Scuba Spots

Índice

Porto dos Biscoitos

From the small fishing port of Biscoitos, the dive begins within the bay of the port, where you can find several juvenile species. When leaving the port and turning northeast, parallel to the coast, at depths ranging from 10 to 18 meters, you can encounter a large rocky wall with various cavities that host an authentic natural nursery.

Mergulho Duplo (4)
Access:

Coast

Depth:

18m (Max.)

Difficulty:

Easy

Minimum Qualification:

-------

Diving Type:

Snorkeling

Diving Features:

Cave

Rocky Bottom

Sandy bottom

Photography

Night Diving

Caverna

Fundo Rochoso

Fundo de Areia

Fotografia

Mergulho Noturno

Species to be seen:

Lilies (Seriola rivoliana); Barracuda (Sphyraena viridebsis); Octopus (Octopus vulgaris); Black moray eel (Muraena augustil); Grouper (Epinephelus marginatus); Conger eel (conger conger); Sea bream (Pagellus acarnea); White seabream (Diplodus vulgaris).

Lírios (Seriola rivoliana);Bicuda(Sphyraena viridebsis);Polvo (Octopus vulgaris);Moreia-preta (Muraena augustil);Mero (Epinephelus marginatus);Congro (conger conger);Besugo (Pagellus acarnea);Sargo-safia (Diplodus vulgaris

Dealer

This centenary steamship, measuring 78 meters in length, is known as the “Salt Boat” because it used to transport various goods, primarily “Salt”.

It belongs to the Underwater Archaeological Park of Angra do Heroísmo Bay (which also includes the Anchor Cemetery, near this location). The Lidador sank in Angra do Heroísmo Bay in 1878 at a depth of approximately 8 meters and 50 meters from the coast. Along the roughly 80 meters that separate the stern and the bow, you can still observe some identifiable traces of the ship, although the best-preserved part of this vessel is the bow.

This dive is considered easy, shallow, and excellent for beginners, diving baptisms, and snorkeling, as the wreck’s structure does not allow for penetrations. It is accessible directly from the coast, starting at the “Cais da Figueirinha.”

Mergulho Duplo (4)
Access:

Coast -Cais da Figueirinha

Depth:

10 m (Max.)

Difficulty:

Easy

Minimum Qualification:

-------

Diving Type:

Snorkeling

Diving Features:

Rocky Bottom

Sandy bottom

Photography

Shipwreck

Night Diving

Fundo Rochoso

Fundo de Areia

Fotografia

Naufrágio

Mergulho Noturno

Species to be seen:

Lilies (Seriola rivoliana); Grouper (Serranus atricauda); Red mullet (Mullus surmuletus); Triggerfish (Balistes capriscus); Octopus (Octopus vulgaris); Grouper (Epinephelus marginatus); Painted moray (Muraena helena); Sole (Bothus podas).

Lírio (seriola rivoliana); Garoupa (Serranus atricauda); Salmonete (Mullus sumuletus); Peixe-porco (Balistes capriscus); Polvo(Octopus vulgaris): Mero (Epinephelus marginatus ); Moreia -Pintada (Muraena helena); Solha(Bothus podas)

North Island or Lost Stone

This diving site, known as “Pedra Perdida,” is located approximately 15 minutes by boat from the Porto da Praia da Vitória.

Pedra Perdida is a large rocky formation that ranges from 22 to 12 meters in depth, and it is an exposed area where strong currents can occur. It is recommended for experienced divers.

While exploring this rock, especially the cracks and holes, we can observe the diversity of species that coexist there. As we descend, we encounter two large rock formations near the bottom, and we can see species like large groupers.

Mergulho Duplo (4)
Access:

Boat

Depth:

35m (Max.)

Difficulty:

Medium, with current or depth

Minimum Qualification:

------

Diving Type:

Snorkeling

Diving Features:

Rocky Bottom

Photography

Fundo Rochoso

Fotografia

Species to be seen:

Stingray (Taeniura Grabata);Lilies(Seriola rivoliana);Triggerfish (Balistes Carolinensis);Grouper (Epinephelus marginatus);Eagle Ray (Myliobatis aquila);Hogfish (Pseudolepidaplois scrofa)

Ratão (Taeniura Grabata);Lírios (Seriola rivoliana);Peixe-Porco (Balistes Carolinensis);Mero (Epinephelus marginatus);Arreião (Myliobatis aquila);Peixe-cão (Pseudolepidaplois scrofa)

Mina Island

Near the Village of São Sebastião, and a short distance from the coast (about 50 meters), lies the small islet of Mina, approximately 20 meters in length.

Mergulho Duplo (4)
Access:

Boat

Depth:

35 m (Max.)

Difficulty:

Medium, with current or depth

Minimum Qualification:

-------

Diving Type:

Snorkeling

Diving Features:

Rocky Bottom

Sandy bottom

Photography

Fundo Rochoso

Fundo de Areia

Fotografia

Species to be seen:

Barracudas (Sphyraena viridensis); Lilies(Seriola rivoliana); Grouper (Epinephelus marginatus); Horse mackerel (Trachurus picturatus); Black coral (Antipathella wollastoni);

Bicudas (Sphyraena viridensis);Lírios (Seriola rivoliana);mero (Epinephelus marginatus);chicharros (Trachurus picturatus);coral-negro
(Antipathella wollastoni);

Gruta dos Ratões or Gruta do Ilhéu das Cabras

This large cave on Cabras Islet is accessible by boat and is one of the most iconic diving spots on the island. It’s possible to sometimes observe large rays swimming in the water column and at the bottom, making it an excellent spot for diving or snorkeling.

This dive begins at the cave entrance and continues south-southwest along the cliff extension, where you can spot both pelagic and demersal species.

Mergulho Duplo (4)
Access:

Boat

Depth:

30m (Max.)

Difficulty:

Medium, with current or depth

Minimum Qualification:

------

Diving Type:

Snorkeling

Diving Features:

Cave

Rocky Bottom

Sandy bottom

Photography

Caverna

Fundo Rochoso

Fundo de Areia

Fotografia

Species to be seen:

Lilies (Seriola rivoliana); Grouper (Epinephelus marginatus); Dogfish (Pseudolepidaplois scrofa); Octopus (Octopus vulgaris); Yellow jack (Caranx crysos); Barracuda (Sphyraena viridensis).

Lírios (Seriola rivoliana);Mero (Epinephelus marginatus);Peixe-cão (Pseudolepidaplois scrofa);Polvo ( Octopus vulgaris),Írio-de-serra (caranx
crysos);Bicuda (Sphyraena Viridensis)

Cavaco Cave

The Gruta dos Cavacos is located on the southwest slope of Monte Brasil, a 5-minute boat ride from the port of Angra do Heroísmo. The concavity, situated at a depth of 22 meters, is formed by two large rock formations joined at the top, creating a triangular-shaped cave.

Mergulho Duplo (4)
Access:

Boat

Depth:

35m (Max.)

Difficulty:

Medium, with current or depth

Minimum Qualification:

-----

Diving Type:

Snorkeling

Diving Features:

Cave

Rocky Bottom

Photography

Caverna

Fundo Rochoso

Fotografia

Species to be seen:

Lilies (Seriola rivoliana); Slipper lobster (Scyllarides latus); Grouper (Serranus atricauda); Fan worm (Sabella spallanzanii); Parrotfish (Sparisoma cretense); Bream (Diplodus sargus)

Lírios (Seriola rivoliana);Cavaco (Scyllarides latus);Garoupa (Serranus atricauda) Espirógrafo (Sabella spallanzanii);Veja (Sparisoma cretense);Sargo (Diplodus sargus)

Five Ribeiras Cave

One of the most interesting underwater caves in the archipelago, where it is possible to explore a long cave formed by several interconnected chambers, providing a fantastic diving experience both during the day and at night.

This dive is conducted from a sheltered harbor, with shallow depth, and is accessible to divers with any level of experience, including snorkelers, although the experience of exploring the cave complex at this location is reserved for more experienced divers.

The initial descent is made to a depth of up to 5 meters, over a stretch of sand, where a sunken boat’s boiler can be found. Heading southwest, keeping the rocky wall on our right side, we will reach the main entrance of the cave. The return can be made along the exterior side, allowing you to follow the wall teeming with marine life on your left, or you can go back through the complex of caves, following the opposite route.

Mergulho Duplo (4)
Access:

Coast

Depth:

20 m (Max.)

Difficulty:

Medium, with current or depth

Minimum Qualification:

----------

Diving Type:

Snorkeling

Diving Features:

Cave

Rocky Bottom

Sandy bottom

Photography

Night Diving

Caverna

Fundo Rochoso

Fundo de Areia

Fotografia

Mergulho Noturno

Species to be seen:

Octopus (Octopus vulgaris); Grouper (Epinephelus marginatus); Stingray (Taeniura grabata); Thicklip grey mullet (Chelon labrosus); Forkbeard (Phycis phycis); Narwhal shrimp (Plesionika narval); Cardinal fish (Apogon imberbis); Moray eel (Enchelycore anatina); Lizardfish (Synodus saurus).

Polvo (Octopus vulgaris);Mero (Epinephelus marginatus );Ratão (Taeniura grabata);Tainha (Chelon labrosus);Abrótea (Phycis phycis);Camarão-narval (Plesionika narval)Folião (Apogon imberbis);Víbora (Enchelycore anatina);Peixe -lagarto(Synodus saurus)

Anchors Cemetery

“The ‘Anchor Cemetery’ is one of the sites in the Underwater Archaeological Park of Angra do Heroísmo Bay. It is located three minutes from the Port of Angra, extending over an area of 500m between Fort São Benedito and the Lighthouse Point. Approximately forty anchors of various sizes and different time periods can be seen at depths ranging from 15m to 35m.”

Mergulho Duplo (4)
Access:

Boat

Depth:

30 m (Max.)

Difficulty:

Medium, with current or depth.

Minimum Qualification:

Open Water

Diving Type:

Snorkeling

Diving Features:

Rocky Bottom

Sandy bottom

Photography

Fundo Rochoso

Fundo de Areia

Fotografia

Species to be seen:

Greater amberjack (Seriola rivoliana); Grouper (Serranus atricauda); Triggerfish (Balistes carolinensis); Spotted Moray (Muraena helena); Turbot (Bothus podas); Red Mullet (Mullus surmuletus); Grouper (Epinephelus marginatus); Red Porgy (Pagellus acarne).

Lírio (Seriola rivoliana); Garoupa (Serranus atricauda); Peixe-Porco
(Balistes carolinensis); Moreia-Pintada (Muraena helena) Solha(Bothuspodas); Salmonete (Mullus
sumuletus); Mero (Epinephelus marginatus) ; Besugo (Pagellus acarne)

Calheta do Lagador

Baixa da Vila Nova is characterized by a diverse landscape, allowing for an incredible journey through various rock formations, such as walls and wide canyons (or gorges).

Located about 2 miles away from the North of Terceira Island, this diving spot requires experience on the part of divers, especially on days with strong currents.

Depths can vary between 12 and 30 meters, and different species can be spotted depending on the seafloor and the time of year. Sometimes, we can see pelagic fish passing by.

Mergulho Duplo (4)
Access:

Boat

Depth:

30 m (Max.)

Difficulty:

Medium, with current or depth

Minimum Qualification:

----

Diving Type:

Snorkeling

Diving Features:

Cave

Rocky Bottom

Photography

Caverna

Fundo Rochoso

Fotografia

Species to be seen:

Lilies (Seriola rivoliana), Serras (Sarda sarda); Horse mackerel (Trachurus picturatus); Castanets (Chromis limbata and Abudefduf luridus); Slipper lobsters (Scyllarides latus); Ballan wrasse (Coris julis); Salemas (Sarpa salpa).

Lírios (Seriola rivoliana);Bicuda(Sphyraena viridebsis);Polvo (Octopus vulgaris);Moreia-preta (Muraena augustil);Mero (Epinephelus marginatus);Congro (conger conger);Besugo (Pagellus acarnea);Sargo-safia (Diplodus vulgaris)

Downtown Serreta

Rocky volcanic outcrop, located approximately one nautical mile off the west coast of Terceira Island, in front of the Serreta parish from which it gets its name. The underwater formation is the result of repeated submarine eruptions that have occurred in the area over the past millennia (the last eruption of the Serreta volcano took place approximately two nautical miles to the west-southwest in 1998-2000).

This location is highly prized by diving enthusiasts due to the abundance of species that can be glimpsed. It’s a transit point for large pelagic species and demersal species such as large groupers and dogfish.

This dive is recommended for qualified divers with a minimum Advanced Open Water certification since this location can have strong currents and considerable depths.

Mergulho Duplo (4)
Access:

Boat

Depth:

35m (Max.)

Difficulty:

Medium, with current or depth

Minimum Qualification:

------

Diving Type:

Snorkeling

Diving Features:

Rocky Bottom

Photography

Fundo Rochoso

Fotografia

Species to be seen:

Stingray (Taeniura Grabata);Greater amberjack (Seriola rivoliana);Gray triggerfish (Balistes Carolinensis);Dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus);Common eagle ray (Myliobatis aquila);Fourspot butterflyfish (Pseudolepidaplois scrofa

Ratão (Taeniura Grabata);Lírios (Seriola rivoliana);Peixe-Porco (Balistes Carolinensis);Mero (Epinephelus marginatus);Arreião (Myliobatis aquila);Peixe-cão (Pseudolepidaplois scrofa

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