Experience an unforgettable underwater adventure in a tropical world less than four hours from the UK. This summer, underwater explorers can experience unique and colourful sea life from £959pp*in the Azores Islands, a world-class scuba diving destination.  Breathtaking pelagics, colourful manta rays, blue sharks and even the occasional makos and whale sharks are among the highlights of an Azorean diving adventure.

Summer (May-October) is the ideal season for scuba diving as the warm currents of the Gulf Stream cause the water temperature to rise to between 17°C to 24°C, attracting stunning pelagic fish such as tuna, barracudas, jacks, sardines and mackerels in towards the shores. Other pelagic fish, which can be seen between the shore and towards the bottom of the sea include manta rays, Morays, stingrays, dusky groupers, comb groupers, wrasses, parrot fishes, trigger fishes, breams and damselfishes. Owing to their location in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and their geological origins, the nine islands of the Azores offer travellers world-class diving and sea life which can be best seen from an abundance of excellent local and offshore sites across the archipelago.

These include wreck and cave diving opportunities and fascinating volcanic seamounts rising from great depths. Local sites are especially interesting, offering underwater rock formations and plentiful marine life year-round. Offshore diving sites are typically accessible in the summer months, but it is the marine life found at these sites that makes the Azores a world-class diving destination.

Experienced divers will enjoy challenging sites where encounters with pelagic species are common in strong currents during the summer months. Visibility is excellent throughout the dive season, with June- August being the best time to see the incredible sea life. Visit between July and early October for the best chance to see Blue Sharks. There are several diving spots ideal for travellers with different levels of experience, and inexperienced divers can enjoy snorkelling to see the archipelago's abundant marine life and crystal clear waters.

These breathtaking Portuguese islands are renowned for their tranquillity and remote natural beauty, volcanoes, rugged landscapes, breathtaking lakes, waterfalls, and adventure sports such as hiking, world-class whale watching, swimming with wild dolphins and canyoning. Located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, the Azores can be reached via direct flight with local airline SATA from the London Gatwick in less than four hours between April and October, or via Lisbon all year round.

*SCUBA DIVING IN THE AZORES WITH REGAL DIVE FROM £959PP

Includes 8 dives from São Miguel Island, 7 nights' accommodation at the São Miguel Park Hotel, transfers and

direct flights from London Gatwick departing anytime from 6 to 26 July 2013.

To book call Regal Dive on 01353 659 999 or visit www.regal-diving.co.uk

BLUE SHARK DIVING AZOREAN ADVENTURE WITH DIVE WORLD-WIDE FROM £1095PP

Includes 8 Blue Shark dives from Pico Island with an experienced and knowledgeable guide, 7 nights' bed and breakfast accommodation, transfers and direct flights from London Gatwick departing 22 June 2013. Click here for more information on this tour.

To book call Dive Worldwide on 0845­ 130 6980 or visit www.diveworldwide.com

To find out more about scuba diving and the Azores Islands, visit www.visitazores.com

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Editor's Notes:

The nine islands of the Azores are in the middle of the North Atlantic and belong to Portugal. They can be reached by direct flight from the UK in less than four hours from April - October, or via Lisbon. These volcanic islands are renowned for their volcanic craters, beautiful lakes, stunning sea, thermal pools and mountain vistas, their impressive flora and fauna and marine life. The islands have played a hugely important part in European maritime history, due to their strategically significant position as the western most point of Europe.

For more information, high resolution images or details of press trips please contact: David Wilson or David Ezra at KBC PR & Marketing:

david.wilson@kbc-pr.com / david.ezra@kbc-pr.com / 01825 763636