Ilhéu de Vila Franca - cozinha

★★★★☆ (1,568)

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.

Species that can be spotted are Canary Damsel, Salema, Rainbow wrasse, Ornate Wrasse, arzores Chromis, Rock-pool Blenny, Rusty blenny, Red scorpion fish, Madeira rockfish, redlip blenny

Dive Activity

Courses and Events

Open Water Diver

Open Water Diver

Dive into the heart of the Atlantic ocean to earn your open water diver certification in a setting like no other.The crystal-clear waters of the Azores reveal unique marine life and flora: observe schools of tropical fish, and explore volcanic seabeds covered in lush underwater vegetation.Guided by a team of dedicated professionals, you will learn essential skills safely in a preserve environment. By the end of this adventure you will receive a lifetime certification valid worldwide, granting you autonomy to dive up to 18 meters anywhere on the globe.Ready to live an amazing underwater experience?

August 1, 2026 +92 More
$564.06
€490.00

Potential Wildlife Sightings

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

Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel

Moray Eel
141 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
2
A
4
M
13
J
27
J
39
A
26
S
17
O
9
N
0
D
3

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

Total number of species approx.: 300

Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
Octopus

Octopus
75 Sightings
J
0
F
2
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
25
J
20
A
15
S
13
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.: 27

iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda

Barracuda
70 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
4
M
9
J
15
J
12
A
13
S
16
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.: 600

iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse

Wrasse
23 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
4
M
9
J
10
J
0
A
0
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.: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
Grouper/Basslets

Grouper/Basslets
186 Sightings
J
0
F
4
M
2
A
8
M
23
J
37
J
39
A
32
S
25
O
14
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.: 100

iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish

Parrotfish
123 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
9
M
16
J
27
J
28
A
22
S
19
O
0
N
0
D
1

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

Total number of species approx.: 40

iStock-wrangel
Triggerfish

Triggerfish
116 Sightings
J
1
F
2
M
0
A
5
M
18
J
27
J
23
A
25
S
14
O
0
N
0
D
1

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

Total number of species approx.: 250

iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.
Scorpionfish

Scorpionfish
50 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
10
J
10
J
18
A
12
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

iStock/Extreme-Photographer
Stingrays

Stingrays
36 Sightings
J
0
F
4
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
11
J
20
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
1

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

Total number of species approx.: 120

AdobeStock-Composer.
Flounder

Flounder
27 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
13
J
14
A
0
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.: 3000

SSI-Peter-Schinck
Nudibranch

Nudibranch
25 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
14
J
11
A
0
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.: 130

AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
Pufferfish

Pufferfish
12 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
12
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

Dive Centers Catering This Dive Site

Espírito Azul Dive Center, Espirito Azul Dive Center

Espírito Azul Dive Center, Espirito Azul Dive Center

Marina de Vila Franca do Campo, 9680-024 Vila Franca do Campo, PO23 - Portugal
Espírito Azul Dive Center, Espirito Azul Dive Center

Espírito Azul Dive Center, Espirito Azul Dive Center

Marina de Vila Franca do Campo, 9680-024 Vila Franca do Campo, PO23 - Portugal

Dive Sites Nearby

Mares
Gruta dos Camaroes (★4.3)

Gruta dos Camaroes (★4.3)

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.
Aqualung
Pedrinha (★4.3)

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.
Mantamaria Dive Center Azores, 9580-541 Vila Do Porto
Ilhéu da Vila (★4.0)

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.
Mares
Baixa da Maia (★4.1)

Baixa da Maia (★4.1)

The Baixa da Maia (Maia Reef) is actually a small islet located less than 500 metres from the coast in front of the village of Maia. The area around it (150-metre radius) is classified as a marine reserve where fishing is forbidden.
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic
Baia do Pocâo (★4.6)

Baia do Pocâo (★4.6)

Nice dive site close to the rocky shore. This is a boat dive. Depth varies from 10 to 18 meters. Prismatic rock formations with some sandy bottoms. Nice to follow the shoreline during the dive.
Mares, Janez Kranjc
Calçada do Gigante (★3.9)

Calçada do Gigante (★3.9)

Large underwater rock formation not too far from shore. Accessible as a boat dive only. Depth from 15meters to 25meters. Prismatic rock formations.
Mares
Gruta Azul (★4.4)

Gruta Azul (★4.4)

One of the most interesting cave dives of this island. It features 3 different exits, allowing for some interesting circuits, and a wide variety of settings throughout the 150 metres of stone corridors. Maximum depth of only 17 metres.
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic
Banco João Lopes (★4.2)

Banco João Lopes (★4.2)

Located on the north coast of the island of Santa Maria, approximately one nautical mile northwest of Anjos, the Banco João Lopes (João Lopes Bank) consists of a 14 metre reef with a seafloor that drops to a depth of 40 metres. Far from the coast, it sometimes features moderate to strong current.
Mares, Janez Kranjc
Ambrósio (★4.6)

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.
Scubapro, Stephen Frink
Banco Dollabarat (★4.4)

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.
AZORES SCUBA DIVING & FREEDIVING ACADEMY, 9500-711 Ponta Delgada
Formigas (★4.6)

Formigas (★4.6)

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.
Mares
Ponta da Galera (★4.2)

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, Predrag Vuckovic
Baixa das Cracas (★4.4)

Baixa das Cracas (★4.4)

Dive site located in the Vila Franca do Campo islet, where you can find a lot of swimming throughs, passages and a sandy path located around 21m. There can be a lot of swell and some current on this dive site.
Mares
Ilheu West (★4.2)

Ilheu West (★4.2)

A ilha Oeste está localizada no ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo e é um declive da ilha que vai até aos 22 metros e existem 4 desfiladeiros que podemos entrar mas não atravessar. Esses desfiladeiros são usados para proteção de espécies.
Mares, Janez Kranjc
Caloura Panela (★4.2)

Caloura Panela (★4.2)

Located in front of Caloura village. Characterized by a huge cave 16m deep with several light entrances. The possibility of drifting through different volcanic arches.
Aqualung
Baixa das Âncoras (★4.2)

Baixa das Âncoras (★4.2)

This rocky area used to be an anchorage for boats visiting the Port of Vila Franca. It is characterized by having several scattered anchors from different periods, some of which are still intact.
Mares
3 Houses (★4.2)

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.
Aqualung
Arcos da caloura (★4.2)

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, Janez Kranjc
The Wall (★4.4)

The Wall (★4.4)

This is a wall dive with shallow area at 12m and bottom at 28m with mixture of sand and rocks. Presence of passing pelagic marine life. Walls with black coral. There is a possibility of drift diving here.
Mares
BAIXA DO OURO (★3.9)

BAIXA DO OURO (★3.9)

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.
Mares
Santa Clara Arena (★4.6)

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
GAZA (★4.5)

GAZA (★4.5)

A range of rocky walls along a strip more than 100m long. The dive starts in a shallow depth and allows you to drift while maintaining the wall throughout the dive.
Aqualung
Baia de Sao Pedro (★4.3)

Baia de Sao Pedro (★4.3)

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.
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic
Luso Wreck (★4.3)

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.