Continue reading »]]> Once you arrive at Mantamaria Dive Centre you will notice it is not just another dive centre. It’s new, clean, organized and the Bauer Pure Air certified filling station speaks for it self, ready for Nitrox, Trimix and rebreather system. Mantamaria is a TDI/SSI dive centre and can take you diving really deep if you are certified for it.

One of the first things that stand out is that they have their facilities just by Vila do Porto Marina; witch makes dive departure and arrival operations and equipment mounting more comfortable and pleasant.

Operating since May 2011, Mantamaria dive centre is well organized with all the equipment for renting neat and clean and a desk to welcome guests and for paperwork. The other part of the dive centre is dedicated to the filling station and an area prepared to dry diving equipment. Outside there are plenty of clean water tanks for all kinds of equipment, including photography and video.

Since it has its own filling station, bottles usually are filled up to 240 bars. Witch is an extra bonus to your dives.

At the pier 2 pneumatic and 2 fibber glass boats stand ready to take you diving or touring around the island. Hot showers and toilets are at the close by Clube Naval.

Ana João Pires, Dive Instructor at Mantamaria, briefs and leads the dives with the perfect rhythm of a guided visit. First day diving is usually around the island for divers to adapt this unique underwater environment.

Mantamaria takes you diving to about 20 dive spots around the island, the Formigas Islets and Dollabarat Reef. To Formigas and Dollabarat you have to leave at 7 in the morning and have a 2 hour boat trip to one of the best dives in the Atlantic Ocean.

This trip is also worth for the fabulous tuna Jorge Botelho, the owner, and Ana bring for lunch by the Formigão lighthouse. They also bring Azorean island cheese and bread, Santa Maria’s melons and watermelons as well as plenty of fresh water. The experience of having lunch in the middle of the Atlantic ocean is overwhelming and unforgettable .The trips to and from Formigas are spectacular overlooking the island, with its landscapes, cliffs, lighthouses and waterfalls, as well as the so often dolphin encounters.

Mantamaria‘s services don’t stop while you are ashore. They pick up to dive and take you back to your hotel. Expect as well, if the sea doesn’t allow you to dive, that Mantamaria takes you on a tour to get to know this beautiful island.

When you dive with Mantamaria you will probably see manta rays, big schools of fish, black coral, the spectacular Azorean underwater landscapes, amazing blue dives at the “Ambrósio” or the João Lopes Sea Mount, and maybe, get to see whale sharks, sharks, sun fishes and turtles. For sure, you will make some news friends among staff and other divers.

If you feel like spending a few days diving in Santa Maria Island, Mantamaria has dive packages with the local hotels. Contact them for more information.

More about diving in Santa Maria Island here.

More about Mantamaria at www.mantamaria.com

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If you have ever dreamed of encountering a whale shark, Santa Maria Island is the place in Portugal where your dreams may come true, with a lot of sun and clear water too. The most southern island of Azores is also one of the smallest and warmest of the archipelago. Like men, islands can’t be measured by their size, and Santa Maria’s secrets are mainly underwater. Around the island there are many caves and tunnels, underwater rock arches always with the presence of the typical Azores species such as groupers, hog-fishes, thalassomas, moray eels, pig fishes and many others. But it is in the blue that Santa Maria will make your diving unforgettable. There are dozens of mountain tops, the “baixas”, where you will get what you paid for. The pelagic are always around: amber-jacks, lilies, barracudas, sardines, tunas, several species of sharks, dolphins, whales, turtles, sting rays, manta rays…just to name a few! If you already want to visit Santa Maria Island, the best diving season is from June to September. The cherry on top of the cake is definitely the Formigas Natural Reserve and Dollabarat, just 20 miles north-east off the island. This Marine Park was created in 1988 and is considered by diving specialists as the best in the Atlantic Ocean and one of the best in the world. Famous for the pelagic species and the big fish schools, here you can also see Black Coral at the lowest depths in Azores. Usually black coral can be found deeper than 25 meters, but in Formigas you can find it as low as 12 meters, surrounded by macro life like shrimps and various juvenile fishes. In 1921 a Greek cargo ship named Olympia rested forever in the water and is visited regularly, also the canyons are very impressive and under some stone blocks you see red sponges filled with anemones of different colours. In Santa Maria Island you can recover from your intense diving in the only golden and soft sand beach of the Azores or walk to huge waterfalls. Only 4 hours from anywhere in Europe, Santa Maria is a bargain. If you would have to pay for every manta ray you see here, you would have to be a very rich person. Thank you, Santa Maria, for everything.

Read our extended article here.

More about Santa Maria Island.

How to get to Santa Maria Island.

Where to dive in Santa Maria Island.

Where to stay in Santa Maria Island.

Where to eat in Santa Maria Island.

Continue reading »]]> “The Ocean at… Coruche” (“O Mar em Coruche”) is the exhibition Portugal Diving and the Coruche Municipality invites you to attend, from November 2nd to 30th, at the Coruche Museum and the Swimming Pools Building Lounge. Coruche, standing in between the ocean and inland, has long been benefiting on the Sorraia River navigability. The Sorraia is an important main water course, affluent of the Tagus that connects Coruche to the Atlantic Ocean. Proving it, are the numerous sea related roman artifacts at the Museum.  After the last great water rise, 5000 years ago, we intend to bring back the ocean to Coruche.

This Underwater Photo Exhibition’s author, Alexandre Grácio, gathered some of his work, which could reflect, in few images, the marine biodiversity he could observe is his many journeys in different places of the globe, with a special enhance to those captured in Portuguese waters. This exhibition is part of the 2011/2012 Municipality Educative Project, whose main goal is to introduce marine life to populations once touched by the sea.

Guided visits and sessions, preformed by the photographer can be booked, and everyone can have a glimpse at diving and underwater photography, on Saturday the 12^th, on the Swimming Pools Building, with diving baptisms and underwater pictures from everyone. Just fill the inscription form and get ready to have fun!

So, if you are around Coruche, and even if you’re not, it’s a not to miss. Gather some friends and book a guided visit and get to know the photographer and ask him all your questions, or why not have your first underwater picture taken at in Coruche?

Information and bookings can be made through the Coruche Museum telephone number: +351 243 610 820/826. You can also contact the Portugal Diving team here.

More about Coruche (Portuguese only)

Continue reading »]]> Underwater tourism has an enormous potential in the Azorean islands and has been growing considerably in the last few years. Gathering dive operators, tourism associations, governmental entities, scientists and specialists of the different subjects concerning the underwater world has been important to embrace a sustainable growth. The Biennial of Underwater Tourism of the Azores (BUTA), has closed this third edition with the feeling that this mission is not fully accomplished but is, once more, one step ahead in converting this nine amazing islands in a world reference, not only for their natural beauty and resources, but especially in terms of quality of service and equipments, technical education, and complementary activities. The event took place in Graciosa Island last weekend (14-16 October 2011), and were many the speakers who deserve to be mentioned both for their knowledge and experience. At the opening speeches the Organizers of BUTA, Fernando Louro, from Agraprome and José Toste from ART welcomed all participants and thanked everyone’s efforts in promoting underwater tourism in Azores. The city municipality representative, spoke about the importance of this and other events related to diving for Graciosa Island. The Regional Economy Secretary, Mr. Vasco Cordeiro, was responsible for announcing the European Underwater Photography Championship to be held in Graciosa Island in September 2012, along with a winter low cost air fairs campaign sponsored by Azores Regional Government. Whale sharks and blue sharks were some of the main themes approached. Nuno Sá, internationally awarded wildlife photographer, presented his experience in diving with and photographing these animals; Paulo Reis, dive operator in Santa Maria Island, explained the importance of cooperation between dive operators and commercial fishers in the number of sightings and how can both benefit with this cooperation; and João Pedro Barreiros, from the University of Azores, spoke about the Azorean dangerous species, including sharks, and how to prevent accidents.The environmental impact of diving with sharks was approached in the intervention of Jorge Fontes, investigator at the Oceanography and Fisheries Department at the University of Azores, focusing the need for knowledge and responsible actions. This intervention mentioned important characteristics of these species and how to interact with them without altering their feeding routines or behaviour. The potential of technical diving in the Azorean islands was presented by João Neves, undoubtedly a pioneer in Portugal, having introduced Nitrox, Trimix or Rebreathers in the country among other equipments and techniques. In a second intervention he also explained more about the planning, logistics and operational aspects of the different types of Technical Diving, and how diving operators should explore them. Francisco Silva, specialist in Tourism and Leisure for the ESHTE, the most important tourism university in Portugal, Adventure Sports Trainer, and ART’s consultant, has focused the importance of a measured stable promotion for a measured stable growth, together with the evolution of infrastructures and human resources, in quantity and quality. Presenting last few years tourism statistics for the Azores, Francisco Silva showed the desirable evolution and the means to achieve them, including selling and promotion tips and resources.The creation of protected areas, both natural and archaeological, was also part of the event themes. Marco Aurélio Santos, from the Regional Authority for Ocean Related Matters, explained their importance for the evolution of underwater tourism; and Catarina Garcia, investigator, representing the Regional Authority for Culture in Azores, presented the creation process, along with historical and technical aspects of the Dori wreck, as Underwater Archaeological Visitable Park. An article about this archaeological site will soon be published in Portugal Diving, with Dr. Catarina’s cooperation. Artificial reefs, shipwrecks and the sinking of vessels for diving was presented by Rui Guerra, former world vice-champion of underwater photography, in the photographer perspective; also Carlos Freitas from the Madeira National Park, presenting the Madeirense wreck as an example of a ship sunk for diving, the sinking planning and process and the remarkable results in the dynamism of diving in Porto Santo Island; Alex Lorente, biologist representing the Montagrí, Medas Islands and Baix Ter Natural Park, shared the Spanish experience in this matter along with the impacts of diving in the environment and strategies to minimize them. Also from Spain, Dr. Mercedes Olmedo, investigator at Spanish Oceanography Institute, responsible for the development of the Galician Atlantic Islands National Park, presented this park and how numerous leisure activities can co-exist with protected areas and species, as well as the efforts that have to be made to enable it. Doctor Oscar Camacho, director of the Hyperbaric Unit of the Pedro Hispano Hospital and PHD specialist in sports, underwater and hyperbaric medicine, analysed the risks and probabilities of accidents and casualties among divers, concluding that inexperience and unpreparedness are the main causes of most of them. Prevention was focused and comparisons between this and other sports and activities showed that even routine actions in daily life can be more risky then diving, especially when well planned and guided. This was also the opinion of David Perea, PADI’s regional manager for Portugal and Spain, in his intervention about safety. He also spoke about improving quality for dive operators and the importance of new technologies in promoting diving services. ART’s Director, José Toste spoke about the Regional Tourism Association strategies for the development of underwater tourism in Azores and incentives available for the implementation and growth of tourism related companies. Together with Francisco Silva, José Toste presented a new printed and online guide for touristic and maritime touristic operators. In a second intervention, Rui Guerra focused on underwater photographers’ needs in a dive centre and how can a dive operator benefit with their presence. The Portuguese Underwater Activities Federation was also represented by its president Ricardo José, which spoke about how underwater sports can benefit dive and tourism operators. Other presentations included suggestions for the Behaviour Code for Diving with Sharks, by Frederico Cardigos, Director of the Regional Authority for Ocean Related Matters; and the opening of a new four star eco and charm hotel with diving centre in Santa Maria Island in middle 2013, that was announced and explained by one of its promoters. The event’s conclusions were presented by Agraprome representative, José Ávila. Next Biennial of Underwater Tourism of Azores, in 2013, intends to open its doors to English speaker specialists and to the general public with several interesting presentations and leisure activities. Hopefully, the nearly 300 seats in Santa Cruz da Graciosa will be few for all the participants. From this event we can conclude that the future of underwater tourism in the Azores is in good hands. We have dive operators willing to improve their qualifications and infrastructures, a tourism association willing to learn more about underwater tourism and to help dive operators and a local association full of good ideas and good will who has placed Graciosa Island in the tourism map, especially underwater tourism. Bringing the first CMAS European Championship of Underwater Photography to Graciosa Island and organizing the Open Fotosub da Graciosa, both in 2012, will definitely project the island in Europe and in the world. Portugal Diving would like to thank the promoters for inviting us for this remarkably well organized event.

More about Graciosa Island.    More about Diving in Graciosa.

More about Azores.     More about Diving in Azores.

Continue reading »]]> The III Biennial of Underwater Tourism of Azores (IIIBTSA) will take place in Santa Cruz da Graciosa, Azores, next 14, 15 and 16 of October in a partnership between the Regional Association of Tourism (ART) and AGRAPROME, Associação Graciosense de Promoção de Eventos. This third edition gives continuity to the aims of this event in contributing for the affirmation of the Region of Azores as diving destination. This year will again have the presence of professionals and specialists in diving and tourism.  In total there will be eight sessions divided in two days of work approaching thematics such as Dive Tourism¸ Entrepreneurs associated with the Tourism, Diving as Sustainable Activity, Health and Security in Diving and, finally, Technical Aspects of Diving. This edition will have the presence of speakers coming from the Azores, mainland Portugal, Madeira Islands and Spain:

Azores:

- Behavior code in the activity of diving with sharks – Frederico Cardigos, Director of Direcção Regional dos Assuntos do Mar

- Diving with Sharks in the Azores – Nuno Sá (Photographer)

- Evolution and Perspectives of the Sea Reserves in the Azores for the activity of diving Marco Aurélio Santos of the DRAM

- Case Presentation – Paulo Reis of the company Santa Maria Paralelo 37

- Trends of Commercialization and Communication in Diving – Francisco Silva of ART and professor of the ESHTE

- Strategy of ART for the development of the underwater tourism in the Azores – José Toste

- Project for the Dória Marine Park in the island of São Miguel – Catarina Garcia of the DRC

- Dangerous Species in the Azores, precautions and actions after accident – João Pedro Barreiros of the UAC

- Diving in the Azores: Azores – Guide of the Agents of Tourist Animation and Maritime Tourism Operators – Francisco Silva and José Toste

Mainland Portugal:

- Experience and contributions of underwater sports for the diving professional activity – Ricardo José, FPAS

- The Potential of the Azores for Tech Diving as well as Deep Diving and Cave Diving: technical, logistics and operational issues – João Neves – Submate

- Artificial Reefs – Oasis of Life – Rui Guerra (Photographer)

- Prevention measures and dangerous species in Azores -  Oscar Camacho of the Unit of Hyperbaric Medicine at Hospital Pedro Hispano Matosinhos

Madeira:

- The case of Porto Santo Marine Reserve – Director of the Madeira Islands Natural Park, Paulo Oliveira

- Sinking boats for diving: The case of the “Madeirense” – Carlos Freitas

Spain

- Experience of the Marine Park of the Atlantic Islands of Galiza – Mercedes Olmedo, Spanish Institute of Oceanography

- Sinking boats for diving: A Spanish perspective – Alex Lorente of Medas Islands

- Impacts of the activity of diving at the ecological level and the strategies to minimize them – Alex Lorente of Medas Islands

- Quality of Service in Diving – David Perea (PADI)

- Security in the Diving – David Perea (PADI)

Throughout the days of the event, several documentary films will be shown, from the Azores and related to the subjects discussed, as well as an exhibition, promoted by ART, that intends to unveil a little of what will be the Azores Diving Guide, a project to be concluded for the International Tourism Fair in Lisbon 2012.

At least 36 diving operators from all the Azorean Islands are already confirmed, exceeding all previous editions, as well as several tourism and travel related professionals. More at the official website: www.bienal-turismosubaquatico.org (Portuguese and Spanish)

Continue reading »]]> The III Biennial of Underwater Tourism of the Azores will take place in Graciosa Island, in Azores,  from 14^th to 16^th October in a joint organization of two local associations, the Associação Graciosense de Promoção de Eventos and the Regional Tourism Association (ART). This event is a valuable opportunity for the community of diving professionals to meet, exchange ideas, explore the state of the art and debate the key issues in the areas of diving, tourism, environment and safety, while meeting with a number of invited specialists and operators. Additionally, this event provides the opportunity to establish professional collaboration and also to explore first-hand the local resources and plan for future activities. This third edition of the event allows extending the initial goal of contributing to the aim of developing diving tourism as strategic product of Azores. This event is gaining momentum both in Azores and in national terms among recreational divers and diving professionals. The next step is to increase the international recognition of the event in the coming editions, especially in key markets the Azores, such as Spain, Germany and the Nordic Countries. This year’s edition main subjects are: Diving and Environment; Diving and tourism; Health & Safety in Diving; Artificial reefs and wrecks; Technical Diving and Quality of service by Scuba Diving centers. National and international experts are participating, especially from Spain and this year’s edition has as special partners the national diving federation, the Federação Portuguesa de Actividades Subaquáticas – FPAS, and two Portuguese universities, the Escola Superior de Hotelaria e Turismo do Estoril and Universidade dos Açores.

Special conditions for those who wish to attend the III Biennial are available on the website www.bienal-turismosubaquatico.org.

More about Graciosa Island Here.                                                      More about Diving in Graciosa Island here.

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It is common to say that for every week you stay in Graciosa, you add an extra year to your life. Graciosa is cool and easy and people are gentile, real and human. The island owns itself, is small but powerful in the emotions. Be ready to feel different while staying in Graciosa and to let a teardrop of “Saudade” at the airport when you say goodbye. Diving in Graciosa has also a powerful something attached to it. You will never forget the strong colour contrast between the deep blue ocean and the fresh green of the island, spotted by the hundreds of cows scattered through the land that along with white fluffy clouds, always around, perfect for that Kodak moment. Under water is a different thing. The Island reveals itself to be very unpredictable. From one moment to the other you can see anything. Manta rays, dusty groupers, barracudas, gully jacks, hog fish, sharks and then…nothing again. Just the rocky mountains bellow, full of algae in an endless dance, awaiting for the next rush hour. The most colourful fish around are the parrot fish and the thalassomas, along with many moray eels and different species of gobies that will add some action to your dives. Graciosa is known for its “baixas”, the tops of underwater mountains that reach hundreds of meters under. Those tops can be found between five and fifty or more meters of depth.  If you stay in a “baixa” quietly looking down, you will feel like on a balcony of a very high skyscraper, just waiting for something big to say hi. It is a totally different diving experience for your logbook. The most famous shipwreck is the “Terceirense”, just off the main harbour and very easy to dive in, with an intact propeller and other very interesting details to explore. Further south, the Ilhéu do Carapacho is an amazing place with huge caverns and rocky floors where you can see some sting rays , endemic nudibranches,  spider crabs and even, if you are lucky, hammerhead sharks. Never forget that the Azores are volcanic islands so everywhere you can watch rock formations and canyons perfect to be the home for numerous species or for migrating stops. The temperature of the waters is between 14ºC in the Winter and 24ºC in Summer. Semi-dry suits are perfect for this water temperature. Currents are mild and make good drift dives. Dive centers are fully equipped and trained to make your vacation unforgettable. Graciosa is still a place where you can dive away from stress. And without many people around is actually a very romantic place.

Thank you Graciosa. See you soon.

Accomodation

Internal Flights

Dive Centers

Moving Around

More about Graciosa Island :

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Operating since 2002,  Nautigraciosa does much more than fantastic dives. Boat tours around the islands, dolphin and whale watching, snorkelling, dive courses, ocean kayaks, bird watching or even tours on the famous Graciosa’s donkeys, you name it. They can take you fast and secure to the more then 40 dive sites that this wonderful island can surprise you with. Their facilities are five minutes walking from the centre of Santa Cruz da Graciosa, in a port overlooking the village natural sea pools. They have all the dive equipment to rent or learn to dive, 2 air bottle fillers, showers, toilets and water tanks for equipment and cameras. Everything is well kept, neat and tidy and there is lots of space outside.  Morning dives are usually scheduled to 9 o’clock, but expect to live the port around 10. It’s the island rhythm, just blend in and you will enjoy the most. The dive briefings with Rolando (the manager) are unique, providing you with valuable information about the landscape and species you can find. He knows the underwater world of Graciosa Island better than anyone. Nautigraciosa has three boats running. “Gobi” is the 10 meter cabined boat, build in 2008 and runs with a 330 hp diesel engine. Is the most comfortable and complete, with diving stairs, shower, solarium and a 3.2 meter/6hp auxiliary inflatable boat. “Ride” is the 7,5 meter semi-stiff boat, with diving stair and a 230 Hp engine. “Gobi1” is the small 5,5 meter semi-stiff used for backup and closer journeys.

More about Nautigraciosa at: www.divingraciosa.com

Continue reading »]]> Anthia Diving Center is for shure one of the most active and dinamic dive centers in Sesimbra and Madeira Island. You can count with a lot of fun, security and the famous dive snacks. Fully equiped with hot showers, water tanks, air filling station and equipment rental, this dive center is located next to the Sesimbra marina and at the Dom Pedro Baía Club Hotel in Madeira.

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If you are by any chance exploring the Alentejo with its famous hills, water damns and excellent rural areas, or cruising along the Costa Vicentina and Litoral Alentejano Natural Park and you want to get wet, you are in for a surprise. The best diving area is from Sines to Vilanova de Milfontes with Porto Covo as diving epicentre, but diving operators are working to find more dive sites and develop diving tourism. More suitable for summer vacation, these waters are clear with sandy bottoms and rock cliffs without algae, gorgonians or hard coral. There is a giant anemone famous for its red colour very difficult to find in other parts of the country. The most common fish around is the pig fish, famous for its curiosity and fin bites. Pelagics cross these waters so you might get lucky, you could eve see some dolphins, but don’t bet your money on it, they are very shy and are not very used to divers. You can see the regular macro life around: anemones, sponges, blennies, nudibranches and small fish. The clarity of the water and the natural cliffs gives you that flying feeling that divers love so much. There are a few small wrecks around Sines visited regularly. The coastline is beautiful and the less habited in all Portugal. Located in Alentejo where the sun shines strongly in summer, diving is very refreshing. Close but yet away from big cities, Alentejo coastline is unique in Portugal. The advantage of Portugal being small is the fact that you can be nearly anywhere in 4 to 5 hours, giving you the opportunity to dive in different places without spending precious time of your vacation moving around. To get an idea, Sines is only about 1,5 hour to Sesimbra and another 2 hours to the Algarve, get the picture? If you are in a dive trip, don’t miss diving in Alentejo.