HOTEL MARINA ATLANTICO

Hotel Marina Atlântico offers stunning views of the marina and Atlantic Ocean. Its prime location is ideal for this jam packed week of exploration. Enjoy spacious, contemporary rooms, a wellness spa, and an indoor pool.

ROOM OPTIONS

Standard Ocean View Rooms are allocated on a twin / double share basis as standard. Other rooms may be available as upgrades on enquiry. A sole use supplement is available for £410.

GALLERY

ITINERARY

All swim activities are planned with safety at their heart. Open-water swimming is always governed by tides and the weather, and as a result planned swims may need to be changed, depending on the prevailing weather conditions at the time. 

DAY 1

If you are on the 3.30pm arrival into Ponta Delgada, we will meet you at the airport and transfer you to our hotel, ready for welcomes, safety briefing and an evening meal together.

DAY 2

This morning we head to the large harbour of São Miguel - where we will complete our acclimatisation swim in the clear Atlantic waters, surrounded by the bustling energy of the town. After lunch, we will set off to the hot waterfall springs. Expect a lush, jungle-like setting where warm water cascades into natural pools heated by volcanic activity. A unique swim experience after the cooler waters of the Atlantic this morning.

DAY 3

This morning, join us for an incredible whale & dolphin watching trip. Please note, swimming with whales and dolphins in the Azores is strictly forbidden, however it is amazing to see them in their natural habitat. In the afternoon, we will enjoy a relaxed sea swim.

DAY 4

Today we head out to the Furnas ('Furnace') region of São Miguel -  home to hot springs, fumaroles, and boiling mud pools. This morning we will visit the rejuvenating thermal baths at Poça da Dona Beija, before having time for a traditional lunch  traditional "cozido," a delicious Portuguese stew slow-cooked underground using the natural heat of the earth) and a relax in the Terra Nostra Botanical gardens, famous for its large thermal pool and beautifully manicured gardens.

day 5

Today we visit the idyllic 'Princess Ring', the Islet of Vila Franca do Campo - a crater of an old underwater volcano. We will boat around and weather permitting pick a spot for a little snorkelling to see the amazing red crabs and sea life. After lunch, we head back to Praia de Fogo Bay, for some relaxed coastal swimming and a chance to enjoy some beach time.

day 6

The last full day of swimming, and what a day we have planned! This morning, we will head to the lakes on the West of the island before heading out to experience the crash of the Atlantic against the hot stones of the tidal pools at Ferreira - a real assault on the senses. Here we will enjoy lunch, and relax at the beautiful spa before heading back into Ponta Delgada for our evening meal.

DAY 7

This morning we will enjoy a sunrise swim together in the harbour, before breakfast and departures. Check out is at 11am.

GETTING THERE

START & FINISH TIME

This trip officially starts at 4pm, and finishes at 10am on the final day.

FLIGHTS

• Direct Flights: Many international airports offer direct flights to João Paulo II Airport (PDL) in Ponta Delgada, the main city on São Miguel. Airlines such as TAP Air Portugal, Azores Airlines, and several low-cost carriers operate flights from various European cities. There are direct British Airways flights from London Heathrow on Saturdays. We can help you book an extra night, or you can book one of many connecting flights to/from the Azores.
• Connecting Flights: If you’re travelling from outside Europe, or looking for a cheaper fare, you may want to connect through a major European hub, such as Lisbon or London, before flying to Ponta Delgada. We recommend booking from your original destination through to Ponta Delgada as one booking. You may wish to look for flights through a flight search engine such as www.skyscanner.net before booking to find your cheapest options.

WHAT DO I PACK?

• At least three swimming costumes (putting on a wet cossie is never fun!)
• Wetsuit - our Partners at Zone3 offer a wide range of wetsuits, including the eco Yulex natural rubber range HERE and you get 20% OFF all full price Zone3 products with code : SWIMQUEST
• Two pairs of swim goggles – one clear and one tinted
• Tow float (required) - if you haven’t got one yet, you can purchase from our online shop here
• Rash vest (optional) - available from our online shop here
• Towel(s)
• Small daypack/rucksack to use for your personal equipment/clothing during the day
• Sandals/aqua shoes/flip flops – for getting wet
• Warm clothes! Fleece or warm jumper, tracksuit trousers/sweat pants, warm coat, woolly hat
• Dryrobe / similar (something warm and easy to wear after swimming, though you will receive a SwimQuest poncho - which is a light towel robe)
• Warm shoes for before and after your swim, preferably suitable for walking short distances
• Waterproofs
• Sun hat, sun cream and glasses

READY TO BOOK?

We’re excited about meeting you on tour. To book your trip, simply click 'Book Now' for your chosen trip below. A deposit of 30% is required to secure your place, and the final payment is due 10 weeks prior to departure. Payments can be made by debit/credit card or by bank transfer. If you are not yet ready to book and require more information, please click enquire. Once you have complete the form, Sarah (our bookings co-ordinator) will be in touch to help you with any additional requirements.

AZORES  |  12-18 OCT 2025  | BOOK NOW | ENQUIRE

AZORES  |  2-8 MAY 2026  | BOOK NOW | ENQUIRE

AZORES  |  9-15 MAY 2026  | BOOK NOW | ENQUIRE

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In booking with us, you accept our terms and conditions, which can be found here. If at any point you have any questions, feel free to contact us:

• Sarah Broadley | +44 7917 033670 | sarah@swimquest.uk.com
• Charlie Beere | +44 7563 389238 | charlotte@swimquest.uk.com
• Alice Todd | +44 7825 301443 | alice@swimquest.uk.com

Travel Insurance

As a SwimQuest guest, you are required to have in place travel insurance that covers you for all activities you will be taking part in during your trip. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fully covered for these activities. Whatever travel policy you decide on, you will need to bring a copy of your current Certificate of Insurance to the safety briefing at the start of your SwimQuest holiday. Your swim Guides will need to take a note of your insurer, policy number and the number to call in case of an emergency claim. Please note, if you are a UK resident and eligible for free health cover via the NHS, you do not need to take our a travel insurance policy for our UK based trips. You may still wish to take out insurance to cover you for events such as trip cancellation, luggage and personal liability. If you are travelling from the US or another country, we suggest you use a travel insurance comparison site based in your own country in order to decide on a suitable policy. You can find more information on our Insurance page. Columbus Direct offers three levels of cover Bronze, Silver and Gold, with differing levels of emergency medical, cancellation and baggage so you can choose the cover to suit your needs. All levels of cover include over 150 sports and activities covered as standard including open water swimming within 12 miles of shore (you will not be swimming more than 12 miles away from the shore on SwimQuest Holidays). You will also benefit from free airport lounge access if your flight is delayed for 1hr or more*. Optional cover is available including Gadget, Winter Sports and Cruise, along with cover for many pre-existing medical conditions subject to online screening.  Columbus Direct offer single trip cover up to 85 years old and annual multi trip cover up to 74 years old. *The policyholder can register both themselves and up to four additional travelling companions for Columbus Direct’s Airport Delay service. They will then be eligible to receive free airport lounge access in the event a delay of one or more hours is announced for their flight. View terms and conditions here