Terceira Azores: Scuba-Double dive Trip(certified Divers)

Terceira’s best underwater moments may include a wreck across the bay, rocky formations, schools of fish, octopus, mantas, and even dolphins near the boat. This four-hour outing gives certified divers two guided sessions, with the site plan shaped by sea conditions and your goals.

I like the careful pre-trip planning and safety briefing, plus the chance to visit two different sites rather than spend the whole morning in one place. I also like the small maximum group of 10 and the central marina meeting point, which makes the outing easy to fit into a day in Angra do Heroísmo.

The main consideration is that the trip needs good weather and a minimum number of participants. Boat rides can also be choppy, especially toward Goat Island, and you must bring your own towel and swimwear. Lunch and snacks are not provided.

Key points at a glance

• Two underwater sessions: Plan for a first session, a surface break, then a second session at another possible site.
• Possible Lidador wreck visit: The wreck lies across the bay from the marina, making it one of the most interesting nearby options.
• Goat Island can mean a bumpy ride: The trip there has been described as about 20 minutes by RIB, so hold on if the sea is rough.
• Named guides include Zeferino and André: Their roles have included guiding, instruction, safety oversight, and personal attention.
• Marine life can be varied: Fish, octopus, mantas, colorful species, and dolphins have all been seen around these outings.
• Small group, practical meeting point: The maximum is 10 people, and you meet at Scubazores Divers in the Marina Store.

Starting at the Marina in Angra do Heroísmo

You meet at Scubazores Divers, inside the marina area at Marina de, 9700-154 Angra do Heroísmo. This is a useful location if you are staying in town because you do not need to arrange a separate transfer to a distant beach or harbor.

The activity lasts about four hours. That time includes the planning session, equipment briefing, boat travel, two underwater sessions, the surface interval, and the return to the same meeting point. It is not a quick dip followed by a long free afternoon. Plan to give the whole morning or afternoon to the outing.

Before you leave, the instructors discuss the planned sites, current conditions, your aims for the day, and the safety points that matter for the selected locations. This is good practice for certified divers because a certification card does not tell you what the local sea is doing that day.

You also receive a detailed equipment briefing. Use this time well. Tell the guide if a piece of equipment does not fit properly, if you have a question about the boat procedure, or if you want to clarify the planned depth and route. The provided information does not specify every piece of equipment included, so ask Scubazores Divers what is supplied when you book.

Choosing the first site around Terceira

The first session can be planned at one of Terceira’s better underwater locations, depending on weather, sea state, and the group’s objectives. You might explore volcanic rock formations, swim among fish, or see other features of the island’s underwater terrain.

That flexibility is valuable. A fixed site sounds simple, but the best choice in the Azores can change with wind, visibility, swell, and local conditions. Letting the guide choose from suitable sites gives you a safer and more enjoyable plan than insisting on one location at all costs.

The guide remains present to lead and supervise. The experience is intended for certified divers, but the tone is not simply point the boat at a site and leave you to manage alone. Scubazores also accepts that many certified divers still want a professional check of the local plan and safety details.

One possible target is the Lidador wreck, described as being just across the bay from the marina. Its short position from town makes it an appealing option when conditions and the day’s plan allow. A wreck adds a clear point of interest to the session, though the supplied information does not confirm that it is included on every departure.

Another possible outing is toward Goat Island. The boat ride has been described as about 20 minutes in a RIB and, in choppy conditions, you should hold on. That detail matters. The trip is not only about what happens below the surface. If you are sensitive to boat motion, choose a day when the sea forecast looks calm and keep your expectations flexible.

The surface break between sessions

After the first session, you return for a surface interval. This is not dead time. You can rest, discuss what you saw, and make any needed equipment or plan adjustments before the second session.

I like this part of the schedule because two sessions can feel very different. The first gives you a chance to settle into the local water and boat routine. The second lets you use what you learned about visibility, current, your equipment, and the guide’s approach.

The supplied details do not say exactly where the surface interval takes place or how long it lasts. It is sensible to bring anything you normally need for a short break, but remember that snacks and lunch are not included. You should also bring your own towel and swimwear.

The break is a good time to speak up. If you are cold, uncomfortable, tired, or concerned about a piece of equipment, tell the guide before the second session. The plan can include adjustments, and that is one reason a guided trip is useful even for a certified diver.

A second site adds variety

The second session may take place at a different location. This can give you a broader look at Terceira’s underwater setting rather than repeating the same rock formations and marine life.

Possible highlights include a wreck, schools of fish, unusual volcanic topography, octopus, mantas, and fish in many colors and sizes. These sightings are possibilities, not promises. Sea life is wild, and the final site plan depends on conditions.

Dolphins have also appeared near some outings. On one occasion, the crew took the group on a dolphin tour after the final session. Treat this as a pleasant extra rather than part of the advertised two-session plan. You book this activity for the underwater time, not for a guaranteed dolphin encounter.

A different site can also mean a different boat ride and a different level of comfort. The Goat Island route, in particular, may be choppy. If you are comfortable with that possibility, the change in scenery can be worthwhile. If you prefer very calm conditions, ask about the forecast and planned site before departure.

Guides who keep the mood personal

Zeferino is named as a dive master who has led outings to places such as the Lidador wreck and Goat Island. André, the business owner, has also guided a first-time diver with close attention, patience, and a friendly manner. Ana has helped explain the activity and its appeal before the trip.

Those names matter because personal attention is one of the strongest reasons to choose a local operator. The staff have been praised for careful service, equipment handling, and patient support. One useful touch has been keeping and drying equipment so it is ready without trouble for the next session.

That does not mean every guide will be present on every departure. You should expect the Scubazores team to assign the guide for your date. If you want to know who will lead your group, ask when booking.

The maximum group size is 10 people. That is not a private charter, but it is small enough to keep the guide’s supervision practical. Group size can affect pace, entry order, and how much time you have to examine a site, so this limit is a meaningful part of the package.

What the $132.17 price really covers

At $132.17 per person, the value depends on how much of your own equipment you need and how much you value local guidance. The price includes insurance and a guide, but the supplied details do not list all equipment inclusions. Confirm the equipment arrangement before you pay, especially if you are traveling with only a mask, fins, or no gear at all.

The price also buys more than time in the water. It includes site planning, the safety talk, boat operations, guide supervision, a surface break, and a return to the marina. For a certified diver who wants local support and two sessions in one outing, that is a reasonable package to consider.

Lunch and snacks are not included, so plan food around the four-hour schedule. You also need your own towel and swimwear. These are small costs, but they are easy to forget when the booking price looks all-inclusive at first glance.

The trip is booked about 23 days ahead on average. That suggests you should not wait until the last minute if your Terceira schedule is fixed, especially if you want a particular day or need time to check equipment arrangements.

Weather, cancellation, and practical limits

Good weather is required. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached, with the option of a different date or activity, or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off uses local time in Terceira, so check the clock carefully if you are arranging plans from another time zone.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The activity is specifically for certified divers, so you should have the required certification for this type of outing. The available information does not state a minimum age, maximum depth, medical requirements, or equipment-rental rules. Ask Scubazores directly if any of those points affect you.

The meeting point and end point are the same. That makes the outing simple to combine with a walk through Angra do Heroísmo, but leave enough time afterward if you have another reservation. Boat returns can be shaped by sea conditions.

Who will enjoy this Terceira outing most

This is a good match for a certified diver who wants two guided sessions and local help choosing sites. It also suits a diver who prefers a small group, a central marina, and a clear safety process rather than an informal independent trip.

It may work especially well for people interested in wrecks, volcanic rock formations, fish life, and changing locations. The possible Lidador wreck and Goat Island route give the day some character, while the second site can add variety.

It is less suited to someone who wants a guaranteed wreck visit, guaranteed dolphins, a calm boat ride, or a fully supplied beach day. None of those can be promised from the available information.

If you are new to certified diving, the presence of attentive guides can make the day less stressful. Still, this is not presented as a beginner certification course. You should arrive with the appropriate certification and be ready for a real boat-based outing.

Should you book the Scubazores two-session trip?

I would book it if you are certified, want two sessions in roughly four hours, and like the idea of letting local guides match the site to the day’s conditions. The careful planning, possible wreck visit, small group, and strong personal service make the price easier to justify.

I would first confirm equipment, the likely site plan, and the weather forecast. Bring a towel, swimwear, and food for before or after the activity. If choppy boat travel bothers you, ask whether the planned route includes Goat Island.

Book this trip for professional guidance and the chance to see Terceira below the surface. Consider dolphins, mantas, octopus, and the Lidador wreck welcome possibilities, not guarantees. That is the honest way to judge the experience.

FAQ

Where does the scuba trip start?

It starts at Scubazores Divers, Marina Store, Marina de, 9700-154 Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal.

Where does the activity finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The trip lasts approximately four hours.

How many underwater sessions are included?

The plan includes two sessions, with a surface break between them.

Is the activity for certified divers?

Yes. It is described as a scuba double session for certified divers.

What is included in the price?

Insurance and a guide are included.

Are lunch, snacks, towels, and swimwear included?

No. Lunch, snacks, towels, and swimwear are not included, so bring what you need.

How many people can join?

The maximum group size is 10 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum group size may also result in a different date or a full refund.