Luxury Diving Holidays in Sao Miguel

Sao Miguel’s best local dive sites are mostly around Vila Franca do Campo, where there is always a calmer side to dive on. Conger eels hole up among the boulders littering the sea floor, while stingrays feed on crustaceans, lobsters peak out from cracks and flying gurnards flit over the sandy bottom. 

Conditions are suitable for beginner and expert divers alike, but more experienced divers will likely want to access the exciting offshore sites where the they will find the best encounters with pelagics. Bait balls form around offshore seamounts, drawing in predators; mobula rays, blue and mako sharks are among the highlights, with occasional sightings of Galapagos sharks and hammerheads. The conditions are more challenging offshore, and access is hugely seasonal and weather-dependent. Speak to us about the necessary requirements and best time of year to visit for diving holidays in Sao Miguel.  

Beyond the Reef

Sao Miguel’s landscape is astonishingly beautiful, with lush foliage carpeting the entire island, impressive peaks rising up into the clouds and stunning crater lakes filled with jade and aquamarine water. Visitors can stuff their itineraries with all sorts of adventurous pursuits including canyoning trips, visits to local waterfalls, intrepid hikes through rich forests, swimming with wild dolphins, mountain-biking, whale-watching, surfing, canoeing and horse riding, all accompanied by expert guides.

Diving holidays in Sao Miguel can also easily be paired with a visit to Pico or Santa Maria for those looking for a spot of island-hopping. The food scene on Sao Miguel is excellent, with a number of seafood restaurants championing local produce, or tiny bistros serving pintxos with live jazz in the background. We can design an itinerary entirely around your interests, based on our personal experience of the destination.