FAQs · Destination Guide
Atlantic edge-of-Europe diving and waterfall hikes on the Azores biosphere island
Updated Dec 13, 2025 • 21 sources
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers sourced from research and local operating patterns.
For most divers, July to October is the sweet spot. Late summer tends to combine the warmest sea temperatures (often peaking around 24°C to 25°C) with the clearest water, where visibility can often exceed 30 m at the right sites. May, June, and November can still be excellent if you stay flexible, but winter and early spring bring more swell and cancellations. If you want a mix of diving and hiking, plan a buffer day so weather does not force you to choose between them.
Flores is usually reached by connecting flights within the Azores. Most travelers fly into a larger Azores gateway first (commonly Ponta Delgada on Sao Miguel or Terceira), then connect to Flores Airport (FLW) on SATA Air Acores. Some routes connect via Faial (Horta) as well. Because weather can disrupt schedules, avoid tight same-day connections when possible and keep essentials in carry-on. Once on Flores, a rental car is the most practical way to reach dive docks, trailheads, and viewpoints.
Corvo is close enough for a day trip by ferry or flight when conditions allow. Start by checking schedules and sea state, because crossings can be canceled in swell. If you are diving, confirm both the dive plan and the return transport before committing. On Corvo, you can combine a caldera viewpoint hike with a visit to the village, or book the famous Caneiro dos Meros dive (a no-fishing reserve). Pack a windproof layer, snacks, and any essentials you cannot replace on a small island.
Start with Catedral, a signature wall dive outside Santa Cruz harbor with profiles that can run from 6 m to about 30 m. For volcanic drama, target Gruta do Galo and Gruta dos Enxareus on calm sea days. Ilheu do Garajau delivers a classic Azores wall-and-boulder-field feel, while Ponta da Caveira is a reliable sheltered-bay option. If you can add Corvo, Caneiro dos Meros is the iconic reserve dive. Your operator will choose sites based on swell direction.
Flores can work for newer divers, but it is not a flat, tropical training destination. Some sites are appropriate for Open Water divers, especially when seas are calm and visibility is good. Other dives involve surge, wall navigation, or cave environments, and are better for Advanced-level skills. If you are a newer diver, tell the dive center your experience honestly and request conservative profiles in the 6 m to 18 m range. A private guide can be a smart upgrade on a weather-driven island.
Across the year, the Azores typically see sea temperatures averaging about 16°C to 22°C, with late-summer peaks around 24°C to 25°C. Most divers are comfortable in a 5mm wetsuit in spring and shoulder months, and a 3mm to 5mm suit in late summer depending on your cold tolerance and number of dives. Boat rides can feel chilly even on warm days, so a windproof jacket helps between dives. For snorkelers, a thin wetsuit extends comfort time.
Prioritize sheltered water. The best options are typically volcanic tidal pools and designated bathing areas near Santa Cruz, plus calmer swim spots near Faja Grande on settled days. Avoid exposed lava-rock entries when swell is running, because surge can make exits unsafe. If visibility drops below 10 m, treat snorkeling as sightseeing rather than distance swimming. Wear booties for lava rock and move slowly on wet steps. If you are traveling with divers, ask about boat snorkel add-ons on calm days.
Flores has a listed hyperbaric chamber contact at the Santa Cruz das Flores health centre (Centro de Saude de Santa Cruz das Flores). In an emergency, call 112 first and follow instructions, because response coordination matters on a remote island. Even with local capability, you should still carry dive accident insurance (DAN or equivalent) and dive conservatively. Keep your insurance details offline and share your dive plan with your operator. If conditions are severe, transfer to larger islands may be part of the response plan.
A good minimum is 4 to 5 days: 2 to 3 dive days plus 1 to 2 full topside days for the crater lakes, waterfalls, and west-coast faja scenery. If you want to add Corvo, aim for 6 to 7 days so you can wait for a calm ferry or flight day without sacrificing Flores dives. Because visibility and swell can change quickly, build a flexible schedule with backup plans like tidal pools, short hikes, or museum stops when boats cannot go out.