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Explore Azores

Diving in the Azores is a captivating adventure, offering an impressive tapestry of marine life and diverse underwater landscapes. The Azores, divided into the oriental, central, and occidental groups, cater to divers of all levels with their accessible sites and rich biodiversity. In São Miguel, the renowned Dori wreck, a WWII ship part of Operation Overlord, rests just 20 meters/66 feet below the surface, making it an iconic site for history enthusiasts and marine explorers alike. The coastal reefs of Lourenços and Sabrina are teeming with large pelagic fish and groups of graceful devil rays, providing unforgettable encounters. The central islands are particularly famous for manta ray diving from July to October, ranking among the world's best. A standout site is Princess Alice Bank, located 50 miles off Pico Island. Here, divers can drift above a deep-water pinnacle, witnessing breathtaking spectacles like schooling rays and large pelagic fish. Wreck diving aficionados will be drawn to Terceira and Graciosa islands, home to fascinating sites such as the Terceirense, Lidador, and the eerie Anchor Graveyard. Although the occidental group is less developed for diving, it surprises with its seasonal visits from migrating whales and mating mobula and manta rays. Popular dive sites here include the Gamela, Baxia do Buraco, and Caneiro dos Meros, each offering unique experiences. The Azores' varied environments and plentiful marine life make it a top destination for divers seeking both adventure and tranquility beneath the waves.

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Diving in Azores

The Azores, an archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean, offers diverse diving opportunities with its pristine waters and rich marine life. One of the top dive sites is the "Dori" wreck, a WWII Liberty ship located near São Miguel Island. This site is a favorite among wreck divers for its accessible depth and vibrant fish life.

For those who prefer shore diving, the Santa Maria Island offers stunning volcanic rock formations and abundant marine species. Unique experiences include night dives where divers can witness bioluminescent organisms. Both shore and liveaboard options are available, catering to different preferences and providing flexibility for dive travelers to explore these underwater wonders.

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The best Months to dive in Azores

The Azores offers year-round diving opportunities, characterized by diverse marine life and unique underwater landscapes. The islands enjoy mild maritime weather, ensuring diving is possible throughout the year. Water temperatures range from 16°C–22°C/61°F–72°F, with the warmest conditions occurring between July and September. During these months, divers can experience pleasant underwater environments ideal for exploration. Visibility in the Azores varies, typically ranging from 15 to 30 meters/49 to 98 feet, depending on weather conditions. Autumn and winter can bring stronger winds and currents, slightly reducing visibility and making some dive spots less accessible. However, these conditions also attract larger pelagic species, offering a different diving experience. While diving is viable year-round, planning trips during the summer months may provide the most favorable conditions for divers seeking calm seas and warmer waters.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Azores

The Azores, a stunning archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean, boast a rich marine ecosystem that attracts divers from around the world. The surrounding waters are home to a diverse range of reef fish such as the ornate wrasse, parrotfish, and damselfish, which can be seen year-round exploring the vibrant underwater landscapes. These colorful species thrive in the temperate waters and are common sights on any dive. During certain times of the year, the Azores also become a hotspot for larger marine creatures. Between June and October, divers have the chance to encounter blue sharks and mako sharks, drawn to the region by the nutrient-rich currents. Additionally, loggerhead turtles and various species of rays, including the graceful mobula rays, are often spotted gliding through the waters. These seasonal highlights make the Azores a thrilling diving destination, offering unique wildlife encounters at different times of the year.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 200

Moray Eel

Moray Eel

3.1k Sightings
J
26
F
17
M
34
A
91
M
140
J
281
J
755
A
867
S
556
O
210
N
76
D
34

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 27

Barracuda

Barracuda

2.3k Sightings
J
8
F
7
M
24
A
65
M
126
J
212
J
586
A
592
S
436
O
145
N
46
D
10

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 300

Octopus

Octopus

1.1k Sightings
J
4
F
5
M
10
A
20
M
46
J
127
J
225
A
342
S
230
O
83
N
5
D
6

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 600

Wrasse

Wrasse

657 Sightings
J
11
F
9
M
7
A
34
M
65
J
78
J
149
A
148
S
76
O
47
N
19
D
14
Reef Manta Ray

Reef Manta Ray

328 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
19
J
84
A
104
S
91
O
29
N
0
D
0
Giant Oceanic Manta Ray

Giant Oceanic Manta Ray

308 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
24
J
69
A
93
S
101
O
21
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 25

Eagle Ray

Eagle Ray

197 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
2
A
3
M
0
J
4
J
99
A
57
S
23
O
7
N
0
D
1
Blue Shark

Blue Shark

185 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
3
J
58
A
60
S
57
O
7
N
0
D
0
Whale Shark

Whale Shark

87 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
46
S
41
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Grouper/Basslets

Grouper/Basslets

2.4k Sightings
J
19
F
20
M
21
A
84
M
111
J
211
J
618
A
661
S
431
O
183
N
50
D
16

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 100

Parrotfish

Parrotfish

1.6k Sightings
J
17
F
12
M
18
A
76
M
138
J
188
J
388
A
402
S
214
O
84
N
25
D
8

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

Triggerfish

Triggerfish

1.3k Sightings
J
6
F
11
M
16
A
47
M
83
J
131
J
306
A
397
S
203
O
69
N
31
D
8

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 80

Stingrays

Stingrays

1.2k Sightings
J
2
F
10
M
9
A
14
M
14
J
97
J
423
A
305
S
197
O
58
N
20
D
5

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Scorpionfish

Scorpionfish

1.1k Sightings
J
10
F
8
M
13
A
30
M
110
J
131
J
310
A
237
S
144
O
72
N
27
D
9

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 120

Flounder

Flounder

521 Sightings
J
4
F
4
M
3
A
16
M
28
J
75
J
132
A
130
S
74
O
41
N
12
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3000

Nudibranch

Nudibranch

444 Sightings
J
0
F
3
M
0
A
16
M
55
J
75
J
150
A
93
S
27
O
25
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

Jackfish

Jackfish

441 Sightings
J
4
F
0
M
2
A
4
M
6
J
44
J
174
A
112
S
69
O
23
N
2
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Pufferfish

Pufferfish

343 Sightings
J
3
F
8
M
4
A
2
M
32
J
46
J
127
A
87
S
10
O
11
N
6
D
7

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 15

Tuna

Tuna

285 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
3
A
0
M
3
J
11
J
69
A
83
S
103
O
10
N
3
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 350

Damselfish

Damselfish

209 Sightings
J
8
F
6
M
2
A
0
M
17
J
14
J
69
A
57
S
8
O
16
N
6
D
6

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 7000

Crab

Crab

186 Sightings
J
6
F
3
M
8
A
7
M
4
J
11
J
43
A
62
S
18
O
14
N
5
D
5

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Goatfish

Goatfish

169 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
1
A
1
M
7
J
16
J
44
A
37
S
32
O
20
N
7
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3400

Shrimp

Shrimp

139 Sightings
J
6
F
2
M
0
A
2
M
3
J
17
J
37
A
46
S
21
O
3
N
0
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 190

Conger Eel

Conger Eel

133 Sightings
J
3
F
3
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
6
J
48
A
37
S
17
O
13
N
1
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 11

Mobula Ray

Mobula Ray

98 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
9
J
64
A
25
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 80

Mullet

Mullet

78 Sightings
J
3
F
6
M
2
A
0
M
2
J
1
J
17
A
30
S
2
O
2
N
7
D
6

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