Azores

Pedrinha (★4.3)

Around 15 minutes outside the marina of Vila do Porto in Santa Maria lays this marine reserve with very abundant flora and fauna. Moderate currents can occur. The entry of the site has a mooring buoy that goes 8m down to the main rock. Average diving depth between 15 and 25 meters.

Scubapro, Stephen Frink

Banco Dollabarat (★4.4)

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.

Jens L. (#2147483)

Ilhéus da Madalena (★4.1)

Two islands directly in front of Madalena, which were formed during a volcanic eruption. Between the two islands lies the sunken crater. In and on the lava fingers the most diverse fish can be admired. A swimthrough through the longer "lying" island is also possible.

Scubapro, Stephen Frink

Dori Wreck (★4.5)

Wreck 130 meters long and about 30m wide. Maximum depth of 22m at the bow and 18m at the stern, with a minimum depth of 12m in the shallowest part of the wreck. Areas partially destroyed and no penetration inside.

Mares, Janez Kranjc

Ambrósio (★4.6)

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.

Octopus diving center, 9760-997 Praia da Vitória

Arena (★4.3)

Dive site located at 5 minutes from the Praia da Vitória marina, where it is possible to explore a volcanic rocky reef, in a calm and peaceful area at about 12 meters depth. It’s a great spot for an adaptative dive, or underwater photography.

Qmann Diving, 9700-301 Altares

Lidador - Archaeological UW Park (★4.5)

Diving along the Underwater Archaeological Park of Terceira Island, with access from land, easy entry and exit. Suitable diving spot for beginners, scuba skills update, and underwater photography enthusiasts.

Scubapro

Âncoras do ilhéu de São Roque (★4.2)

Dive Spot characterized by the existence of numerous historical anchors found along the Ponta Delgada marina. After cataloguing them, they were placed in front of the São Roque Islet in order to create an artificial reef and a new dive spot.

Hans-Dieter W. (#3638149)

Princesa Alice (★4.8)

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

Ilhéu de Vila Franca - cozinha (★4.4)

Located in the nature reserve of the islet of Vila Franca do Campo, where you can find many passages along the wall up to a depth of 10m along the rock. The maximum depth is 18m. Bottom of small rock formations mixed with sand.

Aqualung

Arcos da caloura (★4.2)

Located 300m from a volcanic sand beach in the small bay of Caloura. The top of the reef is at 5m and can go down to 20m. At 16m we can find 4 impressive arches that are the main attraction of the dive.

Mares

Ponta da Galera (★4.2)

Characterized by several arches in the shallow area between 14 and 18m with the possibility of several passages, and by lava flows that can go up to 40m deep. Area with a possible strong current.

Mares, Janez Kranjc

Baixa do Espelho (★4.2)

The top of the reef starts at 7m with a maximum depth of 35m. Characterized by the presence of a large volcanic hole with an arch, where we can swim through. Very varied marine life with a mixture of rock and sandy bottoms.

Octopus diving center, 9760-997 Praia da Vitória

Dom João de Castro (★4.1)

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.

Octopus diving center, 9760-997 Praia da Vitória

Cinco Ribeiras (★4.6)

Cinco Ribeiras is a cavern at 17m deep and is for advanced divers only. Chamber 1 is called shrimp cave, chamber 2 is called Cavaco swim-through, and chamber 3 is called funnel. You can return through one of the 3 exits.

H2ON, 4250-159 Porto

Terceirense (★4.3)

Cargo ship sunk to 20 meters deep accessible only by boat. Large sections of hull still intact, tubes, boilers and other components are scattered on a sandy bottom populated by an intense marine fauna.

Qmann Diving, 9700-301 Altares

Biscoitos Gate (★4.7)

This dive site is magnificent, as we follow the wall, finally we encounter a Gate 2 meter wide by 5 meter high at a depth of 32 meter who gives us entrance to the Atrium 36 meter, to perform this dive you need 2 scuba tanks, or a twin set.

Qmann Diving, 9700-301 Altares

Biscoitos Cavern 1, 2, 3 (★4.6)

This dive site is a long and shallow dive 18m-23m where you will encounter various species of fish and marine life going through several valleys and than finally arriving at the caverns. This is a typical sidemount or twin set dive. Technical diving experience highly recommended.

Mares, Janez Kranjc

Willy Wonka (★4.6)

Located just 10 minutes from the Ponta Delgada marina, the name of this spot comes from the fact that it is in front of a chocolate factory. It is formed by rocks of volcanic origin with depths ranging from 7m to 19m. During the dive you can pass through arches of different sizes.

Mares

3 Houses (★4.2)

Located in front of Caloura village, a large rock that goes from 12m to 35m deep. Several holes in the rock allow marine life to be seen. Circular dive.

Mares, Janez Kranjc

Arco do Cavaco (★4.3)

Spot about 15 mint by boat from Ponta delgada Marina, characterized by the presence of volcanic arcs and finger-shaped walls along the coastline. Excellent for drifts and shallow depths of up to 25m. Its proximity to the chocolate factory gave it its name.

Scubapro

Lavakita (★4.2)

Lava flow with the formation of volcanic walls. Possibility of observing an unidentified shipwreck and accessory anchors. Possibility of deep dives.

Aqualung

Baia de Sao Pedro (★4.2)

Protected dive site with access from the coast and a maximum depth of 9m. Excellent conditions for teaching open water diving. Presence of marine life with a mixed bottom of rock and sand.

Aqualung

Prison Break (★4.3)

Natural reef with depths ranging from 5m to 18m. It is made of 2 parallel walls along the coast that create protection and allow diving from beginners and advanced levels.

Mares

Santa Clara Arena (★4.6)

A lava escarpment area and the formation of a stone arena and sandy bottom with a large area. Possibility of drifting or even diving to 30m. Possibility of strong currents.

Mares

Arcos Cruzeiro (★4.3)

Characterized by the presence of volcanic arches at a depth of 30m, which makes it attractive for deep dives. It is possible to start the dive in a shallower area at 12m and to dive up to 18m without going to the location of the arches, for open water divers.

Scubapro, Stephen Frink

House Reef Ponta Delgada (★4.1)

It’s 15min by boat from Ponta Delgada marina. With the possibility of diving from the shore, this dive offers sandy bottoms, arches and rocks. The depths range from 4m up to 20m.

Mares, Predrag Vuckovic

Luso Wreck (★4.3)

A wreck from 1883 called “LUSO“ that was identified by the Best Spot diving center. A scattered wreck that allows for drift diving and where you can see the propeller, boilers and scattered areas of the ship. Maximum depths of 14 to 18m but with the possibility of going shallow.

Mares

BAIXA DO OURO (★4.2)

Rock mass almost at the surface. Characterized by a lighter rock that allows for shallower dives or dives to a depth of 25m. A place where pelagic fish pass through.

Located on the slope of the Guia Hill, the Gruta dos Camarões (Shrimp Cave) is a deep dive performed in a long and narrow cave. It is only advisable for experienced divers certified in cave diving.

Mantamaria Dive Center Azores, 9580-541 Vila Do Porto

Ilhéu da Vila (★4.0)

This dive takes place around the small Ilhéu da Vila (Vila Islet), located 200 metres from the southwest coast. Despite the proximity of Vilo do Porto marina, this site features fairly abundant marine life as it is part of the natural park of the island of Santa Maria.

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