Liveaboard Diving in Portugal, Azores seamounts, mobulas, blue sharks and whale sharks

Sail the Atlantic outposts for big animals, clear water and volcanic scenery, with itineraries that suit confident beginners and experienced divers

Why choose Portugal for a liveaboard

• Big-animal action. The Azores can deliver mobula rays, whale sharks and blue sharks. On lucky days you may even see blue marlin.
• Seamount thrills. Remote banks and pinnacles mean clear water, busy baitfish and pelagics cruising in from the blue.
• Variety in one trip. Walls, plateaus from 5 to 40 metres, a marine reserve, plus a classic wreck.
• Fewer crowds. There are not many liveaboards here, so sites feel calm and special.
• Easy European access. Mainland Portugal has a Mediterranean climate, the Azores are subtropical, and diving is possible most of the year.

Where you will dive

• The Azores Archipelago. Nine Atlantic islands with São Miguel as the main hub and Ponta Delgada as the main city.
• Santa Maria, Baixa do Ambrósio. Summer hot-spot for whale sharks, often circling above the reef.
• Princess Alice Bank, southwest of Pico. A seamount that rises to about 32 m from the surface, famous for schooling mobula rays and larger pelagics like tuna, wahoo and occasional blue marlin. The location is remote and currents can be strong, which is why the marine life gathers here.
• Formigas Islets marine reserve, southeast of São Miguel. Great visibility and blue-water life. Possible mobulas, galapagos sharks, oceanic manta rays and sometimes hammerheads. From here you can access Dollabarat Bank, a seamount with plateaus between 5 and 40 m, recommended for experienced divers. Wreck fans can add the nearby Olympia Wreck.
• Utila-style walls this is not. Think clean Atlantic drop-offs, volcanic rock, open-ocean feel and fast-moving life.

New to liveaboards

• Simple routine. Briefing, buddy checks, dive. Then eat, rest and repeat, with two to three dives most days.
• Less faff more dives. Your kit stays set up on the dive deck. Crew handle fills and logistics so you focus on the diving.
• Right site, right day. Guides match sites to conditions and to your experience. Sheltered sites suit newer divers. Offshore banks with stronger currents suit confident, experienced divers.

Who this suits

• Confident beginners and newly certified divers. Enjoy calmer coastal sites and protected reefs around the islands.
• Intermediate and experienced divers. Princess Alice and Dollabarat bring current, blue water and big-animal encounters.
• Underwater photographers. Schooling mobulas, blue-water sharks, baitfish clouds and a photogenic wreck.

Conditions and best time to go

• Climate. Mainland Portugal is Mediterranean. The Azores are subtropical.
• Season. Diving is possible most of the year. Summer is prime for whale sharks at Santa Maria and for blue-water pelagics offshore.
• Currents and depth. Offshore banks can be swift with open-ocean conditions, while inshore sites are generally milder and 5 to 30 metres.

Getting there and departures

• Fly to Portugal, then the Azores. Most international flights land in Lisbon or Faro. European airlines such as Lufthansa, Ryanair and Swiss also fly direct to the Azores.
• Domestic hops. Regular flights run from mainland Portugal to several islands in the Azores.
• Ports of departure. Liveaboards usually depart Santa Maria or São Miguel. Check your itinerary for exact details.

Why an Azores liveaboard in Portugal is worth it

• You chase the headline moments. Schooling mobulas, blue sharks and seasonal whale sharks.
• You get true Atlantic character. Volcanic seamounts, clear drop-offs and a proper blue-water feel.
• You make it simple. Easy European access, few boats, and a tight route that maximises time on the best banks.

If you want big-animal encounters in clear Atlantic water, with remote seamounts, marine reserves and a touch of wreck history, Portugal’s Azores liveaboards deliver. You will dive more, spend less time transiting between sites and come home with a full logbook and a bigger smile.