamount is renowned for encounters with graceful mobula rays and other pelagic species. The expedition includes two dives, refreshments, water, and a light lunch on board.
Day 3 -
Shark diving adventure
- Activity Diving
- Number of practices per day 1
- Maximum depth (in m) 14 m
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Venture out to sea aboard our high-performance rigid inflatable boat for an unforgettable open-ocean shark diving experience. Under the supervision of experienced guides, observe blue sharks in their natural open-ocean habitat, while learning about their behavior and the importance of shark conservation. Mako sharks may occasionally be seen, although their presence cannot be guaranteed.
Day 4 -
Departure from Pico Island
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Free time before your departure. We recommend a minimum surface interval of 24 hours after your last dive before flying. Depart from Pico Island with the memory of an unforgettable diving adventure in the Azores.
Day 5
Note
This itinerary has been carefully designed to maximize the chances of encountering the Azores' most iconic pelagic marine life while maintaining the highest safety standards.
As offshore diving activities are highly dependent on weather and sea conditions, the order of activities, departure times and daily schedules may be adjusted during your stay. Divers Club Azores continuously monitors forecasts and reserves the right to modify the program to ensure both safety and the best possible diving experience.
The program includes guided shore diving, a full-day expedition to the legendary Princess Alice Bank, and an offshore blue shark diving experience. All activities are conducted in small groups to ensure personalized guidance, comfort and flexibility.
Detailed schedules, meeting times and departure times will be confirmed locally throughout the program.
Accommodation
Access
The meeting point for all activities is the diving center.
Pico Island is accessible by domestic flights from mainland Portugal and the other islands of the Azores, as well as by ferry connections within the archipelago.
Renting a car or scooter is recommended for exploring the island and enjoying maximum flexibility between your activity days. Scooter rentals are available directly from the dive center, subject to availability.
Detailed instructions regarding the assembly point will be provided to you before your arrival.
Go to the starting point
Free public parking is available near the dive center and meeting point in Lajes do Pico.
Customers arriving by rental car will easily find a parking space within walking distance of the dive club.
Price details
The price includes
- 2 guided reef dives around Pico Island (mandatory refresher dive included)
- Full-day offshore diving expedition to Princess Alice Bank (2 dives)
- Offshore diving expedition with sharks (1 dive)
- Bottles and weights
- Free use of top-of-the-range Mares diving equipment
- Water, snacks and a light lunch during the expedition to Princess Alice Bank
- Water and snacks during the shark expedition
- Supervised by experienced and SSI certified diving professionals
- Accommodation according to the chosen package
The price does not include
- Flights to and from Pico Island
- Airport transfers
- Diving computer rental (€20 per unit per day)
- Diving insurance
- Alcoholic beverages
- The tourist tax
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
- Meals according to the chosen package
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate what formalities are required for entry and stay in the destination country. You can also consult this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
For connecting flights operated by different airlines, also check the formalities for countries you transit through.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are compliant, in particular regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to still be valid 6 months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations and health recommendations. And don't forget to take into account customs restrictions and other obligations of the destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date — remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
- High-end Mares diving equipment (buoyancy compensator, regulator, wetsuit, mask, fins, booties and surface marker buoy)
- Blocks and lead weights
- Refreshments during offshore excursions
- Light lunch during the excursion to Princess Alice Bank
- Services of an SSI certified professional dive guide/instructor
- Transport by dive van for shore dives
- Boat transport for offshore activities
Equipment to bring
- Diving certification card
- Diving logbook or proof of experience
- Personal dive computer (recommended)
- Reusable water bottle or flask
- Seasickness medication (if needed)
Clothing to bring
- Swimsuit
- Bath towel
- Lightweight waterproof or windproof jacket
- Comfortable clothing suitable for changing weather conditions
- Hat, sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen
- Warm clothing for offshore boat trips and surface intervals
- Flip-flops or non-slip shoes
The Lucie team
Based in Lajes do Pico, this boutique dive center specializes in small-group marine and land-based experiences. Our local partner intentionally limits outings to a maximum of 10 participants to ensure highly personalized, safe, and environmentally conscious guidance, perfectly aligned with a vision of authentic adventure.
