A list of the best rated scuba dive sites in Azores.

Banco Princesa Alice

One of the best dives in Europe! Banco Princesa Alice or Princess Alice Bank is located 45 nautical miles from the Island of Faial. Its name comes from the vessel "Princesse Alice" that in 1896 had done there a research campaign headed by Prince Albert I from Monaco. The journey from the marina of Horta will take around 3 hours and sharks, turtles, dolphins and even whales can be observed during it. Usually the current is strong in the spot and the descent should be done through the anchor line....

Formigas

The Formigas Islets located around 23 miles NW from Santa Maria Island and 30 miles SE from S. Miguel Island have just a 19m high lighthouse and a small jetty. There are several dive sites around the islets but usually people tend to choose the place of the Olympia wreck in the SW area. Once again, due to its location in open sea the majority of the times strong currents are present and so this dive must be done only with good sea conditions by experienced divers. The dive should be done around ...

Boca das Caldeirinhas

Always a good dive very near Horta's harbour. Located by the reserve of Caldeirinhas is a very short boat ride. A magnificient wall with steps from 6-60m, with an underwater view to the interior of a volcano crater. Dramatic volcanic landscape with canyons and crevices. Fauna: morays, dusky groupers, barracudas, slipper lobsters, lobsters, cow breams, sea breams, parrotfish, wrasses, conger eel, black coral....

Condor

A dive not for the faint hearted as one will dive in the blue with the elegant and curious blue shark. Sometimes mako sharks also join the party. Recommended season: July, August and September. Being around 25 miles off Horta harbor, good weather conditions are necessary to do this dive. Be prepared for a small bait action before diving. A must for shark lovers! ...

Banco D. João de Castro

This dive site located 35 miles from Terceira Island and 38 miles from S. Miguel Island is a volcanic cone that emerges from a depth of 1000m where volcanic activity can be observed. Due to its location in open sea it presents the majority of the times strong currents reason why it must be done only with excellent sea conditions and by experienced divers. At 40/50 meter depth four peaks emerge from the base of the crater, being one of them to a depth of 13m and where the dive starts. The dive sh...

Dollabarat

This dive site that is located 20 miles NW from Santa Maria Island and 33 miles SE from S. Miguel Island and very near Formigas Islets. Due to its location in open sea it presents the majority of the times strong currents reason why the dive must be done only with good sea conditions by experienced divers. The dive should be done between 10 and 20 meters. At 15m depth beautiful black coral can be seen. In this magnificent dive the rocks hide dusky groupers and comb groupers. Over the top of the ...

Pontão 16

This site is located off Praia do Almoxarife, a 5 minutes boat ride from Horta. Platform wreck in a sandy bottom. Maximum depth 25 m, minimum depth 19 m. Fauna: morays, octopus, trigger fish, sting rays, breams, nudibranchs and schools of jacks...

Morro de Castelo Branco

Vertical wall to 30 m deep. Rock bottom with large boulders. Good drift dive. Current can be strong. Fauna: barracudas, hog fish, scorpion fish, common groupers, morays....

Baixa do Ambrósio

This dive site is located 2 miles north from the Bay of Anjos and around 8 miles from Vila do Porto. No one will regret a trip there especially manta-rays lovers. During the summer it’s normal to have schools of more than 15 mantas - sometimes reaching 30 - that circle around the divers. Being a deep dive when observing the abundant and diverse pelagic life which includes big Almaco Jacks, tunas, etc., one can stay at 15-20m for manta madness. In the end of the summer wahoos are very co...

Caverna da Maia

This dive site is located at the East coast of Santa Maria Island a few meters from shore. This dive site presents a main rock formation with crevices where slipper lobsters, fork-beards, and octopus can be observed. The lava tubes have originated a big cave with three different entrances. The place is normally sheltered from currents. It is a relaxed dive where the main issue is the crossing of the cave with 100m long. Several species of nudibranch can be observed outside the entrances of the c...