AZORES · AUGUST 2027
WOMEN'S OCEAN RETREAT
WEEK TO GET WILD, GO DEEP & CONNECT
A women-only ocean retreat created for women who feel most alive in the water.
Spend a week exploring the wild Atlantic through snorkeling, freediving, marine wildlife encounters and underwater photography, surrounded by a small group of like-minded women.
No scuba diving required. No pressure to perform. Just you, the ocean and an unforgettable week.
THIS ISN'T A DIVE TRIP. IT'S A WEEK IN THE OCEAN.
I created this retreat for women who want to experience the ocean in a different way.
We’ll spend our days in and around the water — swimming, snorkeling, freediving, exploring volcanic coastlines and searching for some of the incredible wildlife that calls the Azores home.
There will be days that feel wild and exhilarating, and others where we slow down, breathe, laugh and simply enjoy being there.
This isn’t about how deep you can go or how much you can accomplish.
It’s about how the ocean makes you feel.
WHY SNORKELING & FREEDIVING? CLOSER TO THE SURFACE. CLOSER TO THE WILDLIFE.
The Women’s Retreat is intentionally centered around snorkeling and freediving rather than scuba diving.
Many of our wildlife encounters take place close to the surface, often around 5 metres when conditions allow.
This gives us the freedom to move naturally through the water, spend more time observing the animals and experience them in beautiful natural light.
And for underwater photography, these conditions are incredible.
You don’t need to be a scuba diver to experience the wild Atlantic.
WHAT WE'LL EXPERIENCE
🦈 BLUE SHARKS
Enter the open Atlantic and encounter these elegant pelagic sharks in their natural environment.
Watching a blue shark glide silently through the blue is an experience you’ll never forget.
Snorkeling / freediving · When conditions allow
🔨 HAMMERHEADS
A completely different kind of encounter.
We’ll head into the blue in search of hammerheads and allow the experience to unfold naturally.
No chasing. No touching. Just being there.
🐠 MANTA RAYS
Dive into the deep blue of Princess Alice Bank, a remote offshore seamount where you may encounter graceful manta rays gliding through the open ocean. An unforgettable experience for ocean lovers, freedivers, and underwater photographers.
🕳️ OCEAN SAFARI + CAVES
Explore the volcanic coastline by boat, discovering caves, dramatic formations and hidden corners of the island both above and below the surface.
Depending on conditions, the day may bring encounters with eagle rays and other marine life.
YOU EXPERIENCE IT. I CAPTURE IT. YOUR MEMORIES ARE PART OF THE RETREAT.
One of the special parts of traveling with Made in Water is that you don’t have to choose between living the experience and documenting it.
I’ll be in the water with you, photographing and filming throughout the retreat — from wildlife encounters to underwater portraits and the little moments in between.
You don’t need to spend your time worrying about your camera.
Be present. Swim. Explore. I’ll capture the story.
You’ll return home with a collection of professional underwater photographs from your experience.
THE OCEAN DECIDES A FLEXIBLE WEEK DESIGNED AROUND THE CONDITIONS
The Azores are wild, and the ocean doesn’t follow a schedule.
Weather, wind, waves, visibility and wildlife activity can change quickly, which is why we don’t follow a rigid day-by-day itinerary.
Instead, we’ll use the full week to choose the best possible conditions for each experience.
One day might take us offshore in search of blue sharks. Another might be perfect for snorkeling with eagle rays, exploring volcanic caves or freediving in crystal-clear water.
The order of activities will remain flexible throughout the week, allowing us to adapt to the ocean and make the most of every opportunity.
We don’t tell the ocean what to do.
We work with it.
All activities are subject to weather, sea conditions, safety considerations and wildlife behavior. Marine wildlife encounters are never guaranteed.
YOUR WEEK 7 NIGHTS · 8 DAYS
Your week may include:
🦈 Blue shark expedition
🔨 Hammerhead encounter
🫧 Freediving sessions
🤿 Snorkeling & wildlife exploration
🐠 Manta rays
🕳️ Ocean safari + caves
🌋 Volcanic landscapes
The exact order of activities will be determined according to the best available conditions.
WHAT'S INCLUDED IN YOUR WOMEN'S AZORES OCEAN RETREAT
✔️ 4 boat excursions exploring the incredible waters of the Azores
✔️ Princess Alice Bank expedition — an opportunity to encounter majestic manta rays in the open ocean, conditions permitting
✔️ Blue shark and hammerhead expeditions, when conditions allow
✔️ Snorkeling and freediving experiences designed to connect you with the ocean
✔️ Ocean safari and volcanic cave exploration, with opportunities to encounter eagle rays and other marine wildlife
✔️ Shark education session with Silvio Sonesta, learning more about shark behavior, biology, and conservation
✔️ Professional underwater photography throughout the retreat
✔️ A selection of edited underwater photographs to remember your experience
✔️ Ocean safety briefings and guidance to help you enjoy each adventure responsibly
✔️ Women’s dinners and social gatherings — connect with like-minded women, share stories, make new friends, and enjoy the magic of the Azores together, both i
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
✔️Accommodation
✔️Flights to and from the Azores
✔️Transportation
✔️Meals and drinks
✔️Personal equipment
✔️Travel insurance
✔️Optional excursions
WHERE WILL I STAY? I'LL HELP YOU FIND THE RIGHT PLACE.
Accommodation isn’t included in the retreat, but you won’t have to figure it all out alone.
I’ll provide recommended accommodation options and guidance on the best areas to stay, so you can choose an option that fits your budget, preferences and travel style.
MAKE THE ISLAND PART OF YOUR ADVENTURE OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES
When we're not in the ocean, there's still plenty to explore.
🌋 CLIMB MOUNT PICO
Take on Portugal’s highest mountain and experience the Azores from above.
Optional add-on · Additional cost
🌋 EXPLORE THE VOLCANIC CALDERA
Discover the dramatic volcanic landscape and crater that helped shape the island.
Optional add-on · Additional cost
🩵DRONE VOLCANIC POOL EXPERIENCE
Take your ocean story from underwater to above the surface.
I’ll capture you from above with a unique drone photography experience at one of the Azores’ spectacular volcanic pools.
Optional add-on · Additional cost
WHO IS THIS RETREAT FOR? THIS IS FOR YOU IF...
You love the ocean.
You want to become more confident in the water.
You’d like to explore freediving or improve your skills.
You want to experience sharks and other marine life without scuba equipment.
You want adventure without competition.
You love photography — or simply want beautiful photographs of yourself underwater.
And you want to spend a week surrounded by women who understand the feeling of being completely at home in the ocean.
DO I NEED FREEDIVING EXPERIENCE? NO — BUT YOU SHOULD BE COMFORTABLE IN THE OCEAN.
You don’t need to be an advanced freediver to join.
The retreat is designed for women with different levels of experience, and activities will be adapted to the group’s abilities and ocean conditions.
No scuba certification is required.
You should be a confident swimmer and comfortable spending time in open water.
Specific minimum swimming/freediving requirements will be provided before booking.
US$1,700 PER PERSON
Small group (8 persons) · Women only
Your retreat includes all scheduled ocean experiences, snorkeling and freediving, wildlife expeditions and professional underwater photography.
NOT INCLUDED
Accommodation · Flights · Transportation · Meals & drinks · Travel insurance · Optional island excursions
WILD MEANS WILD
Marine wildlife encounters take place in the animals’ natural environment and can never be guaranteed.
We don’t chase, touch or manipulate wildlife. Our plans adapt to the ocean, and every encounter is approached with respect for the animals and their environment.
READY TO COME INTO THE WILD? AZORES · AUGUST 2027
A week of ocean, adventure, connection and unforgettable encounters.
US$1,700 PER PERSON