Head to
Discovery
In the waters off the Azores lie some 1,000 shipwrecks that, like time capsules, preserve the stories of maritime disasters and adventures. This submerged heritage, combined with ancient anchorages, fortifications, and other port structures, reveals the history of a region marked by the constant intermingling of civilizations and the deep interaction between the sea and its people. “The Azores are water with land,” and it is through the sea that the history and identity of the islands are connected.
On the Maritime Exploration Route, the sea is the unifying force that shapes the landscape, culture, and daily life of the Azores. On every island, visitors discover fortresses, tales of privateers, pirates, and shipwrecks, and come to understand the sea as a platform for communication and travel. This route offers an immersive cultural experience, bringing together nature, history, and traditions, and inviting you on a true journey to discover the Azores’ maritime legacy.
DIVE IN:
- Itineraries from ½ day to 2 days and ½
- Scuba diving
- Stories of pirates, privateers, and shipwrecks
- Swimming, starting from a boat or the beach, with goggles, a snorkel, and fins
- Return to the islands by sailboat, for a view from the sea