Standard rooms
Each room has its own bathroom equipped with shower cabin, toilet, washbasin. The room is air-conditioned, has TV with local and international channels, free Wi-Fi internet.
Hotel Faial Resort | Dive the Azores
Faial island is arguably the most beautiful of the Azores islands, separated from Pico island by a narrow strait. It's a stunning island, and popular for the almost guaranteed whale and dolphin encounters. But look beneath the waves and you find a new exciting world. Faial has great reefs and walls for divers, but it's the blue sharks that attract most people here. Shallow encounters in blue water... what's not to like! The 4 star hotel Faial resort is within walking distance of the island's historic centre. It's beautifully laid out around gardens and courtyards, with the added benefit of having the Haliotis dive centre on site. There are 131 rooms spread over 2 executive suites, 4 junior suites, 21 executive rooms and 104 standard rooms. The majority are standard rooms, with twin or double beds, en suite, air con, free wifi, satellite TV and mini bar. If you want more space to relax in, why not upgrade? The larger rooms are extremely good value and usually have sea views - please request at the time of booking. The restaurant has enviable views over the city and marina of Horta. Faial island was made for exploring. After your diving is done, make sure to spend some time on the island itself, if nothing else to take in the vistas. A day trip to Pico island is ideal for the day before your flight, when your diving is done. But if you prefer a more leisurely pace, the hotel has many facilities on site. There is an indoor and outdoor pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, gym and even a Turkish bath!
Suites
Suites are larger and tend to have a sea view
Large restaurant with views over the harbour
Great location near historic centre
Covid Information for Hotel Faial Resort
INFORMATION PROVIDED BY VISITAZORES.COM
Last Updated: 11 MAY 2021 Passengers wishing to travel to the territory of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, by air or by sea, and who come from areas considered by the World Health Organization to be areas of active community transmission or with active transmission chains of the SARS-CoV- 2 virus, are required to present, prior to boarding, a certificate, in digital or paper format, of a document issued by an recognized laboratory, national or international, to carry out a diagnostic test to SARS-CoV-2 with negative result. Exceptions to the mandatory presentation of the test ; Passengers aged 12 years or less Extending the stay on any of the islands of the archipelago for seven or more days, or for thirteen or more days, the passenger must, on the 6th and 12th days, respectively, counting from the date of the SARS-CoV-2 screening test, contact the Health Authority of the municipality where one resides or is staying (https://covid19.azores.gov.pt/?page_id=1426), with the objective of carrying out a new SARS-CoV-2 screening test, supported by the local Health Authority, which result will be communicated by the means assumed by that entity. If your result is negative, you can travel and must register your trip on the My Safe Azores platform (https://mysafeazores.com) to allow faster control on arrival in the Azores. You must present the exam result at the time of check-in in digital or physical format, excluding the SMS format. The Autonomous Region of the Azores will assume all charges resulting from accommodation and meals for passengers disembarked in the Region, for compliance with mandatory confinement derived from POSITIVE result to SARS-CoV-2 and prophylactic isolation as a result of close contact with a POSITIVE SARS-CoV-2 case, when determined by the Health Authority. MEASURES FOR THE ISLANDS OF Corvo, Flores, Graciosa, Sao Jorge, Terceira, Faial, Pico and Santa Maria Limitation of gatherings on the public road of a maximum number of 10 people, unless they are from the same household; Limitation to a maximum of 10 people per table in restaurants and cafes, unless they belong to the same household and maximum capacity of 3/4 of the its capacity; Closure of all beverage and similar establishments, with dance spaces; Closure, from 11:59 pm onwards, of all restaurants, drinks and similar establishments, with or without a show and with or without terrace service, including spaces for holding events, except for the purposes of take away or delivery to the residence; Fuel filling stations can maintain their operation from 11:59 pm until 06:00 am of the following day, exclusively for the purpose of selling fuels and supplying vehicles to the public; Limited presence of public at cultural events and sports competitions to 1/3 of the respective capacity, guaranteeing the rules of social distance. GOOD PRACTICES FOR A SAFE STAY Use of masks in areas of common use; Maintain the advisable physical distance of 2 meters; Handwashing with soap and water or alcohol-based disinfectant; Follow respiratory etiquette rules. Measures being carried out at Azores Airports: Reinforced cleaning with hospital-level disinfectants; On-going cleaning teams in various areas; Disinfection using advanced technology UV equipment; Increase of hand sanitizers at all points of the terminals; Signage and disclosure of the use of a mask on the terminal, warning for the need for extra hygiene care and the need for physical distance; Installation of protection screens on service counters (acrylic and glass); Body temperature measurement camera system in coordination with health entities. Local authorities advice and helplines For more information https://covid19.azores.gov.pt/ Covid-19 Azores health line for medical issues (+351) 800 24 60 24 Covid-19 Azores helplines for non-medical issues (+351) 800 29 29 29 and (+351) 800 50 05 01Country Covid Travel Information
View entry requirements here You can travel to Portugal for any purpose from the EU/EEA or from the UK and some other non-EU/EEA countries. All travellers to mainland Portugal and the Azores are required to complete a passenger locator form before arrival If you’re fully vaccinated, you can enter mainland Portugal without needing to test. You can use your UK COVID Pass (paper or digital format) to demonstrate your vaccination record To qualify under the fully vaccinated rules, you must have a vaccination certificate which shows you have had either: a full course, as described below, of a vaccine approved by the European Medicines Agency, at least 14 days and no more than 270 days before you arrive, or a full course of a vaccine, as described below, plus a booster vaccine approved by the European Medicines Agency at least 14 days before you arrive If you’re not fully vaccinated, you’ll need to show proof of a negative PCR test (taken no more than 72 hours before entry) or rapid lateral flow test (taken no more than 24 hours before entry) when you check in for your flight to mainland Portugal. Make sure your test is carried out by a trained healthcare professional. Self-administered tests are not acceptable. You’ll need to take a test on arrival in the Azores unless: you have a valid EU vaccination or recovery certificate, or you have taken a PCR or rapid lateral flow test before you travel Your PCR or rapid lateral flow test must be carried out by a trained healthcare professional. Self-administered tests are not acceptable. The rapid lateral flow test is taken no more than 48 hours before you travel and meets the standards set out in the EU common list of Rapid Antigen Tests. The PCR test is taken no more than 72 hours before you travel From 18th March, when you travel to England from abroad you: do not need to take any COVID-19 tests before you travel or after you arrive do not need to fill in a UK passenger locator form do not need to quarantine when you arrive This applies whether you are vaccinated or not. It includes people who are transiting through England. Updated 13APR 2022
Frequently Asked Questions
Location
All the nine islands of the Azores Archipelago are located in the North Atlantic. These volcanic isles are scattered along a 600 km stretch of ocean from Santa Maria to Corvo. The islands of the archipelago are divided in three geographical groups: the Eastern Group, comprising Santa Maria and Sao Miguel, the Central Group, including Terceira, Graciosa, Sao Jorge, Pico and Faial, and the Western Group, composed by Corvo and Flores. Each island has its own individual atmosphere and distinctive flair.
Typically, the best months for divers are May to October, when the marine life is at its most exciting and the water temps climb to 20-24C.
Covid Travel Information
View entry requirements here You can travel to Portugal for any purpose from the EU/EEA or from the UK and some other non-EU/EEA countries. All travellers to mainland Portugal and the Azores are required to complete a passenger locator form before arrival If you’re fully vaccinated, you can enter mainland Portugal without needing to test. You can use your UK COVID Pass (paper or digital format) to demonstrate your vaccination record To qualify under the fully vaccinated rules, you must have a vaccination certificate which shows you have had either: a full course, as described below, of a vaccine approved by the European Medicines Agency, at least 14 days and no more than 270 days before you arrive, or a full course of a vaccine, as described below, plus a booster vaccine approved by the European Medicines Agency at least 14 days before you arrive If you’re not fully vaccinated, you’ll need to show proof of a negative PCR test (taken no more than 72 hours before entry) or rapid lateral flow test (taken no more than 24 hours before entry) when you check in for your flight to mainland Portugal. Make sure your test is carried out by a trained healthcare professional. Self-administered tests are not acceptable. You’ll need to take a test on arrival in the Azores unless: you have a valid EU vaccination or recovery certificate, or you have taken a PCR or rapid lateral flow test before you travel Your PCR or rapid lateral flow test must be carried out by a trained healthcare professional. Self-administered tests are not acceptable. The rapid lateral flow test is taken no more than 48 hours before you travel and meets the standards set out in the EU common list of Rapid Antigen Tests. The PCR test is taken no more than 72 hours before you travel From 18th March, when you travel to England from abroad you: do not need to take any COVID-19 tests before you travel or after you arrive do not need to fill in a UK passenger locator form do not need to quarantine when you arrive This applies whether you are vaccinated or not. It includes people who are transiting through England. Updated 13APR 2022
Weather and Climate
The weather in the Azores is changeable! The islands enjoy a mild temperate climate throughout the year and benefit from the Gulf Stream; a current of warm water that heads north east from the Gulf of Mexico. The average air temperature varies between 11 and 26°C depending on the time of year and the surrounding ocean averages between 15 and 23°C. Being so far out in the Atlantic, the islands are prone to rainy days at any time of year, and without these showers of course, you could not enjoy the beautiful flora on the islands.
Travel
Flight options
There are weekly direct flights from the UK via Lisbon from Heathrow and Manchester with TAP. Depending on which island you are staying on, you may find you need a night en route before catching your onward Air Azores flight to Faial or Santa Maria.
Stopovers
If you are flying with TAP, you can also add a night or two in Lisbon, Portugal en route.
Arrange before you go
Regular Entry Requirements
If you are a tourist, you do not need a visa for short trips to EU countries, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein. You can stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. If you visit more than one of these countries within a 180-day period, check that you do not spend more than 90 days in total across all the countries you visit. That is because most of these countries apply the 90-day limit as a group. There are different rules for Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania.. Do ensure your passport has 6 months validity from your return date to prevent any issues with your airline. It is your responsibility to ensure your passport is valid and you fulfil entry requirements. Regulations can change: please review current FCO advice: click here
Insurance
Scuba Travel requires all of our customers to have diving insurance. Please make sure that you have appropriate cover for your diving activities. We also strongly recommend you have travel insurance. It's worth taking out travel insurance once you have paid your deposit to ensure you are covered for unforeseen events and cancellation. Find out more about our combined dive and travel policy click here
Immunisations
Your covid proof of vaccination must match your passport name and flight ticket name. Please speak to your local GP or check out the latest NHS advice on updating your NHS details or for other travel immunisations: click here
Preparing to fly
Seating
You will be able to manage your booking online once you have been ticketed (after you have paid your holiday balance). Most airlines will now enable you to select your seating at this point. There may be a small charge for prebookable seating before online check in opens. Please speak to the airline for more information about charges.
Check in
Depending on your airline, you may be able to complete check in online to print your boarding pass. If not, we will email your flight tickets to you in advance. You must print your ticket coupon.
Lounge
An airport lounge is a great way to start your holiday or to while away flight connections in comfort. Scuba Travel works with Lounge Pass to offer a huge range of affordable airport lounges around the world click here
Parking
Prebook your airport parking to save money! If you have a long way to travel, why not also look at booking an airport hotel. These aren't as expensive as you might think. click here
What happens when I arrive?
On arrival please make your way through baggage claim and immigration. There will either be a rep to meet you or you will have full details of your where to meet your transfer (with a confirmation voucher) in your travel documentation. If you have any issues on arrival, please contact us. We have an emergency contact, manned by a member of the team here in the UK. Please call 0044 7747 488 002. We will be able to help your rep locate you in the airport.
Transfers
Transfers are included in your holiday. You will be advised in your travel documentation of how to find your transfer.
Departures
At the end of your holiday, your return transfer details will be advised locally. EU passport holders do not need to pay a departure tax.
Info
Tipping
Tipping is entirely at your discretion. We do not make recommendations as to how much to tip. Should you wish to leave a tip for the staff and crew, it should reflect the level of service you have enjoyed.
Currency
The currency in the Azores is the euro. Card payments are accepted, but not in all shops or restaurants.
Phone coverage
The Azores has good GSM coverage but the signal can be patchy outside of the towns. Please check with your provider about data coverage.
Plugs and electricity
Electricity in Azores is 230 Volts, alternating at 50 cycles per second. If you travel to Azores with a device that does not accept 230 Volts at 50 Hertz, you will need a voltage converter. Outlets in Azores generally accept two round pin plugs.
Extras
Hire equipment
Kit hire is available from your dive centre Haliotis - this is arranged and paid for locally
Extras
Special trips, to sites such as Princess Alice and Banco do Condor/Banco dos Acores, night dives and all kit hire are paid for locally
Souvenirs
The dive centre has a shop on site for kit and souvenir purchases
Nitrox/Gas
Nitrox is available for recreational mixes. This can be prebooked and prepaid or paid for locally.
Payments
Deposits and Balances
A typical deposit for a holiday to Hotel Faial resort is £250 per person, although this will depend on your exact flight option and travel class. Larger deposits may be required for some flight options (eg premium economy/business class).
Ways to pay
We accept mastercard and visa debit or credit cards. If you would like a pay by link to complete check out via email please let us know and it can be set up for you. All non sterling card payments and UK business debit cards will be subject to the 3% surcharge. We do not take AMEX. Alternatively, you are welcome to pay via bank transfer. Overseas bank transfers must add £6 to the sterling total to cover international handling fees. We are not able to accept PayPal transactions or personal cheques.
Group Payments
If you have booked as part of a group, you can still call and pay directly without needing to go via your group leader. Please have your trip reference number to hand to help us locate your holiday as quickly as possible. You will receive a transaction receipt - your group leader will forward your ATOL certificate and booking confirmation
Discounts
Repeat Guests
Are you one of Scuba Travel's repeat customers? Over 60% of our customers trust Scuba Travel to book their next diving holiday, time after time.
And we believe you deserve a huge thanks for your ongoing support over the years, which is what our repeater discount is all about! Travel with us again in either 12 months or 24 months and you will qualify for a discount. That's all you have to do. No forms, no numbers to remember, no fuss, just a good honest price reduction.
Repeat discounts are not cumulative and cannot be applied to special offer prices
Included
Includes flights and transfers, accommodation on a B&B basis and 10 boat dives
Excluded
Additional dives, special trips, nitrox, meals outside of your board basis and and excursions Tipping is entirely at your discretion. We do not make recommendations as to how much to tip. Should you wish to leave a tip for the staff and crew, it should reflect the level of service you have enjoyed.
Diving around Faial will excite all experience levels. The sites are uncrowded and Haliotis have the largest, most comfy boats to dive from. There are undulating reef reefs, lava tunnels, walls and even a wreck. The Pontao 16 is a firm fave for many divers, with vast schools of trigger fish. But the blue sharks are the undeniable must do dive. We recommend a special trip to Banco do Condor where you can gently drift with these elegant sharks in the shallows.
Haliotis dive centre are one of the region's premier dive centres, with all the experience you need to make your diving trip to the Azores a success. The dive centre itself is situated inside the Hotel Faial resort and right next to the Haliotis Divers' house. They pride themselves on their facilities, including changing rooms, a classroom, kit hire and shop.
- Daily boat diving on custom built RIBS
- Dive with the resident blue sharks
- Huge schools of fish including groupers, baracuda and tuna
- Calm sheltered sites for all experience levels
- Wreck diving at Pontao 16
- Excellent macro
Parede do Almeida
Skill level: All levels | Ave Depth: 10 | Max Depth: 30mThis vertical wall is full of life. On top of that you will find a small cavern on the bottom that is home to millions of small shrimps. You can also find some barred hogfish and small crustaceans, as well as some of the famous blue slipper lobsters.
Pontao 16
Skill level: All levels | Ave Depth: 10 | Max Depth: 30mSunken specially for diving, this old boat is still intact. Laying on a sandy bottom at twenty meters deep it is always surrounded by big schools of triggerfish, and on the bottom you can find big schools of mullets. If you are certified you can also do some wreck penetration.
Boca das Caldeirinhas
Skill level: All levels | Ave Depth: 8 | Max Depth: 30mA natural reserve that is in fact an old submerged volcano. A vertical wall starts at five metres and goes down to eighty metres deep. The perfect spot to watch all kinds of life, from tuna to groupers. The landscape is also amazing.
Princess Alice Bank
Skill level: Advanced | Ave Depth: 20m | Max Depth: 40mWhat is probably the most well-known diving spot of the Azores is located 45 nautical miles away from Faial Island and 50 nautical miles away from Pico Island. This submarine mountain is characterised by the existence of a considerably large area with minimum depths of 35-40 metres, surrounded by an area of more than 100km with depths above 500 metres. The trip takes more or less 3 hours. It provides unique moments with a magnificent landscape of the shores of Faial and Pico Islands, together with the big chance of sighting various specimens of turtles, dolphins and whales.
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Hotel restaurant and bar
On site, you will find the Varanda da Horta Restaurant, offering a superb view of the town and marina of Horta, and, on the background, the view over the Pico Mountain and the Island of Sao Jorge. Here, you can enjoy a meal for two, a business lunch or a family meal, with buffet or a la carte service, with a careful selection of regional, national and international dishes.
Peter Cafe Sport
On the marina front, Peter Cafe Sport is a local institution. Its the ideal spot for a post dive beer or bite to eat. It's been serving up for over 100 years and even boasts a local house gin!
Local fresh seafood and delicacies
Head down into the town and you will find a large number of local restaurants and bars. Simply stroll through the streets or ask the dive centre staff to help out with a recommendation and booking
Hotel Faial ResortAtlantic,Azores
See our holidays tab for package options. Please ask for a quote to add international flights from the UK
Discover the beautiful island of Faial and enjoy scuba diving on reefs and wrecks in the Azores. Boat dives depart daily for Faial and Pico sites. Highlights include seasonal blue shark dives and whale watching trips.
Call us or email to book
Need our help?
We are more than happy to help you, with any question you may have. Our travel advisors are waiting for your call or you can send us a message
Click here to MESSAGE us 01483 411590dive@scubatravel.com
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Blue Shark Point
Skill level: Guided | Ave Depth: 10 | Max Depth: 30mThe best season for diving here is between July and September. Blue shark dives are a baited drift in the deep water channel running between Pico and Faial islands. It can take some patience, but once the sharks show up, this is an experience like no other!