Portugal Dive Santa Maria, Azores

The islands of the Azores Archipelago can be divided into three groups - west, central, and east. And, while the diving is great no matter where you go, it too can be split geographically, with each location offering something a little different.

Pico, Faial, São Jorge, Terceira and Graciosa

The protected seamount of Condor Bank, off the coast of Faial, and the more remote Princess Alice Bank, situated roughly 80-kilometres south of Pico, are two of the region’s most dynamic dive sites and are known for encounters with both makos and blue sharks. At these sites you might also spot schools of barracuda, tuna, and black marlin, as well as the occasional smooth hammerhead and scores of mobulas - particularly at Princess Alice Bank. Plus, spotted, bottlenose and common dolphins can often be seen swimming alongside the boat. 

Closer to shore you’ll find Gruta dos Camarões - or Shrimp Cave - named after a cave brimming with unicorn shrimp, as well as the 40-metre Terceirense Wreck which lies off the coast of Graciosa and is surrounded by Atlantic damselfish. Terceira’s underwater archaeological park in Angra do Heroísmo Bay is also worth a visit. Here you can find the wreck of an old steamship and a site known as Cemitério das Âncoras - or Anchor Cemetery - due to the scores of anchors abandoned here over the centuries.

Santa Maria and São Miguel 

To the east, the small island of Santa Maria has become a hotspot for graceful ocean giants such as mobula rays, whale sharks, and sometimes even mantas. The tiny offshore islets of Formigas and Dollabarat are two particular favourites, but are certainly not for beginners. Baixa do Ambrosio is a good alternative for less experienced divers, with all three sites lying in and around the channel between Santa Maria and São Miguel. 

Lourenços and Sabrina Reefs on the west coast of São Miguel can also attract mobulas when the currents are running, while the far-flung Dom João de Castro Bank offers an experience like few others. Here, you can explore a huge underwater volcano which rises some 1000-metres from the seafloor. Amongst its gas vents and plummeting vertical walls you’ll find a variety of impressive pelagics such as devil rays, giant wahoos, and schools of tuna and barracuda.

Corvo and Flores

The Caneiro dos Meros off the coast of Corvo Island is the only voluntary reserve in the Azores, known for an abundance of dusky groupers. You’ll dive along several larva-flow canyons to a sandy seafloor located at around 40-metres. Here it is possible to see dozens of large dusky groupers, as well as barred hogfish and other interesting species.

Whale watching

Surrounded by nutrient rich waters that reach depths of up to three kilometres, and are warmed by the Gulf Stream, the Azores are a haven for cetaceans of all kinds. In fact, over 20 different species of whales and dolphins either inhabit or migrate through these waters, making it one of the best spots in the world for an encounter. The most popular islands for tours include São Miguel, Faial, and the less developed island of Pico, which all offer sightings reasonably close to shore.

Sperm whales can be seen year-round, along with common dolphins, Risso’s dolphins, and bottlenose dolphins. But, depending on the time of year, you can also spot humpback, false killer, minke and beaked whales on their annual migrations. And that’s not it. Every year, three of the biggest animals on earth - blue, fin, and sei whales - also pass through the Azores on their way to new feeding grounds.