Sicherheit · Destination Guide

Terceira Island

Historic wrecks in a UNESCO bay, lava caves, and seamount day trips in the Azores

Sicherheit und Naturschutz

Terceira is a real Atlantic destination with strong conservation values. The island sits within extensive marine protected areas, and conditions can shift quickly with swell and weather fronts. Plan conservatively, use licensed operators for boat and offshore objectives, and treat archaeology and wildlife encounters as protected experiences.

Wichtigste Risiken

Hauptrisiko: Atlantic swell and surge on exposed entries
Weiteres Risiko: Strong currents at pinnacles and seamounts
Notfallkontakt: European emergency number (112)
Sicherheitsüberblick: Terceira is a real Atlantic destination with strong conservation values.

Sicherheit beim Tauchen

Practical Dive Safety for Terceira

Prioritize local briefings. Site exposure changes quickly with swell and wind.
Carry an SMB and know how to deploy it, especially for offshore and current-affected dives.
Avoid shore entries in surge. Basalt can be slippery and surge can push you into rock.
For caves, bring a primary and backup light and do not exceed training.
For Banco Dom Joao de Castro and other offshore sites, expect blue-water procedures and stronger current.

Environmental Safety

Maintain neutral buoyancy over archaeological sites and encrusting volcanic reef life.
Do not chase marine mammals or approach them aggressively. Follow operator rules.

Medical Support Basics

Main hospital on Terceira: Hospital de Santo Espirito da Ilha Terceira (Angra do Heroismo).
Hyperbaric support for the Central Group is available on Faial (Hospital da Horta). Your dive operator and emergency services will coordinate transfer if needed.
Carry dive accident insurance (DAN or equivalent) and keep emergency numbers saved offline.

What to Do in an Emergency

Call 112 for urgent emergencies.
Contact your operator and begin oxygen first aid immediately if decompression illness is suspected.
Notify DAN as soon as practical to coordinate medical guidance and logistics.

Sicherheit beim Schnorcheln und Freitauchen

Atlantic swell and surge on exposed entries
Terceira is not a lagoon destination. Avoid exposed shore entries in swell, especially outside summer, and let locals choose the safest sites.
Strong currents at pinnacles and seamounts
Sites like Pedra Perdida and Banco Dom Joao de Castro can have strong current. Carry an SMB, follow blue-water protocols, and dive within training limits.
Slippery basalt and sharp entries
Basalt platforms can be slick and uneven. Wear booties and move slowly, especially when surge is present.
Rapid weather shifts
Forecasts can change quickly in the Azores. Build flexibility, expect occasional cancellations, and keep a strong topside backup plan.

Meeresleben und Schutzgebiete

Conservation Rules and Why They Matter

The Azores have a large marine protected area network and have announced a broad Azores Marine Park covering a significant portion of surrounding waters.
Follow the Azores diving code of conduct: no collecting, no feeding, no touching, and maintain excellent buoyancy.
Underwater cultural heritage is protected. Do not move or remove anchors or artifacts in Angra Bay.

Cetaceans and Dolphin Swims

Whale watching and dolphin swim activities are regulated in the Azores.
Always follow the licensed operator briefing. Keep a calm, non-chasing posture and do not attempt to block an animal's path.

Das solltest du nicht tun

Geh nicht ins Wasser, wenn atlantic swell and surge on exposed entries. Prüfe lokale Briefings, bevor du dich festlegst.

Notfallkontakte

Kontakt	Funktion	Telefon	Erreichbarkeit
European emergency number	Police, medical, fire	112	24/7
Hospital de Santo Espirito da Ilha Terceira (HSEIT)	Hospital and emergency department	+351 295 403 200	24/7 (emergency services)
Linha Saude Acores	Health advice line	808 24 60 24	24/7
Bombeiros Voluntarios de Angra do Heroismo	Fire and rescue	295 204 112	24/7
Bombeiros Voluntarios da Praia da Vitoria	Fire and rescue	295 540 220	24/7
DAN Europe Emergency	Dive medicine emergency support	+39 085 893 0333	24/7

Sicherheit und Naturschutz

Practical Dive Safety for Terceira

Prioritize local briefings. Site exposure changes quickly with swell and wind.

Carry an SMB and know how to deploy it, especially for offshore and current-affected dives.

Avoid shore entries in surge. Basalt can be slippery and surge can push you into rock.

For caves, bring a primary and backup light and do not exceed training.

For Banco Dom Joao de Castro and other offshore sites, expect blue-water procedures and stronger current.

Medical Support Basics

Main hospital on Terceira: Hospital de Santo Espirito da Ilha Terceira (Angra do Heroismo).

Hyperbaric support for the Central Group is available on Faial (Hospital da Horta). Your dive operator and emergency services will coordinate transfer if needed.

Carry dive accident insurance (DAN or equivalent) and keep emergency numbers saved offline.

Conservation Rules and Why They Matter

The Azores have a large marine protected area network and have announced a broad Azores Marine Park covering a significant portion of surrounding waters.

Follow the Azores diving code of conduct: no collecting, no feeding, no touching, and maintain excellent buoyancy.

Underwater cultural heritage is protected. Do not move or remove anchors or artifacts in Angra Bay.

Kontakt

Funktion

Telefon

Erreichbarkeit

European emergency number

Police, medical, fire

112

24/7

Hospital de Santo Espirito da Ilha Terceira (HSEIT)

Hospital and emergency department

+351 295 403 200

24/7 (emergency services)

Linha Saude Acores

Health advice line

808 24 60 24

24/7

Bombeiros Voluntarios de Angra do Heroismo

Fire and rescue

295 204 112

24/7

Bombeiros Voluntarios da Praia da Vitoria

Fire and rescue

295 540 220

24/7

DAN Europe Emergency

Dive medicine emergency support

+39 085 893 0333

24/7