Amora
Amora is located in the South coast of São Miguel Island, between Ponta Garça and Ribeira Quente.
Unlike other diving spots, this one is characterised by the absence of rock formations. Instead, it features quite large pebbles over a seabed of sand.
The dive starts at 15/16 m deep, descending to 28 m of maximum depth, where large jewfishes live.
During the dive, you will enjoy the company of barred hogfishes (Bodianus scrofa), Ballan wrasses (Labrus bergylta), Mediterranean parrotfishes (Sparisoma cretense) and blacktail combers (Serranus atricauda).
Spread through the peddle area there are Mediterranean rainbow wrasses (Coris julis), ornate wrasses (Thalassoma pavo), white seabreams (Diplodus sargus cadenati), moray eels (Muraena augusti) and salema porgy (Sarpa salpa).
Into the blue it is common to find large shoals of blue jack mackerels (Trachurus picturatus), amberjacks (Seriola spp.) and yellowmouth barracudas (Sphyraena viridensis).
By boat: 15 minutes from the marina of Vila Franca do Campo; 45 minutes from the marina of Ponta Delgada
The dive starts at 15/16 m deep, descending to 28 m of maximum depth, where large jewfishes live.
22
28
No
No
No
Baixa do Espelho
The Baixa do Espelho (Mirror Reef), also known as the Baixa da Relva (Relva Reef), is located in front of the parish of Relva about 200 metres from the coast and about 5 miles from the Ponta Delgada Marina.
With a minimum depth of 6 metres and a maximum of 23 metres, this dive is accessible to all divers and is suitable for snorkelling. The top of the reef is full of small colourful fish, typical of the Azores, as well as several species of moray eels that peek through the holes. Small ornate wrasses (Thalassoma pavo), schools of salema porgies (Sarpa salpa) and grey triggerfish (Balistes carolinensis) can also be seen.
Descending along the reefs flank, you will find a small cave which you can enter to see some stretches of black coral (Antipathes wollastoni). This is an excellent place to see schools of pelagic fish such as Almaco jacks (Seriola rivoliana) and yellowmouth barracudas (Sphyraena viridensis).
Close to the bottom, at a depth of 23-metres, you can sometimes spot large common stingrays (Dasyatis pastinaca) lying motionless on the sandy seafloor, as well as swallowtail seaperches (Anthia anthia).
20 minutes from the Ponta Delgada Marina, 60 minutes from the Vila Franca do Campo Marina
quite good and ideal for
Night dive
Underwater photography
Diving Baptism
Snorkeling
15
23
Yes
No
Yes
Dori
With the top of her stern at a depth of only 9 metres, and the bow in the deepest part at 20 metres, the Dori shipwreck is a great place for all types of dive and snorkelling trips. Considered by many as the best dive site on the island of São Miguel, this wrecked Liberty ship on the sandy seafloor was built during the Second World War in the United States. It was one of the few ships of this type that took part in Operation Overlord along the coast of Normandy, as well as taking part in a number of other wartime missions, and it eventually sank 800 metres off the coast of Ponta Delgada on 16 January 1964. Today it is an underwater archaeological park; the stern, to the north, is still quite intact and is surrounded by clouds of small fish as well as occasionally shoals of pelagic fish. Heading towards the bow, you can see some of the larger structures of the ship still intact, as well as a multitude of large pipes and stairways. The ship’s boilers are regularly surrounded by schools of Moroccan white seabreams (Diplodus sargus cadenati).
Fishing is prohibited in this area, which means that throughout the dive you can spot an exceptional number of common species typical of the Azores Sea.
5 minutes from the Ponta Delgada Marina, 45 minutes from the Vila Franca do Campo Marina
good conditions
16
21
Yes
No
Yes
Panela
Panela is located about 100 metres from Água de Pau in front of an area called Cerco da Caloura, on the south coast of the island of São Miguel. You can access this site both from the shore and by boat. There are some areas that are only 5-10 metres deep, which is perfect for snorkellers, although it is only recommended when the seas are calm.
There are several arches and caves to explore, but the main attraction is a large cavern with two entrances. The opening is at a depth of 10 m and, after entering it, you can go down to a depth of 17 metres to reach the bottom. The light effects created by the two entrances above you are stunning.
Inside the cavern you can sometimes find large congers (Conger conger) and colourful cardinal fish (Apogon imberbis), Madeira rockfish (Scorpaena maderensis), Guinean puffers (Sphoeroides marmoratus) and several species of nudibranches.
15 minutes from the Vila Franca do Campo Marina, 35 minutes from the Ponta Delgada Marina
Underwater photography
Snorkeling
10
17
No
No
No
Lourenços
This dive site is only recommended for experienced divers. The top of the reef is 24 metres deep, and the strong currents that can occur at this site make the dive more complex. It is a great spot for technical dives as the seafloor is at a depth of 60 metres.
Located about two nautical miles west of the island of São Miguel, and 13 miles from the Ponta Delgada Marina, the Baixa dos Lourenços (Lourenços Reef) is one of the best dives for observing pelagic fish such as yellowmouth barracudas (Sphyraena viridensis), Almaco jacks (Seriola rivoliana), white trevallies (Pseudocaranx dentex) and even devil rays (Mobula tarapacana) during the summer months.
Along the top of the reef, between 24 and 30 metres, you can see an abundance of demersal species, such as large red scorpionfish (Scorpaena scrofa), lying still over the rocks. There are also several species of moray eels. The edges of the reef are the ideal place for spotting schools of pelagic species.
50 minutes from the Ponta Delgada Marina, 80 minutes from the Vila Franca do Campo Marina
IDEAL PLACE FOR
Diving Technical
Underwater photography
DIVING EXPERIENCE
Advanced Open Water
27
60
No
No
Yes
Arcos da Caloura
Located only 300 metres from the coast in a sheltered bay, Arcos da Caloura is a great place for snorkelling and all types of dive.
The top of the reef lies at a depth of 5 metres, dropping to 20 metres. At 16 metres you can find one of the four entrances to an impressive cave - the main attraction of this spot. Inside the cave it is common to see schools of large white trevallies as well as some resident dusky groupers (Epinephelus marginatus). The ceiling of the cave is regularly filled with dozens of different species of nudibranchs.
Around the cave there are many different smaller species, including several species of moray eels, Guinean puffers (Sphoeroides marmoratus), Mediterranean rainbow wrasses (Coris julis), wide-eyed flounders (Bothus podas), ornate wrasses (Thalassoma pavo), salema porgies (Sarpa salpa), Azores chromis (Chromis limbata), parrotfish (Sparisoma cretense), and blacktail combers (Serranus atricauda).
15 minutes from the Vila Franca do Campo Marina, 30 minutes from the Ponta Delgada Marina
IDEAL PLACE FOR
Night dive
Underwater photography
Diving Baptism
Snorkeling
DIVING EXPERIENCE
All Divers
12
18
No
No
Yes
Cabeços do Ilhéu
The Cabeços do Ilhéu dive is only recommended for experienced divers as there are strong currents and parts of the dive are quite deep.
There are four reefs in this area, all of them offering excellent opportunities for technical dives, but this is the most popular because at less than one mile from the Vila Franca do Campo Islet, it offers the best opportunities for spotting demersal species.
The top of the reef is located at a depth of approximately 25 metres and is covered with large stretches of black coral (Antipathes wollastoni). The star attractions are the several large dusky groupers (Epinephelus marginatus) and barred hogfish (Pseudolepidaplois scrofa) that are regularly sighted here.
On the edge of the reef, which drops to about 45 metres, you can often see impressive schools of pelagic fish such as Almaco jacks (Seriola rivoliana) and yellowmouth barracudas (Sphyraena viridensis). In the summer, devil rays (Mobula tarapacana) also join the mix, slowly swimming in and out of the blue.
10 minutes from the Vila Franca do Campo Marina, 50 minutes from the Ponta Delgada Marina.
CURRENTS
Moderate
DIVE TYPES
Deep
Coastal Reef
IDEAL PLACE FOR
Diving Technical
Underwater photography
DIVING EXPERIENCE
Advanced Open Water
30
45
No
No
Yes
Baixa das Castanhetas
here are great differences in depth at this site, which means the Baixa das Castanhetas (Damselfish Reef) is an excellent option for divers with all levels of experience. Located less than 500 metres from the coast, opposite the Caloura bathing area, the site is a maze of interlinked caverns, tunnels and gorges.
The first cavern is at a depth of 12 metres. It has three wide entrances and is regularly occupied by a school of large white trevallies (Pseudocaranx dentex). From here you can explore a long narrow tunnel full of cardinal fish (Apogon imberbis) and small nudibranchs, before exiting back out onto the reef.
Along the top of the reef there clouds of Azores chromis (after which the reef is named), as well as several other smaller tunnels and caves where it is common to spot large dusky groupers (Epinephelus marginatus). The reef flank drops vertically to depths greater than 45 metres, where it is common to see schools of pelagic fish in the summer and sometimes devil rays (Mobula tarapacana).
15 minutes from the Vila Franca do Campo Marina, 30 minutes from the Ponta Delgada Marina
DIVE TYPES
Coastal Reef
Cave
IDEAL PLACE FOR
Diving Technical
Underwater photography
DIVING EXPERIENCE
Open Water
16
44
No
No
No
Ilhéu de Vila Franca
The protected area of the Vila Franca do Campo Islet is located directly opposite the town after which it is named, less than 500 metres from shore. It offers several excellent dives that are suitable for all experience levels, as well as lots of snorkelling opportunities. Inside the islet you will find a large bay created by the crater of an extinct volcano that rose from the sea more than four thousand years. This is another great spot for snorkelling.
The islet offers various diving options along the major cracks and canyons, which mean you can tailor your dive depending on the direction of the waves. The area is protected, and there is an abundance of Azores chromis (Chromis limbata), ornate wrasses (Thalassoma pavo), blacktail combers (Serranus atricauda), parrotfish (Sparisoma cretense), ballan wrasses (Labrus bergylta), barred hogfish, moray eels, common octopuses (Octopus vulgaris) and dusky groupers (Epinephelus marginatus). On the sandy seafloor you are likely to spot common stingrays (Dasyatis pastinaca), and in the water column there are often white trevallies (Pseudocaranx dentex), yellowmouth barracudas (Sphyraena viridensis), Almaco jacks (Seriola rivoliana) and bluefish. (Pomatomus saltator).
5 min from the Vila Franca do Campo Marina, 45 minutes from the Ponta Delgada Marina
CURRENTS
Weak
DIVE TYPES
Coastal
IDEAL PLACE FOR
Night dive
Underwater photography
Diving Baptism
Snorkeling
DIVING EXPERIENCE
All Divers
12
22
No
No
Yes
Arco do Cavaco
diving around a rock that springs up from the ocean outside the rocky landscape 20 minuts with boat from Ponta delgada
Theres also an arc you can dive through and rocky environments. A few fishes, but not really alot to see. Salty water.
by boat 20 minutes from ponta delgada marine
quite easy dive, sometimes wavy.
16
24
Yes
No
No
Arena de St Clara
outside ponta delgada, maybe about 50 - 100 m from shore. maximum depth is 18m.
Quite alot of currents, consists of a sand bank and rocks going up from the sand bank. Possible to see nudibranch,
ray or morena.
by boat 20 min
quite turbulent on the surfce at times, and strong currents can come
15
18
Yes
No
No