Terceira

Terceira’s unique underwater rock formations, walls and an anchor graveyard offers something for divers searching for a good selection of shore dive sites, as well as RIB boat diving.

Read Jo Mattock's article on the Azores published in the August 2012 issue of DIVE magazine >

An Anchor Graveyard & Lidador Wreck

The Archaeological subaquatic park is the place of rest of more than 30 different types of anchors. At depths of between 15 to 35 metres, each anchor tries to tell you its story of how it was stranded, as you meander along the sea bed.

The deteriorating wreck of the steamboat Lidador lies at an easy 10 metres, with little current. Built in London, the boat made passage between Brazil and Portugal and sunk after hitting a reef on 6th February 1878. At 78 metres long, the wreck offers a great site for an easy night dive.  Flounder, mullet and multiple juvenile species can be found hovering in its shadows.

Arcados Do Judeu

Reminiscent of an Azorean cross version of the Great Pyramid and the Giant’s Causeway, the staircase rock formation of basalt provides a unique underwater image. 

Calheta Do Lagador

Characterised by natural pools formed by Basalt and is a haven for many juvenile fish species. Sea Bream, Parrot fish, Dusky Grouper and Yellowmouth Barracuda are frequently spotted at this easy, picturesque site.

UNESCO Town

The town of Angra do Heroismo holds an important place in maritime history, as an important place of shelter and wealthy trading post for the route of India to the Americas. Its bay is protected by Monte Brasil, at 1205m high, where the deep harbour allowed ancient ships to anchor.

The east of the island close to Praia da Vitoria, offers sheltered coves and small rough sand beaches. An enormously picturesque island, at just 18 x 11 miles, it is a lovely spot to sample the local Verdelho aperitif wine or visit the underground lava tube of Algar do Carvao in the island’s centre.

Twin Centres & Tailormade - Sao Miguel, Pico, Terceira

The Azores islands are well suited to twin centre island combinations.  Sao Miguel can be enjoyed as either a 1 or 2 week stay. If staying for 2 weeks, we highly recommend a split stay with either Terceira or Pico, to really enjoy all that this fantastic destination has to offer.

Pico is best visited as part of a 2-week stay, either spending the whole time on the island, with an obligatory night’s stay in Sao Miguel at the beginning and the end, or splitting the stay on Sao Miguel or on Terceira.

Terceira is best visited as part of a 2-week stay, either spending the whole time on the island, with an obligatory night’s stay in Sao Miguel at the beginning, or splitting the stay with Sao Miguel or Pico.

How to get there

Fly to Sao Miguel on the summer direct charter (1x per week), with an overnight stay, before joining a connecting internal flight (daily), or fly scheduled with a change in Lisbon to Terceira - several per week.

Note that Regaldive do not recommend you travel to the Azores for diving holidays, until mid-June onwards. However, you can still enjoy the whale watching and could take a gamble on the weather for diving if you wish - we are happy to organise your holiday.  Best months for diving are July, August & September.

Anfibius Dive Centre

Established in 1996, this well run PADI 5* CDC centre, situated on site at the Hotel Caracol, offers a full range of diving facilities, including technical diving.  It has about 8 to 10 excellent shore dive sites scattered around the island, and boat trips are also available, conducted from RIBs.

Kit storage, showers and lockers are situated at the marina, 5 minutes from the dive centre.  Nitrox is available at extra charge and most staff speak English to a reasonable level. 

Note that Regaldive do not recommend you travel to the Azores for diving holidays, until mid-June onwards. However, you can still enjoy the whale watching and could take a gamble on the weather for diving if you wish - we are happy to organise your holiday.  Best months for diving are July, August & September.

Dive Packs

Dives include air tanks (12l) & weights, transport & guide.  NB: Dives are always subject to local conditions, due to the location of the islands.

Dive Courses

*A large range of courses are available.

Extras in Resort

• Courses: Certification fee, Equipment rental (except Open Water courses)
• Nitrox 32%: €4 per fill

Special trips (arranged locally)

The below price includes 2 dives, air tanks and weights, are subject to a minimum of 6 divers and benign weather!

• Baixa da Serrata:  €90
• Fradhinos:  €80
• Ilheu do Norte:  €90
• Banco. D. Joao de Castro:  €125
• Ilheu do Topo de S. Jorge:  €110

Equipment rental (€ Euros) - pay locally  

• Regulator: €10   
• BCD: €10    
• Wet suit: €9   
• Dive vest: €3   
• Mask/Snorkel: €4   
• Fins: €5    
• Boots/Gloves: €2   
• Small dive light excl. batteries: €2  
• Full kit: Regs, BCD, Wetsuit, Fins, Mask & snorkel: €24
• Nitrox fills: from €3    

A range of technical diving equipment is available for rent. 

Sao Miguel, located on the eastern side of the archipelago, is by far the largest and greenest of the nine islands. It is made up of six volcanic complexes and municipalities. A most beautiful and varied island, ideal for longer stays and two centre holidays.

To the west, Ponta Delgada, the main town and port has preserved its historical beauty. It is a delight to explore the narrow cobbled streets bordered by very well preserved period houses. Within this municipality are the Sete Cidades, an extinct volcano crater of 40 sq. km, within which are two magnificent lakes, one deep blue colour and the other emerald green.

Getting Around

Public transport can be unreliable and slow. Travelling between the main towns on Sao Miguel can be done by bus, although taxis offer a much faster option. Fares are more than taking the bus, but most drivers speak a modicum of English and taxis are generally in good condition and are cheap when compared with the likes of the UK.

A good way to get about the larger islands of the Azores is to hire a car. The Portuguese drive on the right and special care should be taken when negotiating mountain and coastal roads, although main roads are fairly good.

Taxis and car hire can be arranged from your hotel.

Car Hire

Includes:

1.Unlimited mileage.

2.Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). In the event of an accident this insurance covers the full value of the vehicle. However you remain liable for the excess amount of:

• 1. 875.10 Euros (Group A)
• 1,051.10 Euros (Group B)
• 1,167.10 Euros (Groups C & I)
• 1,268.90 Euros (Group F)
• 2,043.20 Euros (Group H)

Please note that this insurance does not cover damage to the vehicle’s tyres, undercarriage or windscreen.

3.All local taxes and airport surcharges.

4.Third party Liability Insurance. This covers any third party in the event of an accident.

5.Additional drivers at no extra cost.

6.Theft Protection (TP) Insurance.

Not included (payable locally):

1.Super Collision Damage Waiver (SCDW). This extra charge, if paid, will reduce the maximum excess payable to 58.50 Euros in the event that the vehicle is damaged or stolen. This insurance does not cover damage to the windscreen, tyres or wheel rims. The price of the Super CDW per day is:

• 10.20 Euros (Group A)
• 11.20 Euros (Group B)
• 12.25 Euros (Groups C & I)
• 14.25 Euros (Group F)
• 20.35 Euros (Group H)

2.Windscreen Damage Waiver (WDW). The price of the Windscreen Damage Waiver is:

• 1.25 Euros per day (Groups A, B, C, F & I)
• Please note that this is not available for Group H vehicles.

3.Rim or Tyre Damage Waiver (CPJ). The price of the Rim or Tyre Damage Waiver is:

• 5.80 Euros per day (Groups A, B, C, F & I)
• Please note that this is not available for Group H vehicles.

4.Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) will cover the cost of any personal medical costs incurred in the event of an accident. This insurance is optional and payable locally at 3.55 Euros per day.

5.An out of hours charge of 31.10 Euros is payable:

• After 24:00 at Ponta Delgada Airport and 18:30 for hotels in Ponta Delgada.
• After 19:00 from the car hire office in Ponta Delgada.
• After 19:00 on the islands of Terceira, Santa Maria, Pico and Faial.

Please note that you do not have to purchase these extras. However, should you decide to do so, these will be noted on your car rental agreement and are payable locally.

Climate

The Azores have a maritime climate with mild temperatures ranging from 16°C (60°F) in winter to a comfortable 26°C (79°F) in summer. On average there are about three to four hours of sunshine a day in winter and seven to eight in summer. Rainfall is distributed around the year, but is heavier and more frequent in winter.

Characteristic for the Azores is the wide variety of weather conditions within a short period; a single day can produce wind and calm, hot sun and showers in any combination. A typical and true remark is that if you don’t like the weather, you just have to wait 10 minutes for it to change!

Water Temperature

The waters of the Atlantic and the Gulf Stream meet at the Azores. The sea is warmed by the Gulf Stream and sea water temperature varies a mild 17ºC (62ºF) in Winter to 24ºC (75ºF) where sub-tropical and Atlantic marine life live side by side.

We recommend a double layer 5mm long suit with 5 mm shortie over, or 7mm semi-dry or similar, plus hood and light gloves. If your luggage allows, dry suit divers may want to carry their suit.

Currents and Visibility

The average visibility is 15 - 30 metres, although certain days can offer more.

There are plenty of sites sheltered from currents, although some swell and tidal surge may be encountered. Certain dives sites, such as Formigas and Dollabarat Banks are open ocean dives and as such will only be open to experienced divers in optimum weather conditions.

Passports

All passports must be valid for six months and have two clear pages free. A visa is not required.

Time

The Azores are -1 hours behind GMT.

Currency

The Euro.

Tipping

Service charges are usually added to hotel and restaurant bills, otherwise it is customary to leave a 10% tip. Bar staff and taxi drivers also expect tips, which usually entails rounding up of the bill to the nearest Euro.

Food

The cuisine of the Azores is rich and varied. The fish dishes, the seafood, meat and cheeses, the famous wine from Pico island (once the table wines of the Czars of Russia) and the pineapple form an enviable basis for regional cooking. Don't miss the unique meals at Furnas where the cooking pots are buried in the ground and the food is slowly cooked by steam from the hot springs.

Activities

The pineapple plantation in Faja de Baixo is worth a visit to taste the delicious pineapple liquer and boiled sweets.

Sample 'Cozido a Caldeiras' at the Furnas and Terra Nostra Garden, which is a traditional meal, slow-cooked by underground vapours at the Furnas hotsprings. The meal, consisting of a variety of meats and vegetables, is served daily at the Hotel Terra Nostra Garden. Not suitable for vegetarians!

There are many festivals in The Azores. The festivals of the Holy Ghost, with roots in the Middle Ages, are common to all islands. The Festivals of Christ Lord (Senhor Santo Cristo) at Ponta Delgada, on the island of Sao Miguel, are truly colorful and entertaining events and bring in visitors and pilgrims from around the world.

Also, enjoy whale and dolphin watching trips, visit botanical gardens and tea plantations, go bird watching or partake in a jeep safari tour of the island.

Note that Regaldive do not recommend you travel to the Azores for diving holidays, until mid-June onwards. However, you can still enjoy the whale watching and could take a gamble on the weather for diving if you wish - we are happy to organise your holiday. Best months are July, August, September and October.

Flight Information

Packages are based on the Portuguese owned SATA charter route, Saturday only, during summer months.

Quotes may be provided tailormade for travel on TAP, via Lisbon, on different days of the week.

Sao Miguel - How to get there:

Fly to Sao Miguel on the summer direct charter (1x per week), or fly scheduled from with a change in Lisbon or Porto - several flights per week.

Santa Maria - How to get there:

Fly to Sao Miguel on the summer direct charter (1x per week), with an overnight stay, before joining a connecting internal flight (daily), or fly scheduled with a change in Lisbon (connections currently 1x per week on Thursday).

Pico - How to get there:

Fly to Sao Miguel on the summer direct charter (1x per week), with an overnight stay, before joining a connecting internal flight (daily to Pico or Horta which is a short hop across the water by boat), or fly scheduled with a change in Lisbon to Horta or Pico. Horta offers the most connections.

Terceira - How to get there:

Fly to Sao Miguel on the summer direct charter (1x per week), with an overnight stay, before joining a connecting internal flight (daily), or fly scheduled with a change in Lisbon to Terceira - several per week.

Charter schedule summer 2012

7 April to 20 October (last outbound date)

2012: Saturday departure from London Gatwick

S4 541 Gatwick / Ponta Delgada 14:00 / 16:55

S4 540 Ponta Delgada / Gatwick 08:00 / 13:00*

* Check tickets for correct times in case of any changes.

Flight duration - charter:

London - Ponta Delgada: 4 hours

Departure tax: None

Passports & Visas

Passengers travelling to the Azores should have minimum six months valid on their passport from the date of return to the UK. Valid passport photo ID required for travel.

Normal rules for entry to EU territory apply for British passport holders. It is your responsibility to check that your passport complies. No visa required.

Vaccinations

There are no compulsory vaccinations for travel to the Azores. However, despite being EU territory, for anyone travelling we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A and polio. Vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure with your GP or local travel clinic.

Local health care standards are good and there are 2 hyperbaric chambers: 1 located on Sao Miguel and 1 located on Faial.

Further information regarding vaccinations for travel to this country can be found at www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk and from your local healthcare provider.

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