Azores Bullfinch

Archipelago Azores have teamed up with Birdwatch magazine for the last 3 years to organise a reader holiday to Sao Miguel, Terceira and Corvo. We are bowled over to hear that thanks to the generosity of Birdwatch readers and the efforts of the magazine’s staff, this year they will be donating more than £20,000 to the Azores Bullfinch conservation project.  This takes the total raised so far to over £51,000 in three years. For more details see the Birdwatch website.

Hi Ian
I must tell you what a wonderful time we had in the Azores. Everything was a delight. Could have been nearer to the harbour and the Dive Centre, so next time, and there will be a next time, we’ll organise something a little closer.
Faial is a very special place and great that it is off the radar as far as other Brit tourists (I’m sure you’d rather it wasn’t!) But we had a marvelous time.
A special word about Tiago and Dive Azores. I found him extremely competent, helpful and organised. Being in Faial, none of the dive operations are up to the standard of more popular destinations such as Red Sea and the Med etc., but Dive Azores really tried hard with what they have at their disposal. They have a good boat, which Tiago is fastidious about. And he especially is keen to accommodate any dive site requests. In particular, in was very interested in diving a site 45 km to the south (Princess Alice Bank). The weather patterns meant it could only be dived the day before I flew home. Strictly speaking, as you know I’m sure, this day should be a ‘no dive day’ due to the body ‘off-gassing’ nitrogen. But, because of my Nitrox certification (enriched air), we sat down together and worked out different mixtures/depths so I could make the trip and be clear to fly home. It was a magnificent dive- as you’ll see from the film he made.

When you get home, pour yourself a glass, click to full screen and make sure the volume is turned up, sit back and enjoy. We were all very privileged to experience these 2 dives.

Thank you for all your help, I’m sure we’ll return soon. I hope this is helpful.

Yours sincerely,
Clive & Tricia

“Your staff in Cape Verde were extremely helpful and quick to update us on any changes. Their information and advice on tipping was very useful. The dive school on Sal was just what we wanted  – relaxed, no pressure, very competent, happy to provide recreational diving and did so very well. It was clear they would also provide more challenging diving if one wanted so could please divers with different competence levels.”
Mr & Mrs Thelwall, St Neots (06-25 Aug 09)
Sal, Sao Vicente, Santo Antao & Sao Nicolau – walking and diving holiday

“An excellent holiday. Every transfer worked perfectly! Drivers met us at every airport/ferry port as arranged and arrived promptly at hotels for transfers to airports. We loved the varied nature of the scenery on the different islands.”
Ms Knowles, Leamington Spa (18  Aug – 01 Sep 09)
Sao Vicente, Sal, Santo Antao & Santiago – island hopping holiday with some walks

“The experience has been great, and we found most of the things we desired from such a journey: mild climate, great views and landscapes, no mass tourism and little traffic even on main roads, flourishing and exotic nature, fascinating sea. Also, your itineraries and stopovers, judged now after having acquired some knowledge of the places, were excellent choices.”
The Scagni family, Italy (26 Jul – 10 Aug 09)
Sao Miguel, Pico & Faial – cycling holiday

“Jake, who arranged our holiday,was friendly, efficient and knowledgeable. A great asset to your company. Thanks.”
Mr & Mrs McAvoy, London (25 Jul – 08 Aug 09)
Sao Miguel – fly-drive holiday

Our friends at SOS Tartarugas on Sal, Cape Verde, have sent us news of their work on the island so far this year :

Turtle Sightings

25 days after the first turtle came ashore on Sal this year, they have counted 239 tracks (106 in 2008), 72 nests (37) and have tagged 53 turtles (only 101 were tagged in the whole of 2008).

Dramatic rescue at sea

SOS received reports this week of a turtle in difficulty at sea on the Costa Fragata. After battling strong current and huge surf, two turtles were found completely entangled in a fishing net and struggling to move. The turtles, one male and one female, were eventually brought back to shore and cut free. The male was released while the exhausted female spent the night in a swimming pool recovering before her successful release the next morning.

For information about turtle watching holidays on Sal or Boavista, please click here or call us on 017687  75684.