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!
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.
Suites are larger and tend to have a sea view
Anon
2018-09-25 12:31:15
Joss
2018-09-25 10:11:19
Blue Sharks with Martyn - For me, it was a trip that was quite out of the ordinary helped not only by being in an exceptional location but also by the relatively small number in the group. The diving was challenging - well more challenging than the warmer waters with which most of us are so familiar but that was the thing - it was different. I think, perhaps like some others, I only got used to it by the last day. I have never done shark diving like that before; hammerheads in the Galapagos whilst crouching in a barnacle-encrusted crevice; tiger sharks in South Africa where they come so close you think you can stroke them but you know you mustn't, but dangling like a chunk of bait on the end of a piece of string with no bottom or reef in sight is something else! It was a thrill to get that classic shot of a sperm whale's tail "with drips" and I enjoyed very much our day out with several glasses of Veuve Pico.
Anon
2018-09-23 09:58:19
Thank you, Martyn, for a great week. Like Joss, I found it challenging but agree that by the last day we were quite getting used to it all. I thought the blue sharks were brilliant and would have loved to have had the third session with them. Such a shame that the weather changed when it did. Never mind, overall it was a wonderful experience. Thanks to you, and Scuba Travel, for organising it for us.
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 São Miguel, the Central Group, including Terceira, Graciosa, São 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.
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.
There are weekly direct flights from the UK with a flight time of 3½ hours with Ryan Air and daily flights 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 in San Miguel before catching your onward Air Azores flight to Faial or Santa Maria.
If you are flying with TAP, you can also add a night or two in Lisbon, Portugal en route.
UK passport holders do not need a visa for the Azores. 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
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
Please speak to your local GP or check out the latest NHS advice on travel immunisations: click here
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.
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.
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
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
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 are included in your holiday. You will be advised in your travel documentation of how to find your transfer.
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.
Includes flights and transfers, accommodation on a B&B basis and 10 boat dives
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.
The currency in the Azores is the euro. Card payments are accepted, but not in all shops or restaurants.
The Azores has good GSM coverage but the signal can be patchy outside of the towns. Please check with your provider about data coverage.
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.
Kit hire is available from your dive centre Haliotis - this is arranged and paid for locally
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
The dive centre has a shop on site for kit and souvenir purchases
Nitrox is available for recreational mixes. This can be prebooked and prepaid or paid for locally.
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).
We accept mastercard and visa debit or credit cards. Alternatively, you are welcome to pay via bank transfer. All non sterling card payments and UK business debit cards will be subject to the 2% surcharge. Overseas bank transfers must add £6 to the sterling total to cover international handling fees. We are not able to accept PayPal transactions.
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
The Azores are not yet on the radar for many a British photographer, but for those in the know, they are the ideal place for Autumn diving. Martyn Guess will be hosting an exclusive photo workshop in 2018 on the best island for divers - Faial. Be qui... MORE
If you pre-book your diving as part of a holiday package with Scuba Travel you can take advantage of our special rates and make considerable savings on your dive package or dive course at Hotel Faial Resort.
Stay in the heart of historic Faial and enjoy diving in the Azores, including blue shark dives and whale watching trips.
Call or email to bookWe would be more than happy to help you. Our travel advisors are at your service to help you.
01483 411590
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All round it was a really great trip ...something quite different from the norm and I really enjoyed myself , thought we were (are) a nice bunch of divers! I thought it all went really well, you can't control the weather