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WHY DIVE AZORES? 

When thinking about pelagic life, most think about the Caribbean and Asian waters, with countless pelagic fanatics flocking there each year. Most don’t think about European waters like the Azores, an autonomous Portuguese territory consisting of nine islands located 1500 km west of the mainland. The Portuguese-speaking territory has stunning white-sand beaches and some of the most mesmerizing sites in the Atlantic.

ARRIVING AT AZORES - HOW TO GET THERE

Guests arrive in the Azores through the airport Ponta Delagada, located on São Miguel Island. From North America, visitors can fly in from Boston, Toronto, or through most European cities. The flight is usually around 4-5 hours. The other eight islands can be accessed through local flights. Guests can also take ferries between the islands, but the schedules can be inconsistent outside of the summer season. 

DIVING IN AZORES 

As a pelagic hotspot, guests often spot blue sharks, whale sharks, mako sharks, mobula rays, and manta rays in the Azores with rare sightings of Galapagos or smooth hammerhead sharks.  Resident and migratory whales can be seen breaking through the water’s surface, usually during excursions to Pico of Faial in May. Other creatures include crustaceans, cetaceans, yellowmouth barracuda, amberjacks, gully jacks, Atlantic bonito, wahoo, skipjack tuna, bigeye tuna, large groupers, sponges, crusting anemones, moray eels, octopus, nudibranchs, hermit crabs, and unicorn shrimp.

The Azores has a volcanic underwater landscape that differs from its tropical counterparts; instead of colorful corals, there are underwater canyons, caverns, and gullies. The underwater visibility is up to 40 meters and the water conditions are unpredictable. It is recommended to plan for boat cancellations due to weather. The water temperature is cooler than tropical waters, typically around 21ºC. A 7mm semi-dry suit with a hood and gloves is recommended. 

DIVE CONDITIONS AND WHEN TO VISIT  

The dive season lasts from June to September with waters at their most calm and warm during June and August. The visibility is greater in September, although temperatures drop during this time. Overall, the water temperature ranges from 15ºC to 23ºC, and the air temperature ranges from 14ºC to 25ºC. The most rainfall is from October to March, and the air is consistently humid. 

WHERE TO STAY

We recommend Water and Wind for your Azores liveaboard adventure. The 13-meter Fountaine Pajot catamaran is all-inclusive and hosts up to eight divers. The Azores-based itineraries explore the archipelago and Santa Maria Island.

Ready for your AZORES adventure? Book with us today!

Diving is made easy in the Filipino municipality—dive sites range from a 10- to 20-minute boat ride from most resorts. The healthy, colorful reefs keep divers in a state of awe, and the muck, blackwater, and night diving opportunities make them ready for more. Dives take place from bankgas, which are small boats that seat up to four divers and two to three crew members. The highly experienced crews keep divers safe while pointing out the vast marine life. Popular sightings include shrimp, crabs, nudibranchs, squid, cuttlefish, frogfish, pipefish, seahorses, wonderpus, blue-ringed octopus, and bobbit worms. With such unique experiences, Anilao is also beginner-friendly due to the often calm currents and shallow dive sites. 

While Anilao is known for its small marine life, larger beings like jacks, turtles, and giant seahorses can be spotted. Sites like Manitit Point have strong currents that bring in larger life like reef sharks, hunting barracudas, and giant and bluefin trevally. In deep waters, there are rare sightings of small whale sharks.

With stunning jungles on land, guests also flock to the soft coral forests, which range from 70 to 130 feet deep. The untouched corals feature rare critters like seahorses and rhinopias.

TOP DIVE SITES 

One of Anilao’s iconic dive sites is Twin Rocks, with vibrant life as shallow as 10 feet and as deep as 130. Photographers love this site for the macro life and wide-angle opportunities. Soft corals, jacks, jawfish, and more are just a few of the creatures spotted here.

Beatrice is popular with experienced divers who can brave the strong currents. With more wide-angle shots, Beatrice is known for swarms of anthias and stunning corals. Kirby’s Rock is another macro life mecca with a stunning wall and incredible visibility. For the muck diving fanatic, Secret Bay is a hot spot for mimic octopus, wonderpus, pipefish, and seahorses. Blackwater dive sites vary but spotting one-of-a-kind jellies, larvae, and invertebrates is a guarantee. 

DIVE CONDITIONS AND WHEN TO VISIT  

Waters are calm and warm year-round, ranging from 77°F to 81°F (25°C to 27°C) and a visibility of 40 feet to 50 feet (10m to 15m). The main season is from October to early June, with November and December as the peak. April and May tend to be the most crowded months for resorts. Monsoon season is in July and August, but dive sites can still be accessed.

WHERE TO STAY

Crystal Blue Anilao is set in the bay area and features accommodations for families, groups, and couples. Guests praise the resort for their dive facilities, which include a covered dive deck, rinse tanks, showers, camera rinse tanks, and a camera room. 

Buceo Anilao features a PADI-certified dive shop with Nitrox and air fills. The camera room includes eighteen workstations with air guns, rinse tanks, lockers, matted desks, and shelves. In addition to the iconic muck and macro diving Anilao is known for, Buceo brings guests to wreck and cave dives as well as weekly dive trips to Verde Island. 

While Anilao itself doesn’t have much outside of diving and watersports, the resorts keep guests busy with karaoke, bars, spa treatments, and pools. 

Ready for your Anilao adventure? Book with us today!

MALE TO KOODDOO  January 28 to February 4, 2023    BOOK ONLINE -->  CLICK HERE

Starting within the central atolls, you'll start exploring this tropical paradise with more relaxed and colorful pinnacle and wall dives. On an evening, you'll jump in for some spectacular night dives with our curious nurse shark and stingray nighttime visitors. You'll spend the day at the Meemu atoll, you'll experience unforgettable encounters at the manta cleaning stations. Moving further south, there will be an abundance of channel dives, with their strong currents attracting rich pelagic fauna. As the evenings roll in you'll venture round to the back of the boat for unforgettable night snorkeling experiences with whale sharks. There's a high chance of you having more than one visitor of an evening, and if you stay up late, one-on-one experiences are likely. The itinerary includes a trip to the Huvadhoo channels, a world-renowned diving location. There's a wealth of exciting encounters waiting to be had here with silvertip, hammerhead, bull, and large schools of grey reef sharks.

KOODDOO TO GAN  February 2-11, 2023  |  February 18-25, 2023  |  March 4-11, 2023

GAN TO KOODDOO February 11-18, 2023  |  February 25 to March 4, 2023  |  March 11-18, 2023

BOOK ONLINE -->  CLICK HERE

This will be a week of breath-taking channel and drift drives, as you ride the current alongside pelagic life and get to experience not only sightings, but a front seat look into their behaviors. The itinerary includes a trip to the Huvadhoo channels, a world-renowned diving location. There's a wealth of exciting encounters waiting to be had here with silvertip, hammerhead, bull, and large schools of grey reef sharks. Moving on to Fuvahmulah atoll, you'll be immersed into oceanic depths with unbeatable conditions that lend themselves to great encounters with tiger, whale, and thresher sharks, black oceanic mantas, and many other pelagic fauna. This is renowned for being many's most memorable dive of their logbook. As the evenings roll in you'll venture round to the back of the boat for unforgettable night snorkeling experiences with whale sharks. There's a high chance of you having more than one visitor of an evening, and if you stay up late, one-on-one experiences are likely. The itinerary includes a trip to the Addu atolls, a dive site blessed with the best hard corals that make for great sightings of giant manta rays in their cleaning stations. Additionally, this is home to the biggest shipwreck in the Maldives, The British Loyalty, which you'll get the chance of exploring.

KOODDOO TO MALE  March 18-25, 2023     BOOK ONLINE -->  CLICK HERE

This week will start with adventurous channel drives, with currents rich in pelagic fauna. The itinerary includes a trip to the Huvadhoo channels, a world-renowned diving location. There's a wealth of exciting encounters waiting to be had here with silvertip, hammerhead, bull, and large schools of grey reef sharks. As the evenings roll in you'll venture round to the back of the boat for unforgettable night snorkeling experiences with whale sharks. There's a high chance of you having more than one visitor of an evening, and if you stay up late, one-on-one experiences are likely. You'll spend the day at the Meemu atoll, you'll experience unforgettable encounters at the manta cleaning stations. The itinerary will then take you to the Vaavu atolls, where you'll spend the evening diving with nurse sharks and stingrays through the stunning crystal clear lagoons. You'll finish the week in the central atolls, where you'll get a final exploration of this tropical paradise with more relaxed and colorful pinnacle and wall dives. From shark-filled channels, to the world's most fruitful manta cleaning stations, to once-in-alifetime night dives. We welcome experienced divers to explore this underwater wonderland in all its glory alongside us.

Silversea Cruises 

Silversea Cruises was founded in 1994 by the Lefebvre family. The company is part of the Royal Caribbean Group, headquartered in Monaco. It boasts a fleet of ships that sail to over 900 destinations worldwide! 

Silversea Cruise Amenities 

Silversea Cruise Ships has taken luxury cruising to a new level by creating top-notch amenities for guests. These luxury cruise ships boast: 

● Spacious dining areas for guests to relax after a long day exploring new places. 

● Spas and fitness centers to keep guests active while onboard. 

● Casinos and saloons for guests who enjoy gaming and socializing. 

● Spacious suites and butlers for every suite. 

● Complimentary laundry services and 24-hour room service. 

● Bars and lounges that serve premium spirits to guests. 

● Many restaurant options, including gourmet dining.

Silversea Cruise Ships 

If you're looking to go on an expedition with Silversea Cruise, you’ll have your pick of various cruise ships. 

● Silver Cloud. The vessel boasts large suites and public spaces that make luxury travel even more comfortable. Guests have the opportunity to watch penguins, whales, or other sea creatures from the ship's veranda. The crew-to-guest ratio is remarkable, making the vessel one of the best in the expedition. 

● Silver Muse. Whether embarking on a Caribbean cruise or taking an excursion to Alaska, Silver Muse will have you feeling like royalty. The ship boasts spacious and elegant suites with all the modern amenities and then some. Her restaurants have Michelin-starred chefs eager to whip up some delectable dishes. 

● Silver Dawn: This state-of-the-art marvel boasts an otium (leisure time to relax) to offer guests comfort in the spa or suits. When you’re hungry, there are several different dining areas and bars to choose from. While onboard, you can enjoy the pristine ocean waters, penguins, and whales from the observation library. 

● Silver Shadow. Accommodating 388 guests, you get enough space to relax and enjoy yourself while on board. The ship has elegant suites, spas, sweeping dining rooms, and friendly staff for its guests. 

Silversea Cruise Available Destinations 

Sailing the seas with a smile on your face is quite the experience. But when you do it on Silversea Cruise Ships, you can venture to some of the most breathtaking destinations in the world, including; 

● Antarctica 

● The Arctic 

● The Galapagos Islands 

● Amazon River

● Northern Europe and the British Isles 

Planning a cruise vacation? Let the team at Liquid Diving Adventures help you with that. Contact us today!

Seabourn Cruises is a luxury cruise line founded in 1987 by Bruce Ismay, the former chairman of White Star Line. The company is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, and is part of the Carnival Corporation & plc. Seabourn Cruises has a fleet of ships that sail to over 300 destinations worldwide in more than 60 countries! 

Seabourn Cruise Amenities 

Seabourn's cruises are all about luxury, leisure, and pampering. Here are some of the fantastic amenities on a typical Seabourn cruise:

● Complimentary water sports from the onboard marina. 

● An award-winning spa for relaxing and socializing. 

● Gourmet dining experiences. 

● Boutique shopping for shopping lovers. 

● Onboard entertainment to keep guests relaxed. 

● 24-hour room service. 

Aside from these many luxury amenities, the cruise offers complimentary in-suite bar setup, replenishment, and several impressive restaurants and cafes. 

Seabourn Cruise Ships 

Seabourn has an excellent fleet of luxurious ships that offer unrivaled comfort and convenience. Here are some of the best ships worth highlighting:

● Seabourn Venture. This vessel's beautifully appointed suites onboard offer sumptuous indulgence to the guests. The restaurant and bar provide a superb experience for guests. Plenty of other facilities are available for guests, from spas and pools to gyms and casinos. 

● Seabourn Pursuit. This ship is expected to launch in 2023 with kayaks, 24 Zodiacs, and an expert expedition team. The vessel will boast facilities like restaurants, casinos, and fitness centers for guests to enjoy. 

Seabourn Cruise Available Destinations 

Find peace on a Seabourn expedition that doesn't experience as many crowds as other ship excursions. Settle in for a relaxing cruise under the navy-blue waters of the Mediterranean. Or cruise through the most remote corners of: 

● Alaska 

● The Caribbean 

● Europe 

● Asia 

If the above locales don’t fit your fancy, consider a cruise to any of the other 300+ destinations Seabourn Cruise offers. Look into less populated destinations like Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. 

Planning a cruise vacation? Let the team at Liquid Diving Adventures help you with that. Contact us today!

300 Suites  -  690 feet in length  -  92 feet in width

Introducing Seabourn Ovation, the sister-ship to the already -prestigious Seabourn Encore. Seabourn Ovation represents another welcome stage in the evolution of small-ship cruising, which Seabourn pioneered and has consistently expanded and enriched for all of our small-ship cruises. This ship delivers a wealth of new concepts, a fresh vision and a host of illuminating ideas to delight the world's most discerning travelers.

Seabourn Encore

300 Suites  -  690 feet in length  -  92 feet in width

Seabourn Encore is as strikingly beautiful and as excitingly innovative as any Seabourn has ever debuted. She crowns a fleet of luxury cruise ships already the newest, most modern, and most acclaimed in the ultra-luxury segment. Modeled on the award-winning trio of ships introduced with Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Encore represents another welcome stage in the evolution of small ship cruising, which Seabourn pioneered and has consistently expanded and enriched for all of our small ship cruises.

Seabourn Quest

229 Suites  -  650 feet in length  -  84 feet in width

Seabourn Quest is the third iteration of the vessel design called “a game-changer for the luxury segment.” True to her Seabourn bloodlines, wherever she sails around the world, Seabourn Quest carries with her a bevy of award-winning dining venues that are comparable to the finest restaurants to be found anywhere. Seabourn Quest offers a variety of dining options to suit every taste and every mood, with never an extra charge.

Seabourn Sojourn

229 Suites  -  650 feet in length  -  84 feet in width

Seabourn Sojourn enchants her guests with an array of public areas scaled to encourage a relaxed sociability. One of the most unusual features of Seabourn Sojourn and her sisters is Seabourn Square, an ingenious "living room" that replaces the traditional cruise ship lobby with a welcoming lounge filled with easy chairs, sofas and cocktail tables; making it more inviting and relaxing on a small ship cruise. An enclave in its center houses knowledgeable concierges discreetly seated at individual desks.

Seabourn Venture

Seabourn's ultra-luxury purpose-built expedition ship Seabourn Venture, is paying tribute to the remote destinations visited by the brand's highly successful expedition and Ventures by Seabourn excursion programs and the fascinating places yet to be explored in the future. Seabourn Venture launched in July 2022. The ship is designed and built for diverse environments to PC6 Polar Class standards and includes a plethora of modern hardware and technology that will extend the ship's global deployment and capabilities. A new and exciting offering will be two custom-built submarines carried onboard, providing an unforgettable view of the world beneath the ocean’s surface. The ship is also designed to carry a complement of double sea kayaks as well as 24 Zodiacs that can accommodate all onboard guests at once, which will allow for a truly immersive experience. The ship will feature 132 all veranda, all ocean-front suites.

Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn Pursuit is the second Seabourn expedition ship slated to launch in 2023. Both Seabourn Pursuit and sister ship Seabourn Venture are designed and built for diverse environments to PC6 Polar Class standards and include modern hardware and technology that will extend the ships’ global deployment and capabilities. Each will carry two custom-built submarines, 24 Zodiacs, kayaks, and a 26-person expert expedition team whose role is to engage guests throughout each voyage. 

The ship then continues onward by exploring the waters and landscapes of Greenland, Iceland and Norway throughout the spring and early summer, in some instances retracing the path of the Vikings to the frontier town of Tromsø while carving its way through the inside passage of the Norwegian fjords along the way. A sure highlight for August 2023 is the ship’s Northwest Passage journey through some of the most remote areas in the Northern Hemisphere from Kangerlussuaq, Greenland to Nome, Alaska.