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.

Top Dive Sites Map

★★★★☆ Dom João de Castro

The Dom João de Castro Bank is an underwater volcanic seamount in the Azores, Portugal, renowned for its vibrant marine life and unique geothermal activity. Rising to just 13m below the surface, it features stunning coral gardens, hydrothermal vents, and abundant fish species, perfect for advanced divers.

★★★★★ Formigas

This location offers a wide variety of dive sites including the ’Olympia’ shipwreck located on the southwest side of the islets (between 30 and 50 metres deep), a small reef that is only 8 metres deep, many dives along the wall of the islets and also several reefs to the north.

★★★★★ Princesa Alice

Located about 85 km offshore from Pico Island, Princess Alice Bank is a world-renowned mid-Atlantic seamount that rises dramatically from over 1,000 metres deep to just 35 metres below the surface. Accessible by boat from Horta or Madalena (approx. 3 hours).

Scubapro, Stephen Frink

★★★★☆ Banco Dollabarat

A huge seamount located on the protected offshore area of São Miguel and Santa Maria Islands. With water coming from deeps more than 200 m to the surface (Dollabarat for instance is a dive point that can start just of around 5 meters from the surface). All this create an upwelling flow of the nutrients.

★★★★★ Ambrósio

Imagine a dive site you can reach by daily trips from Santa Maria Island where, when the water temperature is, more or less above 22 ºC (between July and October), on more than 90% of the dives there, you can have many big mantas (mobulas) around you all the time – sometimes with more than 30 mobulas.

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.

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.