AZORES · AUGUST 2027
FREEDIVING THE WILD ATLANTIC
BLUE SHARKS · HAMMERHEADS · MANTA RAYS
Experience the Azores on a single breath — from swimming with blue sharks and searching for hammerheads to freediving with giant manta rays at the legendary Princess Alice Bank.
1,700€ PER PERSON * Prices are in euros
THIS ISN'T A POOL FREEDIVING RETREAT.
This is freediving in the open Atlantic.
For one week, we’ll explore the wild waters of the Azores through freediving, snorkeling and unforgettable encounters with pelagic wildlife.
We’ll search for blue sharks and hammerheads, explore volcanic coastlines and caves, and venture offshore to Princess Alice Bank for the opportunity to freedive with giant manta rays.
The depth isn’t the goal. The experience is.
THREE SIGNATURE ENCOUNTERS THREE ENCOUNTERS.
ONE WILD OCEAN.
🦈 BLUE SHARKS INTO THE BLUE
Enter the open Atlantic and experience blue sharks in their natural environment.
Freediving allows you to move quietly through the water and experience these elegant pelagic sharks from a completely different perspective.
🔨 HAMMERHEADS SEARCHING THE BLUE
We’ll head offshore in search of hammerheads and other pelagic wildlife.
There are no guarantees when you’re working with wild animals and a constantly changing ocean — and that’s exactly what makes every encounter so special.
We don’t chase the encounter. We wait for it.
🤿 MANTA RAYS PRINCESS ALICE BANK
Far offshore in the Atlantic lies Princess Alice Bank, one of the Azores’ legendary remote dive locations.
Here, conditions permitting, you’ll have the opportunity to freedive alongside giant manta rays in the open ocean.
Descending on a single breath while a manta glides through the blue is an experience that words don’t really do justice.
Weather, sea conditions and wildlife behavior determine whether the experience can take place.
THE FREEDIVING
BREATHE. DESCEND. EXPLORE.
Freediving changes the way you experience the ocean.
Without the sound of bubbles or the equipment of scuba, you become more aware of your breathing, your movement and everything happening around you.
Throughout the retreat, we’ll create opportunities to work on your freediving skills and become more comfortable and efficient in the water.
Depending on the experience level of the group, sessions may include:
* Breathing and relaxation
* Equalization
* Streamlining and body position
* Efficient finning and movement
* Breath-hold awareness
* Open-water confidence
THE GOAL?
Not a number on a depth gauge.
A better relationship with the ocean.
MORE THAN SHARKS
EXPLORE THE AZORES ABOVE & BELOW THE SURFACE
The Azores are more than pelagic encounters.
Between offshore expeditions, we’ll explore the volcanic coastline, discover caves and rock formations, snorkel in clear Atlantic water and look for eagle rays and other marine life.
Some days will be spent deep in the blue.
Others will be about exploring what’s right beneath the surface.
The ocean decides what each day becomes.
FLEXIBLE ITINERARY
THE OCEAN DECIDES. A FLEXIBLE WEEK BUILT AROUND THE CONDITIONS
The Azores are wild.
Wind, waves, visibility, currents and wildlife activity can change quickly. That’s why we don’t follow a rigid day-by-day itinerary.
Instead, we’ll use the entire week to choose the best possible conditions for each experience.
One day might be perfect for freediving.
Another might take us offshore in search of blue sharks.
Another could be our window for Princess Alice and manta rays.
We’ll adapt the plan to the ocean — not the other way around.
All activities are subject to weather, sea conditions, safety considerations and wildlife behavior.
ONE WEEK… SIGNATURE ENCOUNTERS
FREEDIVING
Dedicated sessions to improve technique, relaxation, equalization and confidence.
BLUE SHARKS
An offshore expedition into the open Atlantic.
HAMMERHEADS
Searching the blue for one of the ocean’s most iconic pelagic sharks.
PRINCESS ALICE BANK
A remote Atlantic expedition with the opportunity to freedive with manta rays.
VOLCANIC CAVES
Exploring the dramatic volcanic coastline above and below the surface.
EAGLE RAYS & MARINE LIFE
Additional encounters depending on location and conditions.
OCEAN SAFARI
A day dedicated to exploring what the Azorean coastline has to offer.
The order of activities will be determined according to weather and sea conditions.
PHOTOGRAPHY
YOU EXPERIENCE IT. I CAPTURE IT.
One of the things that makes a Made in Water retreat different is that you don’t have to choose between being present in the experience and documenting it.
I’ll be in the water with you, photographing and filming the retreat — from wildlife encounters to underwater portraits and the moments in between.
You focus on the ocean. I’ll focus on telling the story.
You’ll receive a selection of professional underwater photographs from your retreat.
WHAT'S INCLUDED YOUR RETREAT INCLUDES:
✓ All planned ocean excursions
✓ Freediving sessions
✓ Snorkeling experiences
✓ Blue shark expedition
✓ Hammerhead expedition, conditions permitting
✓ Princess Alice Bank expedition, conditions permitting
✓ Opportunities to freedive with manta rays
✓ Ocean safari and volcanic cave exploration
✓ Professional underwater photography
✓ Selection of edited underwater photographs
✓ Ocean safety briefings and guidance
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
✓ Accommodation
✓ Flights to and from the Azores
✓ Transportation
✓ Meals and drinks
✓ Personal freediving equipment
✓ Travel insurance
✓ Optional land excursions
WHERE WILL I STAY? I'LL HELP YOU FIND THE RIGHT PLACE.
Accommodation isn’t included in the retreat, but I’ll provide recommendations for where to stay and help you choose an option that fits your budget and travel style.
You’ll have the freedom to choose your own accommodation while still having guidance on the best areas and options.
Accommodation is first come, first served.
OPTIONAL ADVENTURES
MAKE YOUR AZORES ADVENTURE EVEN BIGGER
When you’re not in the ocean, there are plenty of ways to explore the volcanic landscape.
🌋 MOUNT PICO
Climb Portugal’s highest mountain and experience the Azores from above.
OPTIONAL ADD-ON · ADDITIONAL COST
🌋 VOLCANIC CALDERA
Explore the dramatic volcanic landscape and discover the caldera that helped shape the island.
OPTIONAL ADD-ON · ADDITIONAL COST
🩵 DRONE VOLCANIC POOL
Take your Azores story above the surface.
Add a unique drone photography experience at one of the island’s spectacular volcanic pools.
OPTIONAL ADD-ON · ADDITIONAL COST
WHO IS THIS FOR? THIS RETREAT IS FOR YOU IF...
You already freedive or are comfortable snorkeling and want to take your experience into the open ocean.
You want to become more relaxed, efficient and confident in the water.
You dream of swimming with sharks and manta rays.
You want to experience the ocean without scuba equipment.
You enjoy adventure, exploration and wild encounters.
And you want to spend a week surrounded by people who are just as obsessed with the ocean as you are.
EXPERIENCE LEVEL DO I NEED TO BE AN ADVANCED FREEDIVER?
You don’t need to be an elite freediver.
This retreat is designed for people with different levels of experience, but you should be a confident swimmer and comfortable in open water.
Freediving activities will be adapted to individual experience, group ability and ocean conditions.
This retreat is focused on experience and exploration rather than formal certification or depth competition.
Specific requirements and safety information will be provided before booking.
RESPONSIBLE WILDLIFE
WILD MEANS WILD.
Every encounter happens on the animals’ terms.
We don’t chase, touch or manipulate wildlife.
We enter their environment, observe their natural behavior and adapt our approach accordingly.
Marine wildlife encounters are wild experiences and can never be guaranteed.
The ocean always gets the final say.
YOUR WEEK IN THE AZORES
AUGUST 2027
1,700€ PER PERSON *Prices are in euros
Small group
Freediving.
Blue sharks.
Hammerheads.
Manta rays.
Volcanic landscapes.
Open Atlantic adventure.
All in one unforgettable week.
Limited spaces available.
ONE BREATH.
A WILD OCEAN.
A WEEK YOU’LL NEVER FORGET.
AZORES · AUGUST 2027